I Feel Stuck, What's Life In A Big City Like?

[Orange]

So I live in a pretty small town, and as I get older about to enter college I feel more and more stuck considering there's NOTHING to do here, I want to live in a place that there is always something happening like Denver or NYC or a big city like that. So to my big city 'Crappers, what is life in a big city like? Do you prefer it over small towns? Thanks guys

[darthalexander]

Having grown up in a big city, I have to say I envy you. I wish I was living the small-town life. I can't stand the city anymore. There's not much "green space" and it gets tiring seeing nothing but buildings all day long. Traffic can be horrible. There are lots of people and that can be annoying if you're a quiet kind of person who likes breathing room.

Not all of it is bad, there is more to see and do (but everything seems to cost). You have more anonymity - the whole city doesn't seem to know your business like a small town would.

I prefer the small town life (to a certain extent) but I can see how sometimes it can be a serious drag.

[Cyno]

I live in a suburb of NYC, so I sorta get the best of both worlds. I love going to the city, but I don't think I could ever live there. First off, stuff in general is just more expensive. Cost of living, food, rent, etc. Second, all the noise would get to me. I need quiet when I sleep. And I just like being surrounded by green and more open spaces while still having stuff to do.

But yeah, if I had a choice between the city and rural life, I'd easily go with the former.

[twiggy101]

I live in a town of 10 000 and I don't like it here. It's kind of a slum. Tons of poverty everywhere and there's f*** all to do. Too many chicks here have kids and got no ambitions in life. Alcoholism, drugs and crime are big problems here. Not a good place for younger people. I like books and there are no book stores here.

I don't think I would mind too much if I were to move to a smaller town of like 500. I've been to small towns where there's lots of friendly people, plenty of space and pretty clean. But I gotta have something to do.

I'm moving to a city anyways this September. I'm looking forward to meeting people my own age who aren't stoners.

[Sickfit, King Of The Fits]

I have had the luxury of living in both a small town and a big city. I think living in a suburb outside the city is the best way to live. You get the peace and homeliness of the small town, but the excitement and wonder of the big city.

[HMARK Center]

May 10, 2010 13:33:00 GMT -5 Cyno said:

I live in a suburb of NYC, so I sorta get the best of both worlds. I love going to the city, but I don't think I could ever live there. First off, stuff in general is just more expensive. Cost of living, food, rent, etc. Second, all the noise would get to me. I need quiet when I sleep. And I just like being surrounded by green and more open spaces while still having stuff to do.

But yeah, if I had a choice between the city and rural life, I'd easily go with the former.

If you don't mind sharing, which town/county in Jersey are you in? I'm near the Morris/Essex border, so I'm about a half hour outside NYC, if traffic doesn't suck.

But I agree, over here in towns in Northern Jersey, we do get a best of all possible worlds situation, because we're very close to cities (NYC, Newark, Jersey City, Hoboken, not that far from Philly, etc.), but we have tons of suburbs, shore towns, and rural areas nearby, as well.

Suburbs have their drawbacks; I hate the fact that, in most towns, you can't just walk wherever you need to go; cars are a necessity, and I prefer being outdoors and on my feet.

They're quiet certainly, but even that can be an issue; too many people block themselves off from everybody around them, so human interaction is kind of cut off. It's a way of living an "exclusive" lifestyle, less concerning luxury, and more about just keeping people you don't like out.

That said, being able to have backyard BBQ's, stuff like that, is awesome.

I do love the city for many things, especially public transportation and walking, among all the amenities and things to do, but I agree that I don't think I could easily live in one. The apartments are small, many of them smell kind of weird, and especially in New York, there's a certain personality that goes with it that's off-putting sometimes. Ask any guy who's girlfriend left to go to school in Manhattan how she ends up changing after a semester.

I kid, I kid. Kind of.

Also, city life is at breakneck speed. As your friend and mine Mike Nelson once wrote, when you're there you end up kind of feeling guilty if you're not being productive, since there's endless lines of businessmen seemingly doing important things, people rushing to get everywhere, etc. I'm sure I'm kind attuned to that at this point, but I very much appreciate being able to slow down.

It's kind of funny, though; since NYC is the biggest of the big cities in this country, I sometimes end up going to other cities and finding them "quaint". I'm spoiled a bit.

[Orange]

Some great responses so far, and It's cool to get the opinions of those who live near NYC as that is the city I would really like to live. I just enjoy the hustle and bustle sort to speak of a big city, but it sounds like a suburb is a great place to live as well. Thanks for all the help guys

["I'm Batman..."]

I've lived in the big city (Chicago) my whole life. Sometimes it can be kinda s***ty. I really do like being able to walk places and have public transportation. I still do own a car also. I literally live 5mins. away from a bus/train depot. I have a full grocery store, liquor store, mcdonalds (ugh...), 2 parks all within a 10min. walk. I'd say I like the city.

[Citizen Snips]

You might not want to leap from a small town to NYC, as it'll probably be overwhelming. Why not try a smaller city first, something like Austin, Pittsburgh or Portland?

[SHAKEMASTER TV9 is Don Knotts]

I'm born, raised and still live in Queens but sometimes go to Manhattan. Mostly to see something or go to Central Park and visit the statues. Though honestly, when I can, I'd like to move to a small town or out west.

[erisi236]

I actually quite miss living in the city, or a real city anyway, Tampa and Wilmington are nice and all, but they ain't no Boston or NYC.

For one thing the public transportation around here is miserable.