A user on TikTok tells us what it’s really like to live in New York.
Dana Giles lived in New York for two years before moving back home from the state last September and brought up all the “super cool things about living in New York.”
She said: “The food is amazing, the people are super cool, they don’t judge… The accessibility to everything – I could go on.”
But despite the “super cool things,” Giles talked about things she misses but hasn’t been able to do in the city that is hell on earth.
“I miss the peace and quiet, I miss the space, I miss not having to deal with annoying management… I miss my car,” Giles explained.
Dana Giles lived in New York City for two years before leaving the state last September. She loved the city, but also pointed out things people should consider before moving
The TikToker explained that the food in New York is amazing and the people are “super cool” and “not judgmental.”
New York City is an expensive place to live — Giles said she and her roommate had to pay nearly $5,000 a month for a 600-square-foot apartment in Manhattan
Giles discussed the cost of living in New York, saying the cost of a small apartment is more than most people are willing to spend, even with a roommate.
“Everyone knows New York is expensive,” Giles said.
She continued, “My roommate and I pay a lot… Almost five grand a month for a 600 square foot apartment.”
Giles said in a separate video that she lives in the Chelsea area on the west side of Manhattan and pays more for what she considers a prime location in the city.
“Moreover, I think people who live in New York deal with things that people in other cities don’t want to deal with.”
Mice were a constant problem for Giles and her roommate, even though management and exterminators were aware of the situation. Giles’ opinion of the city is that it is “a bit dirty” and also crowded and noisy
Giles gave some examples that she felt were difficult to deal with, starting with the extreme difficulty of finding accommodation.
According to Giles: “When I was trying to find this apartment it was hell on earth.” “My roommate and I had to wait in really long lines, while we were on tour the local people were in bidding wars.”
Other things Giles mentioned that were difficult to deal with include the agent’s fee, paying a lot of money for a small apartment and problems with mice.
“We contacted management, they brought pest control equipment, and even if they fill all the holes so the mice can’t get in, the mice keep coming back,” she explained.
New York City isn’t the quietest city either and could be cleaner, according to Giles.
“You just don’t have a lot of peace and quiet – it’s kind of dirty, it’s crowded, and when you go outside the sirens are going off.”
She added: “It’s very loud and kind of raises cortisol levels.”
New York City is a popular tourist destination and many areas are notoriously crowded due to the millions of locals and visitors to New York
Giles believes the city is “really growing” but that it is “super glamorous”.
Many people have their groceries delivered to avoid shopping.
Giles, on the other hand, enjoys grocery shopping in person and found it difficult to do so in New York City.
“I just want to go to a grocery store, pick out the produce myself, put it in my car and drive home,” she explained.
It is possible for New Yorkers to shop for groceries in the city, but Giles said people may have to order a taxi to do so.
People who live in New York City and go to a grocery store could end up carrying “two heavy bags home” or “having to take a taxi,” she lamented
Giles concluded: “I think this city really makes you grow… There are so many great things about New York, but there are a few things I want to be honest about because I know it’s very glamorous.”