letinstar: Boston? That’s not too bad. You could have even colder weather. You could live in Chicago. I remember thinking I was going to FREEZE while waiting outside under the people warmers at the CTA. Those heater things look just like the lamps McDonalds uses to warm their fries. But, in Chicago, the city uses larger versions of them to heat people.

LadyD: Believe it or not, I’ve never been to Seattle! It’s on The List of places I’d like to visit.

dkzone: I’ve considered moving outside the city. The rents would definitely be cheaper and spaces much bigger.

Pink_Thursday: Yeah, you never know where life will lead. The first time I visited New York, I hated. When I moved here years later, I liked it but I figured I’d only stay a couple years. I’m closing out my 5th year, and I’ll begin counting the 6th this April. I soooooo never thought I’d live here as long as I have. Who knows what’s next in life. Oddly, the uncertainty is exciting and overwhelming at the same time.

timeflies: :)

The Hooker Chronicles: The Midwest is quite lovely. Sometimes I really really miss it. Especially the people.

Tom: First, sorry to hear you lost your job :( I have several friends who’ve met the same fate in recent years. It’s tough :( Thanks for the compliments, by the way! And, yes, you have to visit New York to see it. It’s not for everyone. But, for those who love it (even if we hate it sometimes), it’s worth it! :)

Buddha: I agree about the family and friends thing. Very, very true.

Sara: Firenze is GORGEOUS! I haven’t been back to Italy in ages, but I loved it when I was there. Walking the streets felt like strolling an outdoor museum. Great place! And, by the way, I loooooove what you’ve said about: “life has a funny way of bringing us where we are supposed to be…”

44Black: Indeed!

I grew up in the suburbs.  The North Shore is nice and, as I said… Chicago is a great city.   I just have no desire to go back.  I wouldn’t mind living up in San Francisco, though; I fly up a few times a year to get a dose of “city” (L.A. doesn’t cut it).   My family is in New England.  I can see moving there someday.  I suppose it’s all about family and what you like in life.  You can probably live in Fargo and be happy… if that’s where your family and friends live, too.

I am in Chicago now (actually the far suburbs), and I don’t really want to move.  My family is here, and I like Chicago quite a lot.  If I do end up staying, and if for any reason you move back to Chi-town, Twanna, I’d love to meet you.  You seem pretty cool.  And CUTE!

I keep meaning to come visit friends in NYC; it’s on my “to-do” list.  I bought one of those Frommer’s travel books and everything.  But now that I’ve got the time, I really am not in a financial position where I should go.  So, sadly, I probably won’t be exploring NYC anytime soon.

Not having visited NYC, it’s hard for me to see what the big deal is.  I mean, Chicago has lots and lots of culture: great restaurants, music, theater, public events.  It’s architecturally beautiful.  It’s actually every bit as ethnically diverse as New York.  And Chicago is hardly a small-minded town, although rural Illinois can be.  I’ve lived in Texas, briefly — believe me, I know what small-minded is!

So I ask myself, how much better could the cultural life really be?  How much more open-minded could the people really be?  People who live in New York (and similarly, San Francisco) assure me that it is.  But then the same people tell me cost-of-living horror stories of professionals renting walk-in closets as living space.  How can that possibly be worth it?  How can it be worth it to live in Manhattan, in particular, unless you’re a Wall Street mogul or the heir to a cosmetics company fortune?

Maybe one of these days, I’ll actually get the chance to come visit and unravel the mystery…  Here’s hoping.

As much as I bitch and moan about where I live, which is St. Louis.  I Love it here!

I remember going to Paris last year, and by the end of my trip, I was SO ready to be back int the Midwest where things felt familiar.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

kinda like the sidechick that you keep for when you want to have some fun…but loathe when you are forced to spend time with……

I love the city but I also like the suburbs where I can just feel relaxed and not have to check the doorlock before I go to sleep.