Dear Annie,
The first time I fully realized my urban studies concentration would spill over into my post-college life was in the middle of a debate in Urban Social Geography. It was during Passover, a Jewish holiday that commemorates the freeing of Jews from Egypt, and Dan graciously allowed me to Skype in from Cleveland, OH, where I was observing the holiday with my family and childhood friends.
We were debating gentrification, and the topic turned to suburbanization as an alternative. I remember saying that choosing where to live post-college is a ‘pick your poison’ situation. One option is as a recent grad is living in an up-and-coming neighborhood, but that can lead to rising rents, which can edge out less wealthy residents. On the other hand, living in the suburbs as a well-off individual means taking away from the already minimal tax base in many central cities, harming urban public school districts and other publicly funded projects in the process.
So that was when it hit. I realized that my interest in urban studies goes beyond a fascination with big city life and love of cities. I also recognized that my actions as a city-dweller impact others, both in the city and the surrounding areas. Where I choose to live, what businesses I frequent, whether I take transit or not – what I do and where I spend my money has an impact on the city and its inhabitants.
In thinking and talking about my impact on a city, I figured it would be valuable for first-semester senior me to remind post-college me of what current me planned to do after I graduated as a socially responsible urbanite.
So from me to me, some tips on what to do when you get to that big East Coast city you’re always talking about moving to after college:
1. Live in the city. You know the cons (and pros) of both city living and suburbanization – but be honest with yourself. You love cities – you are happy just walking around for hours on end. So live in a city. Not that you needed this as a reminder.
2. Work for the city. Not necessarily in City Hall (although that would be awesome). But do something with your 9-5 (if that’s what it is) that contributes to the well-being of the people who work and live and take transit and buy groceries next to you every day. It will make all of your lives better. It also fits nicely into your long-term desire to be in a position where you can “fix problems,” like you’ve always wanted to.
3. Volunteer for the city. Spend an hour (or more) every week giving back, not for pay. Walk dogs. Plant trees. Tutor students. People who volunteer are happier and live longer – science says so. It’s just a good thing to do for your community and your world with all the time you have when no longer have homework.
4. Get to know your neighbors. You’re planning to be in a new place where you may or may not know a lot of people. Even if you land in a place where you are pretty well-connected, invite someone over for dinner, bring the first person who moves in after you a hot meal, offer to dog/cat/hamster-sit if you know someone is leaving town. Connecting with the people you run into on the sidewalk or in the elevator on the daily can only be a plus.
5. Take public transit. At this point, you’re only looking at jobs in New York, DC and Boston. And especially in New York. These are cities with phenomenal transit systems. Not only will it save you money, it’s good for the environment and supports local government and infrastructure. And let’s be real, you couldn’t afford a car even if you wanted one.
6. Walk. In one of your reflective theme essays you wrote about Urban Exploration, about how much you love looking up at building’s second floors to see the details and about how happy finding urban parks makes you. Don’t let work stop you from the excitement of exploring places – even if it’s only on lunch breaks and evenings.
7. Find a way to make the city feel like home. Fall in love with a coffee shop. Or a bar. Or both. And a sushi restaurant. And a bakery. And pick at least one to be a regular at. This doesn’t have to happen right away – establishing a relationship with a business can take a while. But you’ve been jealous of Friends’ Central Perk and Cheers (of Cheers) for years – someday you need your own place where everybody knows your name.
Post-college me, I hope this helps. More than that, I hope you’re on your way to incorporating these things into your life already. Do your best to include these things that you know will make you fulfilled and happy, regardless of how worried you are about finding an apartment that will allow large dogs, or saving up for grad school. Next year is your first year out of school in nearly 20 years – your first real chance to explore the non-academic world. You’re going to love it.
A
The first time I fully realized my urban studies concentration would spill over into my post-college life was in the middle of a debate in Urban Social Geography. It was during Passover, a Jewish holiday that commemorates the freeing of Jews from Egypt, and Dan graciously allowed me to Skype in from Cleveland, OH, where I was observing the holiday with my family and childhood friends.
We were debating gentrification, and the topic turned to suburbanization as an alternative. I remember saying that choosing where to live post-college is a ‘pick your poison’ situation. One option is as a recent grad is living in an up-and-coming neighborhood, but that can lead to rising rents, which can edge out less wealthy residents. On the other hand, living in the suburbs as a well-off individual means taking away from the already minimal tax base in many central cities, harming urban public school districts and other publicly funded projects in the process.
So that was when it hit. I realized that my interest in urban studies goes beyond a fascination with big city life and love of cities. I also recognized that my actions as a city-dweller impact others, both in the city and the surrounding areas. Where I choose to live, what businesses I frequent, whether I take transit or not – what I do and where I spend my money has an impact on the city and its inhabitants.
In thinking and talking about my impact on a city, I figured it would be valuable for first-semester senior me to remind post-college me of what current me planned to do after I graduated as a socially responsible urbanite.
So from me to me, some tips on what to do when you get to that big East Coast city you’re always talking about moving to after college:
1. Live in the city. You know the cons (and pros) of both city living and suburbanization – but be honest with yourself. You love cities – you are happy just walking around for hours on end. So live in a city. Not that you needed this as a reminder.
2. Work for the city. Not necessarily in City Hall (although that would be awesome). But do something with your 9-5 (if that’s what it is) that contributes to the well-being of the people who work and live and take transit and buy groceries next to you every day. It will make all of your lives better. It also fits nicely into your long-term desire to be in a position where you can “fix problems,” like you’ve always wanted to.
3. Volunteer for the city. Spend an hour (or more) every week giving back, not for pay. Walk dogs. Plant trees. Tutor students. People who volunteer are happier and live longer – science says so. It’s just a good thing to do for your community and your world with all the time you have when no longer have homework.
4. Get to know your neighbors. You’re planning to be in a new place where you may or may not know a lot of people. Even if you land in a place where you are pretty well-connected, invite someone over for dinner, bring the first person who moves in after you a hot meal, offer to dog/cat/hamster-sit if you know someone is leaving town. Connecting with the people you run into on the sidewalk or in the elevator on the daily can only be a plus.
5. Take public transit. At this point, you’re only looking at jobs in New York, DC and Boston. And especially in New York. These are cities with phenomenal transit systems. Not only will it save you money, it’s good for the environment and supports local government and infrastructure. And let’s be real, you couldn’t afford a car even if you wanted one.
6. Walk. In one of your reflective theme essays you wrote about Urban Exploration, about how much you love looking up at building’s second floors to see the details and about how happy finding urban parks makes you. Don’t let work stop you from the excitement of exploring places – even if it’s only on lunch breaks and evenings.
7. Find a way to make the city feel like home. Fall in love with a coffee shop. Or a bar. Or both. And a sushi restaurant. And a bakery. And pick at least one to be a regular at. This doesn’t have to happen right away – establishing a relationship with a business can take a while. But you’ve been jealous of Friends’ Central Perk and Cheers (of Cheers) for years – someday you need your own place where everybody knows your name.
Post-college me, I hope this helps. More than that, I hope you’re on your way to incorporating these things into your life already. Do your best to include these things that you know will make you fulfilled and happy, regardless of how worried you are about finding an apartment that will allow large dogs, or saving up for grad school. Next year is your first year out of school in nearly 20 years – your first real chance to explore the non-academic world. You’re going to love it.
A