- I lived in New York most of my life, but last year I decided to move to South Dakota.
- We now have more access to and feel closer to nature.
- I miss the cultural diversity that New York offered.
Last year I decided that leave new york, I spent most of my life here. In September, I packed up my bags and boarded a plane to head to an area I fell in love with when I visited a few years ago. That's how I ended up in the Midwestern state of South Dakota, home to the Viaduct, and I love it.
south dakota It's strikingly different. After living here for six months, there are some things I miss about living back East. But there are also things here that my daughter and I would not have been able to experience had we not moved.
I miss living near water.
Despite all the great things South Dakota has to offer, large bodies of water aren't on that list. There are rivers and lakes here, but they are not very grand. There's nothing like a beach with endless sand like a castle for toddlers to build. To reach the shores of any significant body of water, be it the Missouri River or any other river, you must travel a significant distance. lakes in minnesota.
upon east coastSpending a day at the beach or strolling along the boardwalk is never far away. My daughter and I did it every day. Every evening, we walk our dogs and take in all that our coastal communities have to offer: the scenery, sandy beaches, yachts, boat trips, impromptu performers, outdoor cafes, and other daily hustle and bustle of coastal life. did.
But we now have more access to nature
new york city And the surrounding area is densely populated, leaving little room for nature. What exists is highly selected and well-maintained. Many parks have implemented a “look, don't touch” policy in certain areas, but parks that allow access to their lawns are flooded with people. Surrounding counties also don't offer much of a solution, as most of the nature is surrounded by backyards and private lawns. That's what you get when you have to accommodate so many people. To have the opportunity to truly disconnect and explore nature, I needed to research and prepare for long day trips.
The nature here is not very carefully selected, more accessible. Parks are protected as wild areas rather than meticulously manicured gardens, fostering a more symbiotic relationship with nature and wildlife. Nature takes up more space, giving you more opportunities to roam and explore.
Dig earthworms into the mulch in the playground. When I walk my dog, I stumble upon a turkey or a pheasant. We play on the muddy banks of streams and rivers. My daughter climbed a rock, scrape her knee Without thinking, and it's beautiful. For her, spending more time in nature has unlocked new levels of confidence, curiosity, and a desire to explore.
I miss cultural diversity and its food.
When it comes to cultural diversity, New York is unlike anywhere else. I used that to discover and try new foods and experiences for me and my daughter every Friday. That was my way of expanding her horizons.
South Dakota also has some hidden gems, but nothing compares to what you'll find in the New York City area. There are Ethiopian, Indian, Greek, and even Mongolian restaurants here, but their numbers are very limited and sometimes you get stuck with a mediocre version of the vibrant cuisine of eastern immigrant communities. There is also.
The emphasis here is on family, but I miss my friends
New York is a great playground for adults and is full of unique experiences. For children, not so much. That's not to say there aren't any, but for many activities you'll be expected to leave your kids behind. This creates a challenge for new single mothers who are relegated to only child-friendly spaces. They crave adult connection and friendship, but it's much harder to create it as a parent.
Here, the environment facilitates that. It's a place with more of a mix of experiences for adults and experiences for children. This area is very family-friendly, which allows me to get outside and find fulfillment and excitement, while also giving my daughter the freedom of a childhood. Stores aimed at adults have children's sections, and even if they don't, they're more likely to be parents, so people will be more understanding. There is a greater shared understanding that we are all in this together.
That being said, I moved to an area where I didn't know anyone, and the trade-off was leaving everything behind. To say I miss the community built around me is an understatement. They are the same people who saw me and my daughter almost every day. I wish I could have invited them over to my house and chatted over coffee, but we're a thousand miles apart, so it's bittersweet.
It's hard to make friends as an adult, and it's even harder in a car-centric community. But because of that, I had to really step out of my comfort zone and get involved, both for my daughter and for me.
What we got: a sustainable cost of living.
New York is expensive. Not so in the Midwest. As a single parent, it's much more manageable and I can spend more on giving my daughter quality experiences and resources.
Everything in New York costs a lot of money, so I had to be very careful about balancing my budget. There was a lot of window shopping for entertainment that wasn't always affordable. It's nice to go to a museum or preschool every weekend, but if you include food and extra activities, spending $30 or more can quickly go over your budget.
All in all, I'm glad I moved. New York is great and has given me a lot of opportunities, but the Midwest is a better fit for us in Mom's day.