Great article Susanna! Glad you made a trip back to Brooklyn and saw old friends and hopefully your girls.
I haven't seen the movie yet but it's one of a few I want to see. Love Dylan and it brings back memories of our younger years. Springsteen did a great job with "This Land is Our Land." More memories from our youth.
America is not the same and it's scary, sad, troubling and very disheartening. It's terrifying to think where our county is headed and what the future holds for our children and grandchildren. I'm trying my best not to worry but the likelihood of where we are currently headed leaves my heart filled with a hollow, empty void. Has America not learned or have we just forgotten our past?
Simply beautiful. And to my surprise you put into words a feeling I've had difficulty expressing sometimes about leaving New York behind and living in a small town in a beautiful corner of Pennsylvania. Keep writing. And loving every day.
This is a poignant piece. This is a uniquely sad time. Even during the Civil War, a truly horrible period, the President supported democratic principles. True, the country has never lived up to its stated principles. But there was at least support for those principles. With the election of Trump the country has formally decided those Democratic principles are no longer of value. But it is also true that half the country does still support those founding principles. The movement Trump and Musk are leading cannot be stopped. It may not occur in my remaining years, but those favoring democracy must eventually see the Trump/Musk regime as reality and begin the work needed to split the country. It is inevitable, so the sooner planning begins the more smoothly will it proceed.
Definitely cheaper than New York like by a lot. I don’t know about Alabama. However, I can say that rents are cheaper. Food is definitely cheaper. Restaurant eating is cheaper. Unfortunately alcohol is cheaper. Medical expenses much cheaper. Things that are more expensive are clothes and furniture.
I am glad you are there. And this was so beautifully written. I hope you are collecting it for a book. Right now our country is under seige and it is beyond horrifying…just beyond words. I do find a resistance forming. But it is such a complex time because he won the election. I think it is truly an outgrowth of our technological revolution….it is hard to know where we will be. Enjoy Paris. Truly.
Glad to see and read this new essay from you, Susanna. Yes, it's all very sad, the direction that this slightly more than 50% of the people who voted have taken us in. You certainly anticipated events (though I know that was not your main reason for leaving), leaving the country when you did. A good telling of how things felt for you. Looking forward to more of your writings!
Such an apt and relatable piece. As someone who spent a majority of my life in London, and been living in New York for the last couple of years, I feel the sense of longing and connection for home (London), something I don’t ever think I’ll cultivate for New York
Very poignant and moving. It will help me get my mind around my own international relocation. BTW, though, "Somebody that I Used to Know" is not a country song. At least not the biggest hit with those lyrics.
So well done, Susanna! So interesting and also deeply touching to learn how you felt about your trip back to Brooklyn and your "Crazy Ex-Country"! Currently, there is certainly a great, great deal to worry about. I have real trouble watching the news. However, despite the U.S being so "hobbled by its inequities", I keep hoping that its positive aspects will ultimately prevail. So many thanks for the thoughtful article.
I loved reading this nostalgic/realistic/ heartbroken/encouraging piece which popped up yesterday just as I was thinking about moving to Paris; but I wonder how you got over the 3-month restriction on staying there permanently?
Great article Susanna! Glad you made a trip back to Brooklyn and saw old friends and hopefully your girls.
I haven't seen the movie yet but it's one of a few I want to see. Love Dylan and it brings back memories of our younger years. Springsteen did a great job with "This Land is Our Land." More memories from our youth.
America is not the same and it's scary, sad, troubling and very disheartening. It's terrifying to think where our county is headed and what the future holds for our children and grandchildren. I'm trying my best not to worry but the likelihood of where we are currently headed leaves my heart filled with a hollow, empty void. Has America not learned or have we just forgotten our past?
Both maybe. Thanks so much for reading and for your note.
I wish this sad, poignant, heartbreaking piece was not precisely correct. Thank you for writing it. I want to read it again and again.
Thank you. so much for reading and for the kind words.
Simply beautiful. And to my surprise you put into words a feeling I've had difficulty expressing sometimes about leaving New York behind and living in a small town in a beautiful corner of Pennsylvania. Keep writing. And loving every day.
Thanks so much Janice. xx
I Felt the same way about NY and about the ex. Love how she describes both🥰🥰
This is a poignant piece. This is a uniquely sad time. Even during the Civil War, a truly horrible period, the President supported democratic principles. True, the country has never lived up to its stated principles. But there was at least support for those principles. With the election of Trump the country has formally decided those Democratic principles are no longer of value. But it is also true that half the country does still support those founding principles. The movement Trump and Musk are leading cannot be stopped. It may not occur in my remaining years, but those favoring democracy must eventually see the Trump/Musk regime as reality and begin the work needed to split the country. It is inevitable, so the sooner planning begins the more smoothly will it proceed.
Imagine, we're having conversations like this. Who would have believed it?
Your comment makes me sad, but I have the horrible feeling that you are right. I don't know how we bridge the gap.
We miss you Susanna - but very glad you found your way to higher ground! As for us Brooklynites, never have we looked so longingly at Canada.
Kathy! come visit. And I miss you too.
What's the cost of living over there? Is it closer to N.Y. or California or Mississippi or Alabama? Q'est qe c'est?
Definitely cheaper than New York like by a lot. I don’t know about Alabama. However, I can say that rents are cheaper. Food is definitely cheaper. Restaurant eating is cheaper. Unfortunately alcohol is cheaper. Medical expenses much cheaper. Things that are more expensive are clothes and furniture.
I am glad you are there. And this was so beautifully written. I hope you are collecting it for a book. Right now our country is under seige and it is beyond horrifying…just beyond words. I do find a resistance forming. But it is such a complex time because he won the election. I think it is truly an outgrowth of our technological revolution….it is hard to know where we will be. Enjoy Paris. Truly.
Hi Wendy, thanks so much for writing and the kind words. I hope there is resistance. And I hope you come over here someday soon. xx
I echo the other comments about your beautifully written piece. Thank you.
Love the poignancy in your words, Susanna. Thank you for sharing how much you care. You'll always have my support.
Thanks so much for the support Dennis.
Glad to see and read this new essay from you, Susanna. Yes, it's all very sad, the direction that this slightly more than 50% of the people who voted have taken us in. You certainly anticipated events (though I know that was not your main reason for leaving), leaving the country when you did. A good telling of how things felt for you. Looking forward to more of your writings!
Brutal. And thanks for reading, Pete.
Such an apt and relatable piece. As someone who spent a majority of my life in London, and been living in New York for the last couple of years, I feel the sense of longing and connection for home (London), something I don’t ever think I’ll cultivate for New York
Yeah, some places just click into our souls...
terrific ...
Beautiful, rich, true, troubling. Thank you. And yes, what a movie!
Thanks for the kind words Chritiana
Very poignant and moving. It will help me get my mind around my own international relocation. BTW, though, "Somebody that I Used to Know" is not a country song. At least not the biggest hit with those lyrics.
Ah, I knew it as such, will check that out.
So well done, Susanna! So interesting and also deeply touching to learn how you felt about your trip back to Brooklyn and your "Crazy Ex-Country"! Currently, there is certainly a great, great deal to worry about. I have real trouble watching the news. However, despite the U.S being so "hobbled by its inequities", I keep hoping that its positive aspects will ultimately prevail. So many thanks for the thoughtful article.
Thank you so much, Wissie
I loved reading this nostalgic/realistic/ heartbroken/encouraging piece which popped up yesterday just as I was thinking about moving to Paris; but I wonder how you got over the 3-month restriction on staying there permanently?
You can apply for one year visa as a visitor
Thanks! I didn't know that.
Who do you apply to? If you don't mind another question!
Just go online to the website of the French Embassy in the US and look under visas and there’s a whole thing there about how to apply