It’s crazy to think that my five year anniversary in NYC was a few weeks ago! Sometimes I feel like it was just last year I was a little 17 year old moving into my freshman dorm and yet somehow this month I hit my two year anniversary at rewardStyle and turned 23. Seriously, CRAZY!
In honor of the big NYC anniversary I’ve put together a list of the 15 things I’ve learned over the last five years! I think five years is when they say you become an official ‘New Yorker’, but I have to say I still find a new thing to love (and sometimes hate) about this city everyday.
15 Things NYC Has Taught Me
- You’ll walk faster than google maps says but the subway will always take longer than google maps says
- …Speaking of which don’t let a long subway ride scare you away from exploring somewhere new
- Always go to Trader Joe’s with a friend, for emotional and physical (aka waiting in line) support
- Keep your favorite places on rotation because before you know it they’ll be closed and something will open in their place (RIP Hundred Acred and Hamilton’s)
- Walk the whole city (or almost all of it) at least once, your feet will be tired but it’s worth it
- Don’t let rent make you poor. An extra dinner a month with friends is worth more than a big bedroom or the perfect address
- New York bagels are just as good as they’re made out to be, and no other bagel will ever be the same
- We should all move to Brooklyn (hint hint to my friends)
- This city may have a bazillion people but guaranteed you’ll never go anywhere without seeing someone you know
- NYC will definitely test you, but you’re tougher than you think you are
- Schedule weekends away to maintain your sanity, because as much as I love this city sometimes I need to leave it
- If you can’t schedule a weekend away, wake up before 10AM on a Sunday because it’s the only time the city is empty
- Starbucks is not good coffee – please try La Colombe or Stumptown if you haven’t yet!
- An all black outfit is the cure to any wardrobe dilemma
- It’s ok to miss home or even start to hate the city a little bit, but when that happens take a breather and go to your favorite spot (mine’s Washington Square Park) to remember why you love this place
