Thinking of Moving from NJ Suburbs to NYC?
We live is the suburbs in NJ and have an independent house. However, we love NYC since there is so much more to do..nightlife, museums, more & better activities, better shopping, dining out, comedy clubs and what have you…. we’ve always wanted to live in the city or close to the city but somehow bought a house in NJ and have never loved it in our neighborhood. We are bored and tired of traveling to the city for leisure and hanging out most of the times (since NYC is over one hour away from where we are )
We are now seriously contemplating to sell our house and move to the city and want to hear from anyone who has moved from a bigger house in the suburbs to a condo in the city ? And was the decision worth it. Or perhaps you know someone who has done it and what was the experience like ? Also, we have a 2 year old baby..how is it to raise a child in the City ? are suburbs better for a child or the city ?
Middlesex County
I know people who’ve done this, and have been very happy here.
It is an adjustment, of course. If you are used to a big house, it might be hard to get used to living in an apartment.
Of course you CAN buy a house here, though it will cost a lot more! I own a row house in an upscale part of Brooklyn – Park Slope. To be fair, I bought when prices were lower, but there are less expensive neighborhoods. And remember, property tax is FAR lower in NYC!
As for raising kids, I have two children, both in public schools. I think NYC is a wonderful place to raise kids! There are wonderful museums and fabulous children’s activities. Okay, we don’t have backyards (I actually do, but so tiny it almost doesn’t count) but there are playgrounds all over the City. Kids learn a lot from growing up near people who don’t look like them or speak different languages, and that’s a blessing in and of itself.
As I said, both my kids go to public school. I am also a public school teacher. I know the good and the bad of public schools in NYC. First of all, no you DON’T have to send your kid to private school. That’s a myth that you might hear, but it just isn’t true. There are some really excellent schools in NYC, but there are also some really terrible ones! You do have to really educate yourself about schools and school zones for elementary school, and then, when it comes time for middle and high school, really learn about the whole school choice issue. Be prepared to spend a LOT of time and energy on school selection for middle and high school, particularly high school!
But it’s do-able. My kids both went to a really first rate elementary school – one of the best in the City. My youngest still goes there. My oldest went to a small, arts oriented middle school where she was very happy, and has just been selected for one of the best and most competitive high schools in the CIty. So your child CAN get an excellent education in a the NYC public schools – but it DOES take a lot of work!
Good luck, whatever you decide.
Mark Viera @ Rascals In New Jersey PT.2
