New York City-The Really Big Apple

I had to fly into New York City last night for a conference today. I’ve only been to NYC a couple of times, but it fascinates me. Of course all the lights, and the hustle and bustle and the sheer numbers is fascinating. But its more than that. Driving back to airport today we drove through Central Park. I’m given to understand that Central Park is a pretty important part of life for New Yorkers and I can understand why.

I have a great friend that lives in NYC, and his monthly apartment rent for a tiny one bedroom is the same as my house payment. I have a small front yard and a fairly big back yard. Brad doesn’t even have a balcony. So, what does this have to do with Central Park. I think this points up one of the many differences in lifestyle. Central Park is basically the backyard for everyone living in the city. Pretty much no one has a yard, so everyone heads to the park for playing and lounging.

Obviously, you walk more living in NYC. I remember meeting someone at a training program a number of years ago. This lady was, like me then, in her 20s, from NYC, and had never bothered to get a driver’s license. I thought back to what a right of passage that is where I’m from (small-town North Carolina).

I think you spend a lot more time waiting…waiting on buses, cabs, subways. There are lines for almost everything here. Maybe that’s why New Yorkers always rush. They spend a lot of their time cooling their heels, and have to make up for it. I think being in delivery jobs or other “transportation” related jobs must be tougher in NYC. It seems to me that delivery people probably can’t make as many stops as they can in other cities. You seem to spend a lot of time waiting in traffic. And, a lot of people commute some distance in to work, so I’m guessing there is a lot less after work “hanging out.”

New York is a fun place, and I understand the allure to many people, but its a lifestyle I would not enjoy. I suppose I could live there if I had to, but it would take a lot of getting used to. I also think its a lot easier if you have a lot of money. You can use taxis all the time, and live in a bigger place…something with the space like I’m used to.

If I had to live here, strange as it seems, I’d prefer to live in the City. I know a lot of people perfer to live outside of Manhattan, but if I were to have to be here, I’d want to be right in the middle of everyting. I thinkI feel that way about any big city. If I’ve gotta live there, I want to do it all the way. Well, its about time for me to start the trip home to Tampa, and my yard, and the slower pace. I’ll be glad to get there.