I was thinking... since you're so close to black belt, really, would you want to be given the black belt by a certain black belt in NYC, or would you be given it long distance by your long time instructor like sometimes is the case when a student opens a new school in another state, etc., because most likely it's going to happen one way or another during your time in NY.


>I have already informed my instructor we will be moving next
>summer (he's pretty bummed out). I think it is possible that
>he promotes me to black before I leave, so that would
>definitely help if I decided to look into teaching for a
>discounted membership. I feel like good-hearted folks know
>that a PhD student and a teacher wife (with two kids) can't
>justify $500/month on a hobby/sport, and would work with me on
>dues. I wouldn't mind paying dues if I had the money, but MGA
>prices are extreme.

You've obviously been thinking about where you plan to live. If you commute from the boros or NJ, you could probably find a local school that would love another black belt around. But maybe you will take advantage of campus housing in the NYU or John Jay etc. areas. In that case it's not even just MGA but all Manhattan gym prices that are dumb high.

Let me know if you need me to ask around or if I can help with anything man