Or another title for this post, can you live in the city and have a good lifestyle with a family? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being from New Zealand, this is almost incomprehensible. Typically when kids come along, you go back to NZ. Because it’s so good!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And like any parents, as kids come along and grow you, you feel those pressures to the suburbs. For more of the outdoors. More space for less money. I wanted to share, what I share with friends, about living in the West Village or in the city with a family, in New York. I really love it. I love the feel, and the energy about it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first couple of things, schools are very close, sub 4 minutes if I speed walk. Within 10 minutes, there are at least 8 different playgrounds. And – so is the social group for their friends, you don’t need to organise get togethers with friends, because you’re going to bump into them. You still do but the bumping into friends factor is high. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then there’s lots of events through the year:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
New York (and the US) has a massive summer break, spanning 10 or so weeks. Which gives fantastic opportunity for travel, or these days, travel + remote work. To see friends & family. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Socially, I can catch up with friends all times\/places. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That’s quite different to New Zealand where social events have to be more organized and any get together is a big one! In New York it’s more frequent smaller catch ups. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Food wise<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The walking distance availability of food, at a mixture of prices\/quality, so you can pick to suit is so good. You don’t feel stuck with just one place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The geography also contributes to the energy, you are 2-4 blocks from the westside park i.e. the waterfront. Which only gets better year in year out. Last summer we even got our own beach<\/a>?! But summer before was Little Island<\/a>. And Pier 57. It’s a playground down on the water. Lovely for an evening (or morning) run with the sun. The Westside Hudson Park<\/a> really is a gem. Physically the houses & apartments are smaller in size and footprint, you will get more square footage elsewhere. But you will find it hard to get the same amenities just around the corner. At least I’ve struggled to beat it! I guess it has that European feeling but with access to New York (and US) benefits. Which is pretty hard to bottle or replicate elsewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On top of the low rise buildings, the streets where the trees overhang. Pre-covid riding down 7th, turning off onto 11th, you feel like the world has just got a bit slower, easing into the weekend. <\/p>\n\n\n\n