Ariel and I were cruising the streets recently when she made a simple yet profound observation. Christmas tree sellers popped up everywhere after Thanksgiving and I really did not pay much attention to them. Then Ariel mentioned that the majority of the trees were quite large. I stopped and stared at a few trees and realized she was right. Most of the trees were a good 6-8 feet tall. That would be fine if you owned a house in the “burbs,” but in midtown Manhattan? If we purchased a tree that size, we would have a real life reenactment of that scene in the movie Christmas Vacation where Clark cuts the string wrapping the tree and the branches explode through the living room windows.
I’m thinking that some of the trees end up in lobbies of some sort, but I have not quite figured out why the majority of the trees would be so large. When I was searching for an apartment, I was not willing to look at apartments over $1,400 (yes, take a deep breath, that’s $1,400 for an apartment). Maybe when you exceed that threshold you are able to get an apartment that will fit a 6-8 foot tree. But as for this midtown couple, we got a wreath and are calling it good.
And as far as apartment prices, I am taking a positive view. Silicon Valley and NYC are two of the most expensive places to live in America. I figure that after living in these two areas, moving anywhere else in the future will seem like a steal!
When I moved out here (I live in Philly) to be with Joanie, we first looked at NYC, but realized quickly that it was going to be too expensive. We love the city though, and still talk about trying to make it work. Philly is a happy medium, still blue collar and small townish, yet the diversity and culture of a big city. New York is only 1 and a half hours away, and still holds a magical quality.
We should try to meet in New York or Philly sometime.
Posted by: Lu at December 18, 2003 02:46 PMDefinitely. I'm always up for a roadie and will take you up on your offer to meet in Philly sometime, never been there before. Right now we are settling in and Ariel is getting ready for school, but we'd like to make our way down there eventually.
Ditto for you. If you wanna hit the Big Apple, you can always crash at our pad, or if you are in town for another reason, let me know and we'll hook up.
Posted by: Matt at December 18, 2003 10:33 PM