New York City vs Huntsville (theater, living, restaurants)

[33458]

I don't think my words will discourage anyone...just prodding to have an appreciation for the real difference in lifestyle and at what cost, so he can figure his financial situation realistically and not get caught in a jam. It's not so much fun to be flat broke in NYC, watching it all happen without you.

P.S. Yep, I know my tax example is from the 'countryside' - I lived there for many years.

[deesonic]

Go for NYC if you have the opportunity. I moved to LA right after graduating high school here and lived there about 1 1/2 years. It was a pretty huge culture shock for me and not the greatest experience overall (esp. Rodney King riots...ugh). But I learned a lot about other cultures, city living, and experienced things that most people in Alabama have only read about. I've been to NYC a few times and if I could do it over again, I would have rather gone there. But I had family in LA and it was convenient for me to go there. Go to NYC and enjoy it. Huntsville is an easy place to move back to.

[oakparkdude]

Don't forget, living in HSV means you have to buy a car and pay for all the auto-related expenses.

Another factor to consider is that if things don't work out, there are plenty of other companies in NYC in your field (whatever that is), whereas the opportunities in HSV may be more constrained.

[Huntsville_secede]

If you can afford it do it, no place like it in the world. Especially if you like large cities and cultural places like I do. Or you can be bored to death in Huntsville like me regretting that I've wasted my younger years here, luckily I offset that by traveling a lot though. Huntsville really isn't that bad though its an attractive city for its size. Its just very homogeneous (same type of people, all work the same job, with mostly the same views) and lacking lots of young professionals.

[zenjenn]

It depends on what you want. I'd personally rather stick a fork in my eye than live in New York City, and that was as true when I was 22 than it is at 32. Mostly because I hate crowds and noise. Hate. Have you spent any time in NYC? I like visiting, but to me it was immediately clear after a short visit that I'd find the place to be an absolutely suffocating place to live. Inversely, I'm never bored. I have a lot of interests and hobbies that have nothing to do with where I live - in fact, I'd probably be more bored in Manhattan where I wouldn't be able to afford a place big enough to store and spread out and make room for the things I'd like to do. But obviously some people feel differently. I do understand how it would be neat to live someplace walkable... isn't that whole Village of Providence supposed to sort of be like that, where you can walk to some businesses right in the residential area, etc? Does that work?

[ilikegolf]

Rollingtide you have received some good answers but there is a lot more to consider. Since you already state that your company is small you would have a good opportunity here if yours would fall through. We do have the symphony, Broadway Theater League ( so we get all the shows - about 10 a year at a much less rate than in NYC). The folks down here are very friendly and you'll get a smile from most everyone. The house market is booming as well as the condos, we are expecting an influx of about 5,000 families due to the base realignment. Taxes here are so insignificant compared to elsewhere. Our taxes i.e. when we lived in TX were 5 times more for 5 times less house. Since you'd be working out of your home, you'd only need a puddle jumper to get around and you can pick an area that is close to everything. We have great restaurants with many more coming, upscale stores and there are many walk areas within the city. Also you'd have a great opportunity to meet some special lady here.
Oh and there are more defense, computer, and software/hardware companies here as well as aero space, NASA, government and military.

[oakparkdude]

Just my opinion, but anyone who revels in the urban life of Seattle would probably go crazy in Huntsville.

[Southlander]

Originally Posted by sukwoo

Just my opinion, but anyone who revels in the urban life of Seattle would probably go crazy in Huntsville.

Ummmm, the OP is originally from Huntsville.

[oakparkdude]

Originally Posted by Southlander

Ummmm, the OP is originally from Huntsville.

So? I'm originally from Huntsville too, but I've lived in big cities for over ten years, and would die if I had to move back.

Again, I'm not saying everyone feels the same as me, but it seems that someone who really likes the Seattle lifestyle will find the adjustment back to Huntsville very trying.

[SammieS]

While you are young, you should take the chance and move to NYC. If it doesn't work out you can always move to Huntsville. While Seattle is very different than NYC, and probably cleaner and more consumer friendly than NYC, it certainly is quite a bit different than Huntsville. We recently moved from Long Island to Guntersville and love it here and do not want to move back, but we are in a different part of our life than you. I think working in NYC would be a great experience. Yes, it is expensive, especially rents, and getting around can be costly. The city can be dirty and people are always in a hurry and may not be that friendly. But you don't have to live in NYC to experience it. You should check out Hoboken, NJ, just across the Hudson River from NYC. A lot of young professionals live there and commute to NYC. The rents are a bit cheaper, there are quite a few restaurants, etc., it is only a mile square so you can walk everywhere, and the PATH subway is only 10 minutes from NYC plus there are buses that travel regularly to NYC. I used to live there many years ago but still occasionally visit.
Good luck with your decision.