buzzfeed.com: When we move to NYC, we think our lives will be luxurious and decadent because of what we've seen on TV. But eventually we all realize living in the city can be a bit hard, and sometimes even gross. So before you move here, take a look at what you're getting yourself into.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Moving To NYC: Expectations Vs Reality
buzzfeed.com: When we move to NYC, we think our lives will be luxurious and decadent because of what we've seen on TV. But eventually we all realize living in the city can be a bit hard, and sometimes even gross. So before you move here, take a look at what you're getting yourself into.
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While I completely apprciate the humor in the given images, for me that was not quite an accurate depiction of my expectations. While yes, one does think of the high glamour NY life to be universal to all its inhabitants, whenever I think of living in NY the first thing I envision is that quaint run down appartment that is the size of a postage stamp. Maybe it's my upbringing, but when I envision moving to a new place, I realize that no matter what i will have to work hard for the glamourous life. This particular discription I feel shows this generation's ideals on life: give me everthing now and it better be the way I want it. I feel that in today's society, people expect to have things pictured in the pictures, but when they realize they actually have to work for it, they are sorely disappointed.
I have to admit, as any good teenage girl interested in the arts, I too have spent countless hours daydreaming about living in New York City. Going to trendy clubs, eating pizza from Ray's, and shopping for shoes in soho. While of course this is not close to what I have experienced when going to New York there is something that hangs in the air there that is exciting and new and makes anything that is grungy and not appealing seem glorious and trendy. I wonder if this show, will actually portray the "real" new york or if it will fall into the trap of every other show set in New York.
I'm in the habit of asking people I meet from New York, "What's living in New York REALLY like?" Everyone in my high school wanted to live in New York, because it's 'glamourous', and who can imagine a life in New York that's not absolutely wonderful? But of course, life is what you make of it no matter where you are.
The Bitch in Apt 23 can be watched already on Hulu, and I think it's pretty fantastic. The pictures in this article portray a 'dreamer' pretty well, except I'm not sure who moves to New York expecting to find beautiful furniture on the streets.
Heh. I know that I want to end up in New York, but I completely expect to be living in a studio in Queens with multiple roommates. But growing up both in and around the city has definitely altered my expectations. The Gossip Girl/every other media portrayal of New York is for multimillionaires, not for recent graduates with BFA's in theater. But I personally think that there is something to be said for the grunginess/occasional garbage piles/passed out homeless people on the subway. It's charming, for those who can and need to find charm in it. Hopefully no one who is moving there is doing so because they think Beyonce is lurking in every subway stop.
Like Reilly, my idea of living in New York has been greatly shaped by growing up in close proximity. I hope to move into the city as soon as possible, but I'm very realistic about the dirt, grime, and occasional shockingly large subway rats. Waiting to see a celebrity walk their dog is really no reason to move anywhere. But at least it is inevitable that you will meet some eccentric and interesting people sooner or later. There are so many reasons to live in New York, but glamor isn't one of them unless you're already loaded. It's a great place to be, but only if you know what you're in for.
I have heard many times, over the years, about the stressors of living in NYC. It is a little intimidating to think of all the potential obstacles of living there, but I think I can handle it. I know I will not go there without being prepared or having done a lot of research. Some of the realistic pictures were shocking but nothing I haven't seen before. Also, I think moving there with people I know from school will be a plus because we can all support each other.
It takes a very select person to live in NYC but it takes an even more specific personality to enjoy living NYC. In reflection from my time on Long Island after undergrad, (I know Long Island is not in any way the same as living in the city)NYC is awesome and there is always something to distract you. However that is what the city brings you, distractions from the fact that your rent is ridiculous and your bar tab is three times what you can afford. If you can make enough money to afford the distractions NYC is an amazing place to be distracted, but how many of us will be successful enough to afford those top tier distractions? Not many. More power to those who make it in NYC and if you can make it in NYC or LA you can make it anywhere.
I agree with Reilly in the fact that I enjoy all of the weird quirks of New York City. I wouldn't at all expect to live in anything that has an awesome view or is incredibly spacious - I've heard how expensive it is to live in NYC. I think some of the "reality" pictures of NYC are a little sensationalized, although all of those situations are quite possible. Nevertheless, I look forward to eventually living there one day. Not necessarily settling in for a long time, but just spending a few years working in or around the city.
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