The release of the movie "Sex and the City 2" means New York City is back in the limelight, along with Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda. As usual the scenes are filmed against a backdrop of cocktails, designer labels, and relationships - but what is it really like to be single and searching in Manhattan? And what happens when "I do," becomes "Do I?"

For many, New York is what you could call "high maintenance." It's where fashionable people rub designer shoulders with each other while sipping cocktails in Manhattan.

It's an image shaped by the wildly popular HBO series turned silver screen hit "Sex and the City."

In this iconic show, New York journalist Carrie Bradshaw and her three best friends live the glamorous city life, fall in and out of love and with each other, all while looking for that perfect pair of shoes.

But what's it really like to when you're dating in New York City?

A high-profile Manhattan dating service offers some insights into the pitfalls of city romance.

Nicole Oosman, who moved from London to the Big Apple, says the women in the show tend to mimic real New York women.

Nicole Oosman, Participant from UK, said, "I think the girls are very gung ho and proactive and I think, so far my take on New York is that's pretty much accurate. I guess it's like finding an apartment. If you see one, you just got to snap it up or there will be another woman just ready to claw at you if you don't, so I think that's particular to New York."

For many women living in New York in search of a partner, this can become a problem.

But for those who are lucky enough to find love, the million dollar question is how to keep the romance alive?

In the new Sex and the City movie, Carrie Bradshaw is all about Mr. Big.

She married her long term lover in the first film - but two years later, Carrie is wondering how to keep the sparkle alive.

Rachel Sussman, a relationship expert believes that secret lies in trying out something new.

Rachel Sussman, Psychotherapist, said, "Women need to challenge their husbands and their boyfriends to keep the relationship interesting and fun. For instance, doing like a my turn, your turn, saying to their husbands or boyfriends, I'm going to plan a fabulous date for us this weekend, I want you to do that next weekend, thinking about new people to go out with, new things to see, reading a book together, taking a class together, something out of the box. If you're going to keep it exciting, it's got to be out of the box."

"Sex and the City 2" opens in theatres across the US on Thursday.