When you have lived in New York City all of your life, the bar is set pretty high for other cities to compare. One thing that pisses me off about other cities is the lack of a 24/7 subway system. I guess I am spoiled when it comes to that.
I wouldn't trade being raised in NYC for anything. Growing up with so many cultures and areas around me influenced me and made me the travel go-getter I am today. You can find a great Thai restaurant, watch a good ole fashion baseball game and go to a hookah bar at night all in the same day! It is like going around the world in one city.
But I won't let my love for New York blind me and leave me close minded to other cities. I know there are cities out there with plenty to offer. If you had to take me out of New York, I could probably see myself in any of these three places. (In no particular order)
1. Montreal, Canada
Montreal holds a special place in my heart after visiting for the first time last year. It is a little piece of France in America. The cool and vibrant city is known for its artistic flair, fine dining and beautiful scenery.
In only spending a week in Montreal, it left me wanting more. (Even though I think I saw every tourist attraction I could possibly see) There were so many interesting restaurants, shopping areas and districts that caught my eye.
You can look forward to practicing your French as well. The people of Montreal speak both languages and you will leave Montreal knowing a few phrases. You'll also make plenty of friends with the kind natives. They will direct you to the best places to get awesome beer and will most likely join you as well.
The only thing that makes me bite my tongue about living in Montreal is the cold and harsh winters. Snowstorms in New York already drive me crazy and I can't imagine what Canadian weather would do to me!
2. Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina is a vibrant city making itself known. After the 2001 economic collapse, Argentina has become an affordable place to live. It is known as the Paris of South America, (I see a theme in my choices...) with heavily French inspired architecture.
The mixture of South American and European flair make for a Cosmopolitan city. You can find great wine, hearty steak and delicious empanadas. And even though there are so many food choices, the beautiful people of Buenos Aires seem to keep in shape.
Don't forget the passionate dance of desire: The Tango. You can't possibly live in Argentina without learning this beautiful and romantic dance. Make sure to brush up on your Spanish in case a sexy Spanish lover is trying to seduce you. (Spanish is my second native language!)
Argentina borders many nearby South American countries that could be great excursions! You could even trek down South and see Penguins! (It is my life goal to play with penguins.)
Luckily, I will be spending some time in Buenos Aires in 2010. Who knows if I might like it enough to move down there!
3. Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
A few months ago, I was fortunate enough to visit this lovely little city. I even had the opportunity to settle down and move here. It was too quick of a decision to make, but perhaps one day, I can call Hawaii my home.
My favorite thing about Hawaii is the tropical weather. Living in 80 degree weather all year long is my kind of paradise. I am from a tropical country myself and I absolutely love hot weather and everything tropical. I could probably eat Coconuts, Papayas and Mangoes all day long.
The small community located on the big island brings everyone together. The locals are extremely kind and will always go out of their way to help you. I made so many friends in Kailua-Kona that I still talk to today.
It is very close to the other islands, so you can easily island hop away! But, it is very far from the mainland United States and Asia on the other side of the continent. I would get very homesick and visiting my family could be very costly.
Also, the lack of a good nightlife and transportation system fails me as well. (I do not know how to drive.) I enjoy the NYC nightlife, which no other city can compare. Kailua-Kona could use a few clubs or upscale lounges. For good nightlife, you would have to fly to the other islands. Not knowing how to drive could be a serious problem I'd have to take care of fast as well!
But once you catch a glimpse of the sunset off the crystal clear waters and the glow of the volcano on the horizon, you will want to pack your bags and move to Hawaii as well.
Would you move to any of these places? Where would you live if you had the choice and Why?
Comments (31)
1. San Diego, California. Because it's awesome and doesn't get cold.
2. Vancouver, Canada. They have really good food.
3. Taipei, Taiwan. Because I miss it. Good food.
Cool.
I've also grown up in a metroplex (Houston, TX, to be exact). We don't have a subway system though. But it is pretty diverse. I like(d) it.
I would move to Buenos Aires, probably. Though, I've never been there.
I'm not really sure where else I'd move. Maybe stay close to home and move to Dallas, TX. However, if I am staying in TX, I'd stay in Houston.
New York would be fun for a while, but not for long. The difference (I think) between Houston and NY is the speed at which life moves. In the South, we generally go a little slower (so I've heard anyway - I haven't had a chance to travel to NY or up North for that matter).
Boston, Massachusetts - I love the weather. Cold :3
Copenhagen, Denmark - Just seems interesting. Hella expensive though.
New York City, New York - Subways <3 omg. and nice weather. :D
i cant think of any place i have a yearning to just stay forever
and my list is way too long!
I'm a Californian who moved to Buenos Aires in 2004 (from Mexico with her expat cat.)
I first came here in 1997 to dance the tango.
Now I teach it with my Argentine partner, Ruben Aybar, and write a tango blog.
So you never know.
I didn't plan this to happen, but you never know, do you?
Hope to see you here in 2010!!
Besos,
cherie
quebec has the worst winters, LOL
i'd love to move to NY.
harupa, california or british columbia <33
When I was 16 I visited NYC for a week and loved it, but I probably wouldn't want to live there. Maybe in the outer cities of NY, but I don't think I'm much of a city person.
It's kinda funny you mentioned putting clubs in Kailua-Kona. A few of my friends from the mainland thought the same thing, but so many locals would disagree; just because the thing about lots of "country" places in Hawai`i is that it's so simple and there isn't that city vibe to it.
I went to college in Oregon and fell in love with fall (we don't really have seasons in Hawai`i). So I wouldn't mind moving to Oregon, or possibly California, because then I'd still be close to home.
Hawaii is just like any island paradise in a tropical country.
im for hawaii too but i would want to live in vancouver, canada. than again, i rather live on my own private island. away from people, drama and chaos.
I am from Montreal originally and was born there. I love Montreal. So Montreal would be my city to live in if I really wanted too. And Hawaii would be another place to live for the winter. Never been to Hawaii.
For nightlife,try to google Hong Kong.guess ud like the vibrant city given ur not afraid of crowds.
I live in Holland, but I would move to:
1. New York
2. Battle (in England)
3. Hawaii (or any other tropical island)
"You can find a great Thai restaurant, watch a good ole fashion baseball game and go to a hookah bar at night all in the same day"
You can do that in a lot of places. Or perhaps Pittsburgh just kicks that much ass. Although I do wish the buses ran 24/7...
AND all for under $30 or less?!?!
Very topical for me because I am living in NYC and the gay life here is disappointing for me . And everytime you listed a place you'd move to I had to think, what is the gay life there? Like that's something you might take for granted, but in Buenos Aires there is still the espanol machismo bullshit and Hawaii is- like you said- a small community, so there are limited options.
I would still visit all those places but as a New Yorker like you, born and bred I have to say pretty much anywhere in southern California or the Bay Area is where I wanna be. Like I need to be there.. yesterday. I'm a bit frustrated with NY's lack of space and expense. And you know the wee hours of the morning on the subway are a struggle with long waits. It's better than anywhere else but it's not a perfect 24/7. Certainly the buses stop running for hours at a time and I have to use my parents' car to get around after 3am
Being from the midwest, I'd love to live in NYC. Next up, Paris. After that, who knows. Maybe London... but it's kind of expensive.
I could care less about Thai food or tall buildings. I prefer to shop online. I don't like lines. I don't like traffic or travel. I don't like conforming to mega-companies' rules (as opposed to the freedom of small town-type work opportunities). I don't like humidity. I like mountains, with mild (but definite) seasons. I love nature without the pesky insects and prefer that it be landscaped in a subdivision, BUT I don't like the large cities. Not a beach lover. I love salsa and fajitas. I have lived in Denver and loved it, but it has too much traffic. I have lived in Oregon and liked it. Where? Where on earth is my perfect small town?
@tigerdauphin@xanga - Same here. I kind of want to move all over the place. I know it probably won't happen, but it would be nice.
I'd love to move to the UK (Somewhere in England or Northern Ireland). My second place would be Korea. Third Choice would be New England probably.
GO NYC. I was raised in Canada but currently live in Manhattan. I like the choices. The first 2 cities but then I would also do Sydney, Australia and MAYBE L.A.
But there is no place like New York.
My plan is to move to Canada, stay there for a few years and somehow smuggle myself to Denmark.
1. Home.
2. Bute.
3. Chelters.
I've lived in Colorado my entire life and I've traveled to many states and big cities. Out of everywhere I've been, in and out of the country, I wouldn't pick anywhere else to live than Colorado. It has everything, especially when it comes to nature. You gain such an appreciation of nature. It may be one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. I wake up every morning and never take that for granted. We have big cities, we have rural life, everything. There's always something to do.
I've always thought big cities were a little over-rated. No offense, but it's just compact and often times dirty. All you see is man-made things, you never really get to experience nature. Sure you have subways but there's always bus systems everywhere else. That's just me though.
And on the Hawaii subject, I don't know if I'd be able to live there. I'm going to college next year and I was offered a full ride to the University of Hawaii. I went to visit for college and vacation reasons a few weeks ago. Sure, it's paradise. But would it really be if you lived there? Your stuck on an island and the racism can be pretty bad if your a mainlander. They're going to be nice to tourists obviously because they want they're money. But after speaking with so many people mainlanders are really looked down upon. Just a thought.
I would like to visit Montreal, but its not one of my 'top 3' places to move to. My motivation for moving to a place is more to do with friends than anything, so my selection may not be fancy in the eyes of others. No point moving to a place if you don't know anyone, in my opinion. So yes, Lisbon (Portugal), Plymouth (UK), and Vancouver (Canada). If I knew friends who lived in Sweden or something, I'd be there in an instant.