11 Downsides Of Living In NYC And 12 Reasons Why People Still Do It
Ah NYC, the land of Broadway, shopping, and rats the size of a small baby.
For some people, New York City is the ultimate dream destination where you can wear anything you want, party every weekend, and hit up some of the best museums in the country.
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For others...let's just say there are thousands of different cities to choose from, so no need to worry about this one. Here are the 12 reasons why you should book that one-way ticket to NYC right now, and 11 reasons why you should maybe just stay home.
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1.Come stay: NYC is the land of *opportunity* and exciting activities around every corner. You'll never be bored here because you can literally throw a rock and hit 15 new places for you to explore.
2.Avoid NYC forever: It's loud. There's no other way to say it, but if you're hoping to get that peaceful night's sleep, you probably should start looking elsewhere.
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Nobody comes to NYC because of its relaxing and serene vibes. You're going to have your fair share of sleepless nights until your body figures out how to catch some z's while hearing police sirens.
3.Come stay: You're sure to meet some really cool people here, as NYC tends to attract a wide variety of people with many different interests.
4.Avoid NYC forever: $$$.
5.Come stay: the food! You could probably find four different top-rated restaurants in whichever cuisine you're looking for within in a 15-minute walk of your apartment.
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Hey, you'll be walking everywhere you go so you deserve a little reward in the shape of the best pizza you've ever eaten. And if you follow it up with a black and white cookie, well, that's only best practice.
6.Avoid NYC forever: the mess. Nobody claimed this city was clean, OK?
7.Come stay: the diversity! No matter the community you're looking for, you'll be able to find it in NYC. When it comes to activities, religious services, food, and more, no need to worry about going without.
8.Avoid NYC forever: the skyscraper forest. If you're a nature lover who enjoys looking out at some treetops, boy do I have some bad news for you.
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While NYC is home to some beautiful parks and gardens, most of the city is covered in skyscrapers and storefronts. It'll be pretty hard to get in touch with nature when you're looking out your window and all you can see is dirty sidewalks and endless traffic.
9.Come stay: the amazing history. This city is full of gorgeous historical spots, interesting museums, and cool architecture.
10.Avoid NYC forever: the traffic. If you enjoy driving and aren't a fan of public transportation, then you best leave your things at the door.
11.Come stay: You'll be able to get your exercise in without even feeling like you're doing it.
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Even if you've got a subway pass, you'll be doing a ton of walking. No matter the time of year, you'll spend most of your time out in the streets getting to know your neighborhoods as you walk through them. Not only will this be great exercise that will feel way more fun than running on a treadmill in a sweaty gym, but you'll be able to see so much of the city and get a feel for the different areas.
12.Avoid NYC forever: the constant stress. If you're prone to anxiety in social and work environments, be ready for that to never end.
13.Come stay: Night owls rejoice; everything is open all the time, and you'll never have to wait until the next morning to get your garlic bread fix.
14.Avoid NYC forever: those hot, hot summers. You may have heard that heat rises, so you can only imagine how great that feels in your apartment on the 18th floor of a city full of heat-trapping cement and endless energy use.
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If you get trapped in the subway during the summer, I'll send out prayers for you because I don't think you'll ever be the same. Many apartments won't have AC available, and to avoid blackouts, the city urges everyone to limit their energy usage in the summer anyway. Who doesn't love a fun city-wide group project that could end in you sweating from every part of your body?
15.Come stay: the culture and nightlife. Are you ready to go out to the most exciting bars, meet unique people, and attend once-in-a-lifetime events?
16.Avoid NYC forever: Claustrophobia is real, people, and you'll certainly find it in the packed streets of NYC. You'll be living in a shoebox apartment on top of 50 other shoebox apartments and will be lucky to have a bathroom big enough to close the door when you sit on the toilet.
17.Come stay: the art. Whether it be music, theater, painting, or writing, this city is full of creatives and the incredible work they have to display.
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New York has some of the best theater, museums, and artwork for you to peruse at your leisure, and you'll probably get the opportunity to meet some of the people behind the amazing work. New York has always attracted creatives, and the people and their work make the city one-of-a-kind.
18.Avoid NYC forever: The socioeconomic gap will make you physically ill. You'll watch billionaire businessmen walk past homeless people like they're nothing.
19.Come stay: Nobody is judging you. Wear what you want, do what you want, and be who you want because everyone in NYC follows one golden rule: Mind your own business.
20.Avoid NYC forever: grocery shopping, or really any errands in general. If you know, you know.
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Oh, you accidentally forgot that one spice at the store when you were shopping the other day? Guess you're ordering takeout because by the time you walk to the store, wait in the 45-minute-long checkout line, and walk home, dinnertime would be over. Do you need to drop off a package to mail to your mom, a task that should take five minutes to complete? Cool, I'll see in two hours.
21.Come stay: Whatever field you're trying to break into for your career, NYC probably has some great opportunities for you.
22.Avoid NYC forever: the dating scene. Yes, NYC may be home to some really cool date destinations, but finding the right person to go to those places with is a downright nightmare.
23.And finally, come stay: "If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere."
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The iconic Frank Sinatra song lyric isn't wrong. If you make it in NYC, anywhere else you go will seem like a walk in the park. Rent will seem cheap, every apartment will seem gigantic, and traffic will be manageable. You'll deal with everything life can throw at you in New York, so you'll be ready to take on the world.