Author: katemcgate

All my life, I lived in New York, in the shadow of the most amazing city I have ever seen. I have grown up seeing Broadway shows and musicals, and the view from Jones Beach on Long Island. I was influenced by the tragedy of 9/11 and stood proud for my city. I never thought I would move, until I found love.

I must say, moving to Philadelphia for college was some sort of wonderful. I was free to be in another wonderful city, and be exposed to new and different ways of life. After a few years, I left my new found love, and came back to my full time obsession. I was comfortable, and was still convinced that if I was to leave, I would always come back again.

Like I said, I found love, a big and wonderful sort of love that only comes to a person once in his or her lifetime. We were at a cross road: stay in my vast, beautiful world of New York…or leave to find a more peaceful world in Pennsylvania. I chose the latter. Not because I don’t want to some day go back; but because his wishes to own a house seem more realistic in the suburbs of PA.

So, we packed up my life from my childhood room, and we drove to a small town outside of Philadelphia. I won’t say I am not impressed with how beautiful it is here, but I will say…it’s different.

There Are Live Animals

No, not squirrels. I’d be cool with squirrels. These animals do $5,000 worth of damage to your Mazda 3. These animals come at your car because it’s in their way. I know that deer and large foxes are in some parts of New York, too…but not my New York. Not the New York I grew up in. It was too developed for that…and I was perfectly fine living in a world where animals were in a mystical “wild” that was far away from my humble abode. The first day I saw a deer run out in front of a car, I wondered if I had been transported to the countryside, or a zoo…and then I hit it.

You Are Away From Your BFF Squad

Sure, you have your friends here…but they aren’t like your old friends. They are just as wonderful and fun, but there is something about being in a different state than your best friend that makes you say…Is this worth it? I will say, yes..it’s worth it, but it’s also worth a trip back to your home base every once and a while to keep in touch. It’s hard to keep in touch with everyone, but it’s important to try. Like the old saying goes, “Out of sight, out of mind.”

There’s Nothing to Do

Yes, there are no beaches here for your lazy days off from work…and your BFF hang out schedule has gone out the window since you’re 100 miles away. Your new friends have a 9-5 job, and suddenly, you couldn’t be more alone. Friday and Saturday nights become a night of organization and room cleaning, while your friends from home Snapchat you every hour from the different events you’re missing. They don’t do it to be malicious…but it still hurts. In order to get out of your funk, you have to do your research. Get to the nearest gym and start working out. Ask a friendly coworker about a fun bar around your work, and don’t be too afraid to smile as that pedestrian walks by. It may not lead to anything, but it doesn’t hurt. Be aware, it’s easy to sit in your living room and watch HGTV for hours at a time, while eating ice cream. Just don’t do it. It can become a vicious cycle.

The Lay of The Land is Different

Coming from a city that sells alcohol 24 hours a day in a gas station, to actually having to plan out a trip to the beer distributor is fairly tragic. It isn’t impossible, but your new friends will think you are insane that you are actually bitching about this. It’s a real struggle. Bars close earlier than 4am, and you can’t just double your tax to come up with a tip.

It’s different, that is a guarantee; but it is important to remember that change brings character. The growth that will come out of a successful move will be amazing. Your life is bound to change in a new and profound way, and you should be proud of yourself. It isn’t easy to leave your home, and soon…your new city will be your home, too.