Tag: Boston

NYC

Rooftop Ramblings…

by AllieLeave a Comment on Rooftop Ramblings…

Where’ve I been? Well most recently, I was in Boston exploring the possibility of moving there.  Crazy right?  Will I really leave NYC?  I think it just might be that time…

A little background: Although I have loved living in NYC these past few years, loved being close to where I grew up and my parents, loved working in midtown Manhattan and feeling like I made it (ok midtown isn’t that great but still…), loved being in the epicenter of it all, loved exploring the city and especially my beloved Upper West Side, I’ve also been missing a few things BIG TIME. Those things include: my boyfriend (currently in Buffalo, NY); the beach (close, but not close enough to NYC); grilling and outdoor space (I am technically writing this blog from my rooftop, but A) I share it with about 50 other residents B) it’s 2 flights up instead of out my back door and C) grills are prohibited by NYC fire code); and New England in general.  Because of all these reasons, I am considering – or dare I say planning – a relocation to Beantown this summer.

Before I leave: One of my roommates suggested I write up a “before I leave NYC” bucket list and I think that’s just what I’ll do.  There are A LOT of things I’ll miss about NYC and I plan to share them here daily (or maybe weekly because we know I’m not the best at keeping up with this thing!) as well as things I’m excited about for my next adventure.  In addition, I want to do and see as much as possible in these next few weeks that I’ve always said, “I live here, I can do that anytime” about.  Even though I’ve been spending time in NYC since I was born, there are definitely far too many places (mainly restaurants and bars let’s be honest) that I need to get to before I go!

The first thing in the “what I’ll miss” series is the soothing sound of the jazz saxophonist that seems to be constantly playing as soon as the weather turns nice on the UWS and my rooftop deck, however shabby it is. 

Please leave your recommendations for me on places I must get to before I go!

Livin' and Lovin', NYC

Live from the Bolt Bus…

by Allie3 Comments on Live from the Bolt Bus…

it’s the quintessential grey day in New England day as I ride the Bolt Bus up to Boston for a weekend with old friends. I, of course, am pensive as a listen to my ipod and think about my future, my career, my life choices, etc. (you know, the usual).

In a few weeks I will have my first official Manhattan address (after 6 months or so with an “unofficial” one…) in a great little starter apartment. I’m calling it a starter apartment because it is exactly how I imagined my first NYC apartment. Nothing fancy, but charming in it’s own way and right in the center of all the beautiful chaos the NYC (in particular the east village) has to offer. I went the widely accepted “Craig’s List” route and I’m looking forward to this new chapter for me.
Apartment hunting in NYC is quite a comical if not a harrowing experience, especially if you don’t have $4,000 a month for a luxury studio (which in all reality is probably still the size of a non city dweller’s bathroom or kitchen). Things that are acceptable in NYC as living conditions would NEVER fly in the suburbs. I was appalled to find out that the rumored “bitchen” (combo kitchen/bath) actually did exist…AND it still costed an absurd amount! Other frightening conditions include the “loft” style living which more times than not means that you sleep in an attic-like alcove the only fits your bed and that would induce a head injury if you actually stood up when getting out of bed. No thanks!
When I told my mother that I had finally found a place, she innocently asked, “does it have a doorman?” Haha, I just laughed. She had remembered that when I first ambitiously started looking for apartments in NYC, I listed doorman, roof deck, and pass-through kitchen as some of my must-haves. My new apartment has none of these. These can only be attained by wealth, living in an un-cool, inconvenient neighborhood (hello FiDi) or extreme luck. These things are still on my list of eventual necessities for my future digs, but for now, I’m happy with a place that isn’t a 5th floor walkup, has windows in the bedroom, and has a separate space for showering and cooking. Hey, it’s the little things…