This audio story was reported in November 2025 for my graduate coursework at Columbia University.

INTRO

Living in one the most expensive cities in the world forces some New Yorkers to wear many hats. Side hustles are a matter of survival as people dedicate themselves to diversifying their income. But for some, these jobs become more than just extra income – they become passion projects. Reporter Muskaan Shah reports. 

REPORTER 1 

Many people come to New York to chase their dreams. However, inflation is a villain in their story. According to the New York City Comptroller’s website, the city has higher rates of inflation than the national average. 

Summer Rona has been living in New York for three years and says she’s in her ‘hustle mode’ right now. 

RONA 1 

New York is insane…the prices are insane. I was in Mexico for like three winters and I came back and I swear the prices went up because my rent in Mexico was like $600 and I come back to New York and it’s absolutely insane and the street tacos were like $18 for 3 tacos. 

REPORTER 2

As a day job, Rona teaches voice lessons and performs at gigs to pay her bills, while she is working on producing a musical to pursue her dreams as a singer and songwriter. 

[FADE IN AMBI_walk]

Another New Yorker finding balance through a side hustle is Michelle Moreno, who dog-walks in addition to her day job working as a stockperson in pantries and corporate offices.

MORENO 1 

The two dogs that I’ve been walking and sitting, they’ve really taken to me and I enjoy spending time around them. So I wouldn’t consider it a passion project, but I would not consider it a job. Like I would do it for free – that’s how much I love it. It’s something I would want to continue doing even after I stabilize myself financially because it is so therapeutic to spend time with animals. 

REPORTER 3 

Side hustles might be about extra income and enjoying oneself, but they’re also about satisfaction for some people. 

[FADE IN AMBI_spanish]

Lei Green talks about how as a masters student at Columbia University, they also tutor doctors for medical Spanish on the side. 

GREEN 1 

It’s really cool because I get to help them with their Spanish, they immediately use it at work and it’s very satisfying to know that I am contributing to better patient care for immigrants. 

REPORTER 4 

New Yorkers have always hustled – but side hustles have now become something deeper than financial survival alone. For many side-hustlers, they are also a rare space to feel joy, connection and control at a time when the world may seem anything but stable. 

Muskaan Shah, Columbia Radio News.