Living like a New Yorker: NYC Part Three

General lifestyle is just one aspect of what makes the Big Apple so appealing. As one of the biggest and most significant cities in the world, anything you could think of is available – only a phone call or taxi ride away. Although often thought of as a concrete jungle, the parks and gardens and water around the city make it pretty balanced and thanks to great public transport and the small size that it inhabits (compared to the large number of people who live there), it’s one of the most environmentally friendly cities in the U.S. Below is my list for living in New York, whether you really do live there or are just visiting and only wish you lived there!

Central Park

This beautiful park was designed in 1859 and completed 14 years later. Stretching 4 kilometres long and just short of a kilometre wide, it has ample space for its annual 25 million visitors and includes a reservoir, several ponds, running and cycling paths, sport fields, zoos and ice-rinks. Home to many migratory birds, it is a popular destination for bird watches and people who are interested in all sporting activities. Families and the young and old come here to enjoy the open spaces and natural beauty it provides.

SoHo, Chelsea and the Villages

These historically unfashionable areas are now the most vibey and buzzing places in Manhattan, full of restaurants, cafes, bars and boutiques. The narrow streets are full of character and are great for people watching – fashionable and eccentrically dressed pedestrians rule the roads.

Chinatown

Home to approximately 100 000 people and many businesses, this is the place to get great food, gifts, groceries and some cultural education. As a previously Jewish and Hispanic area, there is still a small Jewish community living here, where the famous Katz’s Deli and a number of synagogues can be found. Chinatown also offers beautiful photographic opportunities and free walking tours are offered in an effort to promote the economy of the area, which has suffered significantly since the 9/11 attacks.

Walking

Surprisingly, people in the biggest city of the world’s fattest nation tend to be really thin on the whole. Several things contribute to this remarkable phenomenon (although I don’t think anyone can explain why they’re all so damn pretty!). The city is all about image so its inhabitants tend to take good care of themselves, and everyone has to walk kilometres and kilometres to work, to play, everywhere – unless one has a driver like Mr Big or uses taxis all the time. This walking nature of the city is shown by the business people pairing sneakers with their formal outfits and girls carrying high heels in shoe bags for work. My informal observations gathered that the most popular shoes for walking around while maintaining style standards are the Tory Burch ballet flats.

Eating Out

Whatever your budget, this is the city to eat out in. Hot dogs off street carts, fast food and takeaways, restaurants representing every nationality imaginable, the best of fancy establishments, there are so many to choose from. The city’s Department for Health lists over 20 000 registered restaurants, meaning that eating out is essential lifestyle living. Oh well, when in Rome!