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# New York -> Los Angeles
- URL: https://www.drewshannon.net/new-york-los-angeles/
- Published: 2012-05-31T19:20:00.000Z
- Updated: 2012-05-31T19:20:00.000Z
- Author: Drew Shannon
- Tags: personal, nyc, california, writing, #import-tumblr-2026-08-27

I’m not sure how – or even when – it happened exactly. I think it’d been gnawing at the back of my mind for a long time, and eventually became too obvious to ignore. The idea of leaving New York.

I’ve lived here for almost 4 years, and even though it’s never completely felt like “home”, it wasn’t until the past few months that I finally realized that this isn’t the place for me, at least at this point in my life. Most people wake up in New York City and feel a sense of optimism, invigorated by the possibilities that the city has to offer. I used to feel that optimism, but I’m no longer the guy fresh out of college who thinks that living in a shithole apartment and paying $6 for a beer is fun and exciting.

New York is like a city of large immovable objects that slowly sqeeeeeeeeeeze and crush you. In the physical sense, there are the bodies of water that serve as natural barriers, making Manhattan an island, but more than that are the sticky social/cultural things which are a necessity with such a densely populated metropolitan area, but which also make everything harder than they need to be.

And so, New York, it’s been fun, but I’m ready for something new. There are dozens (if not hundreds) of people, things, places, sights, sounds, and smells that I’ll miss, but I can’t wait for what’s next.