From #NJ to #NYC: Top 10 tips from a new wannabe New Yorker. #travelswithjuhi

There’s something to be said about working in the city.

There’s an energy here that I cannot find anywhere else. If anyone had told me years ago that I’d work in the city someday I’d have laughed at them. Me? Working in the city? I’m so not a New Yorker.  

Growing up I didn’t love the city. It seemed too noisy, too smoky and too crowded. Don’t get me wrong the smoking piece still gets to me but I just walk far, far away from the smokers. Side note there are a lot of smokers in NYC. But, the noise and the crowds don’t bother me anymore. In its own weird way that’s part of the NYC’s charm.  

I love that I can take a lunch break and walk anywhere I want. There is never a moment where I feel bored by my eating options, if I have the time to explore that is. If I don’t, no mind there is always a close vegetarian or vegan option.

That’s the thing about the city. It is so very vegetarian friendly. If I don’t bring lunch or I forget my lunch that’s never a bad thing for my stomach, only my wallet.

These are just a few of the charms of the city. As I start month four of commuting to the city to work at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) I continue to learn more and more about NYC. Here are the top ten things I’ve learned as a new wannabe New Yorker.

1. Always have an umbrella. I owe this one to my student Michelle. I had bargained on only bringing in the umbrella on the days that the weather channel told me it would rain but as my student told me, you just never know. In the short few months I have been working in the city there have been more than a few times that I have quietly thanked her for her words of wisdom. She has saved me from being completely wet to or from work. Thank you Michelle!

2. Always wear sneakers. Yes. I’ve become that gal. I wear sneakers to work and from work. Walking to and from the PA is a welcomed part of my commute but only in the right shoes. I often change into sneakers when I run errands during the day because folks, walking in the city is no joke.

3. Always leave your heels in the office. I, like all the other women in my office, now have a heels drawer. Every time I bring in a new pair of heels I leave them in the office. That same drawer houses my flats. I come in, take off my sneakers, and decide on the heels for the day. It’s a great convenience having that drawer. My feet thank me daily.

4. Always have a charger. Not only do I have a portable charger, #bosslady, I also always have my USB charger in my bag as well. My phone not only dies quickly these days but frankly you never know when you’ll need to recharge your phone. Oh, I also leave a USB cable in my office. Did I mention my phone dies quickly?

5. Always use the bathroom before you leave for the Port Authority or Penn Station. My commute to and from Rutgers prepped me for this one. I never got in the car without using the restroom. Who knew how long traffic could be. NYC is similar. I don’t drive myself anymore but traffic is still a thing. Better to be safe than sorry.

6. Always have your headphones. I’ve come to love my Spotify playlists, but let’s be honest headphones are nice just to keep in your own world. A day without my headphones is a sad day.

7. Be weary of the umbrellas. It’s important to have my umbrella and I use it when it’s pouring but if given the chance I always opt for my raincoat. Imagine the same crowded NYC street on a rainy day with tons and tons of open umbrellas. It’s like an umbrella festival. There’s a lot of unintentional injuries that occur. Also, some folks have no idea of the injuries their umbrellas are causing as they walk past you. I myself have been the one to cause unintentional harm on an occasion or two. I am more mindful now.

8. Be aware of the cell phone talkers. Too often I have been walking to work only to overhear a conversation I did not want to overhear. It happens to me on the bus too. There are those that also get very angry as they talk. There’s been a flailing hand or two. Remain alert and turn up the music to a respectable audio level.

9. You will run into random people from your past. I have run into people I went to college with that I have not seen since college. I have seen classmates from high school and people from all walks of life. It’s amazing to think that in a city this large, with this many residents and commuters, you can still run into the most random people. Take it in stride and be ready for it. I’ve been pleasantly surprised.

10. Watch out for the tourists! I love seeing how many people visit this city everyday. They look excited and amazed by the wonder of it all….buttttt because they are taking it all in they move a bit slower on the sidewalks and stop at the most random places to take pictures. The corner of sidewalks seems to be the place for pictures. Be cautious! You may bump into someone by mistake or be slowed down during your commute to or from work. Try not to get too frustrated. I know I often feel like a tourist still.

Oh, and here’s your secret surprise no. 11 tip. Enjoy every single minute of it. There is never a moment that I forget to tell myself to enjoy every minute of this new journey. I give credit to the folks that commute into the city every day. Frankly, I don’t think I could do it for my entire professional life but for now as a new 30 year old I’m taking it all in. I’m enjoying all the restaurant trips, museum adventures, Broadway shows, parks, and anything else I’m forgetting.
I’m sure that commuting to the city in the winter will be much different than my summer experience but I hope to take it in stride. As a new wannabe New Yorker I hope I blend in with all the rest.

Happy commuting. 🙂