Life Transitions Therapy
Confused About Whether To Stay In Or Leave NYC?
The majority of people living in NYC were born and raised somewhere else. Reasons for coming to live in this bustling metropolis are as varied and unique as the people in it—but one thing most of us can agree on is that living here is equal parts challenging and rewarding.
Whether you are considering moving to New York City, wrestling with staying or planning to leave, therapy with Inside Psychotherapy can help you with this time of transition in your life.
Maybe You’re Considering A Move To The Big Apple…
New York City is an incredible place to call home. The people drawn to living here are not usually looking for a life that is quiet, relaxing, or low-key—they seek adventure and boundless opportunities.
You may be considering a move to New York because of specific personal and professional goals. You may be looking for more options for networking, exploring new and diverse experiences, or simply to take on the exciting challenge of living in the big city.
Yet, you may wonder if you’re prepared for such a big transition. No matter where you are moving from or how far, adjusting to the New York City lifestyle can be especially difficult. It is normal to feel worried about such a major transition in your life and it would be odd if you didn’t question and perhaps seek therapy to help decide if moving to NYC is right for you.
Perhaps You’ve Been Here For A While And Wondering If You’re Here To Stay…
It’s one thing to move to New York City for a short while. It’s quite another to stay here permanently. Perhaps you have questions about what’s keeping you around.
You may have found a community you enjoy, where stepping outside your door and greeting your neighbors and grocers elicits a feeling of belonging that you value. But you may wonder if you could replicate this sense of community outside the city if you left.
Maybe you enjoy the convenience of not needing a car and using mass transit. Or maybe one of the reasons you stayed is the benefits of walking, biking, or scooting from place to place. What would life outside New York City look like when you would likely have to drive everywhere?
If children are already in the picture or you’re thinking of starting a family, you may wonder about the selection and quality of schools among other concerns. Are the parks, public spaces, and playgrounds enough for your child to thrive without a private yard?
All of these questions are valid and worth exploring in therapy, especially if you struggle to adjust to life in New York City.
Or, Is It Time To Get Out Of The City That Never Sleeps?
New York City life might not work for you forever.
You may feel the pull of the many wonders of life here, but after a while that might compete with the tug of shifting priorities. Sometimes, the things that didn’t bother us in the beginning or excited us at first might become burdens over time, like the noise, your commute, crowds, and cost of living.
If you have been thinking about leaving the city you are not alone. It is normal for the debate over staying or leaving New York City to be an ongoing topic of discussion among your friends and with your therapist.
If you have decided to leave, it’s common to have a lot of mixed feelings, including excitement for a future in a new location that suits you and/or your family’s evolving needs, but also sadness that your life in New York City is coming to a close. You will spend some time reflecting on your experience here, including all of the challenges you took on with your “wins” and your “defeats.”
Therapy Can Help You With Your Conflicting Life Transition Choices
At Inside Psychotherapy, our team understands the gravity of the decision to transition your life toward or away from New York City. We are ready to support you in your choices and validate the challenges, as well as celebrate the many rewards of living here if you choose to stay.
What To Expect In Therapy
Seeking a therapist is quite common in New York, and session discussions may include how the transition to the city can impact your life, how to navigate the challenges unique to living here and reinforce what brought you to the city in the first place.
Our team of experienced therapists can help you navigate your life here including the complex issues faced by racial and ethnic minorities, the LGBTQ+ community, and Generation Z. We provide a safe and inclusive space where you can explore your emotions, develop coping strategies, and gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your decision to either stay in or leave New York.
Our Approach
Our therapists use an eclectic and relational approach to therapy for life transitions. This method suggests that the relationships in our lives that are mutually satisfying are necessary for our overall well-being. We prioritize building a trusting and comfortable rapport with your counselor so that you can feel unencumbered by judgment as you explore your and your family’s transition to life in New York City.
The rewards of living in New York City often equalize the demands. For every amazing professional opportunity and cultural experience, there are real barriers to creating a sustainable life in the city. New York undeniably draws people from near and far to live here, and counseling can help you understand if the transition to living in New York City is right for your life.
You Might Still Have Questions About Therapy For NYC-Specific Life Transitions…
Can a therapist tell me if I have “made it” in New York City?
“Making it” looks different for everyone. Eventually, just like most things that start off exciting, the thrill and adrenaline of living here wears off, and you’ll settle into your routine. No matter what your profession looks like or where you live within the city, you have made it you take good care of yourself and still honor your values. Therapy can help you understand if that’s true for you.
I want to have a family, but I worry about raising kids in the city. Could a counselor help me make this decision?
Choosing to have children is a life transition that counseling can help you understand for yourself. Raising kids in New York City comes with a set of challenges that boils down to your personal preferences and priorities, which is not too different from choosing to start a family while living anywhere else. Ultimately, it is possible! We are here to explore the pros and cons with you so you can make the right decision for you and your family.
I'm thinking about leaving NYC but I feel sad about it! Can therapy help me get over it?
Many people come to NYC to work hard, experience life here, and do big things. The decision to leave may feel like you are “giving up.” In therapy, we will explore what brought you here and all that you set out to do and have accomplished, as well as dive deeper into what you want for yourself in the future. Leaving NYC is very common, and so are complicated feelings about it. Therapy can help you understand if this life transition away from the city is in line with your needs and values.
Reach Out To Us For Help With Your Tough Choice To Stay Or Leave NYC
Inside Psychotherapy offers private, in-person, and virtual counseling services that can help you with your choices about living in New York City. Reach out to us at 917-310-0512 or use our online form for a free, 15-minute consultation.
