Which City is Right for Me?

Written By : Jacqueline Rappa

There are three cities I hold closest to my heart: London, Rome, and my home, New York City. Lately, I’ve been caught between them, trying to figure out where I ultimately want to be. New York is the easiest choice. I grew up here, I know it inside and out, and I’ve built a life across multiple boroughs. But Rome and London both whisper something different to me. They’d require a full leap into a new country and lifestyle, starting over completely. While that can feel daunting, it also excites me.

So the question isn’t just logistics anymore. It’s deeper: where does my heart really want to be?

Rome

I’m fully Italian, raised in an Italian household, and I’ve visited Rome twice along with other parts of the country. From my very first trip, I fell in love—the culture, the rhythm of life, the beauty around every corner. Even though I don’t speak the language fluently, I understand bits and pieces and believe I could adapt. What draws me most is the way of living: mornings with a strong espresso, evenings with long walks after dinner, days surrounded by history, art, and food that feels like a warm embrace. Rome makes me feel alive in a way that’s hard to put into words.

London

London feels familiar. There’s comfort in the lack of a language barrier, and in some ways it reminds me of New York but with a distinctly European charm. I love the fashion, the endless list of things to do, and the variety of neighborhoods that each have their own character. I won’t deny that movies like Notting Hill and Bridget Jones’s Diary planted the seed, but my visits proved it’s every bit as magnetic as I imagined. Maybe I romanticize it, but coming from New York, I also know I can handle the realities of big city life, which makes London feel like a natural fit.

New York City

Then there’s New York, my forever home base. Nothing compares to it. I grew up in Queens, studied and lived in Manhattan during college, and now I’m based on Long Island. Here I enjoy the balance: a quiet escape with the city still within reach. When I’m away from Manhattan, I miss the little things—the local cafés, afternoons spent reading in the park, the simple joy of people-watching. At the same time, I wonder if I’ve done my time here or if there’s still more for me to uncover in the city that made me who I am.

The Ongoing Question

For now, I don’t feel pressure to decide. Maybe the answer is all of these places in different seasons of life, or maybe it’s somewhere I haven’t even imagined yet. What matters most isn’t the location itself but how grounded and present I feel in it.

Because at the end of the day, wherever I land, I want to live a life that feels rich, intentional, and full of moments that remind me I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.