My inspiration for this post came from my dear, longtime blogging friend, Debbie @ Musings by an ND Domer's Mom, who is not only a gifted...
Thursday, May 03, 2018
Part One: Places I Am Contemplating Living In New York. Part Two: Minimizing My Already Minimal Life.
Part One:
The first time I lived in New York, I resided in Manhattan on 65th Street, between Madison and 5th Avenues. My partner and I were extremely fortunate to have found a studio apartment on the Upper East Side that we could afford. However, back then (in the 70's and 80's) $295.00 per month was considered steep. Yet, I laugh at that price now because studio apartment rentals have tripled TWICE since then.
Yes, rent in New York City is high. But if you search carefully (as I've been doing over the past 3 months), you can still find affordable studio apartment rentals. I pay a pretty hefty amount for my studio apartment here in Philadelphia, and the prices I've been seeing in New York are not that much higher. So I feel confident that I'll find something I can afford. Plus, I'll be getting paid more in New York.
I would love to live in Manhattan again, however, if that doesn't happen, I have no problem living in one of the outside boroughs; commuting to work. And depending on where I decide to live, the boroughs often give a better view of Manhattan because you can see if from across the river, which looks stunning at night.
Listed below are four areas that I am contemplating living in New York. Two are in Manhattan, and two are in the outer boroughs. In case you're interested, I've included a link below each location that will give you an idea how each place looks and feels, and what it offers.
Washington Heights (Upper Manhattan)
Harlem (Upper Manhattan)
Part Two:
For as long as I can remember, my natural instinct has been to live a minimalistic life. Which is why I can live (and live comfortably) in a studio apartment with one closet. I don't like excess or clutter. I am very much like a cat, I'm fastidious and can adapt quickly to small spaces. In fact, I prefer smaller spaces because a studio apartment allows me to observe my space in a single glance. And I like that.
Since deciding to move back to New York last year, I've been slowly going through my apartment each month, minimizing my already minimalistic life; slicing things down so that I have as little as possible to transport. And what's funny is that for my minimalistic lifestyle, I have found a lot more things that I can minimize before I move. Such as: my collection of DVD movies; old theater programs, scripts, and newspaper reviews of plays and musicals I was in; boxes of old photographs. You see, I'm a sucker for memorabilia, so if there is anything I'm guilty of it's holding on to good memories. Yet over the past several years, I've learned that I don't need to hang on to physical memorabilia because those memories are always with me; etched within my mind and soul. Therefore, I've been shedding a great deal of my memorabilia and it feels absolutely liberating. Every time I slice something away, I feel more buoyant.
I've been sharing my DVD movies with others; giving away many to those who wish to have them.
I've tossed all my old theater programs, scripts, and newspaper reviews in the trash because there is literally no reason for me to keep them anymore, other than to look back and reminisce. Been there, done that.
I think the hardest thing for me to get rid of were the old photographs I've been keeping for years and years and years. Now mind you, I didn't get rid of them all, but rather took my time in selecting a certain amount that were special. Again, I don't need all those photographs from my childhood, my family, my school years, etc., to remind me of those good times because they will always be in my heart, as energy.
This move to New York represents so much more to me than just a move.
It's symbolic of where I'm at in my life.
Change. Adventure. Trusting. Letting go.
And simplicity.
Which frees me to focus on, the now.
Since deciding to move back to New York last year, I've been slowly going through my apartment each month, minimizing my already minimalistic life; slicing things down so that I have as little as possible to transport. And what's funny is that for my minimalistic lifestyle, I have found a lot more things that I can minimize before I move. Such as: my collection of DVD movies; old theater programs, scripts, and newspaper reviews of plays and musicals I was in; boxes of old photographs. You see, I'm a sucker for memorabilia, so if there is anything I'm guilty of it's holding on to good memories. Yet over the past several years, I've learned that I don't need to hang on to physical memorabilia because those memories are always with me; etched within my mind and soul. Therefore, I've been shedding a great deal of my memorabilia and it feels absolutely liberating. Every time I slice something away, I feel more buoyant.
I've been sharing my DVD movies with others; giving away many to those who wish to have them.
I've tossed all my old theater programs, scripts, and newspaper reviews in the trash because there is literally no reason for me to keep them anymore, other than to look back and reminisce. Been there, done that.
I think the hardest thing for me to get rid of were the old photographs I've been keeping for years and years and years. Now mind you, I didn't get rid of them all, but rather took my time in selecting a certain amount that were special. Again, I don't need all those photographs from my childhood, my family, my school years, etc., to remind me of those good times because they will always be in my heart, as energy.
This move to New York represents so much more to me than just a move.
It's symbolic of where I'm at in my life.
Change. Adventure. Trusting. Letting go.
And simplicity.
Which frees me to focus on, the now.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
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