When I lived in the South, the extent of what I needed was minimal: bathing suits, tanning oil, sunglasses and a beach chair. Moving to the City has been quite a different story, and over the past six months, I've learned that the necessities in life cannot be found in a beach store. If you or someone you know is moving to the City anytime soon, share this list with them:
City Essentials
1. Practical shoes, not sexy. Okay, okay....you can have sexy shoes, but I assure you they are only worn on a night on the town (and if you're wearing them everyday, good luck with those bone spurs in a few years). While the City is enormous, it is hands down one of the most walkable cities I've ever visited-- and you will walk it. Always have a comfortable pair of shoes, and forget fashion, people appreciate sensibility. In addition to comfortable walking shoes, you must have a pair of rain/snow convertible boots. We all know that the City is dirty...do you really want to soak your shoes in filth? Ew.
2. Grocery bag on wheels. Yes, you will look like a dork, but I have never been so thankful for this. While many of us city-dwellers live only a handful of blocks from a grocery, it's easier to have a bag on wheels. You can buy more at once and transport it with less effort.
3. iPod. I've always been a radio kind of girl, and using an iPod was reserved for working out. Now, I have added my iPod to my list of things to have before I go anywhere. Let's get real. No one wants to listen to the sirens and car horns while they're taking a stroll through the park. Earbuds in, volume up, problem solved. If you're looking for a gift idea for someone who lives in the City...iTunes gift card. Enough said.
4. Reading materials. Ok, so while we know that the iPod is essential, so are reading materials. Without fail the 4, 5 and 6 trains will be delayed everyday on the way to work, and everyday on the way home from work. It's common knowledge that everyone on the subway looks down, looks at a wall or keeps their eyes closed. When I'm not feeling rude and staring at people, I read. Whatever your taste, newspaper, magazine or book....have it on you at all times! Others will appreciate the absence of wandering eyes.
5. Smartphone. If you don't have a smartphone already, check the year. It's the millenium, get with the program. A smartphone isn't necessary in the City because it's the normal thing to own, but because apps they offer make life a whole lot easier. For instance, the NY Giants Welcome Home Parade this week shut down the subway I needed to take to work. Because I had a smartphone, I was easily able to access HopStop to re-reoute my commute, making it to my 9:30AM conference call. Need to make last minute dinner reservations? No problem-- two clicks and it's done via OpenTable. It's been a long week-- what are the best happy hour specials nearby? Foursquare. Whether you're lost, hungry or just need a drink, the smartphone doubles as a concierge.
6. Seamless account. My favorite thing about the City is easily the fact that everything is delivery. Literally. Everything. In the South, if you want delivery, you're calling in for pizza. In most cities, SeamlessWeb, a third-party company, allows you to order from almost any restaurant, they'll pick it up and deliver it to you. This has saved my life a number of Saturday mornings. Oh, and can't make it out of bed to get to the computer? No problem. Order from the app on your smartphone.
7. Hand sanitizer. Ok, I'll say it again. The City is dirty. More than 4.3 million people ride the NYC subway each day. Think about where those hands have been. Do you really want to hold onto the subway bars and then eat your bagel? I didn't think so.
8. Parka. As the weather got colder, coats became more atrocious. Anyone that knows me has always known I've been anti-parka, and seeing all the puff around me made me anxious. Several long-time residents told me I had to get a parka. I bit the bullet, and stuck to my belief that fashion doesn't matter when it comes to comfort, and thank heavens I did! While I feel like a furry whale each time I put it on, I don't feel the whip of the wind and it doubles as an incubator.
9. Wind-resistant umbrella. Rest assure that every time it rains, there will be someone selling umbrellas at the entrance of every subway stop. Do you really want to spend $15 on a crappy umbrella that's going to break the second the wind makes its way around the corner? Invest in a solid, wind-resistant umbrella. There's a reason Mary Poppins is one of the most successful Broadway shows in the City...she certainly didn't fly with an umbrella she bought on the street.
10. Zipcar Membership. I didn't realize how much I missed driving until I moved to the City. There's nothing quite as refreshing as knowing you can jump in a car and go. For those of you unfamiliar with the service, it's a short-term (one hour to all-day) car rental service. You pick up the car from a designated garage by scanning your Zipcar card and then returning it to the same garage when the time is up. This service is great when you're moving in and need to pick up large household goods in Brooklyn, or need to purchase shelving in New Jersey. It's especially perfect for the Newark flights. Scrap the $80 cab fair. Rent an $8 car for an hour and get home cheaply and quickly.
Surviving the City is the same as surviving in life: utilize the right tools you need to conquer. It's the simple things in life that mean the most, and I guarantee you will dominate NYC with these ten little things.
