New York is a gritty place. That’s the best way I can describe it.
I love every bit of its grit.
New York is also filled with an energy that can’t be replicated anywhere in the world. It has character and wears it well.
I had to head up the east coast for a few meetings this month. As I usually do when I travel to New York I always whisper to myself how amazing it would be to live in the hustle and bustle of the city I adore so much. And then I come home and realize how great we have it: trees, simple living (to an extent), fresh air, family, beautiful Carolina blue skies.
In a plane I’m about an hour from Manhattan and driving it’s about nine hours away. Although I love New York I think I will have to reserve my longing to live in the greatest city on the planet to my frequent visits. I can always get my Manhattan fix whenever I need to and then come home where living is far more easy.
Even though I travel a lot I have only lived in one state. Sometimes I feel like the time is ripe for a family adventure and live somewhere else. And then I come to my senses and appreciate what we have and opt not fall into the trap of thinking everything is greener on the other side. Maybe it is. Maybe it isn’t. Even though we would love to pack up and live elsewhere – either here or abroad – we have to wait until the time is right. Who knows, that time may never come. Now, the time is right to simply travel and visit the amazing places the world has to offer.
I love NYC too. I have lived in two big cities before, Chicago and Paris, and loved it but that was way before kids. Whenever we go back I dream again of life in a big city but grass is always greener as life is so much easier raising a family in a smaller more manageable city. I love Minneapolis yet hope someday when the kids are off, we can live in another more exciting place! :)
You’re right. It is so much easier raising kids in smaller cities. I love it here, but can’t but also love the energy of the big cities. One of these days ;)
:) Me too!
I love your photographs! I have only lived in Michigan. My husband travels a lot for his work with World Renew. He’s in Honduras right now working on immigration reform. I have never left the US! I love all the photographs of the people and places here and abroad. They make my heart split wide open :)
Thank you! There is nothing like traveling abroad. It really changes your perspective about everything.
Jennifer, I love NYC too, and lived there for three years before I got married and had kids, but I would never want to live there with my family now, like you I am enjoying the ease of raising them in a smaller area, but that is the beauty of travel…we love to visit the city for a few days when we can!
There’s nothing like traveling to New York for a few days. I’m so glad we live close enough to get there when we can.
Love the pics! I love NYC too. It’s fairly easy for us to get there from Maine. My sons have been there twice and always ask when we’re going back. It’s great when you can travel but still have that home base to go back to.
So true! It’s great to travel and then go back to everything you’re familiar with.
Excellent insights, Jennifer.
As you know, we traveled across the country by RV in 2011 – so much diversity, so many beautiful places. In the end, however, we also came to appreciate the benefits of living near family and friends.
P.S. Did you receive my recent two emails? I haven’t received a reply and I just want to make sure they didn’t accidentally get lost in cyberspace. ;)
P.P.S. You’re right about NYC. It’s a city unlike any other.