I live in the middle of Manhattan. Some folks think city living is awful, with  cramped apartments, noise,  no garden .   I miss my own garden, but otherwise  it's a trade off for  the joy of  city living.

Here is what  apartment living  in a city  is like.

1.  An apartment house  is not a community ; it's a building.    I hardly know anyone and few  neigbors socialize with each other.

2. Everbody but the bank delivers... supermarket, ,  wine, store,  pharmacy,  dry cleaner, you name it.  Phone for what you want and magically it arrives. Most services are within walking distance - up the street, down the street or around the corner.

3 You don't take out the garbage.  You toss it down a hole (compactor), in a service room  on your  floor,. leaving  recylables in designated boxes.

4 If you live in a serviced  building,  there is someone to assist with everything. including  changing a light bulb. .

5. City folk walk, walk, walk. It's healthier than driving  and  more interesting.  And In NYC, public transportion, by bus, subway or train, gets one all around the city and suburbs.

6.  Good hospitals are  often  in   major cities;  important  when  body parts go wrong.

7. Entertainment:  Best   theatre,  opera,  concerts of all kinds,  movies  everywhere, museums and more museums, lectures and adult ed in every neighborhood,  all kinds of sports ( spectator and participation), parks,  great shopping.

8. The downside?   Cost of housing..

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