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.’’
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 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.’’