The Days of Our (Young) Lives

May 28, 2008 - 16:44 PM PST

Originally posted on www.boumanblog.com May 25, 2008

The New York Times ran a fascinating article (like usual) about twentysomethings that are scraping by in Manhattan. It illustrated a lifestyle that is all too familiar with me, chronicling the meager paychecks, high rents, and superficial sacrifices that those of us make in our twenties as we pursue our dreams. Despite the geographical difference, I could relate very well to their plights. Moving to a metropolitan area with not much more than a few quarters in your pocket is not an easy task. Despite being a missed paycheck away from poverty (real government acknowledged poverty) I never regret my decision to move to Los Angeles. In fact, I relish the fact that I had (and still have) the courage to make the move across country with no job or contacts and succeed.

My affinity towards this article may stem from the strong emotional attachment I have to the subjects. I can relate to making a decision like, “Do I go to this movie? Or do I eat tomorrow?” Yes, this is an entirely true remark. Like Laura Werkheiser, if I want a new wardrobe, I don’t go shopping. I call up the warehouse, i.e. my parents home, and kindly ask/beg/persuade/bribe them for a shipment of clothing I’ve left behind. I thought I was poor in college and when I graduated things would be better. I had no idea I was living an “affluent” lifestyle back in college. How the times have changed.

I am fortunate enough to live with my cousin and her husband, who allow me to eat some of their groceries. Otherwise I’m sure I’d be eating a lot more $.99 Clif Bars than I do (I already eat them for lunch, and that’s it). If I want to be social and eat/drink with some friends and co-workers, I order the soup or the salad. That’s OR, not soup AND salad. Oh no, that would be a privileged life of the bourgeoisie to afford both soup and salad. In a month’s time, when I move out to my own place, I can only imagine what I’ll start to live off of. Actually I know it will be Ramen Noodles. Maybe if I get tired of Ramen (which I will) I’ll eat the $.69 Cuban black beans from Trader Joes for dinner. The things I get to look forward to.

Finding my own apartment was a journey in itself. I primarily used Craigslist (a lot of whackos on there) to find a cheap apartment. My only criterion was that it be dirt cheap. So, I have agreed to move in with three complete strange men. Will it be a Chandler and Joey experience (that’s a reference from the TV show Friends)? Probably not, but hopefully it won’t be a debacle that ends in my death.

One thing that New Yawkers don’t have to worry about that Los Angeleans do is a car. We have them, they don’t. It’s an added expense and looming burden. Yes, paying for gas is a great strain. I often times have to choose fuel for the car or fuel for myself. However, it’s the fear of my car breaking/dying during my commute that paralyzes me. Busted Johnson rod that will cost me $400? Do I have any choice but to Visa it up? Nope, otherwise I can’t get to work. I’m not a religious man, but every time I get in my car and drive to work I say a little prayer.

Why do we do it? Why do we put ourselves through this sufferage? Not every twentysomething goes through this (many will argue they do, but not being able to afford the new iPhone is not the same). Why do we leave our homes, our families and friends, our comfort zone for this life? It’s simple, the dream. The dream of a prosperous life, not just the comfortable life. The dream of attaining your most far fetched goals. It’s what drives us twentysomethings, to endure this life of destitution. It’s what pushes us harder, allows us to tolerate our wages and living conditions. The idea that one day, our hard work will pay off, and we will have accomplished everything we dreamed of.

Cara Buckley sums everything up quite nicely at the end of her story:

Many young people wonder just how long they will be willing or able to pay their dues to stay in New York until that new job, that big break or that coveted raise comes along. Mr. [Noah] Driscoll tries to constantly remind himself that he “won’t be eating scraps” forever.

Mr. [Peter] Naddeo, who has his own band, Archipelago, and plays in several others, said, “The whole plan is that something good will come along eventually, like something will just come my way.” One of the bands recently earned $180 at a gig — not a bad haul, except that 13 musicians were playing.

“I mean, New York’s just the place for that type of thing to happen. And I’m hoping it will soon,” Mr. Naddeo said. “I’ll be rich and famous and this is going to be hilarious.”

I agree, I hope one day I will be able to look back at my life and chuckle. To reminisce about this period of transition and growth, knowing it all paid off. But today’s reality is I’m not eating breakfast or lunch because I went to a movie the other day.