What I've Learned Living in New York (so far)

My time in New York is coming to an end. I can't express how wonderful this summer was. I was lucky enough to learn an incredible amount from two different internships, grow closer with the quirky, sweet, and silly Will and Schuyler, and have the best summer of my life with Scott.

Enough with the sappy stuff. Let's get down to the nitty gritty. There's a learning curve when you move to New York, especially if you're like me and have never lived in a metropolis before. You're gonna trip a few times before you get that NYC strut down. You know you're acclimated when you start shoving past people on the sidewalk.

I think everyone has thought about living in New York before. Or they've at least thought that, then visited, got pooped on by a pigeon, took it as a sign, and decided never to go back. I don't know. It could happen.

Anyway, here are some tips:

1. Keep your eyes down, and headphones in.  One of the most difficult things to get used to when I first got here was the catcalling. It would make me feel angry, unsafe, and disrespected. I discovered a way to avoid it, without screaming, crying, or punching anyone! I simply place my headphones in my ears, and don't play any music! This way, those gross pigs on the street think I can't hear them and keep their mouths shut, or when they do deign to grace me with profane "compliments" they don't get riled up when I ignore them because they too think my hearing is impaired by jams. 
2. Don't trust the trains. They're a fantastic way to get around and get some nice reading done, but they'll trick you faster than a weasel in PetSmart. The best advice I can give is: know whether you're going uptown or downtown. That way, you'll at least be going in the right direction. It's much easier to change trains than turn all the way around.
3. Get out, go for a walk, anything. One of the hardest things for me was gathering the courage to go out by myself, as silly as that sounds. But, due to the afore mentioned aspects of New York (perverts and weasel-trains), I think I had good reason. The only way I got over that was by getting out; first to a coffee shop nearby, then to my internship, then everywhere else! Immerse yourself.
4. Broadway tickets are cheaper than you think. I've written about this a few times (and I'll have reason to write about Broadway again soon ;)) so if you're new, go back a few posts and check out what I'm talking about. Scott and I saw so many musicals we never would have been able to see if we hadn't put in a little extra work and clocked in some solid walking time around Broadway. Culture! On the cheap!
5. Who you're with is more important than where you are. It doesn't matter where you live, if you don't get along with who you're living with it's going to be tough. Even though I don't always feel at home in our neighborhood, and it's hot, and everything seems crazy sometimes, the apartment was a happy place. Will, Schuyler, Scott, and I all got along (aside from the odd dirty dish in the sink or someone hanging an ugly painting on the wall). Whenever I was home I felt peaceful and happy, no matter what had just happened four stories below. Unless you know for sure you'll barely be in your place of residence (which most likely isn't true, no matter what you tell yourself. Everyone wants to chill out at home with some Netflix and a pizza once in a while), then choose who you live with carefully.
6. Keep your head, don't get overwhelmed, make lists. I've said all summer that there's so much to do in New York, you don't do any of it. It's easy to fall into that trap. There are so many museums, restaurants, bars, galleries, shops, and places to go that you just can't choose, so you don't go to any of them. What I found helps, is making lists and being realistic. Are you really going to ride the subway for 40 minutes on a Saturday morning in 90 degree heat just to go to Central Park? Most likely not. So plan on going to that Farmer's Market nearby, instead. It might not seem as glamorous or "cool", but it's better than considering 100 things you could do, before deciding on one that you will do, and then it's too late and you're in your pajamas at 4 p.m. covered in Trader Joe's cookie crumbs and you haven't left the house.
7. Keep books handy. New York is a city of readers and writers. Participate. I've never seen more people with a good, old-fashioned book than I do on the subway. The subway is boring, there's no service down there, perfect time for the easily distracted to make a dent in that novel collecting dust on your bedside table. Just don't be that guy who stuffs his paperback Ernest Hemingway into the back pocket of his skinny jeans.
8. Walk with purpose. Less people will offer you bus tours, you'll get places faster, and you'll look important. All wins.
9. Don't be afraid to take a detour. Walk by a hip-looking bar? Stop in! Pass a cafe wafting savory smells? Grab a bite! There are so many places to go in New York, you'll probably never randomly happen upon that place again, so take a risk, take five minutes, and stop in. You never know when you'll find your next regular haunt.
10. EAT (mainly pizza and bagels. The rumors are true: they are better. Something to do with the water?) The food in New York is the result of hundreds of years, dozens of different countries, and thousands of chefs desperately trying to make their mark. No wonder it's good. Try everything. And don't be afraid to get a slice. It may sound touristy, but it's fine and it's delicious.

That's what I got, folks! These tips are based off my experience, so please don't blame me if you read a book on the subway and someone robs you because you were "engrossed".

New York works for some people, and for others it just doesn't. Don't feel bad if you hate something (or some city) everyone else seems to love. Your experience will be unique, so don't compare it to others'. But the best tip I can give: if you get the chance to live here, give it a try.