When I tell people I'm from Tampa, I only ever receive one question (other than, have you been to Mons Venus): "What brought you to New York?"
Frankly, I'm always a little surprised people seem to be so taken aback I moved here. Don't most people come to New York for a change? To strive for something more in their life? To be inspired? To fall in love (but really just have random sex)?
If anything, I'm borderline-cliche.
Maybe it's because I'm not 21; I didn't just graduate college and move to New York. I don't get hammered at Off The Wagon every night (although my drinking levels have certainly reverted back to college days since moving here).
I came here as an actual adult (well, sort of).
In other words, I get the sense most people think I did this in reverse, and at my age, people are usually moving back to their homeland, not away from it.
Especially when that particular homeland provides arguably one of the easiest and affordable lives ever, so pretty much the polar opposite of New York.
Well, no one said I was conventional. Still, like anyone who moves to New York, I had my reasons-- and I'm here to list them. In no particular order.
(Also, for the record, I have been to Mons Venus. A couple of times.)
1. Two words: career opportunities
Stating the obvious, but it has to be said.
New York is the land of opportunity. If you want to really hit the elite levels in your career, you almost have to come here eventually.
[anad]
It's the place where ceilings don't exist, which is why everyone who moves here is trying to make something of themselves. And becomes addicted to it when it starts to happen.
In fact, your career becomes such a focus in this town, the real challenge becomes prioritizing your personal life.
2. Florida people are flippin' nuts
It's cool, I'm from there. I can say that.
But there's a reason the craziest headlines you've ever read are always about something that happened in Florida.
Let me just provide a few examples: "Accused Florida man says his cat downloaded child porn, not him," "Drunk woman calls 911 to say she was lost in woods, did not know where to urinate," "Mom jailed in Etch-A-Sketch attack."
Need I continue?
3. Seasons!
It absolutely never gets old having these.
In New York, leaves actually change-- and not just browning pom fronds that drop to the beach. I'm talking actual foliage.
[anad2]
And there's a spring! Even winter is exciting when you hail from a place that only has two seasons: summer. And not-as-hot summer.
4. The dating scene
Let me say for the record, I hate dating. It's kind of the worst. It's like going on a million interviews.
That being said, there are more interviews I'm actually interested in even taking in New York City than Florida. That could have something to do with 60,000 people moving here a year, on average.
,6. The high
I don't mean drugs. If I did, I'd stay in Florida-- you know we have all the good meth. Kidding (not really)!
Here's how I really knew I wanted to move New York: every time I flew into NYC for a visit, I got a twinge of excitement. And when I left, I always anticipated my return.
[anad]
Now that I'm a resident here, the same thing happens-- only better.
Because nowadays, I know I'm returning to the city I proudly call home.
6. Culture, culture, and more culture
I hardly need to elaborate, every New Yorker-- and ever non-New Yorker for that matter-- knows this.
The food, the museums, Broadway, underground jazz clubs... it's impossible to beat it. No other city compares.
[anad2]
Florida does have airboat rides though, and they're pretty awesome.
7. Reinventing yourself
In my opinion, New York is the only city on earth you can reinvent yourself as many times as you want.
Even moving a few blocks away can birth an entire new life-- new corner stores, new neighbors, new corner bar. It's nothing short of remarkable how much a one minute move here can open up a new door to entirely new horizons.
Not to mention, accomplishments here feel even greater. Look, we all know the Sinatra tune: If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. It's honestly true. Plus, you can always move back home.
But you can't always live in New York.
If you enjoyed this article, check out 10 Incredible Things That Only Happen After Moving to NYC!
[Featured Image Courtesy: We Heart It]