Becoming a New Yorker? (Florida: transplants, home, living in) - City-Data Forum

taydev · 03-03-2010, 02:40 PM

I am not a New Yorker but have visited a few times and love it! I have plans to move there in about 18 months time so, my question is would it be possible to consider a non-native a New Yorker? If so, how long would I have to reside there to say "I'm a New Yorker". My son is 4yrs old now so he will bascially be raised there. Will he be considered a NYer?

bluedog2 · 03-03-2010, 02:53 PM

You can start saying it as soon as you want.Whether people will accept it depends on whether you are looking to be accepted as such by natives or by other transplants.
Your son will probably pass with no problem.You might have more difficulty.

Fred314X · 03-03-2010, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taydev

I am not a New Yorker but have visited a few times and love it! I have plans to move there in about 18 months time so, my question is would it be possible to consider a non-native a New Yorker? If so, how long would I have to reside there to say "I'm a New Yorker". My son is 4yrs old now so he will bascially be raised there. Will he be considered a NYer?

Take it from a native: you move here, you become a New Yorker. And you'll know it in your heart when you talk to people from back home and start pushing that fact in their faces!

analyticalkeys · 03-04-2010, 04:06 PM

It depends who you talk to.. to me, if you live in New York, then you're a New Yorker.

Cida · 03-04-2010, 04:08 PM

Why would it make a difference? It's not like a town where they treat you dismissively because you weren't born there. You'll kind of know when you hit the point of having become a New Yorker.

Lancet71 · 03-05-2010, 02:20 AM

Some people treat it like a status symbol but you will know when you're a NYer. When you see yourself defending it and holding it above other areas,then you know you're in the club.

twist07 · 03-05-2010, 11:18 AM

I say, if you're doing it for the long term and not just trying it out for a year or two like some pair of jeans then yes. Its all about how you adapt also, my sister's been living in NY for years but can never call herself a New Yorker and wouldn't because she still has that suburban mindset so she's technically still a Jersey/Florida girl. Yet Other's have been there for only a year and hit the ground running and in no time became full blown New Yorkers.

omigawd · 03-05-2010, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lancet71

When you see yourself defending it and holding it above other areas,then you know you're in the club.

PERFECTLY said!!!

RUBIES77 · 03-05-2010, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lancet71

Some people treat it like a status symbol but you will know when you're a NYer. When you see yourself defending it and holding it above other areas,then you know you're in the club.

Well said! I have travelled the whole 50 states, with the purpose of moving out of NYC because part of me had a LOVE/HATE relationship with it. My perception changed when I began leaving NYC for extended amounts of time to different states, and began missing the multitude of CHOICES we take for granted on a daily basis. Even Hawaii is not "Paradise" for me, and after living there for 3 months, I got Island Fever.

Recently, I have returned from an extended vacation to some southern states....................and I AM SO GLAD TO BE HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Biskit · 03-05-2010, 04:22 PM

Obviously you'll never be a native New Yorker and only natives are "true" New Yorkers since it's their home. However, if you're making it your home for the long term as well, then you're still a New Yorker. It's doesn't mean anything special, it just means New York is your home. Who cares about labels, just embrace and enjoy the city and eventually it will be a part of you.