I’ve lived in New York City my entire life, almost 31 years, however (I’m sorry to report) I’m tired of it. The other day, I was getting ready to leave my house and as I opened the front door, there was a homeless man sitting on the steps of my building drinking a beer. Needless to say, it was an awkward situation. I was standing there with Ari in the stroller knowing that I needed to bypass this man to exit my building, but not knowing exactly how to proceed.

To make matters worse, he started talking to me.
“You don’t mind if I sit here, do you?” He asked.

Not wanting to get into a confrontation at 9am, I told him I didn’t mind, but I could really use some help getting my stroller into the car. I mean, if he was sitting there anyway he might as well assist me, right?

It wasn’t an ideal situation, but I made the best of it. However, I’d like to live in a place where this scenario would not occur. I’d rather not have to wonder if strangers will be sitting outside my door as I leave for the day.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to move to the suburbs. That seems too inane. If I end up leaving New York, I’d like to move somewhere in the mountains. California, maybe Vermont?
I don’t know. Somewhere remote.

There are the advantages of living in New York:

  • Access to museums and cultural institutions
  • 24 hour bodegas
  • 24 hour pharmacies
  • 24 hour diners
  • Anything that is 24 hours
  • Not having to drive everywhere
  • Ari and Baby Girl being exposed to and raised in an urban environment with all of the above advantages

There are also disadvantages to living in New York:

  • The crazy people on the street who accost you no matter what you do
  • The dirtiness and pollution
  • It is an inherently intense and stressful place to live
  • The abundance of mean people — not everyone but there are a bunch of them
  • The lack of natural surroundings– I’m not discounting the parks, but there’s an effort involved to get to them

Of course, Wil feels the opposite of how I feel. He spent the majority of his life in the smallest town that ever existed in Texas, so he loves New York and never wants to leave.

I think I’ve had enough. But, like many New Yorkers, I’m afraid of what will happen if I do leave. What will I miss? What new stores, movie theaters, cultural institutions will arise once I’ve made my exodus somewhere else. What old stores, movie theaters and cultural institutions will close down once I’ve gone?

So, what about all of you? Have you had enough of New York or do you love it so much you’ll never leave? For those of you that don’t live here, are you dying to get out of your small town, or happy where you are? Do tell!