I ♥ NY. I really do. Some days the City drives me crazy and I hate it and I just want to do this to everything I see in NYC. But I ♥ NYC.
Now it’s time to start a new adventure and the new adventure starts in Austin, Texas…on November 17th.
Last week I realized that I’ve lived in NYC continuously longer (16.5 years) than anywhere else in my life. I’ve done some cool work professionally in NYC. I’ve seen some crazy cool art and music here. I’ve met some amazing people and have made great friends. I’ve become a stronger cyclist here. I’ve become a New Yorker & Brooklynite. Most important, I got married and started a family here (los bebes are Brooklynites). I’m still amazed da Missus said, “Yes.” by the way.
Yesterday at a family party, a lifelong New Yorker said, “Oh my God, you’re going to be Texans!! Why??” Long pause…
Well it is Texas but we’re moving to Austin and it’s different than the rest of Texas. In fact,Austin is the only livable place in Texas. Ask all the East Coasters and West Coasters that have moved there in the past 5-10 years. Once we say “Austin”, the typical reaction is, “Austin? It’s cool there! Can I stay with you for SXSW or ACL or F1?” But I digress.
So why move and why Austin, Texas???
- Lifestyle: Crazy expensive NYC has become even more crazy expensive over the years. We all make sacrifices to live here but the cost of living in NYC has become so out of wack in the past 10 years it’s insane. If we were independently wealthy, we might stay…but we’re not. And da Missus & I we’re never suburbs types (sorry Jerz, Westchester & Longisland).
- Family: I want my little Brooklynites to experience living in other parts of the country. It will make them better, more rounded people. Plus we have lots of family in the Austin-San Antonio area. And los bebes want a backyard badly: “Papi, you mean we can cook and eat outside in our backyard? ” Umm…yeah.
- Cycling: NYC is home to a growing, vibrant, and supportive cycling scene. Awesomely supportive cyclists, great racing plus surprisingly awesome riding nearby is just incredible. In Austin, it’s all that x infinity.
- Breakfast Tacos: No explanation necessary. Carne Guisado y barbacoa #FTW!
Will we miss NYC and our friends? No question. Are we nervous about the move? Yup. Are we really going? Yes…on Thursday, Nov. 17th.
If you’d like to say “Góða ferð” or “路順風” or “Gute fahrt!” or ”Šťastnou cestu!” or “Bon voyage!” before we move, send me a message via Tumblr as da Luvly Missus is wrangling something in Brooklyn next Friday. I’ll send you details.
And we’ll stay in touch digitally via Twitter, Tumblr, instagram, LinkedIn, and da evil Facebook. In fact, da Missus and I are starting a new Tumblr: “Brooklyn In Austin” detailing the trials and tribulations and fun of moving to and living in ATX.
Ciao NYC! I ♥ You! I’m just not in ♥ with You.
