I’m that New Yorker that when people ask where I’m from, I say Brooklyn with my chest. Growing up there, life was fun, hustle, & paying that rent—even when it feels like your landlord is charging you for breathing. But that’s New York: it’s expensive, it’s flashy but still so amazing & magnetic.

Luxury in NYC is different from anywhere else. It’s not always about material things, it’s about the experience. Paying $3,000 for a one-bedroom might sound crazy to anyone else, but in Brooklyn there’s no surprise. Because that rent is buying you more than square footage—it buys you access. To the late-night corner store runs for the best bacon, egg & cheese.

Access to the L train that gets you anywhere, anytime. Visit the most authentic food spots across Brooklyn through Williamsburg. Enjoying what the active streets of Manhattan has to offer, all from one train ride. You have access to vibes on a random Tuesday night that feel like a movie. You can get around for only $3, or have a good time just hanging outside on your block with friends. Luxury in New York is not just the finer things, it’s about proximity. You’re in the center of it all, even when your apartment is barely enough to stretch out.

But that’s the flip side: you can’t be outside everyday, and when your at home you don’t really get to breathe. Bills are due, and the city doesn’t pause for your bad days. The energy is intoxicating, & it never shuts off. You feel guilty for resting, like if you sit still too long, opportunity will pass you by. You’re always planning the next vacation because you can’t find the room to enjoy your space…

Fast forward to Georgia.

Atlanta showed me that leisure can exist everyday. Sunday brunch doesn’t come with the same rush. People actually sit, talk, and enjoy each other’s company. There’s space to park your car without circling the block ten times. There’s nature close by—real trees, lakes, and parks where you can disappear for a minute. But please don’t forget the nightlife! Luxury rooftop lounges in Buckhead, the pregame vibes before & after a game Downtown or 20 minutes to Truist Park. Amd lets not forget the best part, the Black excellence everywhere you look.

Living in both places taught me balance. I love the luxury of New York—the rush, the ambition, the fact that you’re always part of something bigger. But I wanted the leisure of Atlanta—the room to breathe, to create, to build.

I learned: It’s important for my home be a place of more than just sleep, eating, hygiene, the basic necessities. I want actual comfort and peace, and I definitely deserve it. I want the kitchen space to store my glassware collection, and to fit all of my appliances. I want my son to have his own room that could fit a whole jungle gym if that keeps him active and learning. And don’t get me started on the work-from-home computer setup in the at-home workshop. I strive to enjoy my home just as much as I enjoy a night out.

New York luxury is the art of surviving and shining while the city tests you every day. Atlanta leisure is the gift of slowing down while still living well. Neither one is better—it just depends on what season of life you’re in. For me? I’m blessed to have experienced both. And honestly, I’ll always carry Brooklyn in my heart;

Because at the end of the day, I’m still that Brooklyn girl.

But Atlanta taught me how to finally exhale.

Luxury vs. Leisure: A Brooklyn and Atlanta Story

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