If you’ve lived in New York for far too long, you’ll recognize yourself in these ten experiences—each a true hallmark of a seasoned New Yorker:
1. You’re immune to car horns and sirens.
The constant noise of the city fades into the background, and you barely notice the blaring horns or emergency vehicles anymore.
2. You instinctively jaywalk—even against the red hand.
Waiting for the walk signal feels unnecessary; you cross streets whenever you see an opening, red lights be damned.
3. Rats and pigeons are the only wildlife you can identify.
Seeing these creatures daily, you’ve come to accept them as part of the city’s ecosystem—squirrels are a rare treat.
4. You’ve mastered surviving on $50 for a week.
Between high rent and spontaneous expenses, you’ve become an expert at stretching your last dollars until payday.
5. You can’t stomach chain pizza anymore.
After years of New York slices, the thought of eating pizza from a national chain is almost offensive.
6. You have a playlist for every commute scenario.
Whether you’re walking, running, or squeezed onto a packed subway, you’ve curated the perfect soundtrack for each situation.
7. You don’t need Yelp—your food cart guy knows your order.
You’ve become a regular at your favorite street vendors, who greet you by name and start prepping your usual as soon as you approach.
8. You’ve forgotten how to drive—or never learned.
With public transit and walkable streets, you haven’t needed a car in years and might panic behind the wheel elsewhere.
9. The smell of garbage in summer doesn’t faze you.
You’ve grown so accustomed to the city’s unique scents that the odor of hot trash barely registers anymore.
10. You’re unfazed by weirdness—nothing shocks you.
Street performers, eccentric outfits, and bizarre subway happenings are so routine that you no longer question what’s normal.
These experiences are so quintessentially New York that if you relate to most of them, you’ve definitely been here longer than most tourists could handle.
Sources:
- https://secretnyc.co/21-signs-youve-lived-in-the-city-for-too-long/
- https://www.timeout.com/newyork/blog/11-signs-that-youre-destined-to-live-in-nyc-011317
- https://www.tripadvisor.in/Articles-l9FFRtutgvYM-Nyc_unique_experiences.html
- https://www.thesocialbrooklyn.com/what-new-york-does-to-your-health/