Select a region
After falling in love with the Island over Instagram, Norman native and fashionista Audrey Lescot hopped across the pond from the Big Apple to start a new life in Jersey.
Audrey owns a jewellery company and blog named ‘Little Normandy’, and has settled into Island life so well over the past two months that she struggled to find anything she’d change about Jersey.
However, after some thought she was able to think of a few things to change… Five to be exact:
I came to Jersey because I fell in love with the atmosphere here, people taking the time to know each other, taking the time to enjoy life after work to achieve a better work-life balance, but after spending two years in New York, the city that never sleeps, it’s a bit difficult to adjust! What I mean is that when I stop working I’d like to be able to do a little bit of shopping - but shops close at 5:30pm in St Helier!
Pictured: Audrey flying the flag for Normandy.
If they were open a bit longer, it would be more lively in the streets and encourage people to stay longer in town. I could also have a drink with friends, but as I'm living in Trinity and don't have a car, my last bus is at 19:15... not that easy to enjoy the night, as you can imagine!
Finally, I'd love to dance the night away at weekends, but the nightclubs close at 02:00 so it feels weird to come back home so early when I could be enjoying the night until 05:00-06:00 in the morning.
I understand we are on an island, full of charming landscapes and beaches, so you can not welcome everyone otherwise we will be all living in big buildings and be surrounded by concrete!
Pictured: Audrey enjoys making the most of the beautiful landscapes around Jersey.
But I think the Island still needs immigration to renew the population, bring new talents and workforce, but it’s hard to find a place you can afford with good living conditions when you don’t have the 10 years’ residency… also knowing we have to wait 10 years until we can have access to better apartments can be a bit discouraging and could certainly make great people with good skills leave.
As I’m doing volunteering work at Durrell, I was so pleased to discover their new environmentally friendly policy - they now use water bottles, dishes and cups made with recycled paper and I was also happy to hear the implementation of a recycling program.
It’d be great if all coffee shops and restaurants could do the same! Also, better insultation in many houses and apartments will improve the energy savings!
I just love social media and use different platforms every day to promote my brand, Little Normandy.
I know some people think it’s not worth it, but not for me! I see it every day: it’s a way to engage with my customers, to know them better, and create real relationships. Nowadays, sharing life moments and pictures has become more and more powerful, and Instagram is the easiest way to promote a company, or as a customer to get inspired by our favorite brands, get some news, get to know the people behind a company!
Unfortunately, I don’t see many businesses here using those powerful tools and feel disappointed about not being able to catch them on my favorite platform!
Manhattan is an island full of services. Businesses are always trying to improve and help their customers as much as they can during their journey and try to fill their needs.
Whether you’re a 30-year-old woman like me or 80, we are all on the internet right now and I really miss the convenience of the extensive online services available in New York. Jersey has some online shopping opportunities too, but there is definitely room for improvement.
Pictured: Audrey recently moved over to Jersey from shopping haven New York City.
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.