"It did sound awkward when he said he felt trapped in NY"
No it didn't. Everyone seems to be omitting the fact that before Clay even made that comment, he said that he had to be very careful about what he was going to say, so as not to be misunderstood. Then he made the "trapped " statement, and also added that he was used to going out and about at will, which isn't the case here in NY. (or something to that effect). He finally made a positive comment about how he liked that everything here is always open.
To me, what he said was very clear.
<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES