10 Small Things About New York You Never Thought Would Make You Homesick

Here are 10 small, often-unexpected things about New York that can unexpectedly trigger homesickness for those living away from home—whether they’re transplants, international students, or anyone missing their roots:

The Familiar Taste of Food From Home Even though New York is famous for its diverse food scene, sometimes stumbling upon a restaurant or café that serves your hometown’s traditional dishes can suddenly make you long for home—especially if the taste is just a little different, or if the setting reminds you of family dinners.
Seeing Strangers Who Look Like Someone You Know In a city of millions, you might catch a glimpse of someone who reminds you of a friend or family member from home, sparking a wave of nostalgia.
The Sound of a Specific Language or Accent Hearing your native language or a regional accent on the subway or in a neighborhood can instantly transport you back to your hometown, making you miss it more than you expected.
A Familiar Scent in the Air Whether it’s the smell of street food, a particular brand of detergent, or even rain on pavement, certain scents can trigger vivid memories of home.
Holiday Decorations and Traditions Seeing decorations for holidays you don’t celebrate as widely in New York, or missing out on family customs, can highlight how far away you are from your loved ones.
The Way the Light Falls at a Certain Time of Day The angle of the sun, the quality of light at dusk, or even the way shadows fall in your neighborhood can remind you of your hometown in surprising ways.
Everyday Routines and Rituals Missing the small rituals—like a weekly family call, a favorite coffee shop, or the way you used to walk your dog—can make you homesick when you realize you can’t recreate them exactly in New York.
The Feeling of Being Alone in a Crowd New York is famously crowded, but it’s also possible to feel isolated in the sea of people. The contrast can make you miss the sense of community or recognition you had at home.
Little Reminders of Home in Your Apartment Objects like old photographs, a favorite mug, or a piece of furniture from home can suddenly make you long for your old room or house.
The Weather and Seasons Missing the way your hometown experiences seasons—like autumn leaves, winter snow, or spring blossoms—can be especially poignant when New York’s weather doesn’t quite match up.