And the answer is a resounding…”I don’t know!” I have loved big cities for as long as I can remember. As a little girl, I eagerly looked forward to visiting the American Girl Store in Chicago and seeing the skyscrapers that made me feel minuscule, especially at 7 years old. Further down the line in high school, I had the opportunity to go to my dream travel destination, New York City. It was the cherry on top that I got to experience NYC with my best friends, Amber, Peyton, and Gigi. After that, I was officially hooked on New York. I needed to live there one way or another. But with the recent increase in the cost of living and the increased violence, I had to consider the question: At what point does practicality trump dreams?
If you know me personally, which is most of you, I have likely brought up my dream of living in New York at least once. However, relatively recently, other cities have piqued my interest, including Copenhagen, Boston, San Francisco, and last but certainly not least, Chicago. Chicago has always had a special place in my heart, but that special place is practically equal to New York, if not more. Going to college in the city has increased my love for Chicago and made me wonder if I should forgo my NYC dreams and claim my residency in Chicago for my young adult years.
New York will always linger in my mind, whether for a brief living situation, vacation spot, or an overall rite of passage for women in their twenties. I am left with my mind torn, but maybe I don’t need to decide just yet. For all I know, I could be meant for the life of a nomad, with no permanent address tied to my name. With more and more people embracing simpler lifestyles, I wonder if the saying “Less is more” applies to the Big Apple? I’m sure I will find out in due time.
With love, Kierstyn
Department of Communication
UIC Department of Communications
Her Campus at UIC, Social Media Team & Editorial Team
Contact Information: kherr23@uic.edu