New York

I’ve always loved New York – I love how it’s so diverse, and everyone seems to have their own passion and living it. New Yorkers can come off as crass, rude, and aloof, and maybe that’s all true. Well that’s just my opinion. But they’re also very passionate with their art or craft, and they’re very outspoken. People also don’t judge whoever you are – you can dress however you want, and people won’t crucify you for it. When I first set foot in the city that never sleeps, back when I was 9, I just knew that the city and I would have a connection. Going back 17 years later made me realize a couple of things, though.

For one, I don’t think NY is for everyone. I guess it really depends what your priorities are and what stage you’re in.  If you’re single, ready to mingle, and up for any adventure, you’ll love it in New York. If you also feel like no one seems to understand you since you have different kinds of interests, you’re bound to find like-minded people here. 

The city has different faces – Manhattan is very cosmopolitan and glamorous. Brooklyn is the artsy area of NY. The West Village is where Greenwich is, an area dominated by Italian immigrants. That area is also very nice and quaint – with lots of restaurants and little shops. It’s also near Chelsea, the meatpacking district, where a lot of millennials hang out at night. The Upper East side is where the “old rich” reside and also where socialites like Blair Waldorf reside. The Lower East side is also considered as a hip area, with lots of kitschy bars and shops. The financial district is somewhere in the south, where you can find Wall street and 9/11 Memorial Museum for the World Trade Center. Whatever it is that you're looking for, you're bound to find it in NY.

Though the city gets a rep for always being so busy, it also offers sanctuaries to people who enjoy some quality time with themselves. One of my great finds was the NY Public Library behind Bryant Park. The Rose Reading room is so dreamy and made me so envious how they have such a beautiful library. 

This is inside of the New York Public Library. Do note it has a lot of branches. This one is at the Stephen Schwarzman building.

Behind the building is Bryant Park. This is a good spot to enjoy a sandwich or just sit and let your mind wander.

Central Park & Brooklyn Botanic Garden

My favorite thing about New York is that they have a lot of public parks, most of them are free. Central Park is pretty big – and you can enjoy the view whilst enjoying a snack or having a picnic! I suggest renting a boat at Loeb boathouse for a unique activity, or you can try looking over the bridge where Blair used to feed ducks in Gossip Girl. You also get to view some of Manhtattan’s buildings from here so it’s a good contrast. A lot of local artists sell their work here so take time to appreciate them when you take a stroll.

Loeb Boathouse

You can read a dedicated post on Central Park here: Central Park

I also like Brooklyn Botanical Garden – the cherry blossom trees were starting to blossom in time for spring when I went, so it was really nice. They charge an entrance fee, but you can opt to go on a Tuesday, when it’s free.

Grand Central

One of the most iconic train stations ever, the inside looks like a museum. It gets pretty busy here, so make sure to be careful not to block the way of travelers in a hurry. There’s a food court at the basement if you need to grab a snack, and there are clean restrooms. Homeless people tend to sleep in the basement too, so just be careful. Most of the time, they don’t bother anyone, but best to secure a spot where you’re visible to a lot of people.

After spending a week in the city, I’ve come to realize that the city may not be someone like me anymore. I’m about to turn 27 in a couple of weeks and I guess I feel like the bustling city isn’t something that I crave for anymore. These days, I’d prefer a place with more space and I’m more concerned with how a place ranks in safety. NY is very very veryyy expensive to live in and apartments are pretty small but are very pricey. People are always in the hurry, and it makes me think how safe it is for my future kids to run around and play. There are also a lot of homeless people roaming the streets, and also the subway. Traffic is also pretty bad within Manhattan, and transportation system isn’t as reliable as to other Asian countries like Japan and Korea. I’m not hating on NY, I’m just stating that for someone like me, NY may not be the best place to live in. I guess my priorities have shifted since I’m a lot older now.

The iconic Rockefeller Center comes to life at night

The Metropolitan Museum of Art aka The Met.

You can read my dedicated post here: The Metropolitan Museum of Art

I like the architecture of this building. Actually, you'll find a lot of these in New York. This was taken in Greenwich, in the West Village. The place is known for its Italian and European immigrants. I like how quiant the structures look - low-rise buildings with a dedicated stairwell and fence.

 This is the iconic Friends building. Been a fan of the sitcom for years so I was really ecstatic when I saw it. This is also in the West Village. Its address is 90 Bedford St. 

The city really has something for everyone - if you like to explore the untouristy areas of New York, I suggest you explore Brooklyn, West Village, and the East Village. Even if there are things about New York that I don't like, I still love New York. It's a hodgepodge of everything <3