Moving from ATL to NYC

The countdown has begun! In less than two weeks, I will be a New Yorker. My days of sippin' lemonade on my porch while listening to the crickets chirp at night and seeing random strangers on the streets who smile and greet me with "how ya doin?'" will be long gone. I'm excited about this transition and honestly, a little anxious too. The most "city" I've experienced so far is a few homeless people scattered throughout downtown Atlanta; Hawks/Falcons game at Phillips, and singing/clubbing on the weekends. Not discounting ATL, but that's next to nothing compared to what I'm about to get myself into. I've heard the horror stories about getting mugged in NY allies, and the shell-shock I will experience after avoiding getting trampled on the subway for the first time during rush hour. I've heard about the trash on the streets, the big rats who anyone can mistake for cats running along the sidewalks, and the noise that is so intense that it will make you want to run and hide. For some reason though, it sounds super exciting! Maybe I was born to be a New Yorker. I guess we will see in 15 days. Well, I can tell you one thing: This apartment search is for the BIRDS! Why do you have to submit your W2s, bank statements, tax returns, and life history to rent an apartment? Whatever happened to a simple credit check? I have bought two houses in my lifetime and the extent of information these landlords want can easily be transferred over to a home loan application. I know this is only a one-time thing, but geez. Give a girl a break. Anyway, I'm excited about all of the FABULOUS shopping; the Broadway shows; the exciting people; the New York slice; and dollar taxies (they really don't cost a dollar--right?). I'm spending my weekends tying up "loose ends" in ATL, so I'm not experiencing anything New York-like quite yet; but there will be more to come--I GUARANTEE IT! By the way: NY ladies: do you really wear sneakers while you walk the city streets, or is that just on t.v.? I'm a stilettos girl and I've NEVER been caught wearing anything less than 3 inches on my feet! Do tell...