This past Saturday, I saw a brand new off-Broadway show called How to Be a New Yorker, courtesy of a close friend who works for the show. It took place in an Italian restaurant with a stage in the dining room, rather than at a theater. The show itself, which was narrated by two actual Manhattan tour-guides, was like a giant inside joke for New Yorkers, pointing out the best and most frustrating parts about living in the city. After reading Desiree’s recent post that included tips for new city girls, I was inspired to share my love/hate relationship for this city with the Zesty Digest world. To be more accurate, it’s a “mostly obsessed, sometimes don’t love” kind of thing.
I Don’t Love NYC When…
- I get stuck on an insanely crowded subway on the way to work because of “an investigation.”
- An errand that I’m running requires me to walk through a tourist attraction, making the trip twice as long.
- I write my rent check each month and remember that it’s more than some people’s mortgage.
- I’m already ten minutes late and have to hail a cab during rush hour…when it’s raining.
- I close out my bar tab, glance at the total, and realize that two cocktails cost more than $20.
- I’m woken up by sirens at 2 a.m. because I share my apartment wall with a firehouse.
- An angry fellow New Yorker cuts me off, flips me off, or mistakes me for a tourist.
Okay, let’s get real. What I actually don’t love is when people tell me how crazy I am to live here for the reasons above. In fact, after a year and a half, I still walk down the street and have “I can’t believe I live here” moments. I hope you get that sort of feeling about your home, too. Here are a few of my reasons why:
I’m Obsessed with NYC When…
- I walk out of a building at night and am immediately enveloped by overwhelming lights and sounds.
- I’m surrounded by people that are totally and completely different than I am. So much to learn.
- It’s after midnight. I have a craving. I can order in almost any type of food. And it will arrive within minutes.
- A day at the park includes people watching, novel reading, latte sipping, and puppy petting.
- I realize how much culture is only steps away–shows, plays, museums, galleries, street style, etc.
- I can walk almost anywhere I want to go, saving me gas money while keeping the fantastic view.
- My gym becomes the crowded sidewalks, paths along the rivers, and stretches of grass at the park.
- A (far too) late night out with great friends spills into an afternoon of boozy brunch with even greater friends.
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