For as long as I can remember, I’ve been captivated by the idea of The New York Dream—the sense that anything is possible in this vibrant city.
As I see it, New York City is often described as the center of everything—and it’s easy to understand why. With its unmatched cultural diversity, vibrant energy, iconic landmarks, and buzzing arts and entertainment scene, there’s truly something for everyone. It’s a global hub for finance, fashion, food, and so much more.
You love it! I love it! But does everyone love it? And how can you be in love with something you’ve never experienced? That’s the question I find myself asking as I plan to visit New York City for the first time. Of course, I already have some insights about it, but I’m eager to see how reality matches up to the legend.
My Big Questions Before Visiting New York
How does it feel to finally be in New York? Is it the way I imagined?
Can I see myself living here?
Why the obsession with New York? What is so special about it?
Why New York Was Always the Dream
There are two kinds of people: those who love New York and the US, and those who can’t understand the appeal. Of course, every place has its fans and critics. For me, even though I’ve never lived there or visited, New York was always the dream destination for my “living abroad” adventure. Like many 90s kids who grew up on movies and shows set in New York, I imagined it as a magical place where anything was possible.
So when I decided to live abroad guess what place was on my mind in a second? New York without a doubt.
But reality hit when I realized that actually living The New York Dream wasn’t as simple as I’d hoped, especially with visa restrictions as a student. Suddenly, the dream felt out of reach.
Looking back, I’m not sorry—it pushed me in a different direction, and I ended up spending three amazing years in Sydney.
Over time, I realized it’s not just about a place. I discovered that I truly love living in Europe, and came to appreciate how great it is to call the Czech Republic home. I’m honestly grateful for everything I have here. Sometimes, dreams lead us to surprising, wonderful places we never expected.
My New York Obsession (And What I’m Actually Excited About)
But we’re here to talk about New York, right?
I’ve honestly been obsessed with this city for most of my life. I spend way too much time thinking about it, dreaming about it, and seeing it on TV. I even have two books about New York—one by Megan Hess for the fashion lovers, and another called My New York by Alessandra Mattanza—which is funny, because I never actually read travel guides when I go places.
So I thought it would be fun to compare my expectations before the trip to the reality after I actually visit. Now feels like the perfect time, since I’m going in a couple of months and already collecting tips and making my must-see list.
I don’t want to offend any diehard fans, but I already know I don’t need to see the Friends apartment in the West Village or Carrie’s place on the Upper East Side. I get the appeal, but it’s just not for me.
What I Expect to Love
I think I’m absolutely going to love the energy. The vibe of this place is what I’m looking forward to the most. It’s that feeling when you just know you’re in the right spot—you can feel it in your bones. There’s a sense of familiarity even if you’ve never actually been there before.
I’ve traveled quite a bit. When I visit the US, I’ll have been to every continent except Antarctica. I’ve had city adventures, explored nature, lived abroad, experienced backpacking, and even spent some time living in a van now and then. In short, I’ve tried a lot of different things and seen many different places. I know I need balance, so whenever I’m living in a city, I make it a point to escape on the weekends.
That’s one of the reasons I think I’ll really appreciate just visiting New York rather than living there—at least for now, that’s how I feel.
What’s interesting is that for as long as I can remember, I always wanted to live in New York. Do you know that feeling when you want something so badly, even though you have no idea if you’ll actually like it or if it’s even right for you? The thing that changed is me. I’ve grown, and while I still love the excitement of a big city—the hustle and bustle—I realize now that what I crave even more is the peace and quiet of nature. Here in Europe, it’s amazing how you can drive just a little way outside the city and find yourself in complete isolation. No people, no houses, nothing. And honestly, I really love that.
First Thoughts on Manhattan (And What I’m Leaving Out)
When I think about Manhattan—which, of course, I’m most excited to visit—I almost can’t believe it’s real. I mean, isn’t it kind of wild that over 1.6 million people live in such a small area? Isn’t it insanely expensive? And somehow, even though it looks tiny on the map, everything seems so far apart.
Have you seen that guy on YouTube who lives in New York and goes around asking people how much they pay for rent and then visits their apartments? I think that’s such a cool idea. I’ve watched a few episodes, and honestly, if you have a lot of money, life in New York really can be the dream. The stylish apartments, those hidden inner gardens, all the shopping, and just the whole vibe of the Big Apple—it’s pretty incredible.
I’m not getting into politics, education, or the healthcare situation here, since I’m just visiting—and honestly, I’m glad none of that is on my agenda. It all seems a bit heavy, and this trip is about enjoying the city, not stressing over the serious stuff.
Let’s See What Reality Brings
All of this is just what I think before I go. Who knows, maybe New York will surprise me in ways I never expected. I’m excited to find out.
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