Even the worst of cons could not make this city any less glamorous. It is too beautiful and alive for its reputation to even be slightly tarnished. But, let's talk about some of the pros and cons this big city can bring.
1. the location
Josh Wilburne- everypixel.com
Pros: The location of New York City itself is great. If you live in the city, you are only a train ride or walking distance away from most things. If you aren't, then yeah you might have to walk a pretty good distance. BUT... what's good about that? WEIGHT LOSS! That's right, folks, all that walking does some enormous good to your metabolism. So really, there isn't anything wrong with having to make some daily treks. The pros of all that travel will work in your favor.
Cons: The cons about the location of New York is crowding in the city. This crowding leads to extremely packed streets and garages, leaving no room for personal-owned cars. Yeah, you heard that right... if you're considering moving to the big apple, leave that precious BMW at home. You probably can't bring it. I learned after visiting there this past weekend that if you move to the city, you don't bring your car; unless you want to pay over $800 a month to park it in a parking garage to collect dust. Yikes, no thanks. And that is still only if your building has a parking garage for you to actually park it in, anyway... most do not. Also, I say "collect dust" because it isn't like you can even drive to work normally. Any parking in the city is at least $50 a DAY. That's like insane airport parking.
So keep in mind, even the richest businessmen take the subway in New York.
2. the shopping
Pros: The shopping...wow. If you are a shopaholic, this place is for you. You truly never run out of stores to choose from. Clothing stores, candy stores, accessory stores, Christmas stores, souvenir stores, you name it. This place has it all. Literally whatever you want, they will have. You will NEVER run out of options for a night out, that's for sure.
Cons: As fantastic as the shopping options are, they aren't cheap. Everything (and i mean everything) in this city is pricey. Even a simple shirt, depending on the store, is a good $50 at least. The shopping is definitely more overpriced than usual. You'll have to have expensive taste to stomach the prices of most of these stores. If you don't rock with the Gucci or Louis Vuitton vibe, the shopping here might not be for you. It isn't exactly for the faint of heart.
I love some TJ Maxx deals, and it took me a minute to realize that isn't exactly an option here.
3. the restaurants
Pros: THE FOOD IN NEW YORK. Unbelievable. If you are a foodie, this is your place. You literally can name something, and they have it. While walking the streets, we passed more ethnic cuisine restaurants than I could count. I mean, you could live here for years and still not hit every restaurant. Coming from someone who is used to a small town with the same 20 restaurants, this is so appreciated. You can always try something new and trendy instead of the same McDonald's big mac every weekend, which truly brought a tear to my eye. The food here, in general, is just fantastic. Because of the competitiveness to stay original, these restaurants harbor some unique and fun choices. This makes New York the hot spot for bold delivery and even bolder menu items. You could never get tired of the food scene here; there is a restaurant for every mood. Feeling sad? Order Chinese takeout from the 50 different options. Feeling sporty? Go to the hundreds of sports bar choices for a rockin' burger. Sweet tooth? There is no shortage of candy shops and dessert spots here.
Cons: The cons of food heaven... the aftermath. Just like any bad eating habits, they eventually catch up to you. Sadly, since there are so many amazing options here, eating healthy seems like it would be hard. Not to mention that I did not see one grocery store anywhere while here, which made me wonder how the normal civilian grabs some milk and eggs. So I had a feeling clean eating wasn't exactly a priority for most people in New York. The good news though, is that every New Yorker I saw looked in great shape from all that walking, so there IS a way to burn off all those happy calories. It isn't like you are going to get huge. The bad news, most of these choices aren't exactly the most heart-friendly or wallet-friendly options to have.
So just make sure you are choosing (and eating) wisely.
4. the nightlife
Pros: The nightlife of New York is purely thrilling. If you are a so-called "night-owl" this is definitely your place. It is absolutely deserving of the name "the city that never sleeps." There is never a shortage of entertainment or something to do if you are feeling bored or lonely. You could walk around all night and occupy yourself for free, by people watching (my favorite past-time) if you feel inclined to do so. The simplest of things can be entertaining. But regardless there is so much more to do than just sit in your hotel room, you have to get out there and explore. Seriously, the amount of shows, bars, comedy clubs, and restaurants in a five-mile radius is insane. You will never get bored in this place. If you walk into Time's Square at midnight, it looks as if it's 8 o'clock at night. People are rushing to see the next big thing, kids are running rampant, and couples are happily prancing by. It's such an amazing place for 24-hour fun and absolutely lives up to the hype.
Cons: The cons of "the city that never sleeps" is, well, that the city never sleeps. As fun as this night-life is, it can be a tad exhausting if you have an 8 a.m. job waiting for you. Living near the heart of the city might not be the best idea for the dedicated worker.
The noisiness and business of the city that never sleeps can leave you with some serious bags under the eyes.
