TV Shows That Depict What NYC Life Is Really Like

In SATC, Carrie seemed to live the perfect NYC life. {credit}

We admit – not every New Yorker’s life is like Carrie Bradshaw’s (though, we wish it was). Even though a list of movies, songs, and television shows depict living in New York – not many accurately depict what NYC life is really like. Looking for a TV show to speak the truth about NYC living? Here’s what to watch.

Felicity
A modern classic, this show is about high school grad, Felicity Porter, as she follows her high school crush, Ben Covington, to New York City. Felicity not only accurately portrays the emotional roller coaster of higher education (in this case, the University of New York, based on NYU), but also what it’s like to be young and living in New York City, excluding the giant apartments, of course.  From family members trying to get her to leave New York to the friends she makes through work and mutual acquaintances, Felicity reminds us how quickly NYC can become home.  And also, what New York girl hasn’t gotten a dramatic haircut after moving to the Big Apple?

Master of None
This is the newest show on the list, but it’s still one of the best at painting an accurate picture of the diversity that defines New York.  Asiz Ansari’s Dev navigates life as a struggling actor, first-generation American, and confused thirty-something.  Even though there’s currently only one season streaming on Netflix, it’s the most down-to-earth New York-centric show we could think of. Even the shots of Dev walking through the city show a realistic portrayal of New York life.  We’re just as likely to find women doing tai chi as we are to use Yelp to find the city’s best tacos, and that’s what makes NYC so great.

Aziz Ansari’s Dev navigates life in New York, but with humor. {credit}

Louie
For comedians, New York City is one of the best places to start a career, and Louie shares the pitfalls of being both a rising star and trying to get by.  The FX comedy shows NYC life with unabashed honesty about various topics, including sex, family life, marriage, career, and how it’s all a balancing act. As a cool bonus, some of the locations on the show (like the Comedy Cellar) are go-to hang outs for New Yorkers. And even if we’re not famous, we’re bound to run into some celebrities like Louie does in his show.

The Comedy Cellar is featured regularly on Louie. {credit}

Broad City
Spoiler alert – life in NYC can be weird and really, really funny. No show is better at reminding you of that than Broad City and its two incredibly talented leads – Abbi and Ilana. Having studied at NYC comedy staple, the Upright Citizens Brigade, they have a hilarious take on pretty much anything – including struggling to earn money without doing work (Ilana) and struggling to reach your dream job (Abbi).  A must-watch NYC scene? Abbi and Ilana’s subway encounters.  I promise – there is nothing more New York than this experience.

Girls
A somewhat modern day equivalent to Sex and the City, Lena Dunham’s show about four Brooklyn twenty-somethings attracts a lot of fans specifically because the show accurately depicts their lives. One of the most New York things a New Yorker can do is struggle to find herself, whether it’s through the people she dates, the career paths she takes, or the parties (and raves) she attends. Every year, thousands of people move here to find themselves, and Girls shows us how (and how not) to do just that.

Want to know what living as a twenty-something in Brooklyn in like? Watch Girls. {credit}

Do you have a favorite TV show that depicts what life is really like in NYC?

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Posted on November 24, 2015

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