Life in the Big Apple
generally encourages a good worklife balance.
Weekends are spent eating her way around the city’s five boroughs, enjoying the nightlife and making the most of cheap flights to other parts of the US, Canada and Europe.
Certain things, however, she hasn’t been able to get used to.
‘‘It’s crazy expensive, it’s always too hot or too cold, it’s dirty and crowded, dating is hard [she doesn’t think her dulcet Kiwi tones work in her favour], the political climate is terrible and it’s very, very far away from home.’’
All the same, there’s nowhere else she’d rather be at this stage of her life.
‘‘I honestly can’t imagine moving back to New Zealand for a while. I think London or Sydney is on the cards next. However, I can definitely see the appeal in raising a family in New Zealand. I had a fabulous childhood there. So maybe one day way, way in the future, I’ll be back.’’
Fairytale of New York
Davison’s initial disillusionment with the city is far from unusual. Often romanticised onscreen, New York can leave new arrivals questioning their move when the realities of day-to-day life in a vast urban jungle where half the population seems prepared to throw you under a bus to secure an apartment or further their career kicks in.
For most of the Kiwis we spoke with, however, things seemed to fall into place once they’d found an acceptable job and living situation, and learnt where to head to indulge their particular passions – no matter how bizarre, they’re all but guaranteed to be catered for. It’s a lifestyle that can be tough to relinquish – all those we spoke with think they may return to New Zealand eventually, but aren’t in any hurry to return.
Aucklander Toby Futter had long dreamed of living in New York so, when he was offered a job in the Flatiron District in Manhattan after finishing a law degree at Stanford, deciding whether to accept was a nobrainer.
‘‘I loved the energy and purpose here from day one – the haste of the pedestrians, the clamour of the subways, the long, stark lines cut by the streets and avenues,’’ the 39-yearold says. ‘‘Six years later, I still love those things.’’
As a litigator – ‘‘I sue Wall Street banks mostly’’ – Futter says he has greater career opportunities in one sense in that there are more jobs on offer. But he often thinks he’d be just as happy if he were still a barrister on Shortland St.
But then Shortland St doesn’t offer the many quintessentially New York experiences he has come to enjoy: ‘‘The long and consistently hot summers; running in Central Park on a spring morning; the architecture, street vendors and bodegas; the take-no-bulls... but liveand-let-live attitude, speakeasies and the bars of the Lower East Side; hanging out in Washington Square Park; the art galleries and museums; and just generally, the humans of New York.’’
Hayden Withers, who moved to New York from Christchurch to study musical theatre in June 2013, also felt an instant attraction to the city which has developed into a longstanding if, at times, tempestuous relationship.
As a college student living in a dorm, he found it easy to settle in as there was always someone telling him where to be and ‘‘it’s always easy to make friends when you’re forced to live and study with them’’.
Now 23 and an actor, Withers says he’s had more work than he would have in New Zealand but has had to fight harder for each role. And ‘‘side hustles’’ are essential.
Withers typically holds down two to three jobs at a time, working about 75 hours a week, so he can pay the bills, travel and ‘‘be carefree’’.
‘‘NYC is a tough city to live in, and it’s not worth living here if you can’t afford to enjoy it. Which is hard as an actor because you can spend more time looking for acting work than actually acting.’’
Like Rippin, however, he’s happy to hustle, and it doesn’t stop him from seeing friends most nights, trying out new bars and restaurants, going to the theatre and taking a solitary day each week to recharge.
‘‘I miss the beautiful and loving people from New Zealand and I miss my family, but I can’t imagine living there again . . . I think the opportunity and excitement offered here in NYC surpasses anything in the world.’’
No hurry to leave
For Futter, the only major disadvantages of life in the city are the long, harsh winters and smell of rubbish bins on the streets in the summer – after a day on the kerb in 30-degree heat, it can get pretty nasty.
He does miss New Zealand though and plans to return one day, but is ‘‘all good’’ where he is for the time being.
Withers intends to stay in New York until he’s no longer happy there – which may never happen.
‘‘I think it would be lovely to raise my wha¯ nau in New Zealand, but I haven’t even got a boyfriend, so it would depend on what my partner wanted.’’
Rippin, Davison, Futter and Withers all recommend the city to ambitious, hardworking, resilient Kiwis keen to further their careers while having the time of their lives.
Davison’s advice: ‘‘Do a lot of research, have a solid amount of savings, reach out to people who live there, learn how to sell yourself and stay positive.’’
You’ll have one friendly face to greet you at least – Futter’s more than happy to meet up for a chat with new arrivals. He’ll even shout you your first beer.