Interview by Katariina Forsberg
Our blog series checks in with New York鈥檚 local Finns and offers a few of their insider tips into the city. Today we meet actress and singer Sara Nurmi, whose whereabouts in the city were recently documented for a Finnish reality series, 鈥淔inland Girls in New York.鈥澛燭he series also stars singer , eco-blogger Annabella 脜svik and former dancer Minna Ajo. It airs on Finnish channel Liv, and can also be viewed .
What brought you to New York?
I came here almost four years ago to study acting full-time at William Esper Studio in Manhattan. I graduated after two years and decided to stay here to pursue my career.
What are your favorite places in the City?
I like Union Square because I can walk there from my apartment and everything I need is right there, from Trader Joe鈥檚 and Barnes & Noble to clothing stores. I love West Village because it has such an authentic New York feel to it. I enjoy taking walks there and getting a cup of coffee. Another one of my favorite places is 聽up in Harlem, where I often participate in open mic nights on Sundays. The band is great!
Any favorite restaurants?
I don鈥檛 have a favorite restaurant, can you believe it? I love food and discovering new places, and I鈥檝e been to a lot of great restaurants but I don鈥檛 have a favorite one just yet.
Do you have a favorite store?
I love vintage and thrift stores in the city. I鈥檝e found a lot of great clothes at Buffalo Exchange, Beacon鈥檚 Closet and Second time around. Fashion is not about the price, it鈥檚 about how you wear it, even if it鈥檚 a $2 shirt!
What are your favorite things to do on your free time?
I love taking walks and sucking in all the amazing things the city has to offer. My favorite areas are West Village and Nolita. I also spend a lot of time at bookstores like The Strand and Barnes & Noble, there鈥檚 just something about the smell of books that I adore. Little movie theaters are also fun, like Sunshine Cinema and Angelica.
What do you think is the best thing about living in New York?
Being constantly inspired by all the amazing talent I see here; even a ten-minute walk around my neighborhood can inspire me so much on a bad day. This is so important to me as an artist. You can even see great musicians on subway platforms.聽I鈥檓 a really lucky girl to be able to pursue my career in New York. I really do feel at home here.
What do you miss about Finland?
I miss all the foods! The rye bread obviously is something I could eat all day long. Also vispipuuro(whipped dessert porridge), mustikkakeitto (blueberry soup; I used to drink that every day), Oltermanni cheese and the amazing selection of candy. American candy just doesn鈥檛 do it for me at all.
What three words would you use to describe New York?
Bold, inspiring, and free.
How about Finland?
Safe, beautiful, and clean.
Find out more about Sara on her blog (in Finnish):聽听补苍诲
her music at . Follow her on twitter at .