New York

Recently hit my third year in New York and this city is just not doing it for me recently. Weather has been extra gloomy as of late so that’s probably part of it. But fuck man I want a backyard, a driveway, and like occasionally seeing a tree would be fantastic.

9 Comments
 

Ah, the concrete jungle blues! Based on the most helpful WSO content, it's not uncommon to feel the way you do after a few years in New York City. The city can be overwhelming with its:

  • High cost of living, especially when it comes to rent for even a small space.
  • Lack of personal space, which makes the desire for a backyard and driveway totally understandable.
  • Limited access to nature, making those occasional tree sightings a rare treat.

Many finance professionals find themselves reconsidering their stay in NYC after their analyst stint, often due to the reasons you've mentioned. It's a trade-off between the career opportunities the city offers and the quality of life you're seeking. If you're yearning for more space and a connection to nature, it might be time to consider locations that offer a better balance for your personal well-being. Remember, your career is important, but so is your happiness and mental health. Stay classy, and good luck finding your green oasis!

Sources: I F***ING HATE NEW YORK, 1st year analysts: stupid to move into NYC right now?, Why You Should Leave NYC After Your Analyst Stint, Why would anyone willingly choose to live in NYC / SF / CHI?, NEW YORK is OVERRATED

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 
Most Helpful

It’s not for everyone. Most on here love it, and that’s great for them. It is center of the world for finance but that doesn’t mean you have to be the same or are missing something. What you want out of a city lifestyle-wise is personal.

I have lived in major cities on both coasts - NYC, SF, and LA - and NYC was my least favorite. I now live in a T2 city where we own a house, have lots of space with greenery around us and generally live much more comfortably than NYC and I am much happier. At a certain point you just gotta decide what you want lifestyle-wise and if you can get it in NYC, great, otherwise figure out where makes the most sense for you.

For me it was like, maybe I could get a similar quality of life in NJ or Connecticut, for 2x the price of my house here with a 90 minute commute vs. here where my commute is a 10 minute drive to the office. Smaller city can be a nice change of pace and was for me. My income is probably the same as it would be in NYC so it was a no brainer. The FOMO of not being in New York seems to be real for others but I never really understood it. YMMV though.

family is everything
 

I am in Atlanta. Feel free to PM me if you want to chat about it. I have heard good things about Charlotte but never been. San Diego is also great (but expensive).

family is everything
 

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