Dear Maria: A Latino Over LA

QUESTION:

Dear Maria,

LA isn’t working out for me.

Two years of BS and I’m over it. What’s the biggest piece of advice that you have for a Latino who is considering moving to NY? 

 Love,

– Xavier

ANSWER:

Hi Xavier!! Hope you had a happy Pride Month! Thank you for writing in. Lord this is such a tough one because I don’t want to be biased. Everyone knows that I am Brooklyn’s Carrie Bradshaw, so I’m team New York for life! However I have always enjoyed myself when visiting LA, but I’m sure it's different living there permanently. I wish I knew more about what BS you’ve been dealing with because I can assure you there is BS anywhere you go.

You say you’ve been there 2 years so I’m curious as to where you were located before Los Angeles? Have you always been a West Coaster? If so coming to the East Coast let alone the capital of the world that is NYC can be a bit of a culture shock. Have you ever visited New York? If not I would suggest reaching out to some friends and coming to stay with them for a few weeks or so before making such a big decision. New York can be quite intimidating when you're here day to day and any real NYer will tell you it really takes grit to live here, this is not for the meek. On the flipside this is the greatest city on earth for a reason. It builds character and can unlock things in you that you may have never tapped into without being here. This is the only city where if you travel anywhere in the world and say you're from here, it’s viewed as an accomplishment.  This is truly the city of dreams which is why when anyone asks me if they should come here I lsay “Yes, if you're ready to work for it” because why not dream big, it may just come true. 

Now as far as advice for a Latinx person looking to relocate here, baby this is Mecca. Aside from South America & maybe Miami, NYC is the home to the largest range of Latin culture. From the food to the music,  most neighborhoods are flooded with Latin influence. You can’t go to any borough without finding a Dominican bodega or a Mexican taqueria. There are often massive events to honor our Latin pride like the Puerto Rican Parade which you can find me at annually shouting “WEPA!!!!”. So if you’re looking for a place where Latinx folx feel at home then papi this is it. 

So again pop up and visit, feel it out, hell hit me up and we can go to the latin clubs and really show you how we roll. Remember nothing is permanent so even if you come here for a year or two and decide to move on then so be it, but don’t be surprised if the Big Apple changes your life and you end up here 10 years. It can happen in the blink of an eye but Sinatra said it best “ If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere. 

Keep me posted baby if you’re ever in town, drinks on me ;)

– Maria

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