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I'm moving to New York.

Not today, not this week, or this month. Not even in six months. But, within two to three years, I am moving there.

I had this realization about two weeks ago. When I graduated from college, a lot of my classmates expected me to end up in New York. While I did attempt to look for a job there, coming home to Chicago was a much simpler route, especially when I was a broke, recent college grad. After getting a job that I really liked, I didn't think I'd want to move. But even my best friend was convinced that I wouldn't last in Chicago. "I can still see you moving there, Erin. I give it about three years."

Exactly three years ago today, I moved to Manhattan for a semester-long internship. In the four months that I lived there, I fell in love with everything about the city. Even daily urban annoyances didn't get me down; I found them quite endearing. No matter how smelly or creepy it could be, I became obsessed with the subway system. In fact, I have a soft spot for the smell that rises from the sidewalk grates. I walked whenever and wherever I could. Often I did not have an agenda for the day; I just walked to walk. There was always something to see or something to do. I managed to entertain myself on a severely limited income ($10/day stipend), even while living in a strange community.

Since that semester, I've been back to visit twice. And each time, I fall in love with the city all over again. For me, New York is like a long-distance lover. I think about New York daily: what I would be doing if I were there, how the transportation would be much more efficient than Chicago's (save striking MTA workers), and how I might never be bored. I look at pictures of the city (there is one on my desktop at work and multiple in my bedroom), and I indulge myself in movies and TV shows set in New York. Is it any wonder, then, that I love Woody Allen?

So I'm moving there. I'm waiting a bit, until I get a little more established in my job. There are opportunities to transfer within business units to New York so it's not like I would be forced to quit. And I don't think it would hurt to expose myself to the NY agency lifestyle.

In the meantime, I'll start saving my money.