Brian in New York: Bye Bye Brooklyn

Well folks this will be my final post from New York. I decided to leave my job and that I would not look for another in NYC or even the North East. Even though I love New York City and the people I meet I'm not fond of the priorities and demeanor of how business is conducted here. I think this has a lot to do with why there is so little start-up activity here. The bigger reason though is that the cost of living is overwhelming, it causes you to either live a much reduced standard of living or not prepare at all for future financial security, or both.

So I've decided to relocate out west and have decided to settle in Utah. I've taken a position at an amazing start up called 3point5.com that is managed by some amazing people and is growing like crazy in a new space.

So I leave NYC on Tuesday after a year of living it up as much as possible. It's been a little like a breakup with a relationship that just didn't work out. It's pretty much me telling the city: "It just didn't work out baby! it's not you it's me". You start thinking about the good times and have to snap out of it and remember there were no so good times too. So here's my list:

What I'm going to miss:

The Met Museum: I went over 30 times and to 6 events. I'm sad I'll miss the big Black Tie Gala in November. This is truly one of the best places in the world and a must for anyone going to New York. Beyond the permanent collection I was able to see a Rembrandt exhibit, a daVinci sketchbook,
Falling in love on the subway everyday... I'm not kidding
Single people in their 20-30s just hanging out ready to meet one another
The all night scene
Amazing restaurants
Amazing food, anything anytime anywhere.
Central Park... my home away from home.
Federal Hall and the step where Washington took the first Oath of Office
Walking around Midtown
Street festivals every weekend in the summer
Bryant Park on a warm breezy day
The Italians in my neighborhood
The history of the place: 400 years all around you
The concerts and concerts and concerts. 10-20 big names every night. Easy way to go broke.
The parades and parties, rock'in it with a million people
After work culture.
Plus tons more.

What I'm not going to miss:

The cost: housing, food, entertainment, everything. Just about 50-100% more than it should be
The smoking: I think the non-smokers in the city will notice that I've left. Now there's only a dozen or so left.
JFK Airport
The service everywhere... I swear customers are treated poorly everywhere.
Every errand taking way too much time
Wall Streeters...

So overall a great experience that I'll be grateful I had for the rest of my life. Now I'm really looking forward to the next stage of my life in Utah. I plan on settling down for awhile and planting some roots. You're all welcome to visit (especially during the ski season)!

Well this is the end of this blog but you can read more from me at my new blog: www.brianinutah.com