NYC – We’re Stalking YOU!!

We moved to NYC for three months. . . (WHAT?! – You’re crazy!!)

I know, perhaps we are, but we had the opportunity to do it and so the adventure began.  We drove the 11 ish hours from Michigan to New York – as we have our sweet puppy child Olive with us at all times.  Our first stop was a few weeks in Bushwick.  Brooklyn is the BOMB – I think people have discovered this before us (and are so much hipper than us they would NEVER use the term ‘bomb’) – but we’re also fans.  We rented an Airbnb which was great – it was a modern, open studio space – the bottom floor of a brownstone and had backyard access with actual grass – perfect for the pup.  I guess the only thing about being in Brooklyn – is that you stay in Brooklyn.  On the weekends we’d go to Prospect Park and kick around our neighborhood – we hopped over to Williamsburg from time to time – went to Smorgasburg on a Saturday.  You really don’t commute into Manhattan – unless you HAVE to be in the city.  So it was a little on the anti-social side of life.

But once our few weeks was up – we were moving into the CITY!!  This was pretty awesome for me – most of my 20’s were spent living in Astoria, Queens – with a few roommates – auditioning for Musical Theater and booking jobs only to leave town.  I often dreamed of residing on the Island.  How magical that would be – And here it was . . . this dream coming true (for a month or two).

We had reached out to friends that we were coming into town, and thru friends of friends, lined up a pretty sweet sublet in Hell’s Kitchen.  We were blocks outside of Times Square.  In the center of it all.  Now come to find out – this being ‘in the center of it all’ – is a little chaotic.  And loud and crowded.  But, we soaked up the energy and made it work.  Interestingly, this apartment building also had a back yard area (this seems like a complete unicorn) but – really made taking the pup outside a bit easier as she was NOT as into NYC as her humans were.  We had EVERYTHING right outside our door – it was exciting, to say the least.

We walked everywhere – to dinner – to shows – to classes (I was taking improv and workshops) – it seems when you have everything right where you are – you don’t venture too far outside your hood either.  Some highlights of our stay. . .

1. 1. The 52 street Project
   2. Waitress 
   3. Come from Away
   4. Belinda Sinclair *See Anniversary Post
   5. Billy Joel This was a surprise date and an AMAZING one at that.
   6. The Smith – our regular late night spot.
   7. Gotham City Market & Ample Creamery – I am SUCH a fan of a food hall – we both can still be eating together but get different dinners – and ending with THE MOST brilliant Ice Cream.

After 5 weeks in our first sublet – it was coming to an end and we headed to facebook marketplace for our next stay.  This was, by far – the biggest leap (anxiety-wise) – as we connected with a COMPLETE STRANGER on facebook to sublet his place.  Fortunately, we were already living 20 blocks away – so could stop by and chat with his current subletter and see the place.  His apartment was awesome – pup-friendly – and in Chelsea, a neighborhood that was more chill to walk around and had quick access to Chelsea Piers for sitting along the water – an activity the pup demanded daily.  It actually all worked out brilliantly and this hood was a bit more our vibe than Hell’s Kitchen maybe.

Our new sublettor friend even treated us to a lovely dinner.  There was some leaking in the shower during our time at his place and maintenance had to come by for a day or two – not really a big deal – as stuff happens, but he was so apologetic for the inconvenience – we dined on him at Bagatelle.  It was a wonderful date night with no bill attached.  We honestly thought to ourselves – we need more people in our life that foot the bill for our nights out (LOL).

Living here we had quick access to walk the Highline – stopped often at Highline Pizza for late night slices.  (We eat an inappropriate amount of pizza)  Rented Citi Bikes for evening rides downtown.  We were doing a lot less touristy things in this area of town and really just working and living more like locals by now.

We kept our car in a monthly garage in Williamsburg – as having it is really unnecessary in NYC – but did take a weekend away to Sleepy Hollow during the later fall months.  To see our favorite artist Martin Sexton.  And for Olive to get some grass in her life.  Having a dog in NYC was perhaps the biggest challenge.  Aside from Central Park – most green spaces have no dog signs.  It was a little frustrating but she did acclimate over time.

I could go on and on about this brilliant city and our time living there.  It’s vibrant and wonderful – but comes with a lot of challenges.  It taught us a lot about our happiness and well being – I love being out in nature and I really love the quiet to clear my head.  This is just not a thing here.  One day, getting coffees, a man was actually hammering the cement in the middle of the road . . . like with a hammer . . . (shake my head)

We made amazing new friends and saw some of our lifelong friends.  Made exciting memories and learned a lot – we also realized – though NYC is a hellava town. . .  to live in – day to day – not so much (for us).  But, sometimes you have to try something on to know it just doesn’t fit anymore or right now.

Of course – if the opportunity presents itself again . . . . we’ll most definitely take it.

What are YOUR favorite NYC spots (boroughs included) – we’re planning another trip back this year and would love to get your favorite places to go that had you feeling like a local.  Let us know in the comments below.