New York

EXPAT TALES Morgahna Godwin went in search of the American Dream.

What do you do there?

By day I work for the photo director of Elle magazine. By night you’ll find me working on collaboration projects, my own publication Pearl&Hammer, and blogging at thisismorgs.com.

How does the cost of living compare to New Zealand?

What do you do on weekends?

What do you think of the food?

I moved to New York City more than a year ago in search of that ‘‘American Dream’’.

What do you like or dislike about life in New York?

I love how anything can happen in one night. One day I was sitting in Busta Rhymes’ studio and by night I was at a party with Michael Kors. It’s insane! The only dislike I have about the city is its proximity to home. I don’t think it’s overly more expensive. If you come to New York thinking you’re going to live like an Upper East Side socialite then, yes, you’re going to pay exponentially more. But by putting in some effort it isn’t too hard to find an apartment, on say the Upper West Side or in Harlem, for similar rents to Auckland. If I’m not on a photo shoot you’ll find me coffee crawling in SoHo, and searching for vintage jewellery at the flea markets. The food is amazing – if you know where to go. SoHo and the Lower East Side are goldmines for great food if you venture off the tourist trails. Ed’s Lobster Bar on the LES is a favourite. They have the best scallop dishes. The coffee in New York is famously bad, from a Kiwi perspective. But, last year, Stolen Girlfriends co-founder Luke Harwood opened a cafe called Happy Bones at 7 Bond St so we’ve all been saved!

What’s the best way to get around the city?

The subway is by far the best way to get around the city. Cabs are great if you’re travelling short distances but generally the train is your fastest form of transport.

What’s the shopping like?

New York is where shopping reaches its pinnacle. When people associate New York with shopping they immediately think of Fifth Avenue and all its glamour. And it is great to look at, but it’s generally over-run with tourists and not many bargains. For the same garments, and a much more ‘‘New York experience’’, I like to head to the Bowery and SoHo.

What’s the nightlife like?

The nightlife is like no other. At night you’ll find me on the rooftop of The Standard Hotel drinking cocktails and marvelling at the 360-degree view of the city. I then like to head to rock’n’roll bar Welcome to the Johnsons in the Lower East Side because it reminds me of home.

What is your favourite part of the city?

To try pick a favourite part of the city is like trying to choose your favourite artist – it’s impossible because it varies from genre to genre and year to year; in this case it varies from block to block. Two blocks in New York can be like crossing the border into a new country. Currently, I’m obsessed with the Lower East Side and Chinatown because it’s really the New York goes from extremely hot to ice cold very quickly. The best time to visit is when the weather is transitioning in or out of summer which is usually mid-June or midSeptember.

What’s your must-do thing for visitors?

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a must-see! Their modern art collection is, in my opinion, the best in the city. The Bowery Poetry Club is also a once in a lifetime experience. Taylor Mead, one of the last remaining Warhol superstars, reads his poetry there every Monday night. It is only open during the winter months though so plan accordingly. Very easy, thanks to Air New Zealand. They always seem to have my back when I need a flight home. If you know an expat who wants to share the inside knowledge on their home away from home, email escape@star-times.co.nz with Expat in the subject line.