One Year in New York
Almost exactly a year ago, I made the move from Boston to New York City. I decided to read the reflection I had written around the time I moved. These reflections are always so fun to read later on and I love doing them.
I was in a very different place a year ago. I had been living at home for a year, and didn’t have a single vaccine in my body. It hadn’t even been a year since my dad passed away. I was craving new experiences and a new pace of life, which is exactly what I got in New York City.
Back in April 2021, I wrote:
“I thought I was going to feel too overwhelmed and lonely, but I’ve felt the exact opposite. I am so excited to spend all of my money and try new things. The sheer amount of food establishments makes me want to put my entire paycheck towards eating out every meal (don’t worry I won’t actually do this). Living on my own has given me a newfound sense of purpose that makes me want to move forward in my life no matter what is going on around me.” (April 2021)
Looking back on the year, there were definitely moments where I did feel overwhelmed and lonely in the city. There were points where I was convinced that New York wasn’t the city for me. It felt too much and over-stimulating. I was ready to move back to Boston in a year, but that feeling has evolved and changed in the past few months. Although there are moments where I still feel like I haven’t fully established my footing (like when I make 8 wrong turns after I get out of a new subway station), I find myself smiling when I come back to the East Village after a long trip. Slowly, New York has started to feel like home.
Eating out. lol. New York prices have made me numb to the cost of living anywhere else. Initially, I had been pretty good about budgeting and eating out once or twice a week. However, once everyone got vaccinated and I started making friends, that budget was thrown out the window, stomped on and shredded. I never regret spending money on food, it is always worth it. I feel extremely lucky to live in such close proximity to some wonderful food establishments. What’s the best way to save money going out in New York? DON’T BUY DRINKS WITH EVERY MEAL. This is something that I still do but know is bad for me. Sometimes, a drink with a meal is so nice goddammit why does it need to be $17 for a stupid cocktail. Another hack: lunch deals. A lot of places have lunch deals that are way more affordable and can be put in the refrigerator and eaten for dinner. Overall, I have no regrets when it comes to my New York eating adventures.
This reflection has turned out to be less organized than I wanted it. My bedroom is my sanctuary from the chaos that exists outside. I’ve realized how important it is in a city like New York to have access to a quiet space that you can call your own. As an introvert, I need a place to recharge after socializing. I love my little 70 square foot room. She is small but I love her.
After a year, I know all of the New York neighborhoods. That is a really exciting feeling. Obviously, I don’t know every square inch of the city but I know where each neighborhood it is and the general vibe and reputation it has. My own neighborhood, the lovely East Village has become a little town that I can call my home. I can confidently say that I know the East Village very well. I can tell when a store has closed and a new one has opened up. I don’t need Google Maps anymore in the East Village. I think there is a point when you live somewhere where you feel truly safe despite how safe/unsafe the place may be. I felt this way in Boston where I could confidently go anywhere and deal with whatever situation I was put in. This is how I feel about the East Village.
Walking is still my favorite way to get around the city. My second favorite way to explore is most definitely the subway. Is it my favorite place to be? No. However, it is a truly incredible system that can get you from one end of Manhattan to another for just $2.75. Will it get you where you want to be on time? Not always, but I have a lot of love and respect for the MTA. Recently, I’ve been running a lot more and that has proven to be a wonderful way to explore the city as well. It has gotten me to see different parts of the Hudson River, East River and Central Park.
Have a few drinks and walk through Washington Square Park on Friday at dusk during the summer, I dare you. New York City has an energy that is palpable yet cannot be verbalized. It’s an annoying thing to say but “you kinda have to be in it to feel it”. The best way I can explain this feeling is young, invincible and absolutely chaotic. In New York, you are always surrounded by a lot of people, but no one cares about you. You can actually do whatever you want and there is a chance that no one will bat an eye. That in itself is a very freeing and unique feeling. Even though this is all true, in all of this chaos there are people who care about you. You end up developing a network of people that you go to work with, hang out with, and go out with, who all have this common understanding that you are living in a city that makes no logical sense to live in.
I have written a lot more than I expected so I’m gonna end here. As you can hopefully tell, I am currently “all-in” for New York City. It has taken me time to get adjusted to this new city, and it was not always rainbows and butterflies. Sometimes, I wish my room was bigger and that I didn’t have to worry about a cockroach in my dishwasher. At the end of the day, I am grateful and happy to be able to live in this city. It has given me the confidence that I will be OK no matter where I go in the future :)
