My perspective is as some one who has "escaped NY" 25 years ago and living in the "Redonia" ever since.
People growing up in NYC/NJ/NE area have no clue. They are so wrapped up in their own little me me me staus world and look down on the rest of us (very generally speaking and no offense to those behind the enemy lines).
I am inwardly bemused at couples living in LI bragging about pulling down 350 K- Not mentioning, having a nanny raise their kid, paying the mortgage on a 900K house (2400 ft2), as well as ponying up 20 K in property taxes, and paying through the nose for everything.