NYU Grad Could not Afford New York Metropolis, Moved Again With Mother and father

My complete life, it felt like I used to be promised that if I acquired an undergraduate diploma from an incredible college, I’d get a very good job and construct a secure life for myself. Actuality has been rather a lot messier.

In Might 2024, I graduated from New York College with a level in media research and a minor within the leisure enterprise. All through faculty, I held a number of internships in political campaigns and magazines, was lively on my faculty’s newspaper, networked, did nicely in my lessons, and realized as a lot as I may.

NYU was my dream faculty for thus lengthy, and my expertise turned out precisely how I assumed it could. I fell in love with New York. I used to be dwelling my dream life: spending late nights with my finest mates, exploring the leisure scene, discovering new eating places and bars, and profiting from each park the town needed to supply.

However after I could not land a job after faculty, I needed to go away my desires behind and transfer again residence with my mother and father.

I could not afford New York and not using a full-time job

I at all times felt impressed and hopeful in New York, like I lastly arrived someplace that matched the vitality I had at all times carried inside me.

I did all the pieces I may to remain. I utilized to many entry-level jobs throughout my final semester of faculty and the summer season after commencement. I knew I wished to pursue a profession in journalism, so I largely utilized for entry-level reporting and copyediting jobs, in addition to some advertising and social media administration roles.

I used to be in a position to rating some interviews, however none was full-time gives.

When my lease in my East Village condominium resulted in July, I confronted a tough reality: I could not afford to remain. I additionally did not need to ask my mother and father for extra monetary assist, understanding how a lot they’d already supported me via faculty.

Although I’ve a part-time job mentoring highschool seniors via their faculty purposes, I knew it would not be sufficient to maintain dwelling in New York whereas I attempted to discover a full-time job, and I had no concept how lengthy it could take.

Shifting residence to California was robust, but it surely’s not all unhealthy

I grew up in Santa Clarita, Calif., about 32 miles north of Los Angeles. It is a protected, quiet suburb the place the tempo of life is way slower than in New York.

Coming again after dwelling in New York was a severe whiplash. My childhood bed room immediately felt smaller and quieter, and the absence of my faculty mates made the city really feel emptier than I remembered.

There are some elements I’m grateful for, although. After virtually 4 years of seeing them solely a handful of occasions a 12 months, I lastly get to spend extra time with my mother and father. I additionally hated the tough East Coast winters and positively don’t miss schlepping my Dealer Joe’s groceries down 10 blocks after which up 4 flights of stairs.

The tempo right here is gentler, the streets are quieter, and whereas it is not Manhattan, it is given me an area to breathe and replicate in methods I could not earlier than.

Visiting New York each few months jogs my memory why I fell in love with the town, however dwelling at residence has additionally proven me that slowing down will not be the identical factor as standing nonetheless. I have been artistic with my profession, specializing in writing, networking, and mentoring, whereas appreciating the small moments I took without any consideration within the metropolis.

I am nonetheless studying rather a lot

I generally catch myself questioning, “If I did this in a different way, would I be dwelling and dealing in New York by now?”

I’ve to continually remind myself that I’m solely 23 and I’ve a variety of life to dwell. New York will at all times be there. There have been many occasions after I doubted my profession in journalism and regarded quitting, however I like writing, and I’ve by no means been the sort to surrender.

I’m nonetheless on the lookout for a full-time writing job in New York, however I am studying to not let it outline my complete identification.

I’m such a powerful believer that life occurs for a motive. Perhaps dwelling in Santa Clarita once more is educating me classes I would like earlier than I return to the town I like.

Liz Lindain is a contract leisure journalist based mostly in Southern California. Join on LinkedIn, X or Instagram.