The Best Things About New York City

At the tender age of six, I left China and came to live in New York permanently. While I have fond memories of my early childhood days in China, I really grew up in the Big Apple. I arrived in Manhattan on a cold December night. The city was majestic. I've been in love ever since. I've come to appreciate many things this city has to offer, but these are some of my favorites:

1. The Subway

For out-of-towners, the subway can be an intimidating place. There are a lot of shady characters walking around, it's gritty, it's fast, it's kind of overwhelming. But after you get used to it, it can be one of the most delightful ways to commute. I personally love the subway musicians that I encounter everyday in Manhattan. These include guitarists, singers, drummers, and dancers. Each of them add to the energy of the city.

2. The Museums

Manhattan is full of them, and one of my favorites is the Metropolitan Museum of Art. With suggested donations, you can practically get in for free to view some of the best art collections in the world. The Met is one of the biggest museums in the western hemisphere; you would need to spend a good day here to take in everything.

3. New Yorkers

Now, a lot of people think that native New Yorkers are mean, rude, and overall, unpleasant. I personally disagree with this; I mean, there are rude people in every city, and NYC is not an exception. Most people I interact with are friendly individuals. And what I love is that because NYC is such a melting pot, you get to meet people from all walks of life.

4. The Pizza

I know, this is such a cliche, but there's a pizza joint on just about every corner...and it's all oily, full of cheese...and just yum!

5. The Energy

What I love most about the city is the energy; it wouldn't be what it is without this vibe. It's always noisy and crowded. For some people, that can be a problem, but I just love it, and I wouldn't change it for anything!