Greener on the other side - a Donegal graduate’s transition to life in the Big Apple

Good and factual article on life for the new arrival in New York. What you wrote is and was common, feelings ,thoughts many of us experienced. It brings back memories of 86 when I arrived, but our problems were different, but as important to today's generation. There wasn't many with Degrees, so its easy to understand your disappointment regarding your years at Uni. If its any consolation , your education will stand to you and time will reveal much more regarding your career/life,. Take each day as a new experience as its the present we live in. New York was always hard as its a different way of life.The common saying when I lived there was "Its not easy". From Ireland to London Germany and then New York was a massive shock to my system. The heat,humidity,constant boozing,little sleep, cockroach infested apartments ,noise etc. As the song goes "If you can make it there youl make it anywhere " is defiantly true.Like Scrivner said ,look beyond the Hudson.

Echoing many others, look beyond the Hudson and explerience "real" America. The rugged beauty of the forests of Pennsylvania, follow the southern shores of the Great Lakes and enjoy the descendants of the workers that won WWII, drive up Lake Shore Drive in Chicago at dawn and let your spirit soar from the beauty. Immerse yourself in influence of the German and Scandanavian country in Wisconsin and Minnesota, continue on into Lakota territory, God's hand at creating natural formations will take your breath away. Visit the Great Salt Lake, where certain religious refugees found a place to grow and prosper. Continue on to the coast, thru redwood forests that predate the USA--heck, they predate St Patrick! Heading south--Washington, Oregon and all of California--you find amazing people and wonderous scenery. From San Diego, where you just might want to spend the rest of your life--if you could afford the real estate--head backc east thru the deserts with their wild brand of beauty. Stop at each of the major cities in Texas, each one has its own personality to love or hate. Continue on along the Gulf coast--New Orleans, Mobile, Pensacola--it's called "The Redneck Riviera" and there is fun to be had. Down one side of Florida and up the other exposes you to sleep fishing villages, posh retreats of the wealthy, amature alligator zoos and professinal attractions like DisneyWorld or Universal Studios. As you come north on Route 95 you will be heading "south." The "south" of Charleston, Atlanta, Richmond, where "ya'all come back" is said sincerely aand love is shown with enormous helpings of very good food. OK, a tour of Washington, DC, a run past Phillie and up the New Jersey Turnpike and you are then back in NYC. Now wasn't that fun?

The strong Irish moved further west than New York & Boston.

Great story, I'm sure you'll be fine. Only wish we knew you (and others from Donegal) were coming over. Could've made things a bit easier for you I suppose. Life on Long Island is not far from the thrills of New York City, but you do get that space you were looking for. Seems plenty of opportunity out this way for jobs and housing as well. Next time you're over...try looking a bit to the East on Long Island (Suffolk County).

I lived five years in Manhattan. I liked it at first, but as the years went by I found myself more and more wishing I was in the land of cotton, Old times there are not forgotten.

Listen to faberm1. The northeast is extremely costly and crowded in comparison to other parts of the country. The weather is also a kind of a drag and the people are not exactly known for their hospitality. I know from first hand experience having lived and traveled all over the United States.

Lovely article but come to San Antonio, Texas,jobs plentiful and we have several universities to update degrees and skills.

Lovely article. I well remember the mixture of fear and excitement I had in that city in the bad old pre-Giuliani days, so memorably recounted in The Bonfire of The Vanities

THIS POOR GIRL SEEM LIKE SHE'S LIVED A VERY SHELTERED LIFE GOD BLESS HER, SHE SOUNDS LIKE SHES FROM THE BOGS OF DOEGAL.. SURE IRISH PEOPLE TRAVEL ALL OVER THE WORLD TO WORK I HAVE 2 COUSINS IN AUSTRALIA AND ONE COUSIN IN LONDON.. THEY LOVE IT THERE... WE MUSTNT FORGET THAT THE TOTAL POPULATION OF THE WHOLE OF SOUTHERN IRELAND IS 4.3 MILLION THATS NOT ALOT OF PEOPLE.. SO ITS NOT LIKE WE HAVE MILLIONS IMMIGRATING OR BOATLOADS LEAVING .. WE HAVE MAINLY STUDENTS GOING ABROAD AND IM SURE FOR EVERY IRISH PERSON THAT GOES ABROAD WE HAVE ONE FROM A FOREIGN COUNTRY COMING IN HERE BECAUSE OF THAT WASNT THE CASE THE IRISH POPULATION STATISTICS SHOW OR POPULATION IS GROWING YEAR ON YEAR OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS .. SO IT DONT TAKE A ROCKET SCIENTIST TO FIGURE THAT ONE OUT !!!

I moved my family here 23 years ago, and never looked back. Sure, it is hard getting started in NY, and it is also worth it. We were just going to be here for a couple of years. The place gets its hooks in you. Welcome!

very nicly done, Ms. Driscoll. Best wishes to you in your various searches in the city. A word:there's truly another country outside of ny city, a dffereent country that most americans would claim as home. We would suggest to you that the real america is "out here"...

Take me back to Ardara, county Donegal, anytime!

It's a nice place to visit, but the New Yorkers that can afford to, escape it on the weekends.

Amanda, Moved to New York from Galway many, many years ago. Did not care for the city, tall buildings and crowded subways. I moved to the Suburbs of Atlanta 20 years ago and love it here. Of course no place on earth is as beautiful as my home Connemara.

Amanda: faberm1 is absolutely right. Add San Antonio to that list. Anywhere but NYC and Boston. Go south and/or west! There are lots of Irish in other places besides the NE and it's MUCH less expensive to live and easier to find a job.