Australian Susie Moore tells what living in New York City is really like

VISITING versus living in the big apple are two completely different things. This Aussie woman tells what life in New York is really like after the big move.

NYC is home for now.

AUSTRALIAN Susie Moore moved to New York with her husband in December 2009. She shares her experiences about living in one of the fastest and most challenging cities in the world.

I moved to New York in December 2009. Not only was I shocked by the -4 degrees Celsius start to the winter (coming from a balmy Sydney summer); I was hit by many cultural differences as the weeks and months unravelled. My ballet flats and warm, friendly manner seemed a little out of place in a city that was much cooler in temperature, attitude and familiarity. I was 25 and my boyfriend (now husband) was 23 — he was transferred here with his company and we had less than three weeks to move since he received the offer. We were so excited to live in the Big Apple, what we thought was the most exciting place on Earth, and were anxious to get started and begin our new life. When I was little I always dreamt of New York. When my school friends and I spoke in the playground about what we wanted to be when we grew up, I countered their “teacher”, “nurse”, “vet” with an enthusiastic, “I want to live in the place with the really big buildings!” And so it began. New York is truly a one-in-a-million, wonderful place to live and experience in a lifetime. As Baz Luhrman said in his song, Wear Sunscreen — “live in New York City once”. It is however, not for the faint of heart, nor the indecisive. Visiting is very different to making a life here. After the time passes you truly notice how New York rewards speed, focus and ambition. It is true that people walk fast and talk fast. Cabs speed by, horns honking and people won’t always stop to help you if you are lost or need help. Although these are things you do become accustomed to. Nothing rivals the energy of Manhattan and pretty soon, you become one of “those people” who push on the subway and stand impatiently in Starbucks. My friend recently commented while visiting me that I was snappy with a sales assistant. I had no idea. Here are some of the most interesting, different and cool things I have noticed about living here ... 1. Dating is tricky for women. My single female friends struggle given the male-female ratio and men well into their 30s consider New York a “playground”. People date multiple people at a time, there is a “something could be better, it is New York” stance. This is totally acceptable. I am always amazed at how men are described by New York City women as immature and commitment phobic. My friend even calls New York “College for Male Adults”. 2. Working hours are insane. You are always on and expected to be reachable. People rarely take vacation longer than two to three days. 3. Brunch, brunch, brunch! People are obsessed with brunch. Brunch in New York is sitting in a trendy, packed place with a line outside and mimosas flowing. Day drinking is a big part of the city fun — in all seasons. 4. Rich people all have apartments or pied-à-terres here Even people who live abroad or in LA. 5. You see celebrities all the time. I have seen Cameron Diaz (at the supermarket), Kelsey Grammar and his wife (in a downtown restaurant), Kevin Bacon (at the gym), Morgan Freeman (buying a cupcake), Jonah Hill (at a bar), Matt Damon (walking his daughter), Drew Barrymore (holding hands and strolling with her husband and baby), Lisa Vanderpump (having tea at a hotel), David & Victoria Beckham (leaving brunch — photographers would barely let them out of building). 6. Aggression is expected and rewarded. People come here to make money and make a name for themselves — the potential is enormous. Even the interns have an agenda and compete for responsibility and roles. 7. New York people party all the time. There is always something going on. It is not unusual to be at a high-end event until 2AM on a Monday evening and be fresh for work on Tuesday. This is also due to the extreme working hours — people stay up late to make time for leisure. 8. Americans love accents and Australians are particularly well-liked! There is a sizeable Australian community in New York and it’s growing. Australians are known for their laid-back style, fun loving attitude and sense of adventure. New York is a city of extremes — sweltering heat in summer, snow days when you can barely walk the streets in winter, food delivery 24 hours and anything you pretty much could want, however exotic, at your disposal. A 24-hour supply of sweets for cupcake-crazy New Yorkers The people are extreme too — successful, entrepreneurial, eccentric, argumentative, uptight, downright odd … New York has it all. I am never lonely here. If it is your dream to make New York your home, even for a while, I would listen to wise old Baz Luhrman. Or E.B White who says, “It can destroy an individual, or it can fulfil him, depending a good deal on luck. No one should come to New York to live unless he is willing to be lucky.” Still, after four years, I am amazed and energised by this city — its people, its dynamism and its vitality. New York houses everyone from all parts of the world and therefore belongs to everyone and no one. Right now I feel like I belong to it. And that makes me feel like the luckiest person of all.