Yes, it’s official: I am moving to New York, New York! Wait, I have to type that again because it still doesn’t feel real. I am MOVING TO AMERICA! After being approached by a major talent agency in Los Angeles I hired an attorney to help me pull together the paperwork needed to apply for my visa. Earlier this week, I found out that the visa had been approved, which means I now have the right to live and work in America. Bonkers! My heartmate and I have already booked our tickets and the move is set for November. Read on after the jump for more snaps of beautiful NYC and to read about the move as I plan to take you all on the ride with me!
Gosh, where do I start? How about with a bunch of some of my favourite Instagrams I’ve taken in the city! My love for New York City probably started when I was a child and would see sweeping cinematic shots of Manhattan at the cinema, or decidedly less cinematic but equally as charming views of the city in shows like Will & Grace and Sex and The City. It was a place and indeed a city that felt so far from the life I knew from growing up in the rural English countryside. The energy. The pace. The grit and determination. I could feel it from home and I had such a strong sense that should I have ever had the chance to visit, I would love it.
It wasn’t until my third and final year at university when I visited New York City for the first time. I travelled with two of my friends from university and surprised my then boyfriend (and now husband!) with tickets to join us as a gift for his 21st birthday. We visited in March 2008 and from the moment I stepped off the train at Penn Station I was transfixed.
On that first trip I managed to tick off many of the tourist spots: a boat tour around Manhattan; a trip to the top of the Empire State Building; rowing in Central Park and so on. After that typical First Time In NYC trip, I have been fortunate enough to return many times. For several years after graduating we would both save furiously to try and build up enough in savings to afford a trip to the city once every year or two.
It wasn’t until Bright.Bazaar started to really grow, gaining substantial readership in America that I even considered working – let alone living! – in New York City. I remember that we made the split decision a mere five days or so before the launch of Rue magazine to go and attend their launch party in Manhattan. We stayed at the grottiest hotel in the Lower East Side and did everything on a tiny budget, but loved every second. I think it was then that we both properly felt a connection to the city.
A number of years later, I had signed my first Bright.Bazaar book deal and found myself with an American publisher (St. Martin’s Press/Macmillan). I will never forget my excitement upon discovering that they were based in the Flatiron building in Midtown – it’s one of my favourite buildings in the city! Sitting in meetings around a huge boardroom table on the tenth floor right at the front of the building were huge ‘pinch me’ moments.
And now we find ourselves moving to the city that we’ve come to love over our nine and a half years together. We’re both beyond excited but also nervous at starting from scratch, and we’re going to miss our friends and family dearly. Luckily we already have a lovely bunch of friends in the city, but we still need to learn the ropes when it comes to Manhattan real estate (yikes!), healthcare and so on. Of course, living in any major city has it’s challenges, too. I know from our pals that NYC is not always an easy place to live, but having lived in London I’m hopeful that we will be in someway prepared. Either way, I’m excited to have such an incredible opportunity to live and work in a city and country that have played such a huge role in my career and life since I graduated.
I can’t wait to take you all along on the journey with me, from apartment hunting (and decorating!) to all of the #MakeYouSmileStyle adventures from the World’s Greatest City! Have you ever been to, or lived in New York City? Or perhaps you moved to NYC yourself? I’d love to hear of any tips you have!
// Photography by Will Taylor
96 Comments
Ack!!! HOW FREAKING EXCITING!! I can’t say I’m in the least bit surprised to be honest as I know how much time you’ve spent in the US and thought there might be a point you wouldn’t be able to say no to an opportunity to live there! 🙂 I’m so pleased for you both and wish you every success in this new venture! I have lots of family in NYC so spent a lot of time there when I was a kid but haven’t been back in YEARS now. Go eat some good Puerto Rican food for me and ENJOY!! xxx
@Kimberly – Thank you so much! It still feels like a complete dream and something I never thought we’d have the opportunity to do, so it’s just amazing! Can’t wait! Consider that Puerto Rican food noted. YUM! 😉 xx
Amazing news Will, congratulations!! I can’t wait to follow your journey to NYC (and new accommodations)…maybe we can finally make a coffee/lunch/dinner date happen. 😉
@Susan – You bet! I would love that. Thanks for the kind congrats!
That’s excellent news, Will. Well done matey!
Buckets & Spades
@Mat – Thanks, pal! 🙂
I’m so happy for you! I interned there for six months ages ago and haven’t been back since, so I’m a little rusty on everything. I definitely want to try and visit again in 2016, there’s such an amazing energy and you feel like you can do anything or go anywhere. Can’t wait to see more NYC posts! x
@KB – That sounds like such an adventure! Let me know if you come back next year as I would love to get drinks together. You are so right about how the city makes you feel; it’s one of the things I love about it. Thanks for the kind congrats! 🙂 x
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Can we hang out 🙂 xo
@Carly – Thank you. And you bet! Can’t wait! 🙂 xo
How exciting! 🙂 Congratulations! I wish you both happiness, success and health in your new home!!! And of course, we can’t wait to discover the city with you throw you fotos and publications! 😉 Best wishes!
@Daniel – Thanks so much! I am excited to share our adventures here on the blog! 🙂
Congratulations! That’s so exciting. I can’t wait to see what you get up to in NYC.
@Grant – Cheers! I can’t wait to share it with you right here!
What an incredible opportunity, congratulations! A friend is just in the process of moving there to take up a job as a restaurant designer and I’ve been hearing all about the visa process so well done for getting it approved, no mean feat. Good luck!
@Emma – Thank you very much! I hope it works out for your friend, too. 🙂
Hey Will,
Congrats on your immanent move to NYC!
New York is the greatest city in the world and i’m sure you will immensely enjoy it, but it is a harsh landing for most especially when it comes to housing.
If you need some help finding housing / roommates, our app Diggz will help you find quality people that fit your lifestyle and requirements.
Regards and good luck!
Rany
@Rany – Thanks! I will check it out!
That’s fantastic news, Will. Congrats! It will be much easier to see you now. 🙂
@Nicholas – Thank you! Hope to meet soon!
How incredibly exciting! I just visited NYC on a college visit this past weekend – it was my first time visiting and I fell in love! The energy of the city is like no other place. Hope your move goes smoothly!!
@Kevin – How fun! Glad you loved it as much as I do!
Welcome to America! You guys will do fine but be prepared for the incredibly high cost of living for housing, food, transporation etc. And, yes, medical care costs over here so check that out carefully. This southern California girl is looking forward to going along for the ride with you.
@Diane – Thank you! Yes, it’s on a par with London so I think we are going from one expensive city to another…! Yikes! Cheers to lovely SoCal!
Congrats! So exciting, wish you both all the luck on your New York Adventure! Xx
@Ingrid – Thank you so much! Do let me know if you come and visit! x
So proud of you, sir Will! Can’t wait to see where this journey leads you and Tobes.
@Lindsey – Thank you, Linds! Can’t wait to hang with you when you come back home to Philly!
Wowzers! Congrats, amazing opportunity. Bit green with envy but will enjoy seeing and reading all about the move and your new home on the blog. Have fun.
@Nadia – Thank you so much. I can’t wait to share it all right here!
So happy and excited for you and Toby! What an adventure you are about to have. I LOVE that city and can’t wait to go back again soon. Taking my little girl there on my book tour earlier this year was a dream come true. To share a city you love with someone you love is the best thing ever. And you two lovely people get to take that to a whole new level! Can’t wait to follow your adventures. xxx
@Emily – Isn’t it just wonderful? I love the energy there. It’s so cliched to say but it really does feel like a dream come true. Thank you for sharing your lovely words! xx
That sounds amazing, Will and so well deserved! xx
@Hege – Thank you very much! x
congrats on your good news, welcome to the big apple! I lived in the city for 14 years (btw, that’s what you call it ,THE city, because there is no other city). I live close by on Long Island now, what alot of people do when there realize the price of living in the city with kids and that they need grass and a yard. can’t wait to follow all your adventures as a newbie! let me know if you need anything! cheers!
@Christine – Thank you for the congrats and kind offer of help. I am excited to live in, as you say, THE city! 😉
Wow, Will, I am so excited for you! I hope you and your husband only have the best and most exciting experiences in New York! <3
@Alexandra – Thank you! We are both very excited!
Hi Will,
Just read you are moving to New York City. Yes it really is a great city
which never sleeps have visited it several times on business in the past myself. Julia and I wish you all the best for your American venture and sure you will make every success of it, in such a great place.
Keep safe, and in touch.
@Ian – Thank you very much – I’m really excited. Great to hear that you enjoyed your visits there, too. All the best to you and Julia!
YAY! Your excitement reminds me of my personal adventure when I moved from Paris to the US. Granted it wasn’t NYC, but still. I remember the feeling, the doubts, the questions but also the joy and thrills.
We’ll have to grab Susan and Lindsey on the way to meet for food and drinks.
@David – You describe the emotions perfectly. It’s already been quite the ride! Yes, I would love to meet for drinks and dinner. Thanks for all your support!
First of all I adore that photo of you with the USA flag, you’re so cute! And I’m excited you are moving closer to us, which means I hope you’ll be here in Chicago soon when you hit the book tour. My nephew Malcolm Winter just moved from Manhattan to Brooklyn. He just came back from Sweden after winning the water polo bronze in the IGLA. I’m sure you know a lot of people in New York already but he’s such a hoot and has great fashion sense like you, I’ll tell him to look out for you on the streets of NY. Can’t wait to follow your new journey in such a colourful city, Will – All the Best 🙂
@Mary Beth – I am so happy that I will be closer to Chicago, too. I hope we will be able to meet in 2016. Your nephew sounds very accomplished; what an achievement! 🙂
Congratulations! NYC really is a magical place, isn’t it? You’re going to have a blast! My aunt is a realtor there and the tip that she’s given me over the past few years is act fast. The apartments can be picked up in less than a day when on the market, so when you find one you love – just dive right in!
g.
@Gabriella – That is sounds advice, thank you!
OHH how utterly fabulous Will, congrats to you, I look forward to seeing much more NYC cool stuff.
Best of luck, you guys are gonna love it :))
Anya
x
@Anya – Thank you! So excited to share all my make-you-smile finds from the city! 🙂 x
Great news! I am happy for you. I hope everything would be fine. 🙂
Ersin
@Erson – I appreciate that, thank you!
What a thrilling new adventure for the both of you! Be kind and patient with each other because there will be stress with a capital S. Love and laughter can get you through anything.
As I’m sure you already know, just walking the streets of the various neighborhoods is about the most fun thing in the world. It never gets old! And there are so many great neighborhoods that learning them all can be a life’s work … kind of like London.
Can’t wait for your reports on the Great Move! So happy for your great opportunity.
@Libbynan – I love just walking the neighbourhoods too! Thanks for the kind well wishes.
That is so super duper exciting! Congratulations, Will, I’m so pleased that you’re really living your dreams and creating the life that you want. Have a wonderful, wonderful time in NYC. xx
@Gabrielle – Thanks for the warm congratulations! We are both thrilled! x
Yay!! I’m so happy for you both!! 🙂
@Matthew – Yay! Thanks so much! 🙂
Congratulations, Will! Very excited for you. I know exactly how it feels, as I realized my dream of living in the U.S. about twelve years ago when I moved to Hawai’i (it was not as simple as that, but it finally came together). Now I’m in S.F and travel around quite a bit, so if you are ever on this coast, let me know, and I will show you all the pretty places and good eats.
@Monica – I would love that, thank you. I visited SF for the first time in February and loved it but only had a couple of days. From what I tasted the food scene there is incredible!
That is so exciting, congratulations!!! Looking forward to reading all your adventures and dreamy pics (slightly jealous) 😉
Visiting NYC is still on top of my To Do list.
Lots of luck and fun with all the preparations!!!
@Maris – Thank you! I hope you get to visit one day as it’s a magical city! 🙂
Will, what a fabulous blog post. My friend, Monica, who posted above, wrote to tell me about you. She said “he thinks beige is boring just like you do….you HAVE to check him out.” So here I am and find myself very happy to see your dreams coming true. I wish I had known of you before Monica and I and 24 other professionals published our book on color (my third), Simply Color for Everyday Living. Your inclusion would have made it even more wonderful than it is! Good luck in NYC, one of the greatest cities in the world.
Diantha@Simply Color
@Diantha – Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by the blog! I am excited to check out your book on colour, too. Thanks for the kind well wishes!
Hey will I’m thrilled for you both…I already mentioned that I lived there for 7 years and had the best time ever!! It’s a fantastic city with so much to see and do. It has a special place for caroline and I as we met there while working for various design studios!! Looking forward to reading more!!
@Davinder – Thank you so much. Great to hear that you had such great time when you lived there with Caroline! Thanks for following along. 🙂
Whoops it’s Davinder not Davibder
OMGEEE!! I am SO excited for you both!! What huge excitement and adventure! I can’t wait to see what posts lie ahead and where this journey will take you. <3
@Gabby – Thank you so much – I am thrilled! I can’t wait to share all of the adventures with you right here on the blog!
Congrats! I’ve lived here in NYC for 6 years and have loved (almost) every minute! You’re going to have a blast 😉
@Julianne – Thanks! Glad you are enjoying your time in the city! 🙂
Wohhooo!!! What an awesome news!!! I am sure you are going to love NYC. Cant wait to read all about your fun adventures. Hopefully, we’ll see you in the west coast more too :).
Happy moving 🙂
@Kunjan – Thanks so much! Yes, i hope to be out on the West Coast much more regularly now! 🙂
How fantastic Will. Congratulations! This must be so exciting for you. Safe travels and welcome to living in the US:)
@Shavonda – Thank you! 🙂
What amazing news, Will. I was there once, also on a very low budget and I instantly fell in love with this city. It has got so many facades and I’m already excited to read about NYC through your eyes.
Wishing the two of you all the best and lots of new horizons to explore.
xx, Stephanie
@Stephanie – Thank you for the kind well wishes! x
Spectacular news Will and congratulations to you! My textile design office is a couple of blocks from the flatiron building so I’ll look for you around Madison Square Park. Eataly and Shake Shack are waiting for you ; )
Tracy
@Tracy – Thank you! How fun, do say ‘hi’ if you spot me! 🙂
So excited for you!! Feel free to email me with any questions. I moved to NYC about 10 years ago and have lived in Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn.
@Jodi – So kind of you to offer, thank you!
OMG Will that’s fantastic! You will love it if course. NYC is my fave city having been there many times … It’s a place where hard graft and a bit of luck will take you a long way. Good luck!
@Yasmin – Thank you, I am very excited!
Good luck and have fun! looking forward to some new NYC posts!
James | http://www.getyourbronon.com
@James – Cheers! Can’t wait!
Wow that is a big surprise x I’m really pleased for you both but sad for the UKs loss, I love all ur London and countryside posts but now I’ll have to get used to the Big Apple posts instead x I’m sure you’ll have an amazing adventure or three and it’ll be exciting to follow ur styling adventures for the new pad x you’ll need ur thermals though the one and time I went to NYC it was freezing lol x I loved the parks and the water ferry there is so much to see and do xx Jo xxx
@Jo – Thank you! Yes, it gets soooooo cold there!
Hey Will, terrific news, congrats!
Can’t wait to get the inside of your settlement there!
I have a question, what’s the brand of your coat on the first pic?
It looks really nice and I’d like to check it out 🙂
Anyway, many thanks for the great work, pics and articles, keep on amazing us and best wishes for the big move!
@Colin – Thanks so much! It’s from Zara!
Congratulations Will! What an amazing opportunity, and such a well-deserved next step. It is so lovely to hear of the hard graft that goes into opening these next chapters, it’s so inspiring! Really happy for you, best of luck with the apartment hunting!
Monica x
@Monica – Thank you very much! 🙂
Will, this is just too fun! So excited that you are making the move and excited to follow along on your journey!
I have been so out of the loop but so excited for you and Toby and your happy news. I wish you all the best!!! NYC is very special to me as Bo and I got married there 18 years ago. I lived in Boston in the early nineties for a year and travelled up and down to NYC. I said to my room mate back then; “if I ever get married, it must happen in NYC” and I did! Yay!!
@Yvonne – Thank you so much! I loved reading of your adventures in the US – I bet getting married in NYC was truly magical! x
Hej Will, what exciting news! I’ve alot to catch up with here on your blog but just wanted to say good luck with it all. I know you will make a success of it, as you always do. 🙂 Most of all, have fun doing it!
@Rochelle – Thank you so much!
So glad I found your site on pinterest! Got here due to your love of intense color..ME TOO! Moving to the south and totally changing my color pallet Go behind the scene in Soho and find eu-design, my daughter is supplying all your favorite stores with their buttons and trims. Jcrew, clubmonaco, etc…. Maybe a collaboration for some bright new creations!
@Carolyn – Welcome! I’m so pleased you came over from Pinterest, I’m grateful to have you reading. Thanks for the heads up about the BTS of the clothes at my fav stores, too! 🙂