10 Things I Miss About Living in New York City

Today is the day that I trade in a snowy New York City for sunny California. And I am feeling ALL THE FEELS. I sobbed in my Uber last night and woke up this morning excited to see my family in less than 24 hours. I bonded with a stranger after donating clothing to Salvation Army, and laughed with my roommate as we discussed our survival this year. These are the little things, and the range of emotions, that I have been used to living here in the concrete jungle.

I will miss this city, dearly. And I am unprepared to leave this afternoon. I thought I would take the time to share some things I will miss about the wild city. Let’s be real, this list could continue on and on and on… but I figured I would start with some basics:

1. The Subway

Similarly to the tube in London. the subway provides New Yorkers with a convenient form of transportation. Growing up in California, the only way to get from point A to point B was to hop in the car and take yourself. That being said, I am a huge fan of public transportation, and it is going to be painful to say goodbye to something as gritty, and yet familiar, as the subway.

It takes a lot of energy to get anywhere in the concrete jungle, but the subway makes the most sense for those of us without much time, money, or sense of personal space. I have sparked random conversations with strangers over books, witnessed some seriously talented street performers, and bonded over the crazies of this fabulous city as they lost their shit at other crazies.

The stories I have gathered from moments in the subway… They will last me a lifetime. The subway runs 24 hours a day and $2.75 will get you anywhere in the city.

Related: The Secret to Mastering the New York City Subway System

2. The Diversity

I have never lived in a city as diverse as New York City. The walks of life I encounter every single day remind me of how insignificant I am in this big wide world. There are so many stories left unread when you fail to immerse yourself within other cultures and backgrounds. From the jeweler giving me advice on finding a husband, to the cabbie explaining how microwaves are killing people, you will never fail to find someone to converse with.

I have grown close to people I may have never met, had I not moved to New York City. I live in a neighborhood where I am the minority. And I embrace the cultures and religions unfamiliar to me that are so widely accepted here in this beautiful city. My personal education level sky rocketed since my arrival to the big apple. I have broadened my perspective on life, and I am eternally grateful for New York for assisting in that process.

Related: 10 Things I Learned After Moving to New York City

3. All Four Seasons

If you have ever wanted to experience a specific season at it’s fullest potential, New York is the place to be. Each season in New York City is exaggerated, creating an unforgettable experience. Winters bring snow and bitter chills, Spring promises blooms of every color, you cannot run from the humidity that is Summer, and in Autumn leaves cover the ground creating an orange blanket over the concrete jungle.

Along the coast of California, the seasons are generally mild. As I’ve described it in the past, I always assumed beanies, scarves, and gloves were fashion statements, not practical outerwear. Embracing each new season feels as though you are taking on a new chapter, and this ever-changing nature is something I will miss dearly after leaving New York.

Related: Visiting New York City: 21 Practical Tips

4. Brunch

Must I even get into this one? At this point, we can all admit I am somewhat of a brunch connoisseur. And in New York City, brunch is not reserved for Sunday’s, but for every day. I brunched hard this year.

I brunched bottomless {and no that does not mean I didn’t wear pants}, I brunched casually, I brunched with friends, I brunched with strangers, I brunched in the dark, I brunched as I turned 26, I brunched as Hilary Duff walked by.

There were so many magical moments this year that occurred at brunch. Or because of brunch. Or after brunch. Sure, we could chalk it up to the fact that brunch is a lazy person’s dream mealtime, but to be fair, brunch is a sport here in the city. And I already know I will never find an environment as brunch-friendly as New York.

Related: A Guide to Bottomless Brunch on a Budget in New York City

5. Skyline Views

The views in New York are incredible. Climb on top of any rooftop bar {trust me, you’ll trip and fall into one before you know it} and you will not be disappointed. I think my camera is going to miss this one more than anyone else. I am going to miss the feeling of my breath being slowly drawn from my body as I look out over the concrete buildings of all shape and sizes, each perfectly placed {except for the ugly AF cube building we all hate with a fiery passion}. To live within the depths of these infamous skylines has proven to be a treat in itself.

Related: The Most Stunning Views in New York City for Under $3

6. The Energy

You hear about it. And then you arrive here, and you get it. The energy of this city is what coaxed me to move here in the first place. Sadly, it is also one of the reasons for my departure {but more on that at a different time}. You cannot help but feel as though you are living in the epicenter of the world when you live in New York. And what a fantastic feeling that is.

I already know that this energy is something I will miss more than almost anything else. I felt reborn this year, and the social butterfly in me was fluttering at a million miles an hour. It is contagious, so you cannot run from it. You sense the energy from others that are nestled here New York City, and you feed off of it. My pace of life has simply accelerated, in all aspects.

The Californian in me is patiently awaiting to emerge upon arrival to the West coast. However, I would be lying if I said I hadn’t become somewhat of an impatient, elbow jabbing, loud, New Yorker. We may have an identity crisis on our hands folks.

Related: A Day in New York City Under $20: New York on a Budget

7. Accents

Oh lawwwd, how I am a sucker for accents. And the New York accent is no exception. Cawfee, Watta, Tawk. FAWGET ABOUTIT. I love it all. I have even started picking up on different intonations of my own speech without realizing {or so I am told from people back home}.

8. Convenience

I didn’t know what a bodega was before moving to New York City. I knew of Bodega Bay in California. But that was the extent of my knowledge. Once I found out that a bodega is simply a mini-convenience store, I didn’t understand what the fuss was all about.

When apartment hunting, everyone mentioned how important it is to have a bodega or two close by. Eh? But after living here for a year, I completely understand the importance. Living in New York, you learn how to live more efficiently. Whether it is a food delivery or laundry, there is a service for this that, agreeably, is more efficient in New York.

So yes, when your shower drain is clogged and you want an instant fix, it is very convenient to have a bodega downstairs that will supply you with ‘draino’ at the drop of a hat. There is no need to get on the subway, or order an uber. Simply throw on a bar {or don’t} and walk down your flight of stairs.

Related: A Complete Guide to Moving to New York City

9. Jaywalking

Okay, so. I don’t love jaywalking itself. But jaywalking in New York is almost a right of passage. Once you learn the pace of the city, and the avenues of Manhattan, you start to risk your life on the daily as you attempt to get from point A to B. You can recognize the ‘New Yorkers’ as they step off of the sidewalk and on to incoming traffic, without hesitation.

The Manhattan grid suddenly becomes a game of frogger, and soon enough, you cannot imagine walking at a normal pace ever again. Jaywalking made me feel more ‘New York’ than almost anything else {other than hailing a yellow cab, because, I mean}. I will miss the fast pace of the city, and the constant ‘will she, won’t she’ of running in front of oncoming traffic.

Related: 24 Hours in Tribeca: A Detailed Itinerary

10. The People

And lastly, I will miss the people… dearly. And yes, that includes the angry, self-centered, obnoxious, cold-hearted assholes that roam the busy streets. Because, welcome to New York. But most importantly, I will miss my people. I have created unlikely bonds with human beings here in New York that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

The people in this city have impacted me in ways I will never be able to describe using my undergraduate level writing skills. They are where my memories begin and end in this beast of a city. I wouldn’t have survived it without them… seriously.

I want to pack each of them in my suitcase and carry them with me wherever I go. They are the real heroes. But alas, the beauty and downfall of never staying in one place for too long. You learn how to quickly connect with people from all over the world, but eventually have to muster up another goodbye.