When people ask me about my childhood, I find it difficult to tell them why it was such an enriching experience. You see, the problem is that my childhood is like an elaborate painting filled with so many fond memories connected to NYC, that when someone asks me to describe my experience as a New Yorker, I fall short of words. I grew up in a bustling town in Queens, NY and am only forty – five minutes and one train away from Times Square – and for most people, I was, and still am, living the dream. So here’s to all those friends, cousins, and curious minds who always wondered what my childhood was like in the city that never sleeps; here are eight reasons why my city is Heaven on Earth.
1. One city, a thousand worlds. It’s called the melting pot city for a reason – New York offers thousands of cultures and stories in the form of its dwellers. I wouldn’t be half the person I am today if it wasn’t for NYC. I went to one of the largest high schools in Queens, was friends with people from all over the world, and learned to share my similarities with people while accepting my differences.
2. The everlasting history. Every street, every town, every place in the big city holds so much history, that you can spend days just learning about that small corner on Fifth Avenue. Museums, gardens, and attractions don’t even begin to describe the stories that the Big Apple has to offer, because even the local deli has a fascinating tale to tell.
3. Transportation. Let’s face it – the subway can be the grossest thing on the planet, bus drivers are jerks, and the MTA is the true face of evil. But when you go over to your cousin’s house in Long Island and realize the grocery store is a thirty minute drive away, that’s when you realize how blessed you are to have the MTA at your service.
4. The hidden treasures. When people think “New York” they think skyscrapers and taxi cabs. They think buses and traffic, fashion and culture. But here in NYC, we’ve got the best of both worlds! Canoeing at the boathouse, roaming through a garden, climbing a castle, eating at a cozy restaurant, or simply reading under a tree satisfy our modest desires. Sometimes, we get tired of the big city but even then, we’re able to find our niches in the little worlds that exist between the skyscrapers.
5. The pizza. How could one possibly talk about NYC without mentioning NYC pizza even once? Whether you visit a fancy Italian restaurant or stop at a cute little family – run pizza store by the subway, one thing’s for sure – nothing says “I’m home” like a bite of the cheesy and saucy slice of NYC pizza.
6. Christmastime. As if the holidays weren’t already magical enough, step into NYC during the holiday season and you’ll see what magic really looks, feels, and sounds like. A vintage train ringing its way through the subway, St. Patrick’s Cathedral looking magnificent as ever, people twirling and spreading cheer as they ice skate – it’s as if you’re walking through a holiday greeting card.
7. The food. Let me just explain that this category is entirely different from the pizza category. By NYC food I mean rainbow bagels, chocolate chip cookie shots, the best vegan places EVER, delish Ramen, and let’s not forget the halal carts and food trucks that bless our streets (and our mouths) every day. Not only can you see the culture in the Big Apple, but you can also taste it in the richest of our foods. It’s a win – win situation.
8. The events. Whether it’s winter, spring, summer, or fall, you’ll never run out of events to attend! Feeling a little blue? Attend a yoga session with hundreds of others in Bryant park! Tired of watching Netflix in your bed all day? How about watching a movie in Central Park as the night falls? Hundreds of fun activities can be found across all five boroughs – does that help explain why it’s impossible to get tired of living here?
Whether you’ve been living in New York for your entire life, or just got here to experience some of the magic and charm, you’ll never get tired of falling in love with the city that never sleeps. So go ahead and appreciate the vibrant place that NYC is, because it isn’t just a place - it’s the best lifestyle there is.
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