14 Reasons Why I Love New York City
I’ve lived in New York all my life. I understand that's a rarity among New Yorkers these days. As a kid, the only place I ever wanted to be was always the city- specifically St Marks Place, buying overpriced tee shirts I never needed from Search and Destroy with my best friend Steph.
Seriously though, most people look at me sideways when I tell them I’ve lived in New York all my life. That’s because everything here is about 30% harder than it should be, let’s be real! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
BUT there are 8.5 million people who have chosen to make a life here which proves that It IS possible to survive and even thrive among the slow walkers, sketchy Uber drivers and perpetual rodents and water bugs.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Maybe we’re all certifiably insane, but maybe there is also a peculiar wisdom that comes along with enduring a city that is so wildly unreliable and easy to adore.
Here are some of my personal favorite perks of living in what I believe is the greatest city in the world.
1. The Diversity
This city is a huge melting pot of different people from all walks of life- I adore that.
2. The Energy
It’s the only place I can consistently function on less than 6 hours of sleep a night and I attribute that to the energy of this crazy city.
3. The Culture ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
From the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Wall Street, fashion, street art, Central Park, 5th Avenue... Need I say more?
4. The Entertainment ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
From museums, concerts, comedy shows, classes, workshops- we have it all here. There is literally no excuse to ever be bored.
5. The Convenience ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Living in NYC, everything, literally, everything, is right outside your door.
6. The Grit/Grind⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This city has the potential to harden people a bit but I know for a fact that that same hustle and get-shit-done attitude is the very thing that allows you to stand out anywhere else you go.
7. The Food ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Any cuisine, at all hours of the day and night. From the dumplings in Chinatown to fine dining on the upper west side at Jean-Georges- this city has it all.
8. That Skyline⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Whether you’re in Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island, or the Bronx- you can still appreciate the view of the epic NYC skyline and always catch a killer sunrise and/or sunset if you know where to look.
9. Public Transportation
You could navigate your entire way around all five boroughs on one metro card, without using a car- if the MTA has their shit together on that particular day.
10. Career Opportunities
From startups to the Stock Exchange, whatever your career aspirations may be, you can accomplish them in this city – and you’ll meet plenty of people along the way to help you get there.
11. The Opportunities in General
From your career to making new friends, discovering new passions, taking a new class, to forming new relationships- the opportunities in this city are endless.
12. The People
So many people from so many walks of life all compiled here in this concrete jungle. And the beautiful thing? You can learn something from everyone.
13. The Music and Nightlife
This city is the only place you can walk out your door at 12 am to begin your night out. And you’ll always be able to find what you want to hear- house music, hip hop, jazz, swing, it’s all here.
14. The Bodegas
Gotta love your local bodegas. Trust me- not only will they be clutch to satisfy your late-night snack cravings, but they’re usually open 24/7 which means the people behind the counter will most likely be the ones to see you at your worst— like when you’re stumbling home alone at 2 am, in dire need of a Rice Krispie treat and someone to help unzip the back of your dress at least a quarter of the way down.
What are some of your favorite things about New York City? Let me know in the comments below.
