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thegoodsgt
Citizen
Username: Thegoodsgt
Post Number: 390
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Friday, February 20, 2004 - 4:17 pm: |     |
I've been very lucky in my life to have lived in several different regions of the country. Each has its relative merits and downside, but I cannot by any objective standard say that one is the best or than another is absolutely terrible. And I would never judge someone because he or she chooses to live "there" and not "here."
That said, I got into a brief conversation with my coworkers this morning when one of them noticed a great job...in Kansas City. He and my other colleague went on and on about how boring it would be there and that New York is THE place to be.
I've seen both sides of this arguement, as a relative "insider" who's lived in this area for four years now, and as an "outsider" who grew up in a rural town in central Florida. Small town folk (such as my wife's childhood friends in Pennsylvania) decry New York City as a horrible place to live, while we look down upon them as boring, unintelligent, unambitious yokkels.
What gives? Is the grass NOT greener on the other side? |
Ruck1977
Citizen
Username: Ruck1977
Post Number: 45
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 20, 2004 - 5:11 pm: | |
consider this...many people in the new york area have lived ina rural environment and came here for a reason...as opposed to those in small towns who only know the small town.
not that i agree with the attitudes you mention...but i have found going back to my rural place of "growing up", many people think this of the NY/NJ area... |
Joan
Citizen
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 2488
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 20, 2004 - 7:40 pm: | |
There are very real cultural differences to be found in varous parts of the United States. Some people move to NYC because of its City that never sleeps image. They enjoy the diverse ethnic neighborhoods, 24/7 availability of social and cultural activities, urban atmosphere, sense of being where it is happening, etc. They are apt to see moving to a more remote location [from NYC] as being a step backwards in their careers and/or social lives.
Native New Yorkers may view such a move very differently since they have less invested in being New Yorkers. For them such a move may pose problems because they don't want to leave family, friends, or the old neighborhood behind.
Whether or not you agree with your collegues' conclusion, their attitudes are very real [at least to them].
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anon
Citizen
Username: Anon
Post Number: 993
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Friday, February 20, 2004 - 8:20 pm: | |
But is it still the case that "everything's up to date in Kansas City"? |
Carl Thompson
Citizen
Username: Topcat
Post Number: 47
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 20, 2004 - 10:42 pm: | |
"Well I may take a train, I might catch a plane,
If I have to walk I'll get there just the same"
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juju's petals
Citizen
Username: Jujus_petals
Post Number: 8
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, February 21, 2004 - 12:28 pm: | |
Mark Twain once observed that New Yorkers are the most provincial among Americans. They know almost nothing about the rest of the country, but the rest of the country knows all about New York. |
Cato Nova
Citizen
Username: Cato_nova
Post Number: 60
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, February 22, 2004 - 5:12 pm: | |
New York city is the center of civilized life in the U.S.A. While it is not a universal, most nations or societies are characterized by having one or more hubs (other than Italy, which is multi-hubbed, but that is another issue). Civilization, i.e., art, intelligence, food, etc., is found in the hubs, and as you go further and further into the provinces, the dumber and more crass the natives become. Thus, we in Maplewood/South Orange are relatively blessed, because many of our denizens work in the City and thus have been inculcated with its civilizing ethos. We also thus have higher standards, of art, restaurants, etc. It was no accident that terrorists struck at NYC - they represent the nadir, and NY the apex. This is not to say that the inhabitants of the hinterlands are not good people - simple folk are often the nicest people. |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 430
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, February 22, 2004 - 6:13 pm: | |
juju's petals and Mark Twain are on the money from my point of view. It's a lot easier to live further from NYC -- and then visit NYC. Queens and Brooklyn don't count as I don't find them much different from NJ or Philadelphia area (or much closer, from point of view of travel).
I think NYC is very cool, and I'm glad it's there, but I was better able to sample its wares from a cheaper distance. Very good place to live when you're young and restless, as I was when I lived there.
I disagree with Cato Nova, who is no doubt either young (and therefore will mature) or an agent provacateur. The man who would be Strawberry...
There are literate, political and artistic people all over the place -- and some of them don't even feel obliged to wear a lot of black and develop fetishes about coffee. May be harder to find when in Kansas City, or Columbus, or Sioux Falls, but they're there. |
Cato Nova
Citizen
Username: Cato_nova
Post Number: 61
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, February 22, 2004 - 6:43 pm: | |
Strawberry is a reactionary rightwing ideologue troll. I am a sophisticated and perceptive curmudgeon. I wish I was young. I have never wished to be mature. NYC is the center of the universe, or at least the American universe. And you misspelled "provocateur."
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lumpynose
Citizen
Username: Lumpyhead
Post Number: 715
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, February 22, 2004 - 7:08 pm: | |
When people on line feel they are losing an argument why do they always resort to pointing out spelling errors? It's a phenomnenon! |
GOP STRAW
Citizen
Username: Strawberry
Post Number: 1998
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, February 22, 2004 - 7:25 pm: | |
Or they somehow find reason to take a shot at THE GREATEST OF THEM ALL..
Remember folks, vote Nader...
Without question, we need to disarm Saddam Hussein. He is a brutal, murderous dictator, leading an oppressive regime ... He presents a particularly grievous threat because he is so consistently prone to miscalculation .. And now he is miscalculating America's response to his continued deceit and his consistent grasp for weapons of mass destruction ... So the threat of Saddam Hussein with weapons of mass destruction is real."
- Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), Jan. 23. 2003
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Crazyguggenheim
Citizen
Username: Crazyguggenheim
Post Number: 524
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, February 22, 2004 - 7:56 pm: | |
toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore....
Call me crazy |
overtaxdalready
Citizen
Username: Overtaxdalready
Post Number: 196
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, February 22, 2004 - 8:14 pm: | |
Well Lumpy, it does give them some smug justification for their childish feeling of superiority.
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Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 431
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, February 22, 2004 - 9:01 pm: | |
Yeah, wine makes the spelling go, Cato Nova. So sorry. I couldn't he'p myself. I just am so weary of the whole New York-New York thing, and I've sampled a few of your other posts. I don't know how old you are, but you sure sound green and like a young fogey. Whatever. I was in a mood and couldn't resist. Your style provokes, which is as you, no doubt, intend.
I sorta like Strawberry's posts just because. Somebody's gotta shake it up.
If you are anything under 50 you're young. You sound about 38-42, refuse to call yourself Republican but you are. Some sort of econ/mba degree. Happy about your spelling and your Cath-o-lic education. Really thrilled for y'all... |
Cato Nova
Citizen
Username: Cato_nova
Post Number: 62
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, February 23, 2004 - 9:56 am: | |
Cynicalgirl:
Not bad. About 35% right. What do you mean by "Cath-o-lic"? And why do people knock proper spelling? Since when is exactitude a sin? Those who are sloppy in spelling are often sloppy in thought as well.
And let's be honest. There is nothing like NYC. It may be a bit much (as it was obviously for me, since I no longer live there) but it is still core. While we are not pure periphery here in NJ, we are not pure core either; I prefer to think of this area as the penumbral metropolitan area.
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Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 432
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Monday, February 23, 2004 - 12:25 pm: | |
Really meant catholic, as in catholicity. I prefer proper spelling, too, but don't typically critique an argument/comment based upon it.
Some folks here clearly share your opinion (penumbral metropolitan-ness). Some of us wish it were less so. Some of us seem to think our area's claim to NYC cache is a little like celebrity name-dropping. About all I know is that it's way too expensive, and the claim to coolness by proximity is a tad overrated.
I shouldn't have been so mean, though. I do find it offensive when people use language as a weapon and a divisive force, more to point out their own sophistication than to share a point or convince others honestly. That kind of argumentation to me is a nice game in bars, but not when the subject matters.
Personally, I could live anywhere at this point. There are smart, sophisticated folks everywhere, folks getting their cultural fixes flown in from amazon.com or satellite. People talking about real stuff, real issues. They may dress less interestingly, they may not share certain NYC iconography, but they are far from illiterate, simple bumpkins. |
jet
Citizen
Username: Jet
Post Number: 372
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 23, 2004 - 3:29 pm: | |
Most people that are from NYC would be bored out of their sneakers if they had to spend a couple of nights in KC. With that said , home sweet home is just that. Click your heels three times and you will find that you are were you belong. The vast majority of people spend their entire lives within 20 miles of were they are born. Ask anyone who finds people for a living. |
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