This is what I will miss about NYC
After two and a half years, my New York adventure is almost over. In the new year, I will pack my six suitcases and board a Norwegian flight (guys, so cheap, their flights, no excuse not to go) towards our beautiful Amsterdam. This move comes with mixed feelings, something I could probably write a book about because I've thought and talked so much about it. The short version: I know I wouldn't want to stay in New York forever, I miss Amsterdam and all the people who live there, and due to circumstances, this feels like a good time to leave. But I will really miss New York, my great love. And this the most.
The ‘anything is possible’ feeling
You've probably heard it before: in New York, there is a kind of ‘anything is possible’ atmosphere. I can't argue with that because it's completely true. You never have to be bored here because there is always something to do. And due to the ambitious undertone of the city, there is a feeling that everyone can achieve great things.
Central Park
Summer, winter, autumn, or spring; Central Park is always beautiful. I take the subway uptown as often as possible to take a walk. The fact that this will no longer be an option soon makes me very sad. Maybe it's time to rediscover Vondelpark?
Walking
I've discovered here that I am a walker. It's calming, and you see so much more. Everything ‘below 14th Street’ is a favorite. The brick houses with zigzag fire escapes, beautiful boutiques, nice restaurants, and so many interesting people; a walk here is never boring.
Subscriptions to New York magazines
As a die-hard magazine lover (my master's here was in magazine journalism), my first action here was to take subscriptions to American magazines. At one point, I got The New Yorker, New York Magazine, Vanity Fair, Wired, and The Atlantic. I know: that was a bit excessive, but I got a huge student discount, so it was possible. The fun thing about receiving these magazines at your New York address is that you are so close to the source. For example, I read a New Yorker profile about our Astrid Holleeder, emailed the writer that I thought it was a good piece, and two weeks later, I was at the Condé Nast office in the Freedom Tower to chat with him about it. You can do all that here.
Pizza slices
On every corner, there is one: a pizzeria where you can buy individual slices. As far as I know, you can't find this in the Netherlands or hardly at all. I think that's a sin because it's such a perfect snack. In a hurry and no time for lunch? Pizza slice! Hungry after a night of dancing? Pizza slice! Had a long day and don't feel like cooking? Pizza slice! I certainly didn't eat pizza every day, but the fact that it's always an option feels so familiar.
Amazon
Of course, we have Bol.com, but guys, nothing is as easy as Amazon. They really have everything, and with one click, it's at your door within a few days. Dangerously easy.
Every brand and every store ever
Your favorite clothing brand, home goods store, makeup brand, and bookstore are all located here. I'm going to miss not being able to just pop into my favorites like Glossier, Everlane, and Reformation. Additionally, they have stores for really everything here. A fun one I came across recently: a stamp store.
The people
A city can be amazing, but without nice people, a city is just a pile of cement and bricks. Because there is so much cement and bricks here, it can be quite lonely. That's why you need a good group of friends. And those friends, who have dragged me through everything, I will of course miss immensely.
Fashion
I still look in awe every day. The Parisians and Amsterdammers have a pretty common style that can be well described, but New Yorkers do not. Everyone does their own thing here, and it's wonderful to see. Of course, there are groups of people who have a common style (think: hipsters, influencer types, Williamsburg moms), but there is no one style for the city.
The dining establishments
This is of course a no-brainer. The best thing about NYC is that there is always something new to discover. I try to check off as many restaurants and bars as possible, but even if I were to have breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks somewhere different every day, I wouldn't have enough in one lifetime.
What the city brings out in me
Thanks to NYC, I have become more confident, active, curious, and ambitious. I will always be grateful to NYC for how it has changed me and will try to take the things I've learned back to the Netherlands.
And a few things I will NOT miss:
⁃ Rats
⁃ Few options for the homeless
⁃ High prices for everything
⁃ Extremely angry people in traffic
Written by: Anna van der Heijden
