Living in New York made me re-examine my ideas about the amount of space a person needs to live comfortably. As a New Yorker, apartments are often likened to shoe boxes and "holes in the wall."
On my starter salary, I was very lucky to find a two bedroom apartment on the very west side of Midtown West that I shared with a good friend. Our kitchen fit neatly into a 4-foot hallway, our front door opened directly into our oven, and the toilet was uncomfortably close to the refrigerator. We lived below a herd of dancing elephants, and had a mouse visit once or twice. And we handled it all like pros.
A few years ago, I left the city and moved across the river to Jersey. I love my new apartment, mainly because I get to share it with the Boyfriend and it is always filled with love.
But lately, I find myself yearning for a little less hustle and bustle and
a little more peace and quiet--hence the drive out to the 'burbs last weekend.
Growing up in the roomy suburbs, I had never really thought about the amount of space that was readily available to me. I never doubted that
I was lucky, but somehow, until moving into that first NY apartment, did I realize that, at least to me, space is important. I'm not talking about a roomy living room or a spacious kitchen (though I'd like both of those), but more so about outdoor space--the ability to step outside and take a deep breath, go for a walk without worrying about stop lights and crosswalks and pedestrian traffic.
Maybe, just like a dog needs space to run off the leash, my mind needs some room to wander. And so until I can find some space of my own, I'll settle for a drive out west and a day hike in the woods.
I'd love to hear your perspective.
Do you ever yearn for more space? Or do you prefer the city life?
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