The song “Empire State of Mind” celebrates New York as the “concrete jungle where dreams are made of.”
My first thought is “Huh? Who learned you that grammar?”
My second thought is “I know exactly what you mean.”
Whatever your dreams, you can probably chase them in NYC. And you won’t be alone. The NYC marathon is everyday.
Here’s a question from Lisa:
Love your blog, Amanda! My daughter, a sophomore at Wake Forest (we live in Destin, FL) has just found out she got a fabulous internship in NYC for the summer. I have such mixed feelings after reading of all your adventures in making your big move. Guess I’m writing so you can offer some reassurance that her 20-year-old self will be just fine … albeit better for this experience! We have always loved NYC, but I have to admit, it’s a bit daunting to think of her trying to find a place to live and find a life for the time she will be there. Have no idea where to even begin in finding a place to live … she will be in Meatpacking District/Chelsea for her time.
You have a delightful manner of writing! Will forward on to Katie as I know she will enjoy it. Thanks!!
My response:
First of all, congrats to your NYC-bound daughter! This city is a great place for internships in any industry, but especially in creative fields one can’t pursue just anywhere. This is a fabric/paint/clay/human/ink/musical world where dreams are made of, too.
Lisa, your 20-year-old daughter - as well as my 33-year-old cousin and my parents’ 52-year-old neighbor and anyone else any of us knows - could learn a lot in NYC.
Besides exploring her interests and earning credentials that will serve her well post-college, she’ll have to be independent in a fast-paced city. It’s not that people here are all cold and heartless, but it’s a busy place full of people trying to make ends meet and the in-between groove.
And there’s nothing like moving far from home and living in a tiny apartment in a neighborhood of unfamiliar faces to put some things in perspective. Add to that all the amazing scariness of being a young adult. And the amazing scariness of not making a lot of money in The Land of $6 Milk.
NYC is rife with opportunity, history, constraints, contradictions, and stories to learn from.
What better place to force you to grow up? What better place to live your own stories?
This is from my Formspring page, where I answer questions in a more timely fashion.
New Yorkers (or former New Yorkers) who are reading this: What brought you to the city? What’s been your most rewarding experience?
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- Yes, Virginia, NYC is a cesspool
For me the most memorable moment was running into a bum wearing a shirt that said “unf*ckingbelievable”!
Well, I was born there (St. Vincent’s! Which is closing now, and that makes me sad) and grew up there, so..that answers the “What brought me there” question.
Looking back on it now (at 31, I still feel like a kid), I don’t know that I can define any one thing as the most rewarding, but rather the whole time - and the credit is mostly due to my parents. Both NY natives, they raised us to embrace the city. We all learned the subways early on (we all had significant commutes to high schools - my Queens to the Bronx one took nearly 2 hours..ONE WAY.) and were raised to be aware but not afraid of the city. If that makes sense.
It’s certainly shaped me - moving from one city to another (London), I suspect my transition was easier than most because NYC prepares you for so much. I think the best thing it gives you is confidence. Because you can’t cake-walk through your time in the city. You have to be on top of your game, in both your personal and professional life, to really get the most out of living there.
Ah, I miss my city.
I moved here as a 27 year old, not directly out of college, but you’re right - I still had (and have) a lot to learn. I’ve lived away from home since 17, and out of state (from family) since 22; still, it’s a different experience here.
Something about it says struggle, in a good way. Friends came very easily to me here. It’s just a great place to start fresh.
It would take more than a comment box to fill in this story. I did post what BROUGHT me to the city on my own blog (plug) but what kept me is simple…
theboys
And all the possibilities?! And your dreams?!
Boys. Sigh.