Crime or no crime NYC has held the title of best city on Earth probably going on 100+ years with no sign of stopping. So if it's too scary/changed/dangerous/expensive/diverse/[insert adjective here] for anyone, that's cool we don't need you.
This isn't to say that your corner of the world isn't better for you (or just flat out better) in many facets - I'm sure it is. New York is full of problems and I left in 2017 to escape to the burbs so who am I to talk. I'm sure my life will take me far away from the Big Apple at times, who knows.
All i know is that tomorrow when i get off my train and above ground in NYC I will stop and take a deep breath like I do every time. I wont clutch my wallet or worry about getting pushed in front of a subway train. I'll look at the throngs of people, the skyscrapers of midtown, the tourists with jaws agape, and the constant change shaping this fine lady and ill thank God that I'm fortunate enough to just be in her orbit.