What I’ve Learned from Living in NYC

On November 10, 2018, I made a life changing decision to move once again from Miami and explore a new city. In one year, I’ve had many accomplishments but I’ve also had many downfalls. Trust me, moving is not easy, adjusting to a new place is not easy but you get one life and in this life if the opportunity presents itself, why not take it?  Easier said than done, right? 

Moving to a new apartment and/or a house is hard enough, imagine packing all your bags and relocating your entire life to a new city for a fresh start? Would you say this is an advantage or disadvantage?  I thought, by now I would be an expert since I’ve done this prior when I move away the first time from Miami to New Orleans but oh.. was I wrong! I am unsure if it’s due to the fact that I am older this time around so adjusting has been a struggle or I was just not truly ready to leave Miami for a second time. After all, I was raised in Miami and that will always be my hometown, where I have all my family and my childhood friends. I have taken many risk throughout my life. I started working since I was 16, moved out of my parents house at 19, lived in New Orleans by the age of 21, move back to Miami at 25 and now ended up in New York by the age of 27! – Wow do I feel old haha – this is certainly not my first rodeo but for some reason, it’s been challenging. Overall, I am grateful and thankful for everything I have experienced throughout my life.

With that being said, here are 10 things I’ve learned (some are good and some are not so good) while living in NYC.

1. Location to live; Although I am sure it’s all about “location, location, location” many people would love to live in Manhattan, which is super expensive (as I am sure you are all aware) While living here, I noticed that the city life means having one or more roommates just to afford rent. The prices are beyond ridiculous if you ask me. Unless you have an amazing paying job and you can manage to pay between $3,000 for a studio to $5,000 for a one bedroom a month then you are good (Yikes! -would you really want to spend that much to rent?) Rent gets cheaper as you leave the city and make your way closer to long Island.
2. Transportation; I love to drive but the roads in New York are just terrible, so many potholes, so much traffic it’s not a pleasant smooth drive. Now, you do have many options to get around town, the subway being #1 – most people who live in the city don’t even own cars and take the subway everywhere. If you live on long island, you can also take the LIRR (long Island railroad) It’s fairly easy to get around in the city without a car.
3. Work; Honestly speaking, who doesn’t dream of living and working in New York City?  Although there’s so many great opportunities, its tough! You will have competition everywhere and the biggest takeaway is who can do your same job for cheaper! On the bright side, working in NYC gives you an opportunity to meet a ton of people from different cultures  and network.
4. Places to explore/avoid; My number one advice is to stay away from the usual popular touristy spots. While there maybe some good popular spots worth visiting, there’s a lot of less packed places to visit off the beaten path. A simple google search of the area you are in will reveal plenty of spots for you to venture or even festivals to attend. This this is NYC, the city that never sleeps!
5. Parking; If you are driving around NYC you better have patience, a little brutishness, quick reaction and money! Oh yeah, you must learn to parallel park or else your life will quickly become super stressful. Take it from me, trying to parallel park in a spot with only inches to spare while having a line of impatient New York drivers trying to pass you or honking could put you in tears. You could always find a garage and walk to your destination but the cost could easily be price for a good lunch at The Capital Grille!
6. Day/Night Life; Rooftops – where do I begin, It’s something I do look forward to on the weekends. Day or night time, you can find a rooftop and enjoy views from every angle. The summer time is nice but it does get hot, spring and fall time are the best times to explore day rooftops since it’s the perfect weather to enjoy being outdoor before winter comes. Then you have winter, although some rooftops do close – others have covered rooftops so you can still enjoy some drinks with a view. I recommend Westlight, my all time favorite rooftop in Brooklyn. One thing to keep in mind; high-end rooftops do tend to be a bit overpriced. If rooftops are not your thing, there are many indoor bars and restaurants in the winter time as well. As everyone says; New York is the city that never sleeps.
7. Seasonal Depression; Honestly, even when I lived in New Orleans, I never experienced seasonal depression until I had my first winter in NYC. The winters are so rough and LONG and just plain too cold to do anything outdoor. As winter is officially approaching, Dec 21st, 2019 –  I did my research and some things to help anyone overcome seasonal depression are exercising regularly, light therapy, meditating, stay cozy and warm. Then there’s always the option to take a trip/vacation to a warmer state – see you soon Florida – haha
8. Restaurants/Places to eat; This is probably one of the number one things I love about New York. There are so many options! Every corner has a spot, if it isn’t the food carts, it the hole in the walls or the standard 3-5 star restaurants everywhere in every cuisine you can imagine. For those special occasions you can even get upscale dining. Like Asiate in the Madarin Oriental over looking central park.
9. Weekend Getaways; New York’s geographic location make it ideal for weekend trips. There are 6 states surrounding NY and a few hours driving makes for perfect road trips. If you wish to travel even further, you have access to at least 3 airports accessible by public transportation making domestic flights/travel very convenient and cheap.
10. Fashion Advise; Living in New York, you will experience all four seasons. Summers will be too hot, wear light/linen clothes and avoid outdoor/rooftops during peak hours when the sun is beaming. Spring will be just raining – all the time – make sure to get a windbreaker and invest in rain boots. Fall is beautiful and honestly the most perfect time of the year, wear light sweaters, cozy vest and make sure to do a ton of outdoor activity before winter arrives. As winter approaches, invest in snow boots and down jackets – that will be a life saver during the harsh winters. Each season is beautiful in their own way, I am just taking it all in and enjoying as much as I can.

Overall, New York is not for everyone, with time, I am just adjusting and giving the city some time. 

Comment below and tell me what you think about NYC

Thanks for Reading!

Xoxo – Lis