What would a Militant post be without talking about transplants? Sure, they're an easy target for the Militant. But this time, the Militant takes a different perspective. He shares a NY Times article link sent to him from an operative who recently transplanted himself out East.The article is on young professionals from other states, who moved to NYC, sharing their trials and tribulations on fitting in to The Big Apple. Sez the article:
"Newcomers suddenly realize either that the city is not working for them or that they are inexorably becoming part of it, or both."
Sounds familiar to some of you? Since the Militant never had to move here, he'd like to hear from some of you transplanted ones who've read the article and would like to know, NY-local references aside, how similar it is to your experience. The rest of us natives can just observe.
Because in the end, it may not really be about the place, but the perspective.
7 comments:
Ehhh, my only thought is that I moved from the suburbs to the City proper and sometimes I miss the ridiculous ease of free parking and a giant AMC 30 and like, a Walmart Supercenter, and then I remember that I like being able to do things after 9 pm that don't involve 7-11 or terrifying bars.
It would be pretty sad if a young professional couldn't make it anywhere. The present recession has slowed down hiring everywhere but rationalist will use that for an excuse anywhere, anytime...
I don't think there are young professionals spoiled by their cars that they couldn't abandon it. If an Angeleno moved to San Francisco the futility of being a car person wouldn't be that bad...
Los Angeles is so cosmopolitan that I suppose you could transplant an Angeleno almost anywhere (thought anti-cold weather may be a major reason not to move north...)
ROTFL @ Fatpinkchicken...you don't qualify as a transplant.
Philpalm: Re: car culture in the Bay Area. It's a total paradox. Yes SF proper is small, dense and transit-advantaged, but everything else in the Bay Area is s-p-r-e-a-d o-u-t . . even moreso than here in SoCal. And since SF proper is so pricey with extremely high rents, the only affordable places to live are...yep...the suburbs...If you live in South San Francisco, Milbrae, Fremont, Pittsburg or Pleasanton...you NEED a car.
I suppose if you tried to bicycle in SF you would develop thunder theighs...I suppose anyone going to Silicon valley would get a stipiden for living expenses else they would not decide to live there....I suppose the scenario in Seinfeld is not too far off for East Coasters trying to make a living there....
This is a good read. I moved to NYC for school last year after 29 years in LA. I am becoming a part of the city and feel like I am cheating on LA in many ways. Except for right now...it's 28 degrees outside. Love the subway, love the nightlife,love the energy, but will never get used to the weather.
Awesome blog.
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