I am also a native from NYC. I will never move back.
Anyhow, ever since moving from NYC, I was stationed in Okinawa and then on board an aircraft carrier. After returning from my 2nd deployment, I bought a SA XD-9 4" with Trijicon NS, f/b a Remington 870 18.5, parkerized barrel, 7 shot extension, beefed up springs and a Knoxx SpecOps stock. Both fun weapons to shoot. Now I am in the market for a pocket pistol - torn between one of the .38 Airlight revolvers and the Kahr PM9 (I am leaning toward the latter).