8 Months in the Big Apple

I remember being a little girl and telling my parents that some day I was going to live in the Big Apple.  I knew that it was just a dream, and to actually make that dream come true was nearly impossible.  But God is good, and it was by His love and mercy that He allowed me to move to New York City. 
I have been living here for eight months already, I've had my ups and downs.  Living in this city is hard.  The weather is tough, everything is expensive, sometimes is very stressful, specially when you are trying to transfer from train to train at the Times Square station; but I have learned so much since I moved here from South Texas.  There are little things that remind me of my life in Mexico City, but living here has definitely been a great experience so far. 

I am going to make a list below of the few things that I have learned and compromises that I have made that might be helpful to those who are planning on moving to NYC or to those who just want to come and visit.



Forget Starbucks Coffee:  I used to stop at coffee shops in South Texas while I was on my way to school or work.  Here in NYC I have learned to forget about Starbucks.  A $5 cup of coffee is just too much.  Instead, I've come to embrace office coffee, or I stop at the bodega that's in the corner from where I work.  I'd rather pay $1.25 for a cup of coffee with 2 tsps. of sugar and milk than paying over $5 for a latte -.-  Don't get me wrong, I still get Starbucks coffee but every once in a while.

Forget about Your Car:  If you are serious about moving to New York City, you won't need your car.  I've traded my car for the subway.  With only $112 a month, you can get to the five different boroughs in New York.  Forget about paying for car insurance, car payments, flat tires, oil changes, etc.  Also, avoid taking Taxis, and if you do, say goodbye to your last months paycheck.

Avoid eating out every single day:  Instead save your money and cook at home and go out for a Saturday brunch in Soho with your friends! :)

Bye Bye heels Hello flats :( This one I don't like.  Back in Texas I would wear heels at church or any other time I would go out with family or friends.  Not here.  You have to take the subway, bus, and walk a few blocks to get to your destination.  My feet are always hurting at the end of the day.  I wish I could wear my heels, but that's not an option for me. 

Be ready to gain a few pounds during the winter:  During the winter, you hibernate.  It's too cold to go out for walks; therefore, you don't get much exercise.  You also get hungry several times during the day.  It's easy to lock yourself in your room, eat and watch Netflix.

Learn Tolerance:  People in New York work very hard to be where they're at.  Living here is so stressful, there is no wonder why New Yorkers have an attitude.  Even I became a slave to the New Yorker attitude.  I found myself pushing slow walkers, or people who just stand in the middle of the sidewalk to figure out where to go on their phone.  It can be annoying.  I found myself giving "the look" to those who would push me or kick me by accident.  Maybe, this kind of behavior is acceptable in New York City, but it shouldn't be.  Just calm down and chill out.  I am still learning to be tolerant, it's not easy believe me, but it's something that you have to work on.