This past week I’ve been reflecting on the differences between visiting New York – as I did for so many years for work – and actually living here. There are many, and a few become glaringly apparent in your first few days as a NYC resident.
Let me share the top three things you might not know about living in New York City:
1) All you do is walk. I can honestly say that I’ve walked more in my first week living here than I did in the past month in Washington. Not having a car changes absolutely everything. It is a huge lifestyle change and probably the most noticeable change for me personally. You have to walk for everything here – newspaper, coffee, dry cleaning, groceries. I love it, and find it very liberating!
2) People are friendly. There is a terrible misconception about New Yorkers, that they are unfriendly. Nothing could be further from the truth. Everywhere I go, people smile and say hello … the yoga studio, the coffee shop, Whole Foods, etc. After living in Washington, D.C., for 11 years, this is welcome a change! I find that people in NYC are much friendlier!
3) It is a 24/7 city. Dennis Duden, general manager here at The Chelsea, told me that New York City is "the service capital of the world." I have learned that you truly can get anything, at any hour. There is a service for everything – laundry, grocery shopping, dog walking, repairs ... the list goes on and on. The city's unofficial motto, “the city that never sleeps,” is very much real.
I am sure I will have more "things you might not know" as the weeks pass and I feel even more at home. Do you have anything that you would add to the list?
This is Cat. Until next time … another day, another discovery.
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Posted by: Mitchel | September 15, 2012 at 07:49 AM
NYC is definitely addicting. My 8-year-old daughter has been twice and keeps asking me when we can go back - she loves it, just like her mom! People are nice and they are so real - I like "what you see is what you get" kind of people, nothing fake - and that is what NYC has.
Posted by: Lisa Reich | November 23, 2011 at 02:09 PM
Something I didn't know about New York City until I moved there: the sign displaying the license plate number on the roof of a taxi indicates if it's available or not. If the sign is lit up, the cab is available. If the light is off, the cab is full. And if the "off duty" lights are on... well, I guess that one doesn't really need an explanation :)
Posted by: Jina | November 23, 2011 at 12:45 PM
Number 4: You have good friends who welcome you to the City and will help show you the ropes :-)
Posted by: Kathy Duffy | November 23, 2011 at 11:23 AM
Cat,
Here's one for you....New York City is ADDICTING! I find that when I've been away from The City too long I crave being there and I'll do anything to get my "fix".
Posted by: J.P. McA | November 23, 2011 at 11:23 AM