New York: Why I Love You But Will Never Call You Home

I still remember my first trip to New York in the summer of 2006. It was the first megacity I had ever visited, and I was fascinated by its fast-paced vibe. The enormousness of everything felt so foreign to me. My fifteen year-old self was convinced that New York was the place for me; I was destined to live there. And when I came across this billboard on a walk, it was like a beacon from the heavens, reaffirming my decision to one day pick up and move to the big city.

I have since returned to New York three years in a row, and though I still love to visit, my sentiments toward living there have changed. The winters in NY are bitterly cold, and even when the sun is shining you are forced to walk in the cool shadows of tall buildings. I crave sunshine and need wide open skies every now and then. Having grown up in the south, it's also difficult for me to imagine daily dealings with strangers that don't slow down to ask you how you are doing. Life in New York is too chaotic for me; I could never keep up.

Thought it is unlikely that I will move to NY anytime soon, I have a strong admiration for the city. There is a certain creative energy and buzz that I find completely infectious. I love the overabundance of small independent shops and the endless options for ethnic food. I love that each borough has its own distinctive character and that I can hear a multitude of languages just sitting in a restaurant or on the subway. The city that never sleeps is always an exciting place to be, and I hope my semi-frequent visits won't discontinue along with my involvement in the Model United Nations conference.