Why I should move out of NYC (New York, Ridge: 2010, home)

[clevedark]

Here's the truth about NYC--to the vast majority of people their career is their reason for living. If you don't like your work or aren't successful at what you're doing, you'll be in trouble socially.

[NeilVA]

Lucy, First of all I left NYC over 16 years ago for basically the same reasons (Moved to VA and was single). If you can get away from NY for two weeks, go to CO and live yours sisters life. Life may be considered laid back anywhere in excess of 300 west/south of NY. Actually as a NY'er you are considered more hyped up and they are moving at what is considered as normal for most of the country (and possibly the planet). You will need to learn a completely new etiquette (you may want to carry a recorder and record yourself on your interactions). You may want to move to a transition state before making a radical move (NJ, CT, PA) and commute to your job in NY. Unless you have a job that you can transfer with, don't do the move until the economy comes back. Except for rent/mortgage/auto insurance other items may cost more. Also be aware that a 100k job in NY may be a 45k job everywhere else. This all may sound pessimistic. But if you can overcome the aggravation of the etiquette change, you may get that simpler life you are looking for (what others consider normal. Here are some of good things to look forward (Southern VA) to: 35 minute drive to work, no traffic, everything is clean, getting used to the crickets as the only night noise, having a nicer car and knowing it will still be there in ther morning, asking the deer to move out of way so you can get out of your driveway, no long lines at the markets, no need for that java hit in the morning, people making eye contact and saying hello....

[Lucy29]

Originally Posted by clevedark

Here's the truth about NYC--to the vast majority of people their career is their reason for living. If you don't like your work or aren't successful at what you're doing, you'll be in trouble socially.

You are so totally right. It's almost funny how right on point you are about the fact that in NYC people live to work not the other way. And that's pretty pathetic to me. I work, but once 5pm hits, I'm going home and that's when I live. I don't talk about work with my boyfriend 24/7 or friends or family at events, but pretty much everyone else around me does that.

[Lucy29]

Originally Posted by NeilVA

Lucy, First of all I left NYC over 16 years ago for basically the same reasons (Moved to VA and was single). If you can get away from NY for two weeks, go to CO and live yours sisters life. Life may be considered laid back anywhere in excess of 300 west/south of NY. Actually as a NY'er you are considered more hyped up and they are moving at what is considered as normal for most of the country (and possibly the planet). You will need to learn a completely new etiquette (you may want to carry a recorder and record yourself on your interactions). You may want to move to a transition state before making a radical move (NJ, CT, PA) and commute to your job in NY. Unless you have a job that you can transfer with, don't do the move until the economy comes back. Except for rent/mortgage/auto insurance other items may cost more. Also be aware that a 100k job in NY may be a 45k job everywhere else. This all may sound pessimistic. But if you can overcome the aggravation of the etiquette change, you may get that simpler life you are looking for (what others consider normal. Here are some of good things to look forward (Southern VA) to: 35 minute drive to work, no traffic, everything is clean, getting used to the crickets as the only night noise, having a nicer car and knowing it will still be there in ther morning, asking the deer to move out of way so you can get out of your driveway, no long lines at the markets, no need for that java hit in the morning, people making eye contact and saying hello....

I've been going to CO for the past 5 years and have spent plenty of time there. I'm definitely not going to move now because of the economy. I would say 2011 is my year. I commute to work now an hour each way in nasty subway system, so that I won't miss. I'm from NY but I'm not "nasty" or "snobbish" for lack of better word so getting used to people there won't be a big deal to me. And I am looking forward to clean streets, crickets at night etc. And I love the weather in CO, love the snow (grew up in Poland). I hope I'll have enough courage and eventually move.

[wheelingman]

If you like the city, but cannot stand the stress, why not move to one of the suburbs of NYC? If you want to go into the city for fun just ride the commuter train in.

[NeilVA]

Poland - Really? Anywhere near Bialystok. Back to the thread. Its not what/who you are, its the preconception from someone who has never been to NYC (Watch the movie "My cousin Vinny"). As an ex-NYer I had to learn to slow down mentally and physically to adapt. It had nothing to do with nastiness or snobbery. Its more of understanding of the need of not to rush ( to go with the flow). Think Xanax. The trains in NY; I don't miss them. But I do miss riding between the cars. I don't miss the dirty smelly streets, But I miss walking in Brighton Beach and the smells of good ethnic food. You will never get NY out of your system and there are things that will be missed. My work day ends at about 4:30, and I don't take anything home with me. I haven't carried a briefcase since I've left NY (nor wore a tie for work). I go back to NY every year for a few days just for the food. I've worked in numerous cities araound the world and across the states, but there is no place like NY

[Lucy29]

Originally Posted by NeilVA

Poland - Really? Anywhere near Bialystok. Back to the thread. Its not what/who you are, its the preconception from someone who has never been to NYC (Watch the movie "My cousin Vinny"). As an ex-NYer I had to learn to slow down mentally and physically to adapt. It had nothing to do with nastiness or snobbery. Its more of understanding of the need of not to rush ( to go with the flow). Think Xanax. The trains in NY; I don't miss them. But I do miss riding between the cars. I don't miss the dirty smelly streets, But I miss walking in Brighton Beach and the smells of good ethnic food. You will never get NY out of your system and there are things that will be missed. My work day ends at about 4:30, and I don't take anything home with me. I haven't carried a briefcase since I've left NY (nor wore a tie for work). I go back to NY every year for a few days just for the food. I've worked in numerous cities araound the world and across the states, but there is no place like NY

No, I was in the south - near Krakow (small town called Mielec). Now I know what u mean Xanax- haha, and I will rent that movie. And yes, I know I will miss NY, but I still have family here and I will visit them once a year at least, so I hope that this once a year trip will be enought to eat all the food I love, and yes, take a walk along Brighton Beach or Robert Moses beach (my favorite).

[NeilVA]

Here's a link just in case you want to see where ex-brooklynites go to discuss Brooklyn of the past: The BROOKLYN Board. From here you can also read threads from the other boroughs. And in two weeks as I head to my family on Memorial day weekend in NY I will stop at the Brighton Bazaar as my first stop after I land at JFK. But back to the thread (again). Each day I walk into my back yard, look out into my private lil forrest, see no other houses (winter or summer), hear absolutely no city sounds and go TG best decision I've ever made (suburban didn't do , I went rural). Do I miss NY - sometimes. Would I ever move back - never.

[cityboy2]

Originally Posted by NeilVA

Here's a link just in case you want to see where ex-brooklynites go to discuss Brooklyn of the past: The BROOKLYN Board. From here you can also read threads from the other boroughs. And in two weeks as I head to my family on Memorial day weekend in NY I will stop at the Brighton Bazaar as my first stop after I land at JFK. But back to the thread (again). Each day I walk into my back yard, look out into my private lil forrest, see no other houses (winter or summer), hear absolutely no city sounds and go TG best decision I've ever made (suburban didn't do , I went rural). Do I miss NY - sometimes. Would I ever move back - never.

Congratulations! I also moved out of NYC earlier this year and am equally happy.... however, I just moved to a smaller and more livable city. I feel like I can breathe again!

[Spincycle]

Originally Posted by clevedark

Here's the truth about NYC--to the vast majority of people their career is their reason for living. If you don't like your work or aren't successful at what you're doing, you'll be in trouble socially.

This is probably most true in the financial sector (i.e. Wall Street).

Originally Posted by Lucy29

You are so totally right. It's almost funny how right on point you are about the fact that in NYC people live to work not the other way. And that's pretty pathetic to me. I work, but once 5pm hits, I'm going home and that's when I live. I don't talk about work with my boyfriend 24/7 or friends or family at events, but pretty much everyone else around me does that.

I know when I lived in Colorado, 5-5:05pm hits and people depart work, on fridays a little before 5pm. Again in NYC the live to work syndrome I believe is in the financial sector.

The OP mentioned Poland. There is a very good ethnic (Polski) deli in Arvada, CO off Wads. Been there. Also In late Sept. there is Festival Italiano at Lakewood's Belmar (and that's CO not NJ). Been here as well. Great food, great people.