5 Things Noone Tells You About New York.

Photo by Joe Loper.

“In New York,

Concrete jungle where dreams are made of

There's nothin' you can't do

Now you're in New York

These streets will make you feel brand new

Big lights will inspire you

Let's hear it for New York, New York, New York”

This song by Alicia Keys and Jay Z is the first thing that pops to mind when someone asks me about New York, not just because it’s sooo catchy, but also because it’s so on point! NY truly is a place of inspiration. It’s a place you go to make your dreams a reality. It’s a place of magic. But nothing is without flaws and New York is no exception. In a city of over 8 million people, things are bound to get a little hectic.

That’s why I wanted to share this list of 5 things no one tells you about New York, that may show you what life in the Big Apple really feels like!

1. You’ll get Lost...a Lot

I’m not sure people realize just how big the Big Apple really is. So, let’s try and put things in perspective. If you live in The Bronx, there’s a good possibility that you won’t get around to visiting Staten Island any time soon. Although everything is connected pretty well, it can take you several hours to go from one end to another...so yeah, you’re bound to get lost a lot. If you’re just visiting for the first time or have recently moved to NYC, it’ll take you some time to learn the ropes of transportation. I mean, I’ve lived here for six years and still get lost all the time. No really, ALL the time.

2. You’re Always in a Hurry.

NYC is a pretty fast-paced place. There are oceans of people everywhere and they always seem to be in a rush. You know, the whole people to see, places to go thing.

But, that’s the New York lifestyle and if you’re not a busy little bee, you can be sure that someone is waiting to take your place - on the bus, train, grocery store or work.

So, if you want to survive in NYC, you have to act fast - there’s no time for looking back. Some people are not aware of how fast everything moves in New York and if you’re not prepared, it can (and will) cost you your nerves!

3. You’re Constantly Broke.

With great cities come great responsibilities...and even greater prices! New York City is known to be one of the most expensive cities in the world, so it’s safe to say that a lot of people struggle to make ends meet.

Accommodation is probably the biggest problem when it comes to NY. The places are small, the rent is high and unless your parents are one of the 100 billionaires based in New York, you’ll never be able to afford to live on your own. So that means bye-bye privacy!

4. You Get Used to the Rats...Eventually.

When people talk about metropolitan cities like NYC, they almost always forget to mention the slightly yucky side of it...and yes, I’m talking about rats. Rats and pigeons to be more precise,

And I get it! The whole pest infestation problem doesn’t fit well in the complete Big Apple story. People want you to think of New York as this flawless, sleek, luxury destination where everything is possible...and while this isn’t far from reality, I believe it’s important to embrace NYC with all its flaws, faults, rats and pigeons.

So, yeah, watch your step.

5. You’ll Never be Bored!

By now you probably think I’m a Negative Nancy of sorts, so I wanted to share one more thing about NYC that might brighten your spirits a bit.

New York is truly a city that never sleeps! You can find bars, clubs and entertainment venues every step of the way, regardless of the time and day. The streets are filled with vendors, musicians, performers, magicians...people of extraordinary skills showcasing their art. New York really is one of the most magical cities in the world. It’s filled with so much possibility and an unbelievable amount of opportunity.

Now, it’s your turn. What did noone tell you about living in New York?