Ha! Hi, Jennifer. Philadelphia. Now you tell me. :) I actually moved to NYC reluctantly when my ex-husband decided he wanted to go to film school at NYU. I supported us by working at ABC then NBC News. But once the kids were born in the middle of all that, and we set down roots and had a strong community, yes, it became harder and harder to leave. We'd been living in Paris then Moscow before moving to NYC, and I had desperately wanted to return to Paris and start our family there. It KILLS me to think of how much more money I would have saved had I never left France. Free healthcare! Paid maternity leave, four months minimum! A daycare that would have cost around $25 a week back then--and that's at the higher end!--as soon as I needed it. A school day that hews closer to the work day, so no one has to leave their job to pick up kids. Laws that protect workers, renters, mothers, families, the sick, and disabled. I'm heading back there next week to visit my best friend from those years, who's battling stage 4 breast cancer. A terrible disease, but at least she doesn't have to worry about paying giant medical bills on top of surviving. I have a friend who lives in Philly, so I know its affordable beauty and charms, but I think it's more than that. We need to burn our entire American capitalist system to the ground. Who's with me?
Being a writer means...living in New Hampshire. I do :)! enjoyed this read, Jennifer, and also wanted to shout - come with me to the forest and write...
I had a similar reaction, Amy, but Michigan is it for me! Writing here in northern Michigan, in a small city on Lake Michigan, is my ideal. Water, woods, creative people all around who are focused on their art…it’s not the cheapest place to live (my hometown definitely has changed since my childhood), but it’s nothing like NYC’s prices.
Enjoyed reading this very much, Jennifer! I am also looking forward to Bock’s memoir having read Splinters earlier this year. And yay for your 5K plans!
I got an ARC of the Bock, and it’s good so far. I kinda think it’s like the ultimate diss, to write a memoir about your first wife with no mention of the second after her brutal memoir. The memoir version of Don Draper in the elevator.
I love memoirs also. As a retiree from working as an RN for 46 years I lean toward healthcare workers life stories. But also celebrities. I was riveted with Sally Fields, Henry Winkler, Ron and Clint Howard and Kristen Johnston to name a few (or more).
I loved this one, and as always, love your writing, Jennifer! I’ve read EVERY SINGLE one of your books and have been here since the beginning ( back when I was in my 30s - - a.k.a. when Good In Bed hit the bookstores ). I look forward to reading more about Emily Gould, after reading this Substack!
I never aspired as an adult to be a writer, and I live on the West Coast, so living in NYC has never been something I aspired to. But as a reader, I’ve often felt like the best fiction (past and present) comes out of the South. Also, since “they” always say write what you know, I like writers living in varied places gives us more varied writing. I do understand that it must be harder connecting with agents or other professional contacts must be harder outside of NYC.
Not sure how far you are into “Nobody Wants This,” but agree with you about the Jewish women characters at the beginning. I thought they became much more interesting /relatable as the show went on — and the rabbi in the camp episode was great. Bitchy for a reason works for me, but in the end I’m just an aging Gentile, so what do I know?
Ha! Hi, Jennifer. Philadelphia. Now you tell me. :) I actually moved to NYC reluctantly when my ex-husband decided he wanted to go to film school at NYU. I supported us by working at ABC then NBC News. But once the kids were born in the middle of all that, and we set down roots and had a strong community, yes, it became harder and harder to leave. We'd been living in Paris then Moscow before moving to NYC, and I had desperately wanted to return to Paris and start our family there. It KILLS me to think of how much more money I would have saved had I never left France. Free healthcare! Paid maternity leave, four months minimum! A daycare that would have cost around $25 a week back then--and that's at the higher end!--as soon as I needed it. A school day that hews closer to the work day, so no one has to leave their job to pick up kids. Laws that protect workers, renters, mothers, families, the sick, and disabled. I'm heading back there next week to visit my best friend from those years, who's battling stage 4 breast cancer. A terrible disease, but at least she doesn't have to worry about paying giant medical bills on top of surviving. I have a friend who lives in Philly, so I know its affordable beauty and charms, but I think it's more than that. We need to burn our entire American capitalist system to the ground. Who's with me?
Being a writer means...living in New Hampshire. I do :)! enjoyed this read, Jennifer, and also wanted to shout - come with me to the forest and write...
I had a similar reaction, Amy, but Michigan is it for me! Writing here in northern Michigan, in a small city on Lake Michigan, is my ideal. Water, woods, creative people all around who are focused on their art…it’s not the cheapest place to live (my hometown definitely has changed since my childhood), but it’s nothing like NYC’s prices.
Enjoyed reading this very much, Jennifer! I am also looking forward to Bock’s memoir having read Splinters earlier this year. And yay for your 5K plans!
Apartment hunting in the midwest made me teary with joy.
I got an ARC of the Bock, and it’s good so far. I kinda think it’s like the ultimate diss, to write a memoir about your first wife with no mention of the second after her brutal memoir. The memoir version of Don Draper in the elevator.
I really related to this. Thank you.
It doesn't matter where you live, if you don't have any money, right? I love your writing.
I'm new on Substack. I write jewish themed romantic contemporary science fantasy. Would you consider trading follows or subscribed?
Hear, hear! I moved to south philly in 2005 and never looked back.
Sometimes I still watch sex and the city reruns, longing for Carrie Bradshaw's adorable apartment and seemingly carefree career.
I love memoirs also. As a retiree from working as an RN for 46 years I lean toward healthcare workers life stories. But also celebrities. I was riveted with Sally Fields, Henry Winkler, Ron and Clint Howard and Kristen Johnston to name a few (or more).
I can’t feel sorry for people who just won’t leave NY Brooklyn or whatever and are writers. Like how privileged is that?
Agreed..... I've been watching Nobody Wants This..... like it, but I also find the banter a bit much after awhile.
I loved this one, and as always, love your writing, Jennifer! I’ve read EVERY SINGLE one of your books and have been here since the beginning ( back when I was in my 30s - - a.k.a. when Good In Bed hit the bookstores ). I look forward to reading more about Emily Gould, after reading this Substack!
I write from the suburbs.
I never aspired as an adult to be a writer, and I live on the West Coast, so living in NYC has never been something I aspired to. But as a reader, I’ve often felt like the best fiction (past and present) comes out of the South. Also, since “they” always say write what you know, I like writers living in varied places gives us more varied writing. I do understand that it must be harder connecting with agents or other professional contacts must be harder outside of NYC.
Not sure how far you are into “Nobody Wants This,” but agree with you about the Jewish women characters at the beginning. I thought they became much more interesting /relatable as the show went on — and the rabbi in the camp episode was great. Bitchy for a reason works for me, but in the end I’m just an aging Gentile, so what do I know?