Originally Posted by senior citizen
With the authentic folks in New York City, what you see is what you get.
Having had numerous aunts/uncles/cousins who called New York City "home", not to mention my father & grandparents, I can truthfully say that visiting N.Y.C. was always fun plus a cultural experience. Certainly not boring. Diverse & mentally stimulating. Sometimes I wish I had been raised there.
When my father's relatives would visit us in New Jersey, they would joke that they were in the "sticks"......which it certainly was not. They were all fashionistas ahead of their time; dressed to the hilt.....just to visit the "sticks". Furs, jewelry, nice suits, etc. They knew how to dress, for sure.
As young couples living in New Jersey, we'd enjoy the great restaurants of N.Y.C., the theatre and so forth........but most of all, we frequented the museums.
Guess it all depends what one's interests are. However, N.J. was our home as we were born there. Plus can't forget the Jersey Shore......still have family in the Garden State of New Jersey. It isn't just oil refineries as seen from the N.J. Turnpike.
New Yorkers are mentally stimulating & accepting of the idiosyncracies of a myriad of personality types, nationalities, food choices (the very best delicatessens & bakeries anywhere) as well as superb restaurants............can't be beat anywhere.
When beginning our family, we relocated to a small town of 16,000 souls (which population remains the same today) & felt like it was the "best fit" for the children & for us for the better half of our lives...........having remained in this small New England town which is a "cradle to grave" sort of town for almost 50 years, with just a few short detours to the south & back. Nothing much around us but farmlands & national forest, but we do have a museum in town plus several colleges. Self contained town; NOT suburbia.
We've enjoyed the exceptional beauty of all of God's nature while living up here. The natural beauty. Not artificial attractiveness. We still are in awe when we travel our own state. My own mom retired up here, enjoying a good 30+ years in what she lovingly called "GOD'S COUNTRY". Passing at age 91, she is buried in her beloved Green Mountains. She always mentioned that she never thought she'd live in such a place of beauty.
Thus, it depends if one is looking for non stop cultural immersion with great restaurants, museums, theatre, etc....then choose New York City...........where I will repeat, people are very accepting of diversity, whether in nationality or religious beliefs......plus the restaurants are to die for, the delis are superb, & all cultures are represented in the food markets.
If a cozy, laid back existence is your thing.......then choose a small town........where people still wave hello in the morning, remember you from grade school & high school/college, etc.; remember your parents, your children, etc. & now get just as excited about your grandchildren as you yourself do.
A cradle to grave sort of town. A town where merchants co exist next door to doctors, dentists, engineers, schoolteachers, lawyers, store owners, craftsmen, firemen, policemen, retired people living in same neighborhoods with families with children NOT suburbia at all. NOT city. Just small town living at its best.
Where people actually go to your funeral.
That said, I have very fond memories of my New York City family, plus Brooklyn, as well as those on Long Island, Staten Island & New Jersey.
When we watched "A Miracle on 34th Street" this Christmas, it reminded me of when my father's sisters (my aunts, my Godmother, etc.) would take me to Macy's Department Store in N.Y.C.........or when they'd take me on the elevated train.......or down in the subway.......or to Saint Patricks Cathedral on Easter Sunday...............so, all GOOD. Nice memories. Where the people are authentic, for better or worse.
|