22 June 2011

I feel relatively neutral about New York


New York, New York - It's a hell of a town

I still consider myself to be a huge tourist, although I have lived in New York for nearly 3 years. One of my first purchases as soon as I landed here in 2008 was a "I <3 NY" sweat shirt which has since come to a demise, and I am strongly considering buying a replacement. 

For the first couple of months living here I made the short 30min train ride into Manhattan frequently, hitting all the tourist spots, ice skating in central park, touring the NBC studios and macking on Magnolia cupcakes while uploading more and more photos onto facebook for the jealous eyes of others. 
But what happens when you have visited the top 10 tourist attractions? What if you find 5th avenue a little bit daunting? And what if 'Sex in the City' is just not your kind of lifestyle?

Don't get me wrong, I love many aspects of the city. I got married in Central Park, so chilling there on a sunny day has new meaning; I still get excited when a whole string of yellow taxi cabs drive by; people watching becomes an extreme sport in the city and there are so many fun events and happenings (I once ended up as a film extra in the movie 'Get him to the Greek'.) But sometimes I feel like I take living so close to such a cutting-edge city for granted. There are people that would kill for an opportunity to live here while I complain that rent is too expensive and you can't for the life of you find a parking spot (and don't get me started on the parking ticket Nazi's).

If I can be really honest, New York City is not my kind of place. (yes I said it) I am loving living here for now but the small town girl inside of me wants to eventually move to a mountain town, almost in the middle of nowhere and buy a house with a backyard, picket fence and a mail box shaped like something that isn't a mailbox (okay, maybe forgo the picket fence).

As Summer hits (maybe its the warm weather talking) I find myself always wanting to escape. I would rather be spending my weekends hiking or camping then swiping my credit card (if I even had one) at an overpriced NYC boutique or squashing into a NYC nightclub and paying $20 for a drink.

New York will always hold a special place in my heart and in a way I hate to admit this: I feel relatively neutral about New York.

Have you ever been to New York? Have you ever dreamt about living in New York?
What is your favorite thing to do here?

7 comments:

  1. Haha. The title of this is what my boyfriend says I think about everything. I'm so apathetic.

    We visited New York last year, and it was nice. I'd never want to live there, though. Actually, I'm okay if I never visit again. The trip was good, but it seemed as if parts of New York got lost in the 70s and never emerged. I had an image of what it would be like, and it definitely wasn't.

    http://mandycrandell.blogspot.com/

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  2. I love that you wrote this! New York is an incredible city and you can certainly say that you got a healthy dosage of it. My sister who has only been there for a year already has thoughts of coming back home (despite the fact that she absolutely adores the city).

    <3 kris&kel
    www.krisandkel.com

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  3. i love new york.
    i have dreams of living there, but only for a brief period of time. i love manhattan...but i agree with you. i would much rather be in the mountains or outdoors.

    but, i do love love love love love the city.

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  4. ah, i have never been to new york before and i have always dreamed of going. (sigh) someday i'm sure. thanks for the blog lovin'!
    Xo

    http://ericplustanya.blogspot.com

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  5. I am going to visit NY in a couple of weeks for the first time in my life - I am in Italy - and I am so excited, but I totally understand that living in such a big city is not always a great experience ! I've been living in a large city myself and now I am living in a smaller town and honestly I prefer it to the chaos ! Said this, I am so excited for my trip ;) Kisses

    Fashion and Cookies

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  6. Hi! I have only been to the airport in NY and that is about it. I am a pretty small town girl and to be honest am a little afraid of NY...I would probably get mugged or would get talked into paying full price for a knock off handbag! I would like to visit someday though for the museums!

    Super cute blog by the way:)

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  7. I reckon I'm still gonna come live in NYC and do my Doctorate someday ... look out for cat hubby and I crashing on your lounge floor!

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