I Love New York

I moved to New York about eight months ago. Actually, I moved to Long Island, about an hour from Penn Station. I must say that I really do NOT like living on Long Island! But, in another three months, I will be moving to Manhattan. Having spent some of the past month or so exploring Manhattan, I have to say that the city is amazing!! I am in love.

Why?

Well, there is the usual about New York. There is always something new to see or do. The city never sleeps. There is a lot of character to it. But the real reason I am in love is the people of New York. I have lived in Halifax, Edinburgh, Toronto, Ottawa and Pittsburgh, and I have to say that I find New York to be friendly. I know that sounds odd, but I honestly think that New York is the friendliest place I have ever lived. People here smile. They are not afraid to either ask you for help, or ask if you need help. They will start chatting to you on the train. (I now know that Kew Gardens is a good area to live, that Craig's List is *the way* to find a no-fee apartment, and sundry details about hospital safety regulations.) There is a lot of charity (such as toy drives for Christmas both at work and at my apartment complex, as well as on-the-street donation boxes like the Salvation Army) . Even the street entertainment (musicians, break dancers, painters, you name it) seem to make a good living. Maybe it's because there are so many people here that they have learned that they need to live with each other. I don't know. But whatever it is, I like it.

Yes, it's expensive - extremely expensive - to live in New York. But you know what? New York is actually worth it.