ZDG, relax, you're still in Honeymoon phase. It'll last quite awhile.
Give it a few years, and things may begin to gnaw at you. The apt. will begin to shrink, probably about the time your daughter hits puberty; and/or #2 child arrives and becomes a toddler. Toys and kid stuff all over the apt., the older teenager blaring music like her room is a rock stadium, her friends calling and/or buzzing the bell 10 times per night. Please don't let subway service deteriorate as a consequence of budget cuts---that might change your tune alone.
I could go on, but why spoil your fun----
ENJOY the Big Apple!!!!
I'm a born NYer, so can't really comment to the thread's title. I have always envied people not born here----it must really be something to come here for the first time.
I'll tell you this---I never really appreciated the place until I moved away for a time and then returned. Everyplace else (in the U.S.) seemed so small and second rate. It wasn't until I returned that I really noted and appreciated the SCALE of NYC. Gosh, its really, really big. Just flying in, from the air, the whole metro area is astounding, especially at night---compared to most other cities. Most cities are like oasis' in a dark desert. While NYC metro is like a universe of light in the night. It just goes on and on.
Here's a few things to do, while its still warm:
1) Try a trip on the Staten Island Ferry, not much to do in Staten Island, but the ride across the bay is worth it---and, everybody's got to do it at least once. Take one of the old ferries, which I'm told only run on the weekends (for tourists), there's more outside room. Ride up front, outside on the lower deck closest to the water. Let the spray of the bay hit your face. Just don't swallow any!!!
I'm told there's some giant fish tank worthy of a look see. If your into baseball, there's a new minor league baseball stadium nearby, where the Staten Island Yankees play. A lot cheaper than the real Yankees!!!
2) If you have a car, or you can take a bus from the Port Authority, over to New Jersey, Weehaken (sp?), Blvd. East is the street that runs along the river atop the Palisades/heights. There's a spot where Aaron Burr shot Alexander Hamilton, from there you have a full panoramic view of the city---its the best view of all. It really is somewhat amazing! All the buildings from end to end, its like 100 cities in one.
Walking in New Jersey - Travel Writing from Travel Insights (http://www.travelinsights.org/writing/newjersey.html - broken link)
Make sure to see "How to Get There?".
3) Go up to Fort Tyron Park/The Cloisters, up at the top of Washington Heights, Fort Washington to be exact, which is precisely opposite Fort Lee in New Jersey. The two forts are, I believe, the two closest points on the lower Hudson. There during the revolutionary war a chain was placed across the river as a blockade against the English; blocking travel on the river. It's also the points where the George Washington Bridge is anchored. The park contains the Cloisters museum, which the Rockerfellers gave to the city, and houses a collection of medieval armor. There's a nice restaurant where you can have brunch, lunch or dinner. Also, from the park, and general area, is a magnificent view of the Hudson and the Jersey Palisades.
Fort Tryon Park - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
There's a picture of the Hudson, but the picture doesn't do the view justice.
The Cloisters Museum & Gardens | The Metropolitan Museum of Art
New Leaf - Washington Heights - New York, NY
4) Of course, there's also the Circle Line tour, which you may especially enjoy.
Circle-Line Sightseeing (http://www.circleline42.com/site/browse.aspx?group=1 - broken link)
You'll circumnavigate Manhattan Island and see it all: 3 Rivers, 7 major bridges, 5 boroughs, 25+ world renowned landmarks and Magnificent close-ups of the Statue of Liberty.
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We are not struggling and enjoy life, but we do have to make lifestyle compromises based on what we can afford, and need to put up with the daily grind of jobs, bosses, commuting, etc.
