We actually love many of the same New York tourist attractions that sightseers do
When you live in New York, you're bound to get hit with some pretty grating questions whenever you leave the city. From your spending habits to how many celebrities you know, prepare to be grilled on the following topics.
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1. How much do you pay in rent?
Talking about most areas of personal finance is generally considered taboo, but for some reason the monthly cost of living in a New York apartment is the exception to the rule. Because, you know, you just love reminding yourself that it's basically the GDP of a small country.
2. How do you deal with all the crowds?
This always seems to be the number one thing that people from outside the city want to know about your day-to-day urban existence. It's often immediately followed by, "I just know I could never handle those crowds." It's not like all five boroughs are a giant mosh pit.
3. Is your apartment crazy tiny?
Yes. Yes, it is. Thank you for asking me this in the dining room of your four-bedroom colonial, Brenda.
4. How can you afford anything?
Guess what? No one can!
5. How do you go grocery shopping?
Just because you don't have a car doesn't mean you're physical incapable of going to a grocery store, grabbing a box of cereal or two and carrying it home. People just tend to not buy $300 of groceries at one time, unless they're picking up dinner at Whole Foods.
6. Is the subway safe?
No, and I have only a week to decide which Warriors-like street gang to join. It's rush week.
7. Do you see a lot of rats?
Do you see a lot of Denny's?
8. Is it really dirty?
Even compared to other cities, New York is a pretty dirty place to live. But it's not like you're running and shrieking every time you see something gross on the sidewalk. You just get used to it.
9. Do you eat a lot of pizza?
Yes.
10. Do you meet a lot of famous people?
Does standing behind Laura Linney once in the checkout line at The Container Store count?
11. So you just take taxis everywhere?
See affordability question above.
12. Do you think you’re gonna stay?
If you live anywhere else, people tend to not treat it as a temporary condition. When you live in New York, every additional month spent there tends to be met with a level of slight surprise that you've made it.
