Until I moved to New York City, Austin was my favorite place I had ever lived. I was close to my family and had an easy time making friends. Plus, it’s where my perfect pug continues to live with my mom.

The outdoor scene in Austin was inclusive and exciting. With free hiking trails in the hills and paths to stroll next to the Colorado River, there were plenty of things to do in nature.

When I went out at night, the drinks were cheap, and live music was never too hard to find.

For a studio apartment in Austin in 2016, I paid $850 a month in rent.

I paid the same price for my first apartment in NYC in 2019 — except I lived in a three-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment shared with strangers.

Since moving to New York, I’ve lived in five apartments, ranging from $1,650 to $3,000 monthly for one-bedroom units.

According to Zillow, the average rent in Austin is currently $2,050, while the average in NYC is $3,750.

Nowadays, I pay $2,200 for a one-bedroom apartment with a small office in Queens. It costs me half my monthly income after taxes, but it’s worth it to me to live here.

I spent five years living in Brooklyn before moving to Queens in 2024. It’s worth noting that I’ve never lived in Manhattan.

I’m not a fan of cars. The thought of driving a vehicle makes me think about the possibility of hurting myself or someone else, so I never finished learning how.

In NYC, life without a car is no problem. While friends of mine complain about the lack of parking, I commend the city’s public transportation system.

I used to be uncomfortable guiding myself through the underground stations, but taking the train around New York became second nature within weeks of living here because I did it every day.

Taking trains in the city has given me a freedom I didn’t have in Austin, where I would sometimes walk upward of 20 minutes to the nearest bus stop.

Since moving to New York, I have been exposed to a lot more residential rooftop settings. Beautiful skyline views are a backdrop for typical summer social gatherings.

Three of my five NYC apartments have had rooftop access. It’s a great spot to hang out with friends or watch the sunset when the weather is nice.

Many residents I know have a rooftop setup at their apartment.

There’s so much going on in New York that deciding how to spend my free time is often overwhelming.

Virtually whenever I want, I can decide to have an epic day full of learning at places like the Museum of Natural History — or I can sprawl out independently among hundreds of New Yorkers at Prospect Park, where there are often people playing music on the lawn on a sunny day.

Sometimes, I stumble upon dance parties in parks and on rooftops. These gatherings are always a good time, even when I’m not looking for them.

After six years of living here, I’ve found that my preferred weekend activities are local concerts and baseball games.

NYC is more than 200 years older than Austin, as is evidenced by the historic architecture.

Whether it’s million-dollar homes that used to be horse stables or an abandoned Civil War fortress, history lurks around every corner.

I’m always happy to be in the Northeast when fall rolls around — unlike in Austin, where I missed out on the colorful foliage.

When I leave New York, it feels like my life is moving in slow motion. There’s an energy in this city that is, in my experience, unmatched anywhere else.

Walking around, you’ll see people doing many different things — so much so that if you stop to look around for a minute, you start to feel behind.

This energetic vibe fuels me through my workdays. And being in a city where possibilities feel endless keeps me driven.

Since moving to New York, I’ve been motivated to make my life bigger, and it’s easy for me to believe that I am capable of doing so when I see it all around me.

I’ve been playing music since I was a kid, and I’ll never forget my first show at a local club in Dallas in 2012. It gave me the most unique and invigorating feeling I’d ever experienced. I hopped off stage, shaking and shouting “I’m going to do this forever” on repeat.

The sheer volume of driven musicians and venues in NYC made it possible for me to chase my childhood dream. Since moving here, I’ve been in three bands and played 46 shows around NYC and the East Coast, from Boston to Tampa Bay, Florida.

With friends all over the US and family from Texas to Guam, I will miss my loved ones no matter where I live, so I might as well live in one of the coolest places to visit.

Since moving to New York, countless family members and old friends have passed through the city for a day or two. Adding a little love to my week is always a welcome surprise.

When I leave the city for vacation or otherwise, coming home always feels good. Those post-trip blues melt away as soon as I see the skyline from my airplane window.