I had always dreamt about what it would be like
pursue my dream career of becoming an art therapist and "making it" in the big city. As a young woman coming from the cornfields and soybeans to the concrete jungle, I have a lot to adjust to. The city of New York is fast paced, full of anxiety, and a place where there are so many people who are in need. I have found the noise, dirt, and pace of the city to be at times overwhelming, a complete change from my midwest town of 132,600. However, I have also discovered how much I love New York. Moving here has brought about exciting changes, especially as a curly girl.

One of the things I love about New York is that everything is happening here.

Whether it's the culture, fashion, food, art, or music, there is always something new to see or a new place to go. Being a curly girl in New York has been especially exciting for a number of reasons. First, all of my favorite brands such as Devacurl, Sheamoisture, Carol's Daughter, and Ouidad are all based here! Secondly, there are so many people here who have naturally curly hair and fully embrace it. It's so refreshing to go out and always see someone with curly hair. I feel that there is much more of a curly community here than my town back home.

Another thing that has been fun is that many of the curly women who I follow on social media live here as well.

There are events they host like curl brunches and other opportunities to get together and celebrate having unique hair textures. Another event I am excited about is CurlFest. Now that I live here, I can actually attend that festival. It has been so much fun to now have opportunities to go to these events and meet some really lovely people. That has probably been one of the most freeing and exciting things about moving here so far.

In regard to products, finding them has been about the same.

Since I do most of my product shopping online, finding products hasn't been that difficult for me. When I'm not online, finding them at the grocery store or pharmacy has not been an issue.
Another exciting feature of living in the big apple is that I now have access to professional hair salons who specialize in cutting curly hair, like the Devacurl Devachan salon. Unfortunately, most places who are professional curly stylists are a little out of my price range, but I would love to get a cut by a professional curly stylist someday. That is the one thing I do not like about living in New York. Everything is very expensive. I know those cuts would be worth every penny though. I am excited to see what all New York has to show me within the next few years!

What's it like being curly where you live?

Let us know what the curly community is like where you live.