Why did Holmes relocate his alarm business to New York City?

Holmes relocated his alarm business to New York City primarily because the people of Boston were skeptical about having anything electrical in their homes. This skepticism hindered his ability to sell and grow his business effectively in Boston. By moving to New York City, he sought out a more receptive market that was more open to embracing electrical innovations and advancements, which were crucial for his alarm systems. The opportunity in New York allowed him to reach a larger audience that would likely be more interested in adopting new technologies, thereby facilitating the growth of his alarm system business.

While New York City indeed offered a larger market and potential business partnerships, the fundamental motivation for the move stemmed from the challenges he faced in Boston's market regarding electrical alarm systems.