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Can anyone suggest where to live for a 6 month stay in New York?
Working in Norwalk, bringing wife and 2 children, 4year and 1 year.
Is it better to experience NYC during fall/winter and commute each day or live closer to Norwalk.
Never been to America so any good advise appreciated.
This is what we are trying too establish if its better to live in Manhattan and travel or live in Stamford or Norwalk. Is there more for young families to do in NYC during winter or is the quality of life better out of the city. As I said we have never been to NYC before.
Any suggestions of good suburbs/towns appreciated.
First things first: can you afford to live in Manhattan?
If your wife is adventurous and likes to get out and sightsee / do things with the children, then why not live in NYC if you can afford it? It's only 6 months and they could have the opportunity of a lifetime if your wife is able to take advantage of it with those young children. Since you're presumably going to be out of the house working and she is mostly going to be with the children (is this right?) then IMHO it should be more or less up to her.
If she is the type who prefers to pack the children in a car and take them places and/or prefers mostly just to stay home, then probably Manhattan's not the right place for her. If she's excited by the prospect of an urban environment and wants to deal with carting little children around on the subway and having urban adventures every day, then choose NYC.
Thanks Henna for your input it was helpful with decision making.
Work is paying for our apartment so we can afford to live in Manhattan.
Yes my partner does have the decision to make and you gave us something to think about.
Carting little children around on the subway in winter??? not sure if that sounds great.
Do people use prams/strollers on the subway in NYC? I know its difficult to get a pram on a train/tram in Melbourne.
Urban adventures does sound good so lots to think about
Thanks
Thanks Henna for your input it was helpful with decision making.
Work is paying for our apartment so we can afford to live in Manhattan.
Yes my partner does have the decision to make and you gave us something to think about.
Carting little children around on the subway in winter??? not sure if that sounds great.
Do people use prams/strollers on the subway in NYC? I know its difficult to get a pram on a train/tram in Melbourne.
Urban adventures does sound good so lots to think about
Thanks
I always thought it looked difficult to have a stroller in the subway, but plenty of people do it. There are a fair number of stations where the only way to get up and down is via the stairs. In this case, another subway rider will just pick up the other end of the stroller for the parent and carry it on the staircase. I've never even seen a mother ask for help -- someone always just notices she needs help and lends a hand.
Of course if you're living in Manhattan, they could stick to using taxis when it's just your wife and the kids out without you around to help in the subway.
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I remember an article where people visiting from across the pond (I believe they were from Amsterdam but not sure) left their child sleeping in its pram outside a Bistro while they went inside to eat, and were arrested, causing a big thingy in our local papers. This was apparently an acceptable practice in their country. If Australia is also respectful and safe like that, please be mindful that NYC is not.
NYC is a nice place to visit, but might present a stessful culture shock to the uninitiated who are not used to it. Sure Melbourne and Sidney are big cities - but there isnt a whole lot out there, with the exception of maybe Tokyo that really compares to NYC. You might come home to a much happier family each night if you live in Norwalk, and only visit the City. You might all sleep a little better in a quieter environment. You will also have more time to spend with your family nightly, and NYC could be something you all can experience as a family together on occasional outings.
Best wishes for a safe and happy stay, no matter what your choice.
Work is paying for our apartment so we can afford to live in Manhattan.
Prices in Manhattan are very high so folks can help you best if you write out what the cap is. If you don't have a cap, by all means live in Manhattan.
To give you an idea. In Manhattan, a studio can easily run you beyond $2600 a month in right location or luxury unit and studio being 400 sq ft (37.16 sq meters). More luxurious studios can run way more than that.
Norwalk is a small city and has a diverse population. There are a lot of families in the Norwalk area (Norwalk schools are not the best compared to it's neighbors). The towns that neighbor Norwalk are very wealthy. Norwalk is more middle class- with all different types of housing. Stew Leonard's store is a treat for children, there is also a good Children's Museum (Stepping Stones) great for young children and there is also a nice public playground there, Norwalk Maritime Museum is also nice, Norwalk is by the beach, there are also lots of parks in Norwalk, also Norwalk has lots of big box stores (Walmart, Costco, Toys R Us). Norwalk is an easy train trip to NY city (about an hour).
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