When I decided on dance as a career I was a senior in high school. I went to NYC that year on a dance trip and decided it was too gross and I didn't want to live there. So during college I decided on Chicago after graduation (still a good dance scene). I moved in with Mom after graduation to save $ for the move and found a great summer program in NYC to study dance. So I made a second trip to NYC. Well, NYC in the summer is a blast with tons to do. And it was such a different town since I'd been in 1993 (due to Guiliani who "real" New Yorkers will tell you was the downfall of the city!
). I decided I was tough enough to live here and that if I really wanted to dance, NYC is where I should go. I knew one person when I got here and it was awful lonely at times, but I'll always be proud that I came out here and made it on my own.
I never did live in Manhattan - on my income I would have had to share my room with another person, not to mention rats and roaches! I spent 4 years in Queens and now live in the suburbs just north of the city. I'm super happy up there because it gives me the suburbia I grew up with so close to the amazing (and crazy) place that is NYC.