Berkeley Parents Network: Moving to New York City Area

Berkeley Parents Network

Moving to New York City Area

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Housing, Neighborhoods, & Moving > Moving to New York City Area

Living in NYC with kids

Feb 2004

We have vague thoughts about relocating to New York City (for professional reasons) and we are wondering about life there with young children. Aside from the obvious issue of housing, what is it like to live there (in particular, the area near Columbia U.)? I know it's a great place to visit with kids (parks, museums, etc.) but I'm wondering about day to day life in NYC. What are the public schools like? What about noise pollution? Does schlepping to school/daycare/work in the snow become old? Obviously, millions of families live there happily but I'm wondering how a long time Berkelelyan would handle it. I've checked the archives but was hoping to hear from someone with recent experience living there who can compare it to life in the East Bay.

I just relocated to Berkeley from NYC due to the more friendly environment here. The Columbia U. vicinity is not a bad area to live. The schools are much better than schools in other areas. However, these have changed drastically since I have left, ridding the Board of Education. I would definitely try an online search on that school district to inquire about their ratings. I know Hunter Elementary is a good school, and most in the area are. You might have a problem obtaining afterschool child-care and might need someone to pick them up, but there are lots of nannies in that vicinity. I attended Hunter College and might be able to give a local phone # to a friend that lives in the area if anyone would like that. Good luck. Fatima

I was born in and grew up in NYC. I also went to Columbia, and lived in that area. What seemed to me to be a totally normal childhood, I have learned was really quite unique and special.

THE PROS

* You and your children will have unbelievable experiences, both positive and negative. You will live in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-income, chaotic, electric environment. You will interact with people from all over the world and from every walk of life. And you do it all in one place. There is a lot of good that comes with that and there is some bad. I almost always experienced good. But I did one night find a neighbor in the street unconscious after being mugged.

* You and your children will have access to the best museums, theatre, music, culture, shopping, food and minds in the whole wide world. By the time I was 12, I had seen every play on Broadway. Every one. My mom would get standing room tickets, and we saw them all for $10 or $15. We went to the opera, the symphony, and the Met. These field trips were just wonderful and I am glad I had those experiences to this day.

* Your children will be quite saavy. It's something about that environment. They will know everything.

THE CONS

* It is very crowded and dirty and loud and relatively unfriendly in both human demeanor and in services (You have not lived until you have carried your child and the stroller and your bags up and down subway stairs OR sanitiation goes on strike).

* It is expensive. My husband and I have estimated that if we were to move back and maintained the same standard of living, we would have to spend $750-$1,000,000 on housing. Cabs are expensive. Food is expensive and the quality of the produce will severely disappoint you. Restaurants are expensive.

*Schools - there are some very good public schools. Bronx Science, Stuyvesant, High School of Performing Arts - EXCELLENT.....But your kid may have to travel long distanes to go to school. And, if your kid does not get in.....you may be forced to look at a private school, and all of those stories you hear about cut throat social climbing competition is real. Not to mention tuition.

* Housing- will be very small and expensive compared to what you have now.

* It is HOT and HUMID in the summmer and COLD and WINDY in the winter. I never minded it until I move away....and now I know how good I have it. If you live up by Columbia (which I recommend) you will be just wind whipped in the winter by the wind coming off the river.

I would move back for a set period of time to give my son some of my experiences, but I would not move back permanently. It made me who I am, and I am so very glad I had that experience. But, you can enjoy a much nicer standard of living in other parts of the USA. New York, to me, has always been about sacrifice. You will sacrifice your comfort (unless you are a multi-millionaire) for experience. Leslie

I was born and raised in NYC and can't think of a more amazing place to raise children. I grew up on the upper west side and ended up going to Columbia and living near the campus around 113th Street. I moved to the Bay Area about 5 years ago and it's been a huge culture and way of life shock. If you are from here all I can suggest is that you really ''go with the flow'' in NYC and embrace how much there is to do and see. I think the positives WAY outway the negatives. In my experience, children raised in NYC are more open to diversity, more ready to try new things and accept challenges and are open to more possibilities in their lives. The culture and multiculturalism are unparalleled. In your case, you might need to think of it like moving to a foreign country - it's a great experience for all, but might never feel like home to you. Good luck! Abby

My dear friend Erica, who lived in the Bay Area for years, now lives in NYC. She wrote this to you:

Our son attends preschool in the neighborhood you are considering relocating to and we live about 30 blocks south (the West 80s).

The weather is going to be a huge adjustment for you. Transportation is another issue. Although some people have cars and use them on a daily basis, because parking is such a challenge--there are only metered spots on the street--most parents with small children don't drive (except to escape the city on weekends) and instead walk or take the public bus. Accordingly, it's best to pick a day care center or preschool that's close to a bus route or within easy walking distance of your apartment or office so you're not spending a lot of time getting to and from school/work/day care (or dragging your kid onto crowded, rush-hour subway trains whose stations don't have good stroller access).

There are good public elementary schools on the Upper West Side, just not near Columbia. Good ones include PS 87 and PS 199 (general education), and the gift and talented programs at PS 9, PS 163, and PS 166. Unless you are in the school's ''catchment zone'' (in which case, you can just register right before school starts), you must apply a year in advance for a waiver to attend the school even though you are in the district (the UWS) but not in the zone. To qualify for the g & t program, your child needs to take an intelligence test the year before and they must score at or above a certain percentile rank (usually 90-93 or above).

Noise pollution is a non-issue on the Upper West Side. It's a residential neighborhood. The loudest noise you'll deal with is the sound of trash trucks picking up garbage. If you are very sensitive to noise, avoid living on the large commercial boulevards (Broadway, West End, Amsterdam) and choose a place on a high floor on a side street.

The snow is what it is. It's fun to play in but does make the logistics of everyday living a bit more of a challenge.

Good luck in your decision. Erica

Moving to NYC with an 18-month-old

November 2002

As much as I love living in Berkeley, my family situation is calling me back to NY city. I was wondering if someone on this list has a place to rent in NY (or knows of someone who does). It could be temporary until I find something more permanent. Well, any advice would be very helpful. My daughter is 18 months old and I am not sure if NYC will be as welcoming for us as Berkeley has been. I wonder if there is a similar list for NYC parents! Thanks. Maya

Well, I can't recommend a place to rent, but I think you will have a great time in NYC with your toddler! We lived there until my daughter was 18 months old and I was sad to leave. There are so many resources in the city for both parents and kids and so many wonderful parks (nothing here comes close to the Central Park playgrounds). And everything is accessible by stroller -- it is so nice not to have to get into the car for every little thing and so stimulating for little kids to see the city unfold on the sidewalks right in front of their eyes! For things to do in the city, check out gocitykids.com. Good luck with your move! Stephanie

I don't have a specific apartment recommendation, but having just moved from NY last year, I do have a location recommendation. We spent two years in Manhattan and then four years in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Our oldest was born and spent his first year in Park Slope. It's a great area, and definitely very child friendly. Plus, Prospect Park is right there, with lots of playgrounds, a lake and lots of nice spots to take kids. Park Slope is a haven for couples with young kids, so you'll find pleny of child-oriented activities and family friendly restaurants. As you can tell, I can't recommend it enough! Good luck. As long as you can live through the winters, NY definitely has a lot to offer to families with young kids. rliebler

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