Reading through all of these assigned readings, I really start to wonder why people find New York so great. It certainly is special and deserves the recognition that it gets, but there are many people who make it seem as if everyone would enjoy living here. I’ve been reading posts from a Facebook page dedicated to NYU’s students’ secrets. Whenever someone makes a complaint about NYC or NYU, the automatic, expected responses of “get the (bleep) out of here” and “no one forced you to come here” are made. While not everyone in New York City has that famous “rude, snotty New Yorker” attitude, there’s definitely an excess of those people here. It’s not all bad, though. I’ve come across some gentle, kind souls that remind me of why it’s so remarkable to be part of such a diverse, immense city. People of all cultures have been kind, and there are no complaints there.
Please don’t eat me giant rat!
Looks like fun, right? ^_^
Alright, living a roach-infested apartment is not the worst thing in the world, but it’s definitely not worth living in NYC for. While many have dreams of dwelling within Manhattan’s extremely overpriced affluent neighborhoods (case in point: my hipster friend), my dream would be to explore the beauty of nature while in other countries thousands of miles away, which New York lacks. I grew up in the Bronx and Washington Heights. While it was definitely convenient to have a surplus of much needed stores and supplies, I became increasingly disgusted with all the creepy cockroaches, the rummaging rats in the streets, and the decaying subway stations.
Would you like to pay a billion bucks to dwell within me? >:D
I know what you’re thinking. Why don’t I just leave if I don’t like it? Well I did, to the slightly less over-priced, boring Jersey (thank God I have the choice of drinking a large soda in NJ). We all know that New York City, as filthy and inconvenient as it may be, holds many opportunities. I live 35 minutes away from Manhattan, which is the center of world, as many people see it. What starts in Manhattan can end up worldwide. Whether or not you feel the way I do and just want to move far away or you hate me right now and would never leave NYC, this city can make your dreams come true. My love/hate relationship with New York is never-ending. As much as I think I don’t need it, I feel drawn to it. Have you ever felt like you just want to leave to another country? Is there anything about New York you can’t stand? Is there something you love about New York that would make me fall in love and forget the hate part of our relationship?
Growing up in New York, it also does not seem like a big deal at all to me. But going to suburbia (i.e. New Jersey) as often as I did where my sister lives, it did not impress me much either. Both places have there charms and I think in the end it’s just a “grass is always greener” thing and people want to explore. I do feel sorry for the few people that come here and are disillusioned by New York–“Paris syndrome” anyone? Some do not find it as amazing of a place as they once thought it would be.
To be honest, I don’t find anything impressive about New Jersey either. There are certainly beautiful suburbs as well as plenty of ugly towns. I definitely agree that there are people who have New York on such a pedestal before arriving that when they do come, they end up disappointed. I’m pretty sure we both have a place we imagine being the best in the world, somewhere we’ve always wanted to visit. And we just might be unimpressed when we finally visit!