Yes, I am raising my family in New York City.
Inevitably, when people hear this I am bombarded with questions and unsolicited opinions. “How could you live there?” “I could never live there.” “Don’t you think your kids need a back yard?” “You’re not going to stay there, are you?”
It is always surprising to me that so many people want to judge or insult where I choose (and love!) to live. If someone tells me they are from Nebraska, and my immediate response is “I could NEVER live there!” I think they would be pretty insulted. Yet, the opinions on living in New York with a family never, EVER, end.
So, why am I choosing to raise my family here? Here are some things that make it worth it for me.
- Central Park (and other parks/playgrounds) have become our backyard. My kids love walking to the park and having picnics and playdates. We are members of the Bronx Zoo and Central Park zoo and go all the time! The playgrounds never get old for them. The best part is that we see the same kids at the playground so they make friends so easily
- It’s convenient. I can run all of my errands within a 5 block radius. No in and out of the car and carseats. I can put my kids in the stroller and run to the pharmacy, the bank, the grocery store, and stop at the playground and still be home in the hour. Now that my daughter is in kindergarten, I walk her to school 2 blocks away (we leave home at 8:15 and she starts at 8:20!) Its amazing.
- Speaking of convenience, have you ever started cooking something and realized that one of the ingredients you need has spoiled and you need to run out and get another one? No big deal! There is a grocery store or bodega on almost every corner. There may have been a time or two that I had a random late night ice cream craving….off to the bodega I go! (many are 24 hours!)
- Lack of commuting equates to more time as a family. My husband and I both work in NYC. My commute is a 7 minute walk, my husbands commute is 20 minutes. We are both home with our kids every night. And I can even pick my daughter up from school during my lunch break! If we choose to live in a nearby suburb, at the very best case scenario, 2 hours a day would be spent commuting (probably more)
- Best food in the world. Every type of food. Beautiful restaurants or ordered in. As a foodie, you cant beat this!
- Museums. You may not realize how great they are for small kids. There are always exhibits happening, and sections dedicated to letting your kids run around. My 5 year old will leave school asking to go to the museum, which I love!
- The walking. We walk everywhere. On a slow day I do 10,000 steps, many days I double this amount! We love not needing a car to get around!
- Frequent date nights. My husband and I have every option for date nights, and because we realize we live in NYC and pay all that it costs, we must take advantage of it. We go to Broadway shows about 3 times a year, frequent shows and sporting events at MSG. Sometimes walk towards the west side for cocktails and sunset. The options are almost limitless here.
- Exposure to all people and all cultures for our kids!
- The sense of community. It may seem strange when you are not from here, but living on the Upper East Side, I run in to the same people over and over. Just yesterday I ran in to a mom I know from my daughters school and we stopped at a cafe to chat before picking up our kids. It really feels like you have a community and neighbors without the “Keeping up with the Jones’s” feel of the suburbs.
- The subway and bus system. We love it. Sure it doesn’t always smell the best, but it can take you anywhere in the city quickly. Plus the kids are excited to go on it, no matter how many times!
- There are so many shows and pop-up events for kids. In recent months alone we went to the Gazillion Bubble Show, Candytopia, The Slime Museum, as well as a magic show, puppet shows in the park, Summer Streets and so much more.
- The people watching and fashion! Sure, I may be in my sweats with my hair in a ponytail rushing my kids to school, but I still love watching all of the fashion around me, especially downtown!
- Last but most importantly, we are raising our kids in the best city in the world! They get to be in the center of everything which I find pretty amazing.
I would love to hear what you love about where you are raising your kids!
