Pack your bags. The City calls.

What is it that drives our generation to the congested and polluted streets, cramped living quarters, never ending sirens, high rent, and lack of personal space that cities notoriously are known for? What is the allure? Millennials are quite the paradox. We claim that we love our own space- our own personal enclave that is ours, yet our intellectual property on the internet is quite the open book, and we are following the trails to the big city and urban living.

The global information and measurement firm, Neilson, came out with news report earlier this year on the status of the millennial generation’s draw city and urban living. “Millennials are the social generation, both online and in-person.” We are seeing a dramatic influx in the numbers of 18–34 year olds in big cities. We created social media and we are the most transparent generation to date. We cling to and crave company (extroverts, and introverts alike). We crave community, sustaining life-giving conversation, and we crave relationship. This may be the reason why we choose to do life in closed spaces – spaces that may be messy (literally, and figuratively), and spaces where we can have a constant conversation.

We gravitate to the uncomfortable. We are sick of the status quo, and we are re-inventing our own “American dream.” The picket fences of yesterday, are now replaced with the row house stoops of today. Cars replaced by public transportation. Manicured lawns traded in for sprawling public parks. I was born and raised in New York City – the big apple, the intersection of the west and east, and also arguably one of the most beautiful skylines on this earth. I grew up knowing the benefits of multiculturalism, different perspectives, and views that give character to the city masses. Shortly after 9/11 my family packed up our bags, and moved down to North Carolina. With all that being said, I must confess – I loved Southern suburbia. As anti-millennial as that sounds, I fell in love with the sprawling open spaces, and the slower pace of life.

Seven years later, I find myself pining back to the big city. Home they say, is where the heart is — and slowly, but surely, Washington DC is starting to feel like home. I came to this town knowing zero people, and a year into my stint in this city, I’ve cultivated relationships, friendships, and family that I know will last a lifetime. Genuine community and quality relationships are hard to come by, but if you are adamant in starting over and being intentional with the time you are given on this earth — it is necessary.

The city will get the best of you – don’t get me wrong.
The city will challenge and refine you – for the better.
The city will make you appreciate where you originally came from.

On the fence?

Do it.