I love NYC?

[Milena]

So..... for those of you who gave me their insight on the events and stroller/subway questions I posted regarding NYC, thanks. I'm back and everything went great. Luckily, I actually had someone to help with the steps and the stroller with me at all times, and a stranger even offered to help one time.

Now to start off a new discussion regarding NYC. I really enjoyed it, and I am wondering if I want to move there at some point within the next year or so. I know the cost of living is insane, but if that weren't so much an issue, what are some other points that may convince me that it is or isn't a worth while move? Is the winter really bad? It was beautiful now, and while I have been up there during the winter, it's only been while on vacation. Having a little girl, I wonder if the winter is really as bad as people make it out to be. Is there nothing to do? Is it really miserable? Now when I went, it seemed like there was SO MUCH to do- Especially with kids. I loved that the parks were full of people and that everyone was out and about. Please give me your insight on this. Also, if I were to move, it would definitely be to Brooklyn. How are the public schools? I was in Park Slope and there seemed to be so many toddlers and babies. Will the schools eventually become over-crowded?

[Milena]

So how long have you lived up there? What do you do- work, stay-at-home mom? I ask, because I see that we are the same age more or less and our little ones too. Truth is, I would be living on a budget if I were to move up there, but I have a feeling that it would be well worth it. The winter is a huge factor since I'm from Miami, Florida where it's basically summer all year long. BUT, with all that said, I have nothing to lose by moving up and testing the (cold/expensive) waters. Right? I can always come back "home" or else where for that matter. Speaking of which, when I looked into child care (daycare/preschool) it seemed as though the cost was another rent all together. Are there P.S. that have toddler programs? When do they start P.S. there anyways? At 4 years old?

I have this terrible itch (to move up there) that I have to scratch soon, and the more people tell me I can't because of the weather and cost of living the more I want to go and prove to myself that I can- or can't for that matter.

[Milena]

April,

Thanks for all of your useful insight. While it does sound scary, I will eventually take the challenge head-on. I am going to think long and hard about how I will do it and how I will prepare. My little girl's dad is from NYC (born and raised) and when we went up there this past week, he began to miss home so much that he is in agreement with me about the move. We have his family and some of our friends up there as well, so I won't feel completely alone once we do go through with the move.

While I am not trying to knock Miami, having been born and raised here, I know that there isn't much to offer my child once she starts getting older. The weather is great most of the time, and there are the beaches, but there is only so much of that you can do. I really enjoy the diversity and the different cultures that come with being in NY. The museums that you can get lost in all day, and the parks full of people doing things. I would also love for her and myself to experience the changing of the seasons. Miami is summer basically all year round- hot, humid, scorching summer- not pleasant...lol. Like I said, if the winters becomes too much for her or I, then we can always come back home.

Thanks again. I will definitely look into all the parent groups of the different neighborhoods for more information.

Milena

[Milena]

April,
I've been looking into neighborhoods and just basically doing my homework-- the move is likely to happen as, my "baby-daddy" is all for going back home (next year when the baby is almost 4). Can you tell me what neighborhoods to stay away from? I don't completely trust his judgment on the cut-offs, so I will ask you (a fellow mom). I've heard BedStuy is a no-go. What are the cut-off points between Ft. Greene/BedStuy, Prospect Heights/BedStuy, Williamsburg/Greenpoint/BedStuy.... and am I worrying unnecessarily? Let me know the low-down when you can. THANKS!

[roy]

[nicdesign]

Hi! So glad that you enjoyed your time here! The fall really is one of the best times to be in this city.

I'm a NY'er, born and raised, so I'm a bit biased. But there are also so few of us in Brooklyn or Manhattan these days, so I'm a rarity! I hope I can help as much as possible.

First, let me tackle the weather issue. I see that you're concerned about it, and pp also stated that the winter/weather is difficult. But then I realized that all those posts and concerns come from those who originally hail from warm-year-round towns, so that's completely understandable. It's a shock to those who are used to warm weather to get adjusted to the seasons. But seeing as I have also lived in other places -- Syracuse, NY for college and Florence, Italy for a study-abroad program -- I will say that our seasons are wonderful! Especially in the past few years. We tend to only have one "big" snow each winter, and I say "big" lightly, because it's usually only 4-6 inches at the most. Which, having lived in Syracuse for 4 years for school, is nothing. Ha! It snows there daily from Nov. 1st through the end of March.

It also helps the magic that this city has during the holidays. No place is better than NYC during the holiday season. The lights, the tree, the ice skating, the hot chocolate and warm pretzels from street vendors... I absolutely love my city at the holidays.

Moving on, the city is expensive, no doubt. Apartments and other homes are expensive, renting or buying. Space is at a premium. But our taxes are low. Our transportation, though all of us have serious issues with the MTA, is in truth fast, reliable, and cheap in comparison to most other cities. New York has a lot of expensive activites, but there's also a myriad of free or inexpensive options for entertainment, culture, etc. And there's always 5 cheap good eats for every 1 expensive restaurant.

I live in Brooklyn, and have for the past 6 years. I originally lived in Cobble Hill, which I adore. It's a great neighborhood, close to Manhattan, and really very safe and family oriented. But it's also quite expensive, and we couldn't afford to live there and raise a child. So we decided to buy a 2 bedroom coop in Kensington, on the Ditmas Park border. It's a spacious apartment with enough room for ourselves, and as it turned out, we are now expecting our first child in January. So that worked out really well. While Kensington certainly isn't as hot as Cobble Hill, it does have a very diverse population, good schools, and inexpensive (relatively speaking, of course) housing. It's very safe and is still not too far out from Manhattan.

Anyway, I hope that helped. Feel free to ask any other questions you may have. I love bragging about Brooklyn and NYC. =)

[Milena]

Thank you thank you thank you for all your wonderful and positive insight! The move will happen-- this much I know. My significant other- baby's dad- was born and raised in Manhattan, and he wants the move to happen as bad as I do. He moved down to Miami to be with me (way before baby we were once a long distance relationship) and we sometimes wonder what would have been had it been the other way around... me moving there. Anyways, everything happens for a reason, right?

We are looking at Brooklyn-- preferably Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Boerum Hill, Park Slope, Ft. Greene, and Prospect Heights BUT seeing as thought the prices are somewhat HIGH-- we may be looking elsewhere so I will definitely be checking out your area. I guess everyone wants to live where you once lived and where we want to live too, huh? If nothing there works, then we will look at our options in Queens. We would of couse prefer whatever neighborhoods are closest to Manhattan for either one.

I look forward to the changing of the seasons... as mentioned before I live in year-round summer weather. There is no sign of holiday cheer until Christmas and that's only because it cools down to 60s-50s (if we are lucky) and because some people decorate their houses. I want my daughter to experience the real changing of the seasons and have that holiday spirit from October thru January. Yeah, the winter will likely be brutal (for me), but she is little so she will adjust quickly and her dad is from there, so he just needs to re-adjust.

So, the move will happen-- we are looking at closer to the end of 2009, but it will depend on the economy which is in the toilet right now. We can't move if we can't get jobs, so we will see how things pan out. Once again, thanks for your refreshing optimism. I can't wait!

[nicdesign]

I'm glad to help! It's not hard for me to be optimistic here. I have no desire to leave and go anywhere else, and I think that says a lot even in these difficult economic times.

Just so you know, we definitely don't make very much money. My husband is the main breadwinner for the past 2 years, as I've been making a go of it on my own with my own business. But I don't make a significant amount of money, so whatever I get is gravy. And he makes a modest salary. But we manage to pull it off! The city isn't as hard as you would think to navigate on a budget. You just have to know where to spend your money. There's more inexpensive options here than most realize -- just not necessarily in housing. LOL

Anyway, good luck!