In 2019, I made a life-changing decision to move from Texas to New York City, and as I approach my sixth year in the Empire State, I am more convinced than ever that this is where I truly belong. The city’s ceaseless energy, rapid rhythm, and sprawling opportunities are immeasurably more aligned with my personal ambitions and temperament than the relaxed, sun-baked charm of Austin, which, although beloved, no longer satisfies the lifestyle I crave.
My relationship with New York began long before I became a full-time resident. As a child, between the ages of two and ten, I lived in a suburb near the city, and my family would frequently venture into Manhattan every few weeks. Even back then, I felt an almost magnetic attraction to the city’s intensity and cultural vibrancy, a certainty that one day I would live here permanently. When my family relocated to suburban Texas in 2006, we continued to visit New York City several times a year, maintaining my bond with it. Later, in 2013, I moved to Austin for college and ended up staying for six beautiful years. It wasn’t until 2019, however, that I finally returned to New York—this time with a clear vision of launching my career in media.
Austin, to be fair, was a wonderful and formative chapter of my life. The city provided me with a strong social network, proximity to family, and unforgettable experiences with my pug, who now lives comfortably with my mother. Its outdoor culture was especially appealing: free hiking trails threading through the rolling hills, endless opportunities to walk along the Colorado River, and a nightlife characterized by low-cost drinks and live music felt impossible to resist at that stage of life. Austin maintained a sense of community while offering an eclectic spirit. Yet, as much as I relished it all, the pace and scale of New York offered what I increasingly realized I needed.
Housing was a rude awakening when I transitioned north. In 2016 Austin, I paid $850 per month for a private studio—a deal that felt idyllic. By contrast, my first New York apartment in 2019 cost the same but offered only a shared room in a three-bedroom unit with complete strangers. Over the years, I’ve inhabited multiple apartments around Brooklyn and Queens, with rents ranging from $1,650 to nearly $3,000. Today, my one-bedroom with a small office in Queens costs me $2,200, which consumes nearly half of my post-tax income. While undeniably steep, I consider every dollar worth it for the privilege of being here. For me, the value lies not in square footage but in connection to the city’s energy, accessibility, and constant vitality.
Transportation—specifically my decision not to drive—offered yet another reminder of how well New York fits me. I have never felt comfortable behind the wheel; driving invariably leaves me thinking about the risks inherent in controlling a vehicle. In Austin, this reliance on buses and long walks to stops often left me feeling constrained and frustrated. But in New York, the opposite is true. Within a matter of weeks, I adjusted seamlessly to the vast subway system, which at first seemed disorienting but soon became a second nature lifeline. Today, the trains have given me a sense of independence and freedom that Austin could not.
Even aspects of housing here gained unexpected bonuses. Of the five apartments I have lived in since coming to New York, three have granted access to rooftop spaces, and those rooftops have become sanctuaries. Against the backdrop of breathtaking Manhattan skylines, I have enjoyed summer evenings with friends, watched sunsets paint the city, and even found inspiration for music. Rooftop social life is emblematic of my New York experience: ordinary routines transformed into extraordinary moments by the sheer proximity of the city’s grandeur.
When it comes to leisure and culture, New York offers an abundance so vast it can at times feel overwhelming. Any single weekend could hold the chance to explore world-class institutions like the Museum of Natural History, savor quiet afternoons in Prospect Park, or stumble into an impromptu rooftop dance party. After several years here, I’ve found my personal niches: attending local concerts, cheering at baseball games, or wandering through historic neighborhoods where cobblestoned mews once sheltered horses or fortresses linger as reminders of the Civil War. Compared to Austin, close to two centuries younger, New York’s architecture, history, and seasonal changes offer constant layers of discovery. One of my favorite moments continues to be autumn in this city, where vibrant foliage explodes even within urban parks—something I longed for back in Austin’s more uniform seasons.
Perhaps the most significant contribution of New York to my personal journey, however, is the motivation its relentless pace instills. Every walk through the bustling streets reminds me that the world is in motion, and pausing too long risks falling behind. Far from intimidating me, this momentum energizes me daily. Its constant hum empowers me to push harder in life and in work, fueling the belief that grander possibilities are not only achievable but within reach precisely because I am surrounded by millions chasing their own ambitions.
This drive led me fully back to one of my earliest passions: music. From my first club performance in Dallas in 2012, I felt a indescribable rush that set my lifelong dream into motion. New York, with its abundance of venues and fellow musicians, has provided the perfect ecosystem for that dream to thrive. I’ve fronted three bands so far and performed nearly fifty shows from New York to Boston, even down to Tampa Bay, and each performance feels like the realization of a dream I first uttered on a stage more than a decade ago.
Of course, the city is not without its costs—I am far from my family. Yet, paradoxically, New York helps bridge that distance. Because of its allure as a travel destination, countless relatives and old friends have passed through to visit me, often for a day or two, adding warmth and unexpected joy to my routines.
Ultimately, no matter where I visit, coming back to New York is always an incomparable feeling. Peering out of a plane window to see the skyline sparkling beneath me erases the banal sadness of returning from vacation. This city, in its chaos, its opportunities, and its heart, feels not simply like a place I live—it feels like home, and it is clear to me now that I will never return permanently to Texas. My place is firmly, joyfully, and irreversibly here in New York City.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/moved-from-austin-texas-to-new-york-city-2025-8
