I did the same thing but only for 2 months I just got back home a couple weeks ago and am trying to figure out what the next best move is for me. There's so much romanticization of NYC, especially for the way it was 20-30 years ago, and living there made me realize that the old narrative no longer exists. It's really hard jumping straight from A to Z, but the realization could only have come through experience! Good for you for posting this!!
Your story is very similar to mine. In 2010 I moved to NYC from Chicago right after graduating from university since it was a life long dream, since like you, I thought living in New York would solve all my problems and "reinventing" myself since I identified more with being a NYer than a Chicagoan since I was a child (NYer's would probably roll their eyes at that and I cringe now looking back at how I acted like a caricature of a NYer in my first year there) I lived there for about 5 years before the 24/7 grind and competitive lifestyle, paying increasingly expensive rent each year, pressure to keep up with not just your social group but even wealthy NYers since 1/2 the city seems like their millionaires started to add up (New York does something to people's perception of money and how much things should cost also) I also had my first job and first relationship. The first 2-3 years I loved it. Though, after a break up in late 2013 that's when it started to unravel into anxiety and depression. I hadn't done any inner work or preparation to deal with everything life throws at you and experiencing the real world for the first time in NY is at 22 is crazy unless you have tons of money. In 2016 I moved back home to Chicago devastated I had "failed" to make it there and thought I was giving up my NYC dreams but now I realized I didn't fail and also wasn't ready financially and emotionally to live in New York. There are TONS of young adults who also moved away from NYC (in fact I noticed a trend of NYC influencers moving away post-pandemic) since it is such an expensive and difficult city to live in. Honestly, I'm glad I wasn't living there during the pandemic and was in the burbs of Chicago instead. It was just an interesting chapter of my life. I still like NY but now I go back to visit as a tourist. Life does def come in seasons.
I'm probably going to Northwestern next year for graduate school. This video was great, you put a lot of effort into this and it is fairly genuine and impactful.
I am an Evanston resident. I don't believe it is quite as wealthy as you say. Now Winnetka is a very wealthy suburb. While I wish there were more affordable apartments, the area I live in (SE) does have several affordable apartment buildings. My 1 bedroom apartment is $830 a month. Just looking at the downtown area can scew one's perception. But I agree that it is advisable to do research and use the intercampus shuttle or public trans. to check out Chicago.
I appreciate your video, as a mom of a hs teen about to apply to colleges. Thank you. You are very well- spoken, articulate, concise, not trapped by fillers kids these days do all the time e.g. um, like, cos....
I am a Kellogg alum from the early 90s when it was the top rated graduate business school in the country. I made some good friends that I have to this day, as everyone was so smart and also gracious. The faculty was very respectful of the students. I was in the part time evening program (Chicago Gold Coast) and my employer paid my tuition which was pretty great of course. A point I would add is that the El and Metra run from Evanston to downtown Chicago so no, you are not isolated in Evanston. There is an alcove on the lake with a tiny beach on campus and I took sailing classes one summer. There is a beautiful newer recital hall with a view of the Chicago skyline. It’s a bit of rarefied air there and was a life-changing experience for me.
Good on you for following your gut and staying with your parents. That’s a level of maturity and self awareness that will serve you well over the course of your life. 😊
It is a good thing you went, so many people spend their lives looking back at the road not taken and imagining a false existence that would have made them happy. They don't appreciate the life they have because of that. Im from a smaller town I encouraged my kids to leave and try things on their own. If they come back, they come back knowing what they are choosing.
Alone living a life 34?My education graduate? My life wait a woman as a life partner? My life without wife living a life? My life is missing life partner My life wait a woman as a wife?
NYC is NOT the same as it was in the 90’s. I lived there from 1993 to 2003. It was wonderful- very good broadway shows, lots of cheap restaurants to pick from, excellent night life, etc etc. It was also funky, dangerous in some area, horrible subway, lots of construction. It changed in the early 2000’s for the worst. I lived in Greenwich Village and my rent was $500 plus (my parents bought the apartment, explained my rent) …. I saw how it all went downhill. I enjoyed my time there, now I’m a country guy living in the woods.
Not sure how I stumbled across this, I'm much older (30), but I have to say you did exactly what you should have. There are many people my age and older with a slew of regrets because they let someone, often their own self, box them in. You did something different, you took a risk. You went, you tried it, it didn't work out the way you wanted and that's totally fine! My mom used to tell me that not every closed door is rejection, sometimes it's protection - you never know what you dodged by deciding to move back home when you did. No shame in turning to community and your support system during transitions. Congratulations on venturing out on your own, it's been awhile since you posted so I hope you're feeling more validated in that decision. If not, I promise - by the time you turn 30, this will be something you pat yourself on the back for.
well yeah, I moved to Los Angeles, I had a few family members, but they don't know me well. And men come to me, if you don't have friends.... those men will take advantage of you. People don't care about you. and they don't know you. I just wish my family would live in Los Angeles before I was born, so that I can grow up there and know many people there. But oh well.
Just hang in there, turn your situation to God, the dreams he started in you he will finish in you. Here are some amazing quotes for your journey. -Every failed experiment is one step closer to success. -Thank God in advance for what's already yours. -True desire in the heart for anything good is God's proof to you sent beforehand to indicate that it's yours already.
I'm old (33, married, with two kids - happily settled in life), but I just want you to know that almost every single regret we have in life is from never trying to do something you want to do. I know I'm some random stranger, but I'm proud of you for trying it out, even if it turned out to not be exactly what you wanted. I was always afraid to take risks, and now I'm having a mid-life crisis. But my life is way more complicated now. Try out as many things as you want while you're still really young. Once you have a house, a husband, and kids, you can't try things out freely.
You took a chance and it wasnt for you. Life is about changes. This one wasnt meant for you. At least you didnt waste more time on something that wasnt working for you.
First off let me say good for you for sharing your story. You are a very smart person I'm sure that any company would love to have you. Sounds like financially you were able to move back home without much to worry about, which is awesome. This is the best time to find what makes you happy.
Only people who are well into their careers should move to New York City, and make sure that career is cracking 6 figures. This is advice that I would give to anybody. If your just starting off, get a job in a small town or small city. The only time you should move to a big metropolitan area when your just staring out is if your entry level job is bringing in 120k+. If not, start off in a smaller, cheaper area, stack your money, invest, buy property, and move around once your stable.
I have been in NYC most of my life, and could never understand why people would want to come here so badly. It is hard over here. I am not a hater but things are not all that it seems here.. NYC is a nice place to visit but it is not a great place to live UNLESS you own a home here. If you don't own a home here, you have to have a job that will have you make 100K a year to live comfortably. It is also dirty and a lot of the structures are old, and so in. For the cost of living there it is not worth it. There is nothing wrong with moving back home if you have a wonderful family that loves you and will support you. I think in America in general, Americans are told to get out there and leave your family and do it all on your own, that's not always a good idea.
Little sis I’m so proud of you for trying it out, most people never try out! Sometimes it doesn’t work out. One of my homegirls had to be a hard bitch for three years before she found a full nyc bartendership - that’s cool but tbh for what? You are going to find your most happy place, and the fact you were unafraid to move back home and calculate is amazing. You did right. A stranger but I’m proud of you. :) you are going to have a happy interesting life!!
Yeah statistically women find less success when moving to a completely new location than men. This is greatly due to psychological issues of being alone and toughing it out.
You have two viral videos. You can actually blow up on here - but you may want to work on your consistency. Don't let this opportunity pass you by.... Also, look at the types of videos that went viral and try to use that as a guide for how you film, ideate and title your future ones.
i've lived in nyc for 7 years, grew up right outside of the city. imo you need to be making a minimum of about $90k to live here alone in one of the super trendy, safe areas, and still be able to comfortably save for your future. honestly even when i was making that i still had 2 roommates..
Yup . People who aren’t from here especially women think that if they come here it will be like Sex in the City. Not realizing that it’s all a fantasy. I was born and raised in Manhattan and I know better.
this she shouldve stayed where she was it..i live with my parents in NYC and i make decent money who wants to pay 3k for rent ????the folks that you see moving here are the people who are getting funding by thier parents so they can actually live the nightlife....alot of other folks think it will be something that its not ..if your parents cant fund you do not come here
