<p>Re post #49 – what I remember from the 70’s and 80’s is that the crime rate in NY was very high, and I don’t think anybody really anticipated the gentrification that would occur in many urban areas, including NY. </p>
<p>There are a lot of things that have changed, including perceptions as to private education, and the focus on prestige. I doubt anyone was thinking about prestige or rankings back when the merger issue was being considered.</p>