And just like that, my time living in the heart of the most amazing city in the world has come to an end, as my family and I relocate to become homeowners upstate New York—and I couldn’t be more excited.
I first visited NYC in the early ’90s and was immediately drawn to the energy and vibrancy of this incredible city. Over the years, I returned on a semi-regular basis, and for nearly a decade, the prospect of moving here for work was a frequent topic of conversation. Then, quite unexpectedly, it happened—I was sent on an international assignment with work. For six and a half years, I loved living in Hell’s Kitchen. Even though I lived in three different apartments during that time, they were all in the same building, which only reinforces what those who know me already suspect: I am truly a creature of habit!
I often felt spoiled during my time here, being just a ten-minute walk to the Hudson River, fifteen minutes to Central Park, twenty-five minutes to work, and with everything else this amazing city offers only a short subway ride away.
From the moment I arrived, NYC felt like home—more so than London did after twenty-two years of living there. I experienced the city at its quietest, as the dark cloud of Covid swept the world and emptied its bustling streets and parks. My immediate family grew during this period. I moved here alone, then welcomed my first dog, followed a few months later by my husband, our second dog, and, finally, our daughter. The years I’ve spent in NYC have truly been some of the best and most defining of my life.
Early on, I believed that when my time in NYC came to an end—as surely, no city can be home forever?—I would leave with tears in my eyes, heartbroken at ending my relationship with the city that never sleeps. But I never imagined I’d be leaving for something even better. I’ll still be living in New York—just not in NYC—and, with my job, I’ll be back in the city at least three days a week.
And just like that, NYC is no longer the place I call home, just a spacial place with magical memories that I still get to visit regularly and enjoy.
