In the 60 years I’ve spent in New York City, the first 20 were lived in Manhattan. It was the end-all and be-all of nirvanas, and I was in a state of bliss. It was the center of the theater, dance, publishing, a mecca for diners, a center where writers could meet and discuss with one another. How could anyone live anywhere else? But, underlying all this, there was coldness, anonymity. Something was lacking. There was no soul.
I got married and after a few years, a child was born. We needed more room and because we couldn’t afford a large place in Manhattan, we moved to Brooklyn. My feelings have changed. Having now lived here for 40 years, or half of my life, I cannot imagine living anywhere else. It has fulfilled every need and expectation.
Brooklyn has humanity and a soul.
