This statement is going to upset a few people. Leaving NYC will probably be the hardest thing I have ever done. Since I was a kid I dreamed of living in New York City. At the time, I thought it was a pipe dream. Then 2005 I started interning at NBC in 30 Rock. In 2007 I started working at NBC full time. Then in 2009 I moved to the Upper East Side. Sure, on paper, I only lived with Olivia, Jmac, and Nisa, but I also count Joyce, Ostrowe, Phoebe, Zestys, LB, and Ben among my roommates.

Everything you need to know about New York can be found in these two quotes

What makes a New Yorker is not religion not money and not looks. It’s not even talent. It’s the willingness to be part of life.

This is from a StreetEasy ad I saw on the subway:

“Sure your window faces a brick wall, but you know what is behind that wall? New York City”

To make matters worse, I’ve spent the last two months thinking about all the things I am going to miss. This will be constantly updated.
—
Pizza

Knowing exactly what door to stand in front of on the subway

That feeling of flying into NY and watching the tourists gawk thru the window. Then secretly gawking yourself

Duane Reade at 4AM. Even if it is on me
Avoiding Time Square.

And LaGuardia.

And Port Authority

Everything about Central Park

Hearing people say they could never live in NY

Converting one bedroom apts into two bedrooms just to be able to live here
Not needing a car

6 supermarkets and 5 pharmacies within 4 blocks of your apartment

Recognizing places in movies and TV shows filmed in NYC

No Walmarts

Delis

People. You know you are all in this together

Pizza

24/7 Transportation

You can walk everywhere

The views

Bleecker Street

Knowing how to pronounce Houston Street

Tourists asking you for direction because you look like you know what you are doing

Rooftop bars

If you go to a bar or restaurant that sucks, you can go to a different place everyday for a year and still never go back

Syracuse bars. So many Syracuse bars
Those times when the local runs express to 86th street

Watching the city transform before your very eyes

Being a free hostel for acquaintances who want to live the NY dream for a night. Or six.

Seeing two guys carrying a rolled up carpet somewhere into the unknown

Keeping pace with the aura of the city

Street meat

I’ve never been in the cool crowd. But, living in NY makes you feel like you are in an exclusive club with 9 million people.

Pretending to not pay attention to the break dancers on the subway

Times Square comedy shows (kidding)

Everything premieres in New York for a reason

Pizza.

Staying in the city during long weekends. It’s like you have the run of the place

Enjoying the things tourists don’t

Ignoring the things tourist enjoy

The people. Nothing like a stranger calling you a fucking idiot to keep you humble

Inspiration.

Love.

I miss her so much already.