What life is ACTUALLY like for average people living in New York City. A Vlog. 

DISCLAIMER (from the description box!): my experience here is just ONE example of the average lifestyle in NYC. There are SO many others, especially for actual born and raised new yorkers living in the bronx/brooklyn/queens etc. Plus it took me 4 years to be able to afford living alone here... where I started was so different than how it is now. ANYWAYS I hope you enjoy, and good luck if you're moving to new york city this year!

I don’t know how I ended up here but I’m glad I did. It’s nice to see someone on on YT in their 30s that’s not married with kids and still feels like they’re figuring themselves out. Can’t be bothered to cook but also trying to take care of themselves. I relate girl

"I miss the days I felt so much excitement for what was to come in life" wow, that kinda hit pretty hard...really loved that line

You managed to built a sustainable life for yourself in one of the most exciting, competitive and expensive cities in the world. It might not feel that way right now but you belong to the lucky ones who have a foot in the door in this beautifully harsh place called New York City. While thousands people every year give up and move to Texas or Florida, you're still giving this a proper go. It's a great accomplishment and I'm sure this phase of your life will be a launchpad for amazing things to come. In The Big Apple or somewhere else.

I am a 68 year old retiree. I wish I was young again and could do exactly what you are doing. Don't worry and try not to stress. It will all work out in the end. Give yourself credit for all you have accomplished. Relax and enjoy each day :)

As a fellow 30-something, I found myself relating and laughing throughout the entire vlog. Please never change. 😊

I think what’s cool is just honoring the journey and the normalcy of being human. We need that. It’s awesome.

I understand the loneliness. This was a gorgeous video. Thank you for being so vulnerable and raw with us. I want to give you a big internet hug from my small town on the other side of the ocean. It's difficult, but it's a beautiful journey.

You are so refreshing. Please don't ever put a filter on your self talk. Keep being open and honest with/about yourself. You are like all the rest of us - just doing the best we can every day.

I’m almost 60 and I can really relate to you! I have a habit of not taking care of myself, struggling to eat right, self sabotage, and more. But from now until the end I will always think of brushing my teeth as cleaning my skeleton! 😂

Dear Chelsea, someone needs to tell you this: you are a comedy genius and you're not even aware of that!

Hooray! Finally another person in their 30s that doesn't perfectly manicure their life! I've binged a ton of your videos now. I'm so grateful to have stumbled across your videos - genuinely feels nice to have someone to actually relate to.

I never really watch vlogs, but yours just hit different. I live in a big city and am alone most of the time, so seeing you post a new video just makes me think "hey, let's see what Chelsea is up to" and my mood gets better instantly. Thank you! :)

I'm so happy to hear that you are doing better and to see you smiling again. You don't have to feel afraid of reaching your goals because life doesn't end there. You'll get new goals after you reach the ones you have now, so go for it! You are always in my thoughts, wishing you the best life you can get.

I’m married and yet my life feels like yours 90% of the time. It’s tough living, even when you have awareness of what you should be grateful for. I hope you find peace where you’re at, bc we’re just doing our best ❤

so happy to have found you and your channel! it's a good reminder that building a sustainable life for yourself takes time and that there are many periods of ups and downs along the way.

Just wanted you to know you’re precious and I’m really glad you’ve started (and are continuing) this channel. Love the honesty and insight! I laughed a lot and feel for ya watching these

You’re fresh air, 100% real, hilarious and SO relatable! I’m loving your vlogs! Greetings from Spain 💗

Your videos are so more real, than other NYC, you come off so genuine!! I’m a fan.

I understand you so well! I’ve been feeling down for the past year as well. Some people say “Just be happy with the little things” but when you hit 30, you want to see where your life is going and preferably towards a much brighter future. I wish you and your channel all the success! Keep going, you are making great videos!

I just stumbled on to this video and you are my soul saver!! I’ll be 47 soon, my daughter is 23 and she lives with her fiancé which means I’m living with my dog and cat. Watching and listening to you live YOUR life the way you do is sooooo refreshing for me. Actually seeing a legit adult admit to their ho-hum life, sleeping in to the very last minute in the morning and admitting that living with potential instead of achieving big things that they KNOW they can achieve again has truly helped me feel so much better about my life. I am sending you million “Thank you”’s and a shit ton of huge hugs💜💜💜

I really enjoy your frankness! And your authenticity makes you even more special. Thank you for sharing with us! ❤

the talk about being scared of your full potential is so real and it really hit me too. It's so refreshing to hear someone else going through something that I'm going through myself. Thank you for these videos

Just found your channel and I am so impressed by your site, you are so real and not the chirpy, chirpy ones who try to be so bubbly and live what seems an unreasonable life! 25 years old and making 75 to 100k, working from home and playing in a fairy land! I'm sure some do, but too many to be realistic. I am 76 and once lived my best life in Manhattan, 19 yes to 22yrs, 2 roommates in a beautiful prewar building, large, actually very large. 34th between 9th and 10th. With a hughe lobby and an elevator "man", 9 to 5 day job, trying g to model which i did too, but not of the level I wanted. Greatest experience of my life. Everyone should experience living on their own for some period time. Love that you are honest about your life. Love your videos, binging at the moment.

I love your channel so much and have been watching older videos recently to “catch up”. I relate to “being afraid of your own success” and thank you for putting that into words for me. You’re a gem and I hope you don’t forget that ❤️

I love your channel, Chelsea! It’s so raw and real. And you say the things we all are thinking and want to say. You are definitely not alone! 😊❤

I related to so much of this 😂 The cooking not being easy if it requires multiple cooking methods, the ending up ordering the most basic things b/c you don’t know what to get, etc. Loved it!

You are so relatable and enjoyable to watch! Like you’re actually really real and honest and open about stuff and it makes me feel better that I’m not the only one who struggles as a 30-something in a big city.

This vid came up in my "Recommeded" so I clicked on it & I loved it & I've been watching your vids for the past hour. You're adorable & real & I love it! Keep doing you, being real, being yourself. And 30 something life gets easier as the yes go by. Trust me.

I’m a 29 year old male. Lost my long term GF and job in the same year. Hanging on and hoping my 30s will be my best years. This video gave me some comfort, seeing a real person dealing with relatable life things.

This is the first I've seen of your videos and I just want to thank you for being so open. It was so nice to hear other people get that social anxiety blank and buy stuff they didn't intend bc they couldn't describe what they wanted. LOL I did that just last week! It's also comforting to hear you describe how you didn't know where to even buy a bagel in your new city. I completely understand that! I moved to a new city last year and work from home. I have been far too housebound because it seems "scary" somehow to go explore. It's not really -- once I'm out I'm fine. But I don't know where to go! And I don't know anybody! I've realized I need to push myself more. I mean, how did I get used to my last city? I was forced to go out into town because I worked in downtown and met people that way ... who then invited me to things... So here I guess I need to just force myself to join an in-person club or something. Anyway, keep being yourself. You are appreciated. ❤ (And also be careful of revealing too much because there ARE still creeps out there.)

I appreciate you!!! Your honest self is so refreshing ♡ thank you for being YOU

I really love your videos. 💗 I'm a "born and raised" New Yorker from Brooklyn. So watching your videos and seeing NYC from your point of view is different and actually cool. I think you're doing pretty good so far, NYC is not an easy city to live in. So much a lot of people don't know that you have to get used to. I really hope you succeed in NYC and find your niche. 💗 Continue doing your videos, your way! They are good 👍

I perhaps watch every 20-something NYC vlogger, and stumbling upon your channel has been SO refreshing. This is a much-needed perspective here on the Tube and I can't wait to watch your channel grow.

I am so glad I found your channel. I live alone in Los Angeles, I was relocated for my job. 12:16 I relate so hard, i’ll walk around random spots trying to find what to do. Having no friends no one to call. But! I am very grateful to be where I am :) you’re awesome

I stumbled onto your videos and I love them! Thanks for being realistic and transparent. Very refreshing!

I just wanted to say thank you so much for posting this type of content - there's a lot of people (myself fully included) who can relate to this and realise they aren't alone in how they live, think or feel. It's so easy to falsely compare yourself to the unrealistic standards of what you see online, so this is appreciated more than you know

Hello fellow Virgo! If it’s any consolation, I’m 20 years older than you & still trying to figure things out! Your content is VERY relatable. Lying in bed & doomscrolling every morning instead of getting the heck out of bed is a bad habit I just can’t seem to kick! At least you’ve got things you want to achieve, such as the marathon. Keep moving towards those wants and desires, no matter how small the steps!

This is my first time watching you and oh my gosh, I love you 🥰 Like many others have mentioned, you’re so relatable and it’s real to many of us. Nothing fancy and you’re showing us the real life as it is! Thank you so much!

I totally relate to the feeling of self sabotage not to reach my full potential and not making the actual sacrifices to reach my goals. It's so frustrating!! You're inspiring me to just get at it with grace for myself!

Hey Chelsea, your videos came in my recommended and it's so refreshing to see the ACTUAL average life footage. Really love it! Takes away the pressure on my own life. Oh and a tip for the Tiktok/social media binge, set a screen time limit in ur phone! My phone has that setting that per app you can set a timer per day. Therefore I don't end up scrolling for more than 1 hour a day. Hope this helps

Hang in there Chelsea, there’s so much ahead for you and how you’re life evolves. Everything you talked about is so so normal and natural. Take good care and keep smiling, you’re doing so well 🥰

I am so proud of you. I just found you on RU-vid, and I truly appreciate how brave and genuine you are, in a world full of fake people. You are so refreshing. Keep up the good work and you will find your motivation, faith, and community of support. ❤️

When she slowly pushed the clothes from the bed to the floor….sheepishly, hoping no one judged her…..I felt that.

I’m glad your video was recommended to me. How different our lives are - I’m a 30 something, married, mum of two living in Australia but somehow I can still relate to you. I love your personality vibe and your honesty.

You are doing amazing I love the raw authentic feel of your life and the days to experience

chelsea, this is the first time I've ever seen you on here but I'm so glad the alg came through and brought me to you. I relate to so much of what you talked about here and it's reassuring to see other people just figuring it out. keep going babes!

Just saw your channel…..love your polite sarcasm…..and the fact you kinda make fun of yourself but not in a vicious way. Sarcasm and laughter is how my family deals with life….I’m the mom and grandma…almost 71….thankfully and gratefully……you seem to be very down to earth and “normal”……think I will enjoy watching your videos….but will say one thing…I’ve never wanted to live in NY…..ever….visiting ok for short time but that’s it for me! Too many people and stuff! Enjoy your life!

Well...for what it's worth, I'm a mid 50's solo Mom and I think you have accomplished amazing things by your mid 30's! I would have NEVER had the guts to move to NYC. No one has this trip figured out, at any age! Peace and light💜

For a 25 year old living alone in totally new country, your videos are superrr relatable, calming, pure perfection. I was in NYC for last 3 weeks of 2022, and I am still not over it. There is something magical, attractive, mysterious about it. I will live here one day, I hope. Anyways, cheers.

Chelsea, I love how real and honest you are! You are so funny too! God Bless and all the Best on your Journey in LIfe😊

Love love love this. Thanks for sharing the everyday-ness! It's fun.

I ❤ you so much! I am also a single lady, 40, in Minneapolis and I feel like you GET me. I just had my own mental breakdown and you are helping me climb my way out of it. Seeing that other single women my age also struggle with work burnout and loneliness and trying to stay healthy and sane makes me feel seen and loved. Thank you, thank you! I can’t wait to see your new place!

So glad to have found you. I too live in NYC. I moved here during the pandemic when I saw rents plummeting and knew they'd never be that low again. I love your relatable vids because I am realizing that being alone is more the rule than the exception for many people and that is OKAY. My goal is 1 social engagement per week. I'll increase that to 2 or maybe even 3 when I'm not working and gong to school both full time, but for now, I've been meeting that 1 time a week goal. In the meantime I find such comfort in knowing how many things are just at my fingertips and that I'm able to partake in whenever I want to. Do I feel like learning to Salsa dance? There's probably a drop in class. Do I want to see the beach at 2pm on a Tuesday? I can hop on the Q train and in 35 minutes! Knowing I can get to the "thing" at the drop of the hat provides a sense of security and belonging that I never experienced living or visiting anywhere else. Your relatable content is like a warm blanket for me and I love it so much. Good luck at the half marathon! You can do it. Oh, and also -- I'm a decent cook and it really doesen't matter when you put the oil in. :) lol

i’ve been in nyc since 2012 and even if its hard i still love it! 😊 your content is so relatable, good luck with everything, i love these videos!

Love how real you are. Thank you I needed this today ❤

Really enjoyed watching this video and just your raw, vulnerable real self sets you apart from others. Thank you for posting this and I look forward to more of your video :)

So much of this is my life! From the cooking to the clothes (except mine don’t go on the floor because I have animals), to the eating like sh*t or not drinking water and eating cheese out of the bag. To panicking when ordering food/drink.

Its been a rocky start of the yr for me too and my siblings and some friends I know, hopefully it picks up for everyone, crossing my fingers, hang in there, one day at a time!

I just discovered your channel and it's so good! You are so wonderfully authentic, funny and lovable. I really enjoyed this video!

I think vlogs like this are so important, where things aren't all glossy or perfect looking. It's not full of smoothies and healthy snacks and perfect lighting and cosy "look at my lovely lifestyle" routines. Even though I don't doubt the people behind those perfect looking vlogs have the same problems and worries as the rest of us. Your vlogs show much more how real people live when they're not thinking about framing or presenting their life in a certain way for a RU-vid video, and thank god for everyone that there is content like this out there.

I love this video. You're honest and funny. I'm a native NYer, much older then you but feeling the same feelings. Be kind to yourself. You have accomplished a lot already. I'm trying to set myself up financially to remember my dreams. Lol. I've downsized and I'm trying to make sacrifices I haven't been willing to make until now. It's nice to know there are kindred spirits out there in all shapes and sizes. Thanks for sharing, I'm with you. 😊👍🏽

I've had a sonicare electric tooth brush for years its a game changer, worth every penny and honestly pays for itself in the long run. Im right there with you on the whole self sabatoge thing. I'm an artist and am terrified about how im going to commit to my work and hold down a normal job due to mental health reasons. 😒😭 I'm rooting for you and we are kind of in this together lol.

add the oil first :) i recently found your channel, and as someone who also lives in nyc, it's...refreshing and as someone who struggles with their mental health, thank you for how real you are. it brings me so much comfort. i discovered your channel yesterday, binged half of your content, and have already subscribed. keep going, you got this

I like your videos a lot. They’re so real and calming

WOW!! Soooo many soul sisters in here!! I instantly feel a shit ton better now knowing I’m not alone. I love every single one of you soooo freakin much ❣️❣️❣️ Every single one of you is my new best friends❣️❣️Keep living your most okayest lives!!

first time I see u, love u girl ❤ I’m new to NYC, I been here for a week ✨ Everything is possible here, believe in yourself 💝

I live for the calm chaos in this video, so so much insightful chaos I love it

I love that you're so real! You're not putting on a perfect show, like most people I see online. 🙂

I’m 25 with 3 young children. I’m married and also live in NYC. I loved this video for the realness of it, no fake voice, no pretending. Just real and raw. Thank you for that, I’ve subscribed and look forward to seeing more of you

I loooooove this video! Thank you for being so real and relatable!🥰

I just found your channel Chelsea and you already are super funny and hilarious 🥺😂😂👏🏼 and I think a lot of us just appreciate you putting out videos like this because you inspire a lot of people to do the same. We love you and your channel!❤️🤩

I just got onto your videos and I’m really glad I found them. My daughters and I went to New York in 2018 & 2019 and we fell in love. I have always wanted to live there since I was in high school but didn’t turn out that way. One of my daughters’ would love to move there but places r so expensive to rent. I just shared your video with her so she can see how it is. She is also in her 30’s and is still thinking about it. We are going to try and go again this year, guess we r a bit crazy…lol…thank u for sharing your life and you can do it!!! Keep your head up you got this….😊

This was actually a realistic vlog that I can relate to! Keep up the good work.

This is the most relatable video i have ever seen. Thank you ❤

You really have a good channel I really like how open you are and the way you are talking. NYC is a tough place to live but its a wonderful city with so many things to offer and explore. Keep smiling 🙂

I appreciate the realness Chelsea 😂 it’s so relatable...thank you ❤

I just found your channel. I love how genuine, funny and human you are. Hope you get much more subscribers and manage to fulfill your goals 🤗

The gods that are the RU-vid algorithms are obviously shining on me today because for some reason this upload popped up on feed… and so grateful it did !!! Your so down to earth, relatable, honest ( imho) and so easy to watch.. me thinks I will be most definitely subscribing and binge watching all of your uploads I haven’t watched 😊😊💓😞🥰

I’m glad you said you have also had a rough start to the year... I’ve been feeling so discouraged lately. I thought I got my big break in December getting hired for a well paid full time job and it’s QUITE terrible. I’ve had toxic jobs before and told myself that I would never get into a situation like that again and well.... here we are. I’m trying to have hope that I can find something else but the job market is TOUGH right now.

Prête à manger yes, you said it perfectly. I think everyone of us have had those moments when we have moved to a big city or we just don’t know anyone, and you don’t know what to do, and you just have to figure things out. I lived for a long time in London, a very lonely place. To be fair though, there are endless things to try, and places to go, and things to see.

Really great insight on the way we feel about our true potential and why we keep sabotaging it. It's a real struggle. Thank you for sharing that with us.

Finally a realistic living alone RU-vid channel. New subscription ❤

I actually love your videos! They are positive and funny. I always add the oil in the beginning not when the pan is already very hot, I find the oil heats more gently and can coat the pan more easily. idk i didn't go to culinary school or anything

I ❤ your authenticity. Girl, I soooo relate. Thanks for sharing.

Hi, ive been binge watching your videos last few days. Enjoy watching them for you being a human being with a life i can relate to and also giving a small insight of a life in NYC. And yes, i am no stranger of the floordrobe 😂

Hi Chelsea, hope all is well with you - I really enjoyed your video! And I learned while watching how to make a nice useful citrus wedge without cutting the fruit in half like I always used to do! God Bless!

Thank you for a realistic channel. Far too often come across the 21-year-old RU-vidr millionaire living like a reality star channel. I honestly didn't know normal life channels existed and I'm so happy to have come across yours. Definitely have felt that lack of excitement that you feel in your twenties but somehow disappears in your thirties but no one ever says that! Financial stability alone doesn't bring that back but feel having freedom and not being tied down to family parental obligations. Thanks again will definitely be going through your channel and hoping the algorithm suggests more realistic type channels. We all need a dose of reality. NYC life is far too often romanticized.

Oh man, I really love your videos so much 😄you're filling such an important space in RU-vid for people who live in New York, and for the average person who wants to move there. I especially appreciated the bubble tea on a Friday night being a highlight because it absolutely would be for me too lmao Keep this up, and who knows where it could lead!

Thank you so much! I’ve been in a rut and feeling stuck with my life- which is not a good feeling for a Virgo- as you would know. And I’m a musician from LA. Now in my very early 40’s I’m experiencing a lot about what you talked about with money and all that- I’ve always wanted to live in New York…… but I just fear it’s way too expensive and that I’ll never make it, even with a normal everyday job 😢 so this was just so light and funny, and inspiring to see! 🎉 thank you!

being afraid of success is so real and I'm glad to see someone talking about it

Hi Chelsea, I'm older and I'm incredibly impressed that you're making a go of it alone in NYC, working your ass off and training for a marathon at the same time. My goals at 30 were paying off a car and maybe learning to cook. I knew how to make ramen and roast chicken. So, you're smart, you're tough and you're not awkward. Hell, I probably wouldn't have gotten the boba tea if I felt uncomfortable. I'm subscribing. Hope your Tuesday is good!

love the realism and honesty

I absolutely love this and I'm so glad I found your channel. You are so unbelievably relatable 😂🙌

I screamed when you slid the clothes off the bed 😂 this video is so relatable for us single 30 somethings. Thank you ❤ *subscribed*

Loved the slow motion flip of the frying pan! xx

What a charming person. Keep running and do not worry too much about hydration. Or diet. It’s what you do 80% of the time that counts.

Awww I am so glad I found you! You are so real, so adorable! I live alone by myself in NYC as well, I am 31 and working full time, need to wake up at 7 AM, make my own meals lol. I feel less lonely watching your videos!

Found your channel..left NYC last October. Got tired of living there. So I'm enjoying seeing your perspective. I lived in NYC for many, many years!!

You’ve quickly become one of my fave channels! You are so funny and I would totally be your friend if I still lived there! Love the videos