There is something about New York City that has everyone amazed. Maybe it is the bustling streets filled with yellow cabs and the sounds of profanity. Maybe it is the bright lights of Times Square that would make my dad scream bloody murder if he saw the electrical bill. Maybe it is the smell of sewage mixed with the grease of hotdog trucks. Either way, everyone and their mother somehow has thought of New York City at least once in their lives.
This summer, I was blessed enough to live in New York while working for Sirius XM Satellite Radio. Now I’m not going to sit and brag about how awesome it was to meet celebrities everyday and be on radio. (It was.) However, I did learn some things, things that can only be learned after living in the city for a short period of time. While there were dozens of lessons I could take back from living in the "Concrete Jungle," here are 10 to make you recognize life as a part-time New Yorker.
Make the most of the time you have off.
It doesn’t matter if you are from Podunk, Alabama, or a big city like Chicago or Dallas, New York is its own city. There are no true words to describe what New York is truly like. However, when you have a day off from work, explore the city. The city is made up of five boroughs and each one is different from the next. There is no reason you should be going to the same bar every night when there are a dozen more you visit.
2. Speaking of drinking, decide: food or drink.
Even though you hear people in New York make more money than anywhere else, that is somewhat a lie. $55,000 may seem like a lot for a kid just out of college, but in New York, that is like $21,000. With that in mind, make up your decision if you would rather eat three meals in one day or would rather drink. The smart thing to do is invest in peanut butter and honey sandwiches. It will cost you six dollars for two weeks of food, and you will be able to spend more on booze than on food.
3. Happy hour is your best friend.
While I did mention choosing food or drink, drinks here run from 6-15 dollars. While 15 dollars at Harry’s or Red Shed could get you drunk, in New York … not so much. With that in mind, happy hour runs at most places from 4-8, so if you are planning on going out that night, make sure you hit up happy hour. Sure you will spend 45 dollars, but you won’t spend 130 dollars like you would if you went to the bar at 11 PM.
4. Know your way around … like now.
Nothing is worse than being late on your first week of work due to walking down the wrong avenue. Make sure you find your way around this city if you plan on living here. Also, make sure people tell you if it is on the East Side or West Side of town; that will save you TONS of time.
5. Subway beats taxi.
Yes, the Subway is smelly, full of homeless people and probably covered in rats and filth, but it is economically cheaper. Subways on average will take about half as much time as waiting for a taxi. Not only that, but a taxi costs way more and if they know you don’t know your way around town, they will try jacking up the prices to get more money out of you. While the Subway may not be the cleanest way of transportation, $2.75 trumps $17 every time.
6. Food truck food actually rocks.
As a kid, your mother told you to never get into a truck with strangers. In New York, that is a whole other ballgame. Food truck food is not only cheap, but it will actually taste pretty darn good. In Texas or Alabama, Falafel or tacos out of the back of a truck might give you food poising. In New York, it is a pretty good meal.
7. People here are straightforward.
That old saying, “If you can’t handle the heat, get out of the kitchen,” must have been made up in Hell’s Kitchen. People in New York tell it like it is with no sugarcoating. If they think you are bad at your job, they say it. If someone doesn’t think you are attractive, they will let you know by telling you and denying a drink. New York is not made for the people who think the world is made up of lollipops and rainbows. It is made for those people who actually want to succeed by putting in the work.
8. A night out past 2 a.m. is a solid time.
If you know you don’t have work in the morning, staying out 'til 2 AM is a one-time must. How much you could do in that time is endless. You don’t even have to spend any money to just have fun in Central Park or walking around Chelsea Pier. Sure you will wake up tired in the morning, but wouldn't you rather have a night you won’t forget?
9. Being broke but having fun is actually great.
Trust me, as an intern, I was lucky to even get a paycheck. While I did have some money saved away, most of that left while I was learning these lessons. New York is the only city in the world where you can have a good time and never spend a single dollar. Sure, you won’t be drinking, and sure, you won’t be living the elegant life, but watching a movie in Central Park as the sun goes down beats it all.
10. If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.
Frank Sinatra did get one thing right: New York is a tough city. People don’t care about you, friends will betray you, and everyone is against you when competing for a job. However, if you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere in the world.
While the people you work with may still be out to get you, you have danced with the wolves and walked out learning how to salsa. You have paid your dues and made a huge stride in your career. No matter what anyone says, that can never be taken away from you.
