I lived in Harlem all my life, and could not wait to move away from the block. I was 30 years old, felt as if I needed a change, and start a new life. Everything in New York was overpriced, and I was tired of the city. Most of my friends were already starting the next chapter in their lives. They relocated, got married and not looking forward to coming back to New York City. Now since I was the lucky winner of the New York Powerball, I wanted to experience something new and be around a different environment.

During my first semester in college in 2001, I kept on thinking about Miami and how beautiful it was. I spent much of my free time in my dorm room watching Scarface, Bad Boys, and all the popular hip-hop videos that had Miami as a character too. I was convinced then that I wanted to live out there and be apart of the rich culture. Now here I am packing my things and thinking about the vibrant scenery of Miami. Tomorrow I was leaving New York, and starting a new life in Miami.

It was moving day, and it felt weird and wonderful. This was the last time I was going to sleep in this apartment. I already took down all my paintings and awards I earned in school. Now I was thinking how I was going to adorn my house in Miami with those precious items. I looked out the window to get a view of my Harlem neighborhood one last time. It has been 30 long years, and now I was finally saying goodbye to the ‘hood to start the next chapter in my life.

On the highway, I felt so emotional. I knew I was not coming back to New York City, and the tears slowly raced down my face. Over the years, I really hated my block because of all the ignorant people that were now there. It was not the same neighborhood of the 1980s and early 1990s, which I remembered in my childhood. The block parties, water fights, and wrestling with my friends. Those were memories I continued to treasured and shared with people I encountered. I wiped the last tear from my eye, and prepared myself for my new affluent life in Miami.