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I'm moving to Astoria in October. The top reason I'm leaving is because I'm living with Sara, one of my best friends in the world who I've known forever. And everyone loves Astoria. And I'm saving literally thousands of dollars on rent. But I'm getting a little anxiety, because, why am I leaving Williamsburg?

I'm leaving for really practical reasons. My rent's expensive, even with the landlord lowering it. I know what a pain it will be to find someone to rent the small room. And if I were to move within in the neighborhood, I'd still have to move and would live with strangers.

And it's also good to have change, especially since I've been restless with my life.

And everyone hates on Williamsburg, but I think I really love it. Today I had a few, 'aww, i'm going to miss it here' moments.

1) I went and read a book by the water, and then ran into Alex and Cameran just out of the blue and chatted with them for half hour. I only know like 3 people to run into in Astoria.

2) emily called me as I was attempting to clean my room (ha) to say she was at The Gutter, so I met her and my friends there for an impromtu bowl, whcih was of course very fun. In Astoria people will only call me if they go to the beer garden.

3) ok, this is really the thing that got me. I went to Jesus MiniMart, where I go basically every day for something, and I asked the guy behind the counter (who used to work the morning shift and makes the best coffee) if he had any boxes I could have, since I wanted to attempt to start packing. He asked if I was moving, and when I said yes he said "All the good people move away."

I don't know what I've done to be one of the good people, but I was quite touched. I should have told him I still have three weeks. I'll say goodbye before I leave.  Though I don't know any of their names, and they only know mine if they remember from my credit card.

We're also moving offices. So I'm going to have to say goodbye to the people at S'Nice too. 

I obviously can't handle change as much as I thought. If I ever leave New York I will probably cry.

p.s. I have jury duty tomorrow. If I can I will blog about it after!

I'm moving!

Those of your who really enjoyed my "Westchester bar reviews!" should not hold your breath for part #2, since I am moving to NYC(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) where bars are already reviewed on Yelp.com. Specifically on I'm moving on Sunday to Williamsburg, Brooklyn, with Crystal, a really cool girl from Northwestern in a small-but-not-uncomfortably so-apartment. For those of you nonnewyorkophile out-of-towners, Williamsburg is a really fun area a stop outside Manhattan, that was formerly Hasidic Jew/Latino, and has in recent years been replaced by hipsters.

Now, people always use the terms "gentrification" derogatorally...often by those who are responsible for the gentrification. I am aware that I am an instrument in gentrification, and I think I'm okay with this, though it feels a little wrong to pay DOUBLE what the people before me did (because it was rent-controlled and market value has gone way up).

We looked at an apartment in a sketchy part of Bushwick that real estate agents are trying to call "East Williamsburg." Now, maybe in 5 years this area will be just as fun and hip and safe as Williamsburg, but let me tell you, it's not now. A little boy pulled a gun on me. Ok, it was a fake gun, but it looked VERY REAL! Note: my children will have no guns that are not supersoakers.

The point is, I've decided I want to pay a few dollars to be the beneficiary of gentrification. I'm not from the pioneers. I'm not cut out to go to a new neighborhood of old people and families that don't speak English, to be the gentrification to make the neighborhood safe for future generations of white kids from Westchester.

Until then I am super-excited to drink PBR at bars that have already been established. yayy!