I just moved to New York City for the summer on Wednesday. This is what I've learned so far.
Everyone tells you how long they’ve been here.
Maybe it’s a validation thing, but Hudson the hotel bartender came here for acting school four years ago, and the REI saleslady has only been here a year and doesn’t know the neighborhood. They also are happy to tell you what neighborhoods they know best and suggest the best bakery to find a birthday cupcake.
Apartments are tiny; dogs are tinier
The hotel room I booked with my dad was the length of a twin bed, and about a foot wider than one. And the dogs—they all have these stubby little legs, just so they can fit into the apartments.
The tourists are everywhere.
So it’s okay to be one. I don’t (completely) feel like a sore thumb when I pull out my NYC guide in the bar. I suppose it helps that I'm here on Memorial Day weekend. As my barber said, all the New Yorkers leave for the weekend, so only tourists are left.
Any native New Yorkers want to contest this? Let me know in the comments.