Fugeddaboutit
Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at 11:36AM 
This article in the Times states that a study in Science magazine has discovered that New York state is the unhappiest state in our great nation. As The New York Times so eloquently describes it, "If there were a National Happy League, we’d be the New Jersey Nets." My little focus group of one first suspected this a few days after I moved here in 2004. I spent the next two years rationalizing: "Well, it's because people are so much smarter here!" "We're all just troubled artists" "It's not easy having 4 sq feet of personal space at any given time, but that's New York, right? Only in New York, gotta love it!"
Though my list of reasons are not entirely inaccurate, the last two years have made me realize that if I don't want to, I don't have to subject myself to living here. I feel like the victim in an abusive relationship that keeps coming back for more. "But I love him! He treats me real good. I am so lucky to be with him. He looks so sweet when he's sleeping."
New York spews an attitude that lets you know you've gotta be tough to live here. You're a Noo Yawka and you don't take shit from no one! I've resisted admitting the urge to leave because I didn't want to be a quitter (and I didn't want New York to beat me, literally and figuratively). But this quote from Baz Luhrmann's brilliant graduation speech and hit 1999 song makes me feel like I'm probably doing the right thing: "Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard. Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft."
Reader Comments (1)
I feel 100% the same way! Every time I leave I'm so happy and a day later I can't wait to come back. I'm glad I'm finally ready to leave! Northern CA is for retirement=D