Family life in NYC

[waughjen]

I am a young Catholic mother. My husband is just finishing graduate school and is very excited about a job prospect at Columbia University in New York City. I am terrified of living there. The size of the city, the overall culture and environment I imagine, and the cost of living all seem so non-conducive to family life that I cannot imagine life there. I am looking for some good information regarding family life in/around NYC. Is it possible? Is it positive? Where can I find reliable information about things like where to live? I would love to hear some positives about families making it work there. I want to be a supportive wife and make this work if we choose to, but I feel lost. Please help us out.

 

[Karin]

Hi…I live in NJ just over the bridge (George Washington) from the City (NY).
I grew up here in the burb’s and it is great. I can go into NY whenever I want by cathing the bus or train or if I really feel like dealing with crazy drivers I will drive in. I don’t think I could ever live in the City (what they say is true…it never sleeps) To me there is to much noise, not enough trees etc.
So I guess an option to look into is maybe living in Jersey and commuting into the City (several pitfalls to this though).
I dont know if this helps or not but if you have any questions I can help with… just ask.

 

[ProudArmyWife]

Also try looking at cities that are on the Metro North rail system My neighbor used to commute to Columbia for grad school - I think it was around an hour each way. I think she got off around the 125th street station, but I can’t be sure. But it gives you another option to look into Good Luck

 

[Steve_Andersen]

I grew up in NYC

It’s a wonderful place. Have an open mind. Visit St. Patrick’s and the cloisters
Great culture great environment
It’s not bad…it’s just different

I live in the South now and I’ve had a heck of a time adjusting. Folks from different places are just…different.

Nothing like NYC and it is so much better/safer/cleaner now than when I was a kid
Rudy did ok

It can be a little expensive
When people hear NYC they think Manhattan. But that is a place only for the very rich or the very poor
some of the areas immedialy around Columbia aren’t the best in the world
If your husband will be commuting to Columbia you may need to look at the northern Jersey or lower upstate suburbs. Those might be a little less “urban”

Staten Island is starting to loose its little neighborhood feel too.

There are excellent regional rail and bus lines adn they all point into the city so no matter where yo live, gettig into manhattan isn’t a problem
I know people who commute from the Pocono Mountains

The best thing that I liked about it as a kid was the freedom it gave me. With a few bucks in my pocket I could step on a bus or a train and be at a great museum, store, or show in minutes. My parents didn’t have to worry about me. I see my sisters in the suburbs acting as all day chauffeurs to their kids and I realize what slaves they have become to the auto.

The libraries, the schools, the cultural events……what better place for kids? lots of good catholic schools there too

The people tend to be very glib and gregarious
If you come from a place where folks are more reticent this may put you off.

 

[dhgray]

Karin:

Hi…I live in NJ just over the bridge (George Washington) from the City (NY).
I grew up here in the burb’s and it is great. I can go into NY whenever I want by cathing the bus or train or if I really feel like dealing with crazy drivers I will drive in. I don’t think I could ever live in the City (what they say is true…it never sleeps) To me there is to much noise, not enough trees etc.
So I guess an option to look into is maybe living in Jersey and commuting into the City (several pitfalls to this though).
I dont know if this helps or not but if you have any questions I can help with… just ask.

FIRST OF ALL…welocome to the forum …you have friends here.

As for New York … I have a lot of friends who live in or around the city. There is a Vatican approved family ministry called Couples For Christ in and around NYC. Check them out at the
Couples For Christ website.

 

[waughjen]

dhgray:

FIRST OF ALL…welocome to the forum …you have friends here.

Thank you all so much. I love the forum already!! My eyes filled with tears just reading your responses. What an amazing feeling it is to know that I have friends out there who I have never met who are so willing to help!!! It is an awesome feeling of community.

I am trying to keep an open mind to NYC and feel very encouraged by your responses. It will be a tough discernment process. My husband is visiting NYC this weekend–we will see what he thinks.

God Bless You All!!!

 

[Princess_Abby]

Hi Jen,

I live in Philadelphia, about an hour’s express train ride away from NYC. My husband and I take weekends into the city quite often. My husband’s company has sent him into NYC for months at a time, so we have actually lived in a hotel and in corporate housing in NYC several times.

I am a stay at home wife (age 25) and do not work anymore, so when we were sent to NYC I had plenty of time to explore the city and get to know some of the different neighborhoods. My husband’s cousin (and her husband) lived in South Orange, NJ and commuted daily into the city (he was an attorney). I would often go up and see them (they recently relocated to Phoenix). If you have questions or want to talk about my perceptions of the city from an outsider’s perspective, I’d be happy to help!

Have you ever been to NYC? It is definitely a culture shock. I grew up in the midwest, in a suburban town outside of Kansas City. The midwest is NOTHING like the east coast, but I moved out here to try something different. I met my husband and got married, so I’ve been out here for a few years.

I will pray for you guys. My husband and I are getting ready to move back to my hometown in the next few months. Any move is always a bit stressful! Change is hard but it can be good.

Abby