Escape from the Suburbs

I have linked to my friend Todd's blog several times over the past year or two. He often "muses" about his life in the Philadelphia suburbs and his everyday "Extreme" commute to New York. He has been asked, of course, why not get a job down here in Philadelphia, or even New Jersey? Well he tried, but he works for the government and apparently- they don't have any jobs here.

So the inevitable happened a few weeks ago: Todd and his wife actually moved back to New York City. We all thought they were crazy of course and we told Todd this every time he's brought it up over the last year (they move slowly, literally and figuratively). Who moves back to NY? Don't they know all the trendy New York people are moving to Philadelphia? Todd insists that New York is now incredibly safe. He keeps quoting crime statistics to us:

"There were more crimes in my front yard in Narberth than in New York this whole year"

"Did you know that New York is now safer than Disney World?"

"You can walk anywhere anytime of night and you won't get mugged- people actually come up to you and give you money."

I don't know about all that- Todd tends to exaggerate.

Of course they have to get accustomed to New York prices again as they have only gone up. Todd and his wife are both only lawyers, so you know they can't afford a nice place. They can't even buy a Condo, let alone a house. They still have to rent-- apparently it's very common up there. Their monthly rent for a small apartment in a building with only a part-time doorman is about ten times more than one of my mortgage payments. That isn't an exaggeration. Everyone up in New York has to be tipped all the time too: Super at your new building- $100.00 so he actually lets you move in; Former criminals who will maybe paint the apartment like you asked $75.00; Part-time Doorman- $50.00 at least so he doesn't kick you in the groin too hard every time you come in the building (more at Christmas).

Everyone in New York always tells you how their place is near the park. "Really its near Central Park?" you ask "Yes, only fifteen blocks away- you know those short NY blocks" Or it's not near Central Park but Park X- and Park X is really much nicer and only ten blocks away.

I'm sure Todd and wife will re-adjust to New York City with no problems. I mean living in New York is just like riding a bike, once you know how it's ....Oh sorry, your bike just got stolen.

Tood's Blog: WWW.Alcibiades.blogspot.com