I’ve loved New York for most of my life.
It’s no secret that I’ve loved New York City since I was a child. That timeframe translates to decades of being smitten with this great city. “Decades” is an awfully long time to love anything.
I started visiting New York as a young, aspiring ballet dancer, and as soon as I landed in Midtown Manhattan, my heart told me I would one day live here. You could say it was love at first sight – the only time love has happened so quickly in my life. At our very first meeting, even after arriving in the derelict and dangerous Port Authority Bus Terminal, I was unnerved yet thrilled. I knew then that I was at the very least infatuated with NYC. And that infatuation turned into what would be years of loving New York.
I’m not exactly sure what I was infatuated with, though – the symphony of honking horns; the hordes of commuters nearly mowing each other down at intersections; the energy of countless creative souls on the streets – whatever it was, it was palpable. The trash; the summer stench; the neon lights; the madness; the hugeness; the attitude. One trip to New York City and I was hooked.
Getting to New York was a long journey.
When I was growing up, I had traveled with my family to a few places: the Jersey Shore, Rehoboth Beach, Disney World, and New England. But once I set foot in Manhattan, I knew I was in a place that could never be described in one word or even one sentence. A city so complex, overwhelming, rousing, extreme, scary, and fantastic all at the same time. I felt more emotion than I had felt before. New York left its imprint on me, and I was determined to live here. I tried to move to NYC more than once, from the time I was 15 years old, only for the city to repeatedly reject me.
Fast forward to 2007 when the recession hit in Georgia, where I had lived since 1995. I left my life in a sprawling Victorian bungalow in Atlanta for a 950 square foot apartment on the 29th floor of an Upper East Side high rise. That long drive with a dog and two cats sure wasn’t fun. But we made it in one piece, picking up a lot of fleas along the way.
It was an incredibly long journey for me to get to New York, and I’m not referring to the drive. The opportunity to move came after I had given up on the dream of living here. I thought New York would be an annual weekend trip for me and nothing more. Never did I imagine that I’d end up building a life in NYC. But the universe had other plans. One way or another, I was destined to move to New York City.
Am I still in love with New York?
Yes, I am still in love with New York. But after living in the city for over 18 years and writing about it for almost as long, the honeymoon is over. That doesn’t mean I’m done with New York or love it less than I once did. But just as any love changes, so does love for a city as tumultuous and unpredictable as this town, especially after experiencing all of its idiosyncrasies day in and day out.
New York is now like that old familiar sweater, maybe with a few pullers or holes in it. The sweater that’s changed over time but is so darn comfy that even with its flaws, it’s still your favorite. It’s the one you’ll never part with, and you wouldn’t dream of trashing it or giving it away. You could purchase a brand new sweater, similar color, similar style, but it would never be as familiar or feel as good as the one you’ve broken in.
In the “broken-in” New York, though, there’s still a slew of things to discover. New restaurants, new Broadway shows, and every day, new people define this ever-changing metropolis. Many don’t realize that the people are what’s most astonishing about life in New York. All 8.5 million souls from across the globe dwelling in the five boroughs – they’re what makes New York tick. Though most tourists don’t appreciate it, the melting pot of New Yorkers is what makes the city one they long to visit, not the Empire State Building or the museums or theater. If I ever leave New York, I’ll miss that diversity and cultural mix the most.
New York will always be a great love for me.
Like many New Yorkers, I don’t know what the future holds. Will I live in New York for another five or ten years? Or am I a lifer?
Regardless, I know how lucky I am to have discovered New York when I did. Thanks to my mom for bringing me to the city when I was a kid, so my lifelong obsession is really her fault. :)
Even after decades, I still think about this great love – the one I was fortunate to find early on. One fleeting moment changed the course of my life, arriving in New York City for the first time – stepping off that Bieber bus, lugging a suitcase almost the size of me, gazing up at those sky-high towers – only to imagine what would be my destiny.
I’m especially grateful to have journeyed through the twists and turns of life, only to end up in New York City years after multiple attempts and giving up on the dream. I can vouch…never give up on the dream!
And I’m thankful for staying in the city through the tough times: recessions, a global pandemic and loss.
New York is the place where I always knew I belonged. I hope I have many more years of loving this great city.
Also, Becoming a New Yorker. Plus, New York Is My City.
Plus, Staying in Love with New York after living here for a long time.
And a beautiful love letter to New York.
New Yorkers tend to have a complicated relationship with New York City. It’s a fabulous yet frustrating place for many, especially after living in the city for years. But “a bad day in New York is still better than a good day anywhere else.” (Unknown)
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