Moving West
After 15 years in NYC, I am moving to Los Angeles. It feels like the right next step for me and I am really excited about getting settled in California. The thoughts of renovations and decorating a new home lights me up. I have a passion for decorating and look forward to creating a family home. My OCD is acting up a little at the idea of this move. Getting everything packed and organized is a bit more stressful than I would like. But now that I have a place in LA, it is easier to see where everything will go and makes the whole process much more real.
I have been so focused on getting to California that I haven’t dwelled too much on leaving NY. I thought if I kept talking about the move for a year that I would easily adjust to leaving the east coast, but I still haven’t totally processed it. I have been upping my meditation a bit in hopes that it will help with this big life transition.
The last major move I made was when I came to NY. I was 15 when I left Australia to work abroad. I would spend months at a time working in Japan or Europe. I had a boyfriend in Australia so I would come back between jobs but when I was 18, I had a new boyfriend who was in London and I moved there for about a year. After that year in the UK, we moved to NY together. I imagined I would like in NY for 5 years or so but the time passed so quickly and here we are.
They say after 7 years of living in Manhattan, you are officially a ‘New Yorker.’ Even after 5 years you feel it but something happened at that 7 year mark for me. The city broke me in and broke me down. I have lots of memories and big career milestones that happened in NY. The first time I casted for the Victoria Secret show was 8 years before I actually got it. I remember I was doing ‘Pink’ and still didn’t get the show. Finally I got it! I’ll never forget being at the New York Armory during the winter show, it was a very ‘New York’ moment. Luckily I got to do the show two years in a row. I really feel like this turning point in my career was what I lived here for. It was the big one.
New York will always have a special place in my heart but it something has changed for me here. Walking down the streets right now is a little depressing. Manhattan doesn’t feel the same. The pizzaz that attracted me doesn’t feel as strong. Maybe it is because I am older. Walking down in SoHo feel strange now because all the stores have changed. There are no more gas stations in most areas of the city and the high rise apartments feel foreign. It helps in a way with my move because the city is moving on too. It
Up until a few years ago, every time I would drive in from the airport the city energy would captivate me. New York energized me and that has changed for me. I will always be honored to be a New Yorker though. I will miss the seasons and smells but I am looking forward to California sunshine.
Below are some of my favorite spots in NY. I plan to visit a bunch of them before I move to get some closure with the city.
1. ACME - So many fun nights here
2. Balthazar - This is a staple French restaurant and has been here for years.
3. The MoMa - The Museum of Modern Art is one of my favorites
4. Gramercy Park - A beautiful neighborhood that I love walking around and enjoying.
5. Union Square Market - The greatest farmers market full of local produce and delicious farm stands in Union Square in Monday’s, Wednesday’s, Friday’s and Saturday’s
6. Gagosian - These galleries are so special and they have a few of them in NY
7. Ruby’s Cafe - One of the first places I ever went to when I moved to NY. I even had a job here making coffee and getting tips! It is still on Mulberry street. They have expanded to multiple store fronts now
8. Cafe Habana - I have had too many frozen margaritas here to count. The yellow rice, black beans and jalapeños have been a staple for as long as I can remember