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| Manhattan, New York City (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Jobs in Manhattan
A lot of people live and work in Manhattan. Then there's a bunch more who live somewhere else and come into Manhattan to work. Manhattan holds a lure for certain occupations. Some of you recounted your own job-related thoughts when I asked What Does Manhattan Say to You?.
Mitch Mitchell said: "Manhattan... overall I love Manhattan! I've been multiple times; it helps living in the state, as I've also been to Niagara Falls multiple times (it really helps living in the middle of the state). Back in '09 I worked in Manhattan for 3 months and, other than where I was working (in Harlem, 125th St), I loved every single day of being there. I rarely ate at the same place more than once; what a good time I had!"
If I had the right kind of job--something that I enjoyed and for which I was adequately remunerated--I might like to work in Manhattan. If I could live in luxury that would be very nice. But I don't know--maybe the big city life would be too busy for me. But, yeah, hand me the right job offer and I'd certainly consider it.
Robin from Your Daily Dose told her Manhattan job story on her blog but she said I could summarize it here. In 1990 Robin headed of to New York City to find a job. She got a place to stay with a friend who helped her navigate life in the big city. In her blog series about her adventures (yes, it's a series) Robin recounts her career with a publishing company and a few of her mishaps encountered in city life as well as people she encountered along the way. Story starts here.
Have you ever worked in Manhattan or a similar urban environment? What would be your dream job? What is more important to you regarding a job--money or the joy of the job?
The only big city I work in is Milwaukee. As for the money vs. enjoyment, I don't need a lot of money to survive. Enough to pay bills, buy food and a little extra for fun I'm happy. So if the job I have I'm happy with, it's a double bonus. "People with more money, are more worried about losing it."
ReplyDeleteLove your answer, Jeffrey! Couldn't agree more.
DeleteJeffrey, money can be an imprisonment as much as it can be a ticket to some kind of perceived freedom. I like having adequate money, but working a job that I love can be very fulfilling.
DeleteLee
I've never lived or worked in a big city. The closest I come is driving into Minneapols/St. Paul to view shows and write reviews. I'm living my dream job. Writing theatre reviews, teaching theatre classes for kids, teaching piano, and doing freelance writing.
ReplyDeleteMary at Play off the Page
Mary, your job does sound like a nice dream fulfilled. I've been fortunate not to have ever had an extreme commute within in a major urban area.
DeleteLee
There is no place like Manhattan. Sounds cliche, I know, but it's absolutely true.
ReplyDeleteGreat story, Robin. Must have been quite an adjustment!
DeleteRobin, a truth is a truth no matter how cliched it sounds. Manhattan offers so much.
DeleteLee
I used to work in downtown Toronto, taking a commuter train to get there. It started wearing on me after awhile and I found a job closer to home. I did miss the big city buzz, though, as I always went exploring during my lunch break. Great food and shopping choices! When I read your post, the first thing that came to mind is that old phrase about Manhattan: "If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere". I enjoyed Robin's story. Thanks for the link, as I missed it the first time around.
ReplyDeleteAs for your question, it's more important to enjoy what I'm doing than to make big bucks. Been there, done that and I was miserable, in the end. That's why I spend my days looking after dogs now. ☺
DeleteDebbie, I've been fortunate in most of my job situations. AS for the jobs I didn't really care for, I didn't stay that long and they were mainly transitional stages merely there for the paycheck.
DeleteThough any city commute would be frantic and tedious after a while, a place like Toronto might make it all more bearable. I've always enjoyed my times in Toronto.
Lee
I recall seeing that building whilst in New York City, brought back some good memories.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that Lee. A wonderful informative post.
Yvonne.
Yvonne, I'm not sure what the building is, but it made me think of a place to work.
DeleteLee
Not sure I could see myself working in Manhattan or living in New York City. The crowds would bother me. I like the fact I can work at home :)
ReplyDeletebetty
Betty, at this stage of my life I'd prefer not to be in the fray of the city life, but in my younger days I can see how it might have been fun and exciting.
DeleteLee
Never in Manhattan but I lived and worked in downtown Houston for several years and also worked in downtown Boston which I loved. But I'm a small town girl at heart.
ReplyDeleteMeet My Imaginary Friends
#AtoZchallenge http://www.kathleenvalentineblog.com/
Kathleen, I just got back from a visit to Houston. Horrible traffic in that city! I'd hate to have to do a commute there. My daughter and her husband life outside of the city and work close to their home so they are pretty fortunate.
DeleteI guess I'm kind of a small town guy as well though not too small of a town. Driving home through West Texas made me ponder what existence would be like in some of those tiny outpost towns. I do like some big city advantages.
Lee
My dream would be to live and work (write) in Manhattan. I've always wanted to live in NYC, from the first time I visited back in high school. I'd have to be making a whole lot more money though for this dream to come true. Because I'd want a nice place, not a roach-infested apt somewhere gross. And Manhattan real estate is only for the very wealthy.
ReplyDeleteKaren, the money would be a deciding factor for me as well. I'm not thrilled about apartment living let alone tenement existence. To be rich and in New York would be pretty nice I think, but struggling to get by in a meager existence? Fogetaboutit!
DeleteLee
I've worked in Washington and Philadelphia. Funny I work in a bigger work place now but in a smaller town.
ReplyDeleteMike, smaller town I like.
DeleteLee
My cousin is a partner in a financial firm in Manhattan and she owns an apartment there too for when she has to work late. I would be too intimidated to work in NYC. I have lived/worked in the hearts of Boston and San Francisco, but NYC is just too frenetic.
ReplyDeleteJoJo, NYC is better for bold folks and younger people. I think I would be intimidated as well.
DeleteLee
I have never worked I. Manhattan or any huge city. I have had my job for almost 25 years now(May 27, 1991) and I love it because I feel I am helping people. If I was given the choice to be the executive director where I work with more pay but I would have to give up counselling, I wouldn't do it. I know I wouldn't. I have met people who had made large incomes and hated their job to the point they suffered a nervous breakdown so, honestly, I don't think the money is worth your health
ReplyDeleteBirgit, the bigger money jobs often come with more stress. If you're happy and can make it okay on the paycheck you have then it's worth staying.
DeleteLee
I visited Manhattan and the sites when I was between 8-10. Way to young to appreciate it. Would love to go back sometime and take it all in. Great post!
ReplyDeleteGregg, when I was with my parents I was at the mercy of going where they wanted to go, though I do think they took my interests into account. I'd like to go and be able to spend without being too concerned about how much I was spending. I'd stay in a nice hotel and be there for a few days.
DeleteLee
I worked in service jobs in New Orleans; otherwise teaching jobs in smaller cities.
ReplyDeletePopTart, New Orleans must have been a unique experience. I have mixed feelings about that city--mostly negative. Give me smaller cities any day.
DeleteLee
In 1995, I had job offers in Phoenix AZ and Manhattan, with the Manhattan job offer being more than twice the AZ offer. Yet, there was no way to make the economics work, and I was at a point where I probably would not have taken part in the Manhattan scene, so I chose Arizona.
ReplyDeleteNo regrets, although there is no place like Manhattan, and I went from visiting four or five times a year to a handful of times over the past two decades.
I love NYC-wish that job offer had come in my twenties.
Larry
Larry, my job choice was between Chicago and L.A. for the same money. It was a pretty easy decision. I'd probably have chosen Phoenix over Manhattan especially since I had kids.
DeleteLee
Lee, being a small time city girl living in the jungle of NYC would be an overwhelming experience. It's hard for me to fathom to commute primarily by city transit or have no yard or doing something routine as grocery shopping. It would be a huge cultural shock for me. I would like to visit Manhattan one day, preferably in late spring or early fall, but I don't think I'd like to live there. This will seem odd to some and I know it has a lot to do with what you're use to, but I don't want to adjust myself at this stage in the game. :) Thanks for sharing such an interesting A2Z theme.
ReplyDelete~Curious as a Cathy
All Things Vintage: J-E-L-L-O #AprilA2Z
Cathy, whether we want to or not, I think we can adjust to any situation and with the right frame of mind we can be happy about it.
DeleteLee
Great post, Arlee. I would have to say that enjoyment of work is important. If that comes with a good salary then great, if not - oh well!
ReplyDeleteNicola, life is too short and too limited to get stuck in a job one doesn't like just for the pay. If you don't have time or leisure to enjoy the material remuneration then the job is hardly worth the burden of of it.
DeleteLee
I worked and lived in London for a number of years. However, I wouldn't want to live in Manhattan or any other big city any more.
ReplyDeleteJo, London is a very big city. I live in a big metropolitan area, but the area I live in doesn't seem all that big in a way.
DeleteLee
I've worked in Manhattan on several occasions, always traveling in, never for more than a month. I also spent my early career working in the Chicago Loop, Manhattan was great the first few times I went in, when I worked in Midtown; the last time, I worked downtown, near where the World Trade Center had been. It was a year after 9-11 and I'll be honest, the city was still grieving and I picked up on it, and was miserable when I was there.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever heard the expression, "a job is like a crap sandwich; the more bread you get, the less you taste the crap"? It's BS. All the money in the world can't make a crappy job palatable. I found out the hard way...
John, I haven't heard that specific quote, but something similar. Money means a lot, but sanity and happiness are the most important.
DeleteLee
I don't think I could work in a big city center like that... Too crowded, too many people, and way too much noise... I can imagine it depends on personality, though :)
ReplyDelete@TarkabarkaHolgy from
The Multicolored Diary
MopDog
Csenge, the big city life isn't for everybody and for some only in moderate doses.
DeleteLee
I've worked in the heart of Chicago's loop and that was interesting because I live in the suburbs. It was a nice change of pace but also comforting to know I could return to my tree-lined streets. I do quite love Manhattan but can't imagine working in Gotham. It seems to truly be the belly of the beast.
ReplyDeleteStephanie, before my job in L.A. my company first offered me a position in Chicago. It wouldn't have been downtown, but still I wasn't too keen on moving to Chicago.
DeleteLee
Lee, Been meaning to stop by. I'll have to check out your posts tomorrow at work. Me, I'm just thankful I have a job coming out of semi-retirement.
ReplyDeleteStephen, I'm still in full retirement though if the right job came my way I'd take it.
DeleteLee
I've worked in Manhattan for most of my career, in a number of different places. I've had two dream jobs. One was at the Museum of Natural History and one at City Hall. A lot of stress, but I consider myself very fortunate.
ReplyDeleteCarol, you are fortunate indeed!
DeleteLee
I've never worked in a big city and hope I never have to. My idea of a dream job is one where David and I are the boss, set our own hours, and do what we want to do from home. Ideally, we would make enough to pay our bills and do a bit more than just survive. It would be something that made us happy and fulfilled and brought glory to Heavenly Father, unlike some jobs we've had to do in the past. While money is important, happiness is more important in the long run. What good is it to have a job making $100,000 a year if you're too tired from working to have any fun?
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
Suzanne, I want that job too!
DeleteLee
love of the job is so much more important! gave myself ulcers at a job I hated. :D
ReplyDeleteJoy @ The Joyous Living