We have been in NYC for a little while with kids (2/4 yo, we are 33 yo) and even if we are financially well-off, it feels like we can’t buy a house for our lives. We are in the legal industry but potentially could work remotely forever.
Anyone found a city they love outside of NYC where buying a house is doable? We love the diversity we can find in NYC (food, international communities). Any recommendations of cities to look at? Not interested in suburbanish settings.
My parter and I are in a similar situation (same age, no kids) and we’re considering Philadelphia. Really wish we could stay here but I don’t think there’s any number of hours that we could possibly work to make buying here feasible 🥲
Pro
Ok so look, Philly is Philly. It’s cheaper here but get used to off the chain violence being a daily thing in your news feed. Also get used to not being able to buy any clothing, books, etc unless you want to go to the suburbs. So, while you don’t technically need a car, you need a car. And if you decide to have a kid don’t even consider public school.
Other than that it’s alright.
Enthusiast
Do you like Jersey? Lots of my colleague look into one of suburbs or Hoboken
We moved to Austin. Though we do miss NYC, that’s nothing a short flight doesn’t fix.
My partner and I are from Austin. We were lucky enough to buy a place when things weren’t crazy. Now we split time between NYC and Austin. I love Austin but the bang for the buck isn’t what it used to be. Most of our friends and family have moved to the outskirts for better schools etc. Lakeway, Steiner Ranch, dripping Springs
Chief
There are neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Queens that are still affordable but further away from public transport. Plenty of single and two family homes under a million in south Brooklyn.
Chief
When I see people with families here I wonder how people do it. I know many in my neighborhood in BedStuy who live in multi-generational housing. You could still get something great further out but most people are attracted to the most desirable neighborhoods. The taxes are high so I get the struggle.
Same here. The people I know who bought houses in here had family money.
If you’re not averse to the weather, I have colleagues in Rochester and Buffalo who rave about their cities.
Chief
From Rochester and probably going to move back there when we have kids because of the cost of living and good schools in the suburbs. It snows a lot but on the other hand, no hurricanes, earthquakes, forest fires, tornadoes, etc. and they do a good job at plowing the roads quickly.
Westchester? Connecticut? New Jersey? Brooklyn/Queen’s?