When I say New York or Nowhere, I really do mean it. New York has had a hold on me ever since I can remember. I loved the sounds of the city, the theme of never sleeping, and the endless possibilities. I marveled at the fact that if you made it here, you could make it anywhere. It always enticed me knowing anything here was possible if I just worked hard for it.

Yet, on the same hand, during my most recent trip to Miami, I found myself envying how slow people appeared to live their lives. Nobody was sprinting to catch the train like their rent depended on it. The streets weren’t covered in trash and the distinct eau de piss was noticeably absent. There were trees palm trees to be exact. And let’s be real, palm trees are like nature’s way of saying, Relax, you’re on vacation. On my way to work in New York, I get to stare at skyscrapers with the same minimalist aesthetic that screams “tech bro with a trust fund.” But in Miami? I was greeted by actual nature. It was being away from New York for a bit that made me appreciate the SoFlo lifestyle while also reminding me that sometimes, you’re not “over” New York you just need a break from New York. And here are the three things that made me seriously consider joining the snowbird migration.

Everyone in Miami is Fit… Like, Ridiculously Fit.

Before you start thinking I’m body shaming, I promise I’m not. I’m just saying, when you walk into a Planet Fitness in NYC and then step into a Lifetime Fitness in Miami, the difference is shocking. I was by the pool, and even somebody’s great-grandpa was strutting around with a six-pack. Meanwhile, I was clutching my overpriced iced coffee, reevaluating every life decision that led me to that moment.

Even the restaurant chains and food options are different. Out of curiosity, I typed “food near me” into Google Maps, and my screen was suddenly blessed with Latin food and juice bars. (Talk about a double win.) These weren’t just any juice bars either. They had vegan, gluten free, protein, vegan protein basically, a bunch of words that made me feel healthier just reading them. Meanwhile, back in New York, my healthiest option at 2 a.m. is a bodega sandwich and a questionable smoothie.

Now, did I eat clean while in Miami? Absolutely not. I was on vacation, and vacation calories do not count. But one place I highly recommend is Crisppi’s Chicken. If Popeyes was serving those sandwiches instead of their regular spicy chicken ones, we might have witnessed the end of civilization as we know it. As I indulged in my cheat meals, I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if I spent a month in Miami juicing, soaking in an hour of sunshine, and keeping up my usual gym routine? Would Miami T’yanna be a whole new person? Would she finally achieve the hot girl aesthetic without breaking a sweat?

People Actually Go to the Beach & Appreciate the Sunset (Because They Can See It)

For those who don’t know, I am a fiend for the ocean and sunsets. I love everything about them. As a kid, I would spend summers at the beach with my mom, mesmerized by the way her hair would turn shades lighter, her skin tan perfectly, and how the sun reflecting on the water would turn it into a liquid rainbow. And every time, I’d think, How does everyone not want to live by the water?!

Then I moved to NYC, and instead of water, I got… rooftop bars. Don’t get me wrong I love a good overpriced cocktail with a skyline view, but Miami had me in a trance again. I woke up early one morning to watch the sunrise, and for the first time in forever, I could hear my own thoughts without the constant background noise of honking taxis, sirens, and someone yelling “I got what you need!” from a suspiciously unmarked van. It was bliss.

That’s when it hit me when I joke about being too busy to think in New York, I’m not really joking. The second I wake up, I’m moving. My only real down time is when I physically leave the city. And that made me wonder… if I actually took time to slow down, sit with my thoughts, and process everything, would I be better for it? Or, knowing me, would I spiral into a dramatic existential crisis? Either way, the thought was intriguing.

The butterfly effect: How will it all play out in the end? Because technically, it was Miami over New York in 2022.

Flashback to 2021: I literally lost my mind (thanks, COVID brain fog). It was like having a concussion and a midlife crisis all at once. I knew I didn’t want to be in Michigan anymore, and my first thought was California. But after one visit, I realized that California feels like a giant simulation where nothing is real. (Knowing me, that’s a slippery slope to absolute chaos.) So then I thought… Florida.

My love affair with Florida actually started in 2013 when my family took a hellish trip to Orlando for my brother’s football tournament. I say hellish because we had to drive from Georgia to Florida with my dad, who has many talents, but patience is not one of them. After enduring that trauma, we finally arrived, and I fell in love. The air smelled different. The vibe was different. And my dad, who knows me, joked that of course I’d love Florida because I’ve always been batshit crazy and Florida is basically a state full of batshit crazy people who just happen to live near the ocean.

So when it came down to choosing between New York and Miami in 2022, I was this close to picking Miami. I had a job offer as a data analyst at a startup, and while the salary was cute, it wasn’t lollygag in Miami money. Meanwhile, in New York, I already knew the hustle. I could do a couple of campaigns, book a few gigs, and be set for months. Miami? That was unknown territory. So, for the first time in my life, I played it safe. And while I love New York, I can’t help but wonder… what if?

So, what’s the verdict?

As I stood in the absolute worst airport I’ve ever been to (MIA, congrats on dethroning CLT), I thought about my never ending to do list waiting for me back home. I just wanted to be back at the pool, making jokes with Kendra about how dating apps have basically turned into Uber Eats for… you know.

But then it hit me this is the life I chose. And the truth is, I love it. I love the fast pace, the buildings, the constant movement. I love that rent is due in a week, and my biggest concern isn’t some guy ghosting me it’s making sure I don’t end up on the street.

At the same time, I love that I have the freedom to switch it up whenever I want. I don’t have a kid tying me down. My career isn’t boxed into one location. And because I embrace change 8/10 times (the other 2 times, I cry about it first), I can be a snowbird if I want to.

So if you’re torn between where you live and where you think you want to be, just go. Try it out. Because as we grow, so do our wants and needs, and that’s okay. The beauty of life is that we get to evolve. And as someone who thrives on that, I highly recommend it. You never know where it’ll take you or who you’ll meet along the way.