10 March 2011

Should We Move Again?



We do not live in the ideal location, or the ideal apartment building, here on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, in a 4th floor walk up. We aren't close to work OR school. Still, we don't have a whole lot to complain about in our current situation and moving is SUCH a pain in the neck to do, not to mention the cost of movers, etc. I've found a really great place in Jersey City for just $100 more per month, about a 7 minute walk from Matt's office, and I really want to move there, but I'm afraid, too. I feel like, if it's not absolutely perfect, maybe it's not worth the hassle of moving, even if it is significantly better.

So I've made a list of pros and cons, and I need your input! Peruse the list and tell me what you think.

Staying Where We Are: Pros
  1. We've made good friends close by.
  2. We don't have to pack everything up and pay movers, like we did just 6 months ago.
  3. Matt takes the kids to school in the morning, saves me the extra trip.
  4. Can get around without a car pretty easily.
  5. Even though it's tiny, I really like the set up of our apartment. It's cozy and it's working well for us.

Staying Where We Are: Cons
  1. I have to haul 3 small children (and a 40 lb. stroller, if I want to use it) up and down 4 flights of stairs. Every. Freaking. Day.
  2. Matt's commute is an hour at minimum. Every. Freaking. Day.
  3. Not close to the kid's school.
  4. We live kinda close to Harlem. Not close enough for any real danger, but our car was broken into, there's always people and traffic noise ALL night, and Max is exposed to 'the N word' any time we go out on the street. Oh, and I'm pretty sure I saw the beginnings of a drug related transaction last week.
  5. Can't really escape the city without spending a lot of cash.
  6. The Super is completely useless.
Moving to Portside Towers: Pros
  1. Washer/Dryer in the unit: save $120/month on laundry service.
  2. Lower taxes in New Jersey.
  3. Indoor and Outdoor play areas - and they are AMAZING play areas.
  4. More square footage.
  5. Less dangerous bathroom, plus there's 2 of them.
  6. ELEVATOR!
  7. Doorman.
  8. 7 minutes from Matt's office - WALKING.
  9. It's quiet, less traffic, etc.
  10. One block from an excellent Montessori school that goes to eighth grade or 2 blocks to a good Catholic school. This is only a pro if we are here for 2-3 more years, at least.
Moving to Portside Towers: Cons
  1. I take the kids to AND from school.
  2. The commute to the school is longer - 32 minutes versus 26, according to Google Maps.
  3. We have to actually MOVE.
  4. We will probably want to buy a vehicle. I already want to get one, but just don't wanna spend the money.
  5. Bad to mediocre public schools.
  6. I can't think of any more cons, but 1-3 are not small. Not huge, but certainly not small factors.
So, what do you think???

3 comments:

  1. Heather Draves10 March, 2011 12:21

    Move!!!!
    I think you will save more money and time in the long run.

    Heather

    ReplyDelete
  2. If Matt is gonna stay at his job longer than 2 more years, you should move. Dad

    ReplyDelete
  3. You should definitely move. Don't get too attached to Manhattan. -Sean

    ReplyDelete