Growing Old in NYC: What to Know

New York is one of the biggest cities in the world. People from worldwide come to visit or live in the Big Apple every day. As an NYC resident, you may wonder about some of the challenges of growing old in such a big city. Read on for some insight that can help with such a transition.

Take Care of Your Health

One of the best ways to handle your aging health in NYC starts with what you put in your body. As a New York resident, you may be very familiar with the city's famous street food, which can be tasty but not healthy. If you indulge in the famous local hot dogs, do so sparingly or not at all, as processed food can negatively affect your health.

New York is a big city with plenty of food stores ranging from small neighborhood bodegas to large superstores like Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and other regular markets. You can also find farmers’ markets around the city, which are great places to buy fresh fruit and vegetables from Upstate farmers. Putting healthy foods in your body isn't only great for your physical health, but also helps the aging brain. According to the American Health Care Association, four in 10 residents living in assisted living facilities have Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. Reduce the risk of cognitive decline by consuming foods that are helpful for your body.

Understand Your Housing Options

While being a homeowner is great, most New York residents of all ages tend to rent. As you grow older, your income may reduce, especially if you're on a pension or Social Security. Luckily, New York City has special housing options set aside to ensure senior populations have affordable housing. Affordable senior housing is available to you regardless of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, thanks to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you develop dementia, other cognitive issues, or have physical ailments, the city has assisted living facilities, nursing homes, adult homes, and a home-sharing program to meet your needs.

Avoid Driving

The traffic in NYC is notorious and can lead to accidents. So, it's best to play it safe and avoid driving as you grow older in the city. If you become the victim of a vehicle-related accident, the statute of limitations is three years for personal injury cases in the state. You can safely get around by taking advantage of the city's walkability. The sidewalks are huge, and the city is planned on a grid, so it's impossible to get lost. NYC also encourages residents to use biking for their health and eco-friendly transport thanks to more bike paths and accessible bike rental programs.

Utilize the Parks

Central Park is one of the oldest parks in the country. If you look at a map of New York City, you'll notice how massively big the park is. So, it's easy to exercise, enjoy nature, and take in seasonal events like Shakespeare in the Park and outdoor movies. You can also hop on the train or bike to enjoy parks over in Brooklyn and other boroughs as well.

Living in New York City can be a thrilling experience at any age. If the Big Apple will be your home into your senior years, there are ways to utilize all the city has to offer to make the transition an easy one. Whether it's going for frequent walks, avoiding driving, accessing adequate housing, or taking advantage of the vast food markets, you can age with grace and be as healthy as possible for a long time.

How Home Improvements Can Help the Quality of Your Living Space

Whether you live under the bright lights of NYC or in the privacy of nature out west, everyone loves to feel safe and comfortable in their homes. But let's face it, over time, homes go through normal wear and tear that requires some fixing.

Some upgrades can be made purely for aesthetic purposes and make your home look nicer, but others are more practical and can really improve your quality of life. Here are a few simple upgrades you can make to really make a difference in your home:

Peripherals For Air Vents

To be clear, any upgrades or repairs you need to make to your home's HVAC system need to be done by a professional. But, you can use your air vents to control the flow of air in your home, whether you want warm or cool air. You can attach air deflectors to your vents and will prevent air from leaking or letting outside air in. Americans get around a billion colds a year, so a well-controlled HVAC system is important.

New Light Bulbs

If you're looking to make your NYC home more energy-efficient, you can't go wrong with installing LED light bulbs in your home. These last longer, use less energy, and will help cut down on your energy bills. As an added bonus, LEDs are relatively inexpensive, so you can outfit your entire home with them.

Check Your Plumbing

Believe it or not, there are some water storage tanks in use that are more than 100 years old. If you have one in your NYC home that's still running, you'll want to make sure everything is in good shape, especially with winter coming. While you're at it, check your home's plumbing system. Even a simple leak coming out of a toilet or a dripping sink can have a big impact on your home. It can cause water to pool up in places it shouldn't and it can drive up your utility bills.

Clean Up

One simple, but very effective way to improve your quality of life in your NYC home is to de-clutter it. Chances are good you've got a storage room just teeming with clutter or maybe a closet that's filled to the brim. By de-cluttering your home, it will obviously be cleaner, but you'll feel accomplished and you'll likely have cleaner air inside too, once you vacuum and remove dirt and dust.

Find Other Ways To Go Green

If you're truly committed to cutting down on your energy use, you should look for other ways to be more energy-efficient. That doesn't necessarily have to include something big like installing a solar panel -- though that certainly helps -- but you can instead install LED bulbs and install energy-efficient blinds and windows. If you truly are looking to go bigger -- like if you need a new roof -- you can have an energy-efficient one. It will block most UV rays from the sun, provide better insulation from the heat, and actually cool the entire house more than a traditional roof.

You'd be surprised at how little changes to your NYC home can drastically improve your quality of life. Something as simple as installing new light bulbs can give you more light inside while lowering your energy bills. Installing new blinds or curtains can protect your furniture, block more UV rays, and keep your house cooler. Cleaning on a regular basis can remove dust and dirt so you'll breathe cleaner air. So get to work on simple changes; you'll be surprised what a difference they make.

Nordstrom Celebrates Golden Goose's 20th Anniversary

Annabella Pardo

“NYC: Tolerant of your beliefs, judgemental of your shoes.” As Fashion Week is upon us, it is time to revamp our sneaker collection in preparation of the new and glorious Fall season.

Nordstrom is partnering with Golden Goose to celebrate its 20th Anniversary with an exclusive pop-up shop at its Nordstrom NYC Flagship as part of its revolving Center Stage platform.

Photo Credit: Jack Koto for Nordstrom

The pop-up, running from August 30 to September 19, invites customers to step into the Golden Goose universe and features the global preview of the brand’s newly launched Golden Collection of ready-to-wear and accessories for women and men and its Archive Collection consisting of four reissues of iconic sneaker styles. In addition to the NYC Flagship, the Golden Collection will also be available at Nordstrom.com and select stores.

Photo Credit: Jack Koto for Nordstrom

“The Golden collection is a timeless wardrobe, inspired from the past, lives in the present, and has eyes on the future. Garments that embody the values we praise and share: love, family, passion, authenticity, positivity and success” says Silvio Campara, CEO of Golden Goose. 

The collection epitomizes Golden Goose’s values and the deepest essence of its DNA: Timeless, Uniqueness, Craftsmanship, and Lived-In.

Photo Credit: Jack Koto for Nordstrom

Customers can make their Golden Goose purchases truly unique with exclusive treatments and details through the Sneakers Maker co-creation experience. Golden Goose artisans will be on hand in-store to help personalize their special items through a selection of charms, crystals, studs and handwritten messages. The Sneakers Maker shoe, bag and denim customization is $100 per item, and only a limited number of items can be personalized per day.

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What Can You do in NYC During Winter?

Winter is one of the best times of year to take a trip to New York City. View festive decorations, sparkling white lights, and towering Christmas trees, all blanketed in snow. Consider these tips for the best possible romp in the city.

Keep It Festive

'Tis the Season! Make the most of it. There are quite a few holiday-inspired events taking place in the city this time of year. Delight in the season with the holiday-themed event that most appeals to you. If you have a playful streak, you may want to read up on NYC's infamous SantaCon. The event encourages participants to dress up in Santa suits--full Santa suits--and meet up at the bar. Then another bar. Then another. You get the idea. Check online for the route and participating restaurants, and remember full Santa gear is compulsory! A Santa hat alone will not do. If you prefer a much quieter night and you happen to be in the city during SantaCon, don't worry. There are bars and restaurants that ban SantaCon participants to ensure a more relaxed evening.

Other holiday-themed events include the Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the world-famous Rockettes, and the lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. This year's tree is 77-feet tall, covered in five miles of twinkling Christmas lights, and lit from 5:30 to 11:30 p.m. until January 6, and one last night on January 7 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. The Rockettes offer shows after Christmas as well, with tickets on sale until January 5.

Cheers to Staying In, and Staying Warm!

Get out of the cold and taste the many flavors of New York City. There are several one-of-a-kind tasting experiences in the city, whether you prefer sampling food, tea, wine, or beer. Make it an experience with prohibition-themed beer and cocktail tastings, taking place inside the city's speakeasy-style bars. Indulge in your love for Asian cuisine with the Flushing Chinatown Food Tour. Taste Sichuan chicken, potstickers, tofu, lamb skewers, and more. Other tastings include sensory pairings bringing together taste, touch, and smell, mustard tastings, craft beer tastings, history-based cocktail-making lessons, and "temperance tastings," offering nonalcoholic options, like mocktails and fresh juice.

Go Ice Skating

New York City is in a great location for boating enthusiasts. Unfortunately for the 87 million U.S. men and women who take part in recreational boating every year, the winter is not the best time to do it. It is the perfect time for other outdoor pursuits, however--especially ice skating. The renowned Rink at Rockefeller Center is open to the public on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park also offers ice skating during winter months. Bryant Park is less crowded than Rockefeller Center and allows patrons to reserve a time to skate. The Rink at Bryant Park offers additional activities and events, including broomball, an ice skating-based exercise program called Exerskate, ice skating lessons, park tours, game nights, Tai Chi, and yoga.

Travel Upstate

If you have been spending a little too much time in the city, you are probably well-aware that concrete is the most used man-made material in the world. Break things up a little, and plan a trip upstate to see luscious green fields and or the towering, snow-capped Catskills and the Adirondack Mountains. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), being in nature helps ease symptoms of depression and overall cognition. Get the mental boost you need by taking a day trip to see mountains, waterfalls, or the forest.

A quick word of caution: make sure your car or vehicle is up for the trip. There may be snow and ice on the roads, especially in less populated areas closest to some of the state's most breath-taking views. There are four basic types of off-road tires, including snow or winter tires, sand tires, mud terrain tires, and all-terrain tires. Obviously, snow tires are best. All-terrain tires may do in a pinch, but make sure to stow an emergency kit in your car just in case. Emergency kits should include cat litter (for traction), jumper cables, an insulated blanket, a snow brush, a flashlight, and batteries. A tool kit, first aid kit, charging cables, drinking water, and non-perishable food items, like trail mix and nuts are good things to have, too.  If you’re adventurous and are heading out on snowmobiles remember to take snowmobile cleaning products with you to keep the equipment in tip-top condition.

Put Your New Year's Resolutions To The Test

New year, new you? The city has some pretty crazy ways to put your inspirational New Year's resolutions to the test! One of the most iconic races in the world takes place in New York City. According to the attraction's official website, "The Empire State Building Run-Up (ESBRU) challenges runners from around the globe to race up its famed 86 flights--1,576 stairs." If you think you can tackle the building's 1,576 stairs and one-fifth of a mile vertical distance, register for the event's lottery. Media, elite athletes, celebrities, the New York Police Department (NYPD), the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY), and participants chosen through the lottery participate in the event every year.

Another winter-themed event that may help you jump start your resolutions is the Coney Island Polar Bear Club's annual New Year's Day plunge. The event is free with an optional donation. Donations raised will go to causes supporting local youth and environmental preservation efforts. It will be cold! The event website recommends bringing warm clothes to change into, towels to dry off, and old boots or sneakers to keep your feet warm. The same organization hosts group swimming events in the Atlantic Ocean from November through April.

Winter is a great time to visit the city. Enjoy all that New York City has to offer and then some--with thrilling, winter-specific events. Choose from holiday-themed wonders, tastings to bring our your inner foodie, ice skating, and upstate day trips for the best possible wintertime experience in NYC. Work off some of the weight from your tastings with a chilling polar plunge or a daring race up the steps of the Empire State Building.