"Could Intellectual Liberation Really Be This Easy?"

That's what my friend Jesse wants to know. The question came to him after reading the following column:

New York Artists Escape to Germany

Please read it, too.

Then give me three very good reasons why I should NOT stay.

Because, YES, Jesse. The answer is YES.

Comments

[Jesse]

Love that Spiegel section title "Berlin, Poor but Sexy." Use the words "poor" and "sexy" together in a sentence on the streets of New York, and the police might issue you a quality-of-life offense.

[Lilan]

Are you even allowed to use the word "poor" in New York? I thought that was outlawed under Giuliani...

[Jesse]

No shit: I passed a restaurant today by the new office. Judging by the prices, I would need a guarantor just to book a reservation there.

[Julie]

uh oh... you're never coming back.

[michelle]

but. new yorkers are coming to berlin and driving up the cost of rent. €500 in friedrichschain? i pay €50 more and my rent includes all utilities. and i live in mitte. sounds like a deal when compared to €2000/rent for the lower eastside of new york. if you can't speak german, landlords will quote you higher prices.

[Lilan]

Hmm. I take your point. But can we just blame New Yorkers? Seems like Friedrichshain is overrun with students from all over Europe, all paying high rents. Me included.

[jess]

wow, you are part of a whole wave! crazy how specific that article is to your move- city for city. i am so excited for you! even before i read the article, i couldn't think of 3 reasons for you not to stay. except that you are now twice as far from us!