The Truth About NYC
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10/2/2005
I moved to NYC 14 yrs ago and here is the truth about living here: I have had one foot out the door almost the whole time and most people I know do too. That is because it is legendarily expensive and difficult to live here. The quality of living is understood to be bad, unless you have a trust fund or a huge income and can afford a "nice" apt. Also, the pace is frenetic; it can alternately be energizing or draining. Also, I found that it takes a long time to work your way into the city socially. NYers are great people, but not terribly open. And for a straight, single woman it can be disastrous: this is not a good city for relationships, but rather a city for achievement, cultural experiences and making money. Having said all that, it is a remarkable place. Just walking the streets is entertaining and often inspiring. There is so much going on on any given day, that you can get overwhelmed. For me it has been like going to Graduate School of the World, it has changed me and influenced me beyond any of my expectations. If you can handle a tough living environment, and are not overly sensitive to noise and crowds, it is the experience of a lifetime, and everyone should do it.
Leslie | Upper West Side, NY