On April 14, I’m moving out of New York City. When Andy and I decided to live together when his current lease expired, we quickly realized that we could not afford a doorman building in Manhattan. Having lived in a shitty walk up building in a tiny apartment with no closets for the last six years, I really wanted to live a little bit better (Read: Someone to sign for my packages). I also wanted other luxuries that typically come from this type of building, including laundry, a dishwasher and a gym. I was tired of bringing my laundry on the subway to my mom’s in Queens every two months or so, and I was tired of “hoarding” my clothes because I never know what I might want to wear two weeks from now. Then I end up not wearing it either time — both now and two weeks from now — and all the stress was for nothing.
Now that you all know I am neurotic, let’s move on.
I work in Jersey City and when I first learned about this opportunity I said, “Ew!” I actually knew nothing about Jersey City. I worked in the World Financial Center for three years and often looked across the river at JC and wondered what went on there. My former company, Merrill Lynch, even had two offices there which I communicated with but never thought to visit. I didn’t understand who worked there or why.
When my roommate got a job in Jersey City a few years ago I was really surprised. When she quit a few days later, I was not as surprised.
I considered not even coming to my job interview. Jersey City? Stigma.
I don’t know where this stigma came from or why, but when I stepped off the PATH train for my first interview last summer, I was shocked by how pretty, quiet and peaceful it is here. The view of Manhattan over the Hudson River, the prettiness of the neighborhood, the walking path along the water. It was a very short train ride from the city but I felt like I went under a river and into a whole other world.
So when we realized we can’t afford the city, we set out search on Jersey City. Just to look. We spent one weekend in February looking at apartments, thinking we were way too early to look for the May 1 move in we needed. It turns out we weren’t too early, and when we fell in love with an apartment and building right off the PATH stop, that was it.
The building comes with a free membership to Club H gym, which is a really nice gym with fancy treadmills that you plug your iPod into and can watch things on and do other cool things I don’t know about yet since I haven’t actually tried them. The gym has an abundant class schedule which includes spinning and yoga, as well as a steam room and sauna. All for free. I was hoping for a standard apartment building gym, and never could have imaged THIS would be my freebie. Obviously this was a big draw for me. Although I still plan to go into the city after work for Refine a couple times a week. I need my fix.
The other great things about the apartment and the building include a gorgeous outdoor pool and sundeck with grills, a tennis court, on-site dry cleaning, a washer dryer IN MY APARTMENT (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!), a dishwasher, four closets – one which is a HUGE WALK-IN, floor to ceiling windows, stainless steel fridge (my current apartment came equipped with a dorm room fridge), a nice entry way into the apartment, a kinda-big bathroom with nice black tiled floors and a normal sized sink (my current sink is mini: lots of splashing occurs), a carpeted bedroom and an overall gorgeous space. The area is fantastic: right off the Grove Street PATH stop by tons of cute restaurants and a couple of blocks from the Hudson River Waterfront and running path, and very close to Liberty State Park where more running can happen.
An apartment like this would be insanely expensive in Manhattan. An apartment with half the amenities and space would still be insanely expensive. Our apartment is actually affordable. You get so much more for so much less money.
[My new running grounds]
And I get to live with my sweet Andy.
There is a lot we are really excited about but of course I have some concerns, and I will list below the things I will and will not miss about living in Manhattan.
Keep in mind that Manhattan is a 5-10 minute PATH train ride away depending on which train I take. Also keep in mind that the people on the PATH are overall less annoying, and I have only seen one beggar in my nine months of riding it. And lastly, keep in mind that I will be living so much closer to the West Side Hudson River running path that’s in Manhattan and by leaving the city, I will actually get to take advantage of this much more than when I lived there. If I want to.
I will also be closer to the far less crowded Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s in Manhattan and be able to do actual shopping at these stores. Right now, where I live, it’s impossible. I find it funny how certain things in Manhattan will be easier for me to get to after I move away than they are when I live there.
[The view of NYC from JC]
Things I will miss about Manhattan
- Taxis
- Late night taxis
- Ease of getting anywhere quickly (in part, thanks to taxis)
- The ability to walk to any store I could possibly need without even crossing a street
- The proximity to Queens, where my mommy lives
- Central Park
- Ease of getting to early morning NYRR races
- Refine Method being a 10-block walk away
- Bed Bath & Beyond, Home Depot and Bloomingdale’s all being in a three-block radius of my apartment
- Taxis
Things I will not miss about Manhattan
- City taxes (not to be confused with taxis)
- The subway
- MetroCards (they never work)
- People on the subways (I hate them all)
- Non-moving lines for stairs (WHY is this a thing?)
- Weekend schedules/construction
- People stepping on my foot (ow)
- Apartments with no space
- Laundromats
- Second Avenue subway construction
- Slow walkers
- The cost of orange juice
- Long waits for brunch
- The air
- The noise
- The price of everything
- Commuting
The stigma of JC is obviously gone, and time seems to be moving so slowly until moving day. My biggest concern (don’t laugh) was not being able to get to Refine as often or easily, but I know I can make it work. Plus I hope to run more often with the river so readily available, which goes well with my plans to PR in a few distances this year. And having an awesome gym right downstairs takes a lot of the edge off.
Time has felt very slow since the day we signed the lease, and these last two weeks are barely crawling. But the fact that I only have one more blog post to write before I move makes it better. Two blogs from now, I’ll be in my new place.
I’m really excited to live like a grownup for the first time. I plan to get matching nightstands that also match the dresser, just like real grownups have in their bedrooms. I also realize that real grownups don’t need to always say how grownup they are, because the whole point of being a grownup is just being one without talking about it. I guess I’m not quite there yet.
32 comments on Leaving NYC
3Pingbacks & Trackbacks on Leaving NYC
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[…] I’ve been telling Dori that I’d like to write a guest post and seeing that we’re four days from moving in together, this seemed like the ideal time. Since everyone loves lists, I thought I’d give you 10 […]
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[…] I accomplish more at work in one year than I ever have before, accepting this job led to Andy and I moving to Jersey City in our first apartment together which was the greatest thing that could have happened for us. Both […]
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[…] fell even more in love with exercise, I met my fiance, I got yet another job, I ran a marathon, I moved to Jersey City, I got engaged, I got a dog, I became a spin […]
Krissy @ Shiawase Life
April 3, 2012 at 11:01 am (12 years ago)Sounds like a great change for you, Dori! Best of luck in your move! The new digs sound awesome!!!!
Catie
April 3, 2012 at 11:09 am (12 years ago)CONGRATS DORI! It all sounds AMAZING!
MelissaNibbles
April 3, 2012 at 11:19 am (12 years ago)It sounds like a great deal and like the positives far outweigh the negatives. I’m so excited for you! Congratulations to you and Andy!
Oh and yeah, the subway sucks no matter what city you’re in. I watched two methheads makeout this morning on the train. I want to bleach my eyeballs.
Ashley @ Hop Skip Jump
April 3, 2012 at 11:44 am (12 years ago)Congrats on the new apartment!
Bess
April 3, 2012 at 11:50 am (12 years ago)Congrats on this exciting new chapter! While I lived in Manhattan the whole time I was in NYC (and lucked upon some “decent for NYC” apts), had I stayed I definitely would have moved out of Manhattan proper.
Words couldn’t express how excited I was when I moved back to LA and had lots of closet space and a washer/dryer in unit (you will become obsessed with doing laundry).
Ali
April 3, 2012 at 11:54 am (12 years ago)So exciting! So happy for you and your great new place! It’s going to be perfect.
healthy ashley
April 3, 2012 at 11:54 am (12 years ago)Congrats on your new step!
Mel
April 3, 2012 at 3:06 pm (12 years ago)Congrats on the new place! It blows my mind how expensive NYC living is — I have a few friends who decided to pick Hoboken (is that close?) for similar reasons you described. Good luck with the move and packing!
Dori
April 3, 2012 at 3:52 pm (12 years ago)Yes, it’s very close!
Rachel Wilkerson
April 3, 2012 at 4:39 pm (12 years ago)So exciting!! I am excited that you and Andy are moving in together and also excited that you get to have the best of both worlds when it comes to NYC real estate!
Yaara
April 3, 2012 at 7:00 pm (12 years ago)Congrats on this new and exciting chapter in your life!! I’m so happy for you!
Michelle
April 3, 2012 at 7:10 pm (12 years ago)april 14th is blocked off for you in case you need help with the move!
Sam @ Mom At The Barre
April 4, 2012 at 1:18 am (12 years ago)I was really surprised by how charming Jersey City was the first time I went there. It all sounds so amazing! Really happy for you!
Brittney
April 4, 2012 at 8:48 am (12 years ago)My brother and his wife live in Hoboken, right on the edge of Jersey City and they love all the same things you do about it. They have a great condo, washer and dryer in it, patio with a grill, etc… I love running next to the river when I go up to visit. You can’t beat that view! Good luck to you guys!!
diana@mymarblerye
April 4, 2012 at 9:30 am (12 years ago)I’m really excited for you! Not only are you in a stable relationship but you are going to have lots of ROOM. I’m sure you are “burnt out” by the city and getting away for a few years will be great. That gym sounds insane by the way.
Amber
April 4, 2012 at 10:19 am (12 years ago)Congratulations Dori! This sounds like it’s going to be just perfect for you guys. That gym looks so nice – how lucky you are that it is so convenient! And you’ll have closets! I’m excited for you.
alex
April 4, 2012 at 10:49 am (12 years ago)congrats!! i live in hoboken and always run over there because its so much nicer than here! also club h has great classes.
Melissa
April 4, 2012 at 2:13 pm (12 years ago)The new digs sound amazing!
Alison
April 4, 2012 at 10:32 pm (12 years ago)Making a move is always hard, regardless of where it is. But it sounds like you have a great deal going on in JC!
Cameo
April 8, 2012 at 7:38 am (12 years ago)YAY! I am so happy for your big move. It is going to be the start of something great, I just know it. Or, the continuation of something great. Either way it’s GREAT! I am looking at JC or LIC as my next stomping grounds. What is your building called? Maybe I will stalk you and move there! HAHA. I kid. I think we are too lazy to change states.
Lindsey @ Eat, Read, Run
April 8, 2012 at 6:44 pm (12 years ago)YAY so exciting!! I actually just visited Jersey City a few weeks ago and was impressed. It was so quiet and calm…and clean! I think you will really like it. I can certainly understand the draw. And your apartment and building sound amazing. Congrats on a great find and good luck with your move. I’m sure I’ll bump into you at some NYRR races!!
Benjamin Waldman
April 9, 2012 at 12:18 am (12 years ago)I am super sad you are leaving the island, but super excited for the two of you! Can’t wait to see the place!
Kaye Beeh
April 9, 2012 at 1:05 am (12 years ago)Aww what a big step to take 🙂 I wish you all the best. I still will follow you here and on twatter 😀
Theodora
April 9, 2012 at 10:54 am (12 years ago)I ran on that boardwalk in the (very cheap!!!) Newport Half. Looks all pretty but is hell on your legs after 12.5 miles. FYI 🙂
Dori
April 9, 2012 at 10:56 am (12 years ago)It’s actually mostly concrete! I walk it during my break a lot at work. Luckily, only a small section is actual boardwalk.
Grace @ Balancing Me
April 9, 2012 at 3:19 pm (12 years ago)Dori, this is amazing and I am so happy for you. Quick question: are you going to be able to swing by your apartment for lunch or random secret breaks? That’s how far I live from my apartment to work now, and it’s glorious.
What’s NOT glorious is my lack of washer/dryer. I … I can’t even express to you how beyond jealous I am of you right now. I am so envious. I would seriously wash my stuff all the time and be the cleanest girl under the sun if I could just lay my hands on my own washer dryer. Which is, I’m sure, what you’re thinking, too. Man. So happy for you (and admittedly envious).
Laura @ Joyful Shimmy
April 9, 2012 at 4:44 pm (12 years ago)Dori! We should meet up for coffee or a run at some point. I live in the waterfront area of Jersey City. I have to admit I love my neighborhood and all of the amenities that I have for a fraction of the price I would live in NYC. I enjoy having my dishwasher, washer and dryer and even a view of the city while enjoying a short commute to work. It’s perfect. Welcome to the neighborhood 🙂
Mallika
April 10, 2012 at 11:53 am (12 years ago)As someone who lived in Jersey City for a long time before moving to Manhattan in a comparatively tiny apartment, I have to say – I agree with everything you have written here, but I’d never go back to Jersey City. It is incredibly boring after a while. Plus…the area near the waterfront gets extremely windy even on bright, lovely normal weather days. Yes…I miss the convenience – and yes, I still would not move back 🙂
But congrats on the move – you will LOVE the closet space AND shoe storage space!
Sarah W.
April 11, 2012 at 1:53 pm (12 years ago)Jersey City is awesome! We come up to visit friends a few times a year.
wonderbagel is the BEST bagel in all of NYC/JC. must go!
there is also a really really good korean BBQ place in palisades park (few mins drive from Jersey city)
last i knew jwoww and snooki were living off grove street in Jersey City to film their new series.