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This Is Us
Stop Snubbing the Suburbs
Some see a cultureless wasteland, but to me, it’s home
The summer before my senior year of college, I worked as an assistant video editor for my college’s communications department. My supervisor was a man with thinning red hair and a thick, red mustache. Despite being a devout vegetarian, he always had a pungent, meaty smell to him — like old ham water. His native New York accent was thick enough I don’t believe I ever heard him pronounce the letter R.
Despite my debilitating social anxiety and self-doubt, back then I had convinced myself that I’d be moving to New York or L.A. after college to pursue a career in TV or film. I envisioned myself as a plucky production assistant taking on the city.
“You could never live in New York. You’re not made for the city,” my supervisor scoffed after hearing my plans.
“What, am I not cultured enough? Not assertive enough?”
“I just don’t think it’s for you.”
I grew up in a small city in Minnesota and attended college in a medium-sized city in Wisconsin. I have lived in Boston and Pittsburgh and have visited New York and L.A. Eventually, I realized what my supervisor said was true — I’m not made for big cities. At first, I love their buzz of energy and…
