When you choose to move to a new neighbourhood, whether it be in the same city or another part of the world, there is a standard set of questions that needs to be addressed. Of course these probing thoughts will vary depending on your life status but they are likely to include: "Where's the nearest school?"; "How long will it take me to get to work?"; or "Where is the nearest boat ramp?". These days, choosing a house in the suburbs is not only an investment in bricks and mortar, it's an investment in lifestyle. It's about driving your car into the garage and letting the roller door close behind you, shutting out the rest of the world. The chaos, the neighbours, the noise, everything. Unless you live in New York City.
Manhattan is a cultural melting pot of people from all around the world. One thing we residents of the island have in common though is we have all sacrificed the stereotypical quiet suburban life for one of the most unique living experiences ever imaginable. Sacrifice? Did I say SACRIFICE?
When I visited my home town in Australia recently, one of the things I did first was inspect the townhouse I have been renting to tenants for the past two years. What struck me when I walked in the door was the size of the place. I bought this compact, 3-bedroom, 2.5 bathroom, two-storey abode in my post-divorce months and remember thinking at the time of purchase how tiny it was. In the seven years prior 'the townhouse year', my living space (including backyard) was around 550 square metres (5,920 sq ft). Not huge, but a whole lot bigger than the townhouse. So how does that compare with my apartment in New York? The townhouse is HUGE. Having now lived the New York life for almost two years I have become so accustomed to small spaces I couldn't believe how lucky I am to own this little piece of paradise in Australia. My Manhattan apartment in Hell's Kitchen is 50 square metres (550 sq ft), including the walk-in closet.
I know, you are probably wondering what the trade-off is for living in a dog box. Well, for me, life in New York City is simple. I go to work, drink cocktails, eat out, order in, pay a few bills and that's it. No mowing the lawn, no driving, no cooking, no doing the laundry ($1 a pound to have it done). In fact, life is so simple that when I last moved apartments, the only question I needed to ask about my new neighbourhood was, "Can I get to a Broadway theatre in less than a minute?".
Sometimes 'home' is not where you grew up. Instead, it's that one place in the world that makes you feel like you belong. Where, no matter how lonely you get or how uncertain the future may seem, just being there makes your heart sing.
It's true, New York City is not for everyone. But it is for me.
It's true, New York City is not for everyone. But it is for me.
