These Are a Few of My Favorite Things... in NYC

It’s been awhile since my last post.  Living and working in NYC keeps me pretty busy.  From exploring the secrets and wonders of Brooklyn and Manhattan to working the occasional late night at the office to running in Prospect Park, I find plenty of ways to fill my week and weekend with vast and new experiences.  For example, last weekend I watch the sun set behind the Statue of Liberty in Battery Park in Downtown Manhattan while doing crossword puzzles.  Such an amazing thing to actually be able to do whenever I feel like it.

During that time in Battery Park, I was able to reflect on some of the things I like about NYC and some of the things I do not like about living in the city.

Things I like about NYC:

• Being able to walk everywhere and not having to jump in the car to drive to the store.
• Similarly, having every single kind of store you could think of within walking distance or at least only a short subway ride away.
• People watching.  The diversity here is amazing.  36% of the current population of New York City was born outside the United States.
• Riding the subway.  The New York subway system is the largest mass transit system in the world with 468 stations and 842 miles of track.
• Having my own apartment.
• Budgeting my finances.
• Running in Prospect Park.
• Standing really close to the subway track as the train comes into the station and getting hit by the gust of wind from the train.  Hands down, this is one of my most favorite things about NYC.
• The people with which I work.
• Always knowing that I can have an adventure whenever I deem it necessary.  There is always something new to explore or try out here.
• Walking around
• The view from my office.  We’re on the 33^rd floor in Midtown Manhattan.
• How I have a “city” walking pace and a “non-city” walking pace.  When Ben is in “city” walking pace mode he walks very fast.
• Visiting the Klopfers in New Jersey and hanging out with my cousins Cortez and Alonza.

Things I do not like about NYC:

• The cost of rent.  Honestly, you know it’s high when someone says you’re getting a good deal for 350 square feet when you’re paying $1,300 a month.
• The way people view work.  Here work is life.  You live to work and you work a lot.  I’m not saying that working a lot is bad or that this view of work is bad.  Merely, the way people view work is a lot different than how I view/viewed work.
• Many people in NY are distant and “rough”.  But, generally, I guess people here are good at heart and you can tell.
• While I am probably still considered one of these, tourists are really bothersome.  Most are inconsiderate and not really observant of others around them.  Ignorant, I think, is the best way of describing them.  Plus, they’re everywhere especially now during the Christmas season.
• The cost of everything and the sales tax.
• The lack of good solid Christian churches that align with my beliefs around my neighborhood.
• Not having my immediate family nearby.
• When people pull a 180 while walking without first looking behind themselves and then proceeding to blame me for being in their way.  Something is amiss here.

There are many more things that I like/dislike about NYC but this list sums up many of the major ones.  If you’ve ever been to NYC or if you’ve ever lived here, what are some of the things YOU like/dislike about it?  I’m curious to hear what you have to say.