New York—fast, loud, exciting, and sometimes exhausting. It’s the city that never sleeps, but if you’ve lived here long enough, the magic slowly becomes routine, and the quirks start to feel normal. So how do you know you’ve been a New Yorker for a bit too long?
Here are 10 hilarious and painfully relatable signs that say: you’ve lived in New York for far too long.
1. You Don’t Even Notice the Sirens Anymore
Ambulance rushing by at 2 AM? Someone yelling on the street? Your brain has trained itself to ignore the noise. Silence now feels weird.
If silence makes you nervous—you’re officially a New Yorker.
2. You Walk Faster Than Anyone Else on the Planet
Slow walkers are your biggest enemy. You’ve mastered the sidewalk weave and can cross a street with 0.5 seconds left on the countdown.
If you’ve ever sighed loudly behind a tourist with a camera—you’ve been here too long.
3. You’ve Eaten a $1 Pizza Slice That’s Better Than Most Restaurants
You know that the real gems aren’t in fancy eateries, but in corner spots serving greasy, cheesy, life-saving pizza at 3 AM.
Bonus points if you’ve debated which $1 pizza joint is the “realest.”
4. You’ve Become Immune to Crazy Subway Moments
Someone breakdancing in the subway? A guy preaching the end of the world? Rats having dinner? You don’t even flinch.
If you kept scrolling on your phone while a saxophonist played in your ear—you’re deep in NYC mode.
5. Rent Prices Don’t Shock You Anymore
₹2.5 lakh for a one-bedroom the size of a matchbox? Sounds about right. You’ve accepted it, budgeted it, and maybe even bragged about how “cheap” your place is (compared to worse ones).
If you’ve paid more in rent than you’ve saved in the past year—you’ve been here too long.
6. You’ve Ordered Food at 2 AM Without Thinking Twice
Why cook when you can get sushi, tacos, or vegan dumplings delivered to your door at midnight? Convenience is king.
If your food delivery apps know your order before you do—it’s official.
7. You’ve Forgotten What a Backyard Looks Like
A “green space” is a rooftop with two plants. A backyard? That’s something people in movies have.
If Central Park feels like a weekend vacation—you’ve been a city dweller too long.
8. You Know Which Subway Cars Line Up with the Stairs
Not only do you know where to stand on the platform, but you can also time your walk perfectly to avoid human traffic jams.
If you’ve ever judged someone for not knowing “your” shortcut—you’re a seasoned New Yorker.
9. Your Idea of Space Has Completely Changed
You’ve shared an apartment with four strangers, lived without a living room, and called 350 sq. ft. “cozy.”
If a studio feels “huge” to you now—you’ve been trained by NYC real estate.
10. You’ve Said “I’m Leaving This City” At Least 10 Times… But Never Do
The rent is high, the noise is constant, and the winters are brutal. Yet, something about New York keeps pulling you back.
If you’ve threatened to move every winter, but renewed your lease anyway—yep, you’re one of us.
New York changes you. It toughens you up, teaches you survival skills you didn’t know you needed, and makes you fall in love with chaos. If these 10 things sound like your daily life, there’s no doubt—you’ve been in New York for way too long. But deep down, you know you wouldn’t have it any other way.
SOURCES
- (https://cooperatornews.com/article/study-top-complaints-in-neighborhoods-nationwide)
- (http://butterflymx.com/blog/resident-complaints/)
- (https://portal.311.nyc.gov/report-problems/)
