Apartment/Big City Living...

[anna7602]

Nov 27, 2012 17:03:45 GMT -5 @mrswindycity said:

I prefer a higher floor for a lot of the reasons mentioned, but something to keep in mind if you plan on having kids in the first apartment you move is that you will want to be on a very low floor or a building with an elevator. We're on the 3rd floor and I seriously can't imagine lugging up all child-related stuff if we didn't have an elevator (and it's obviously nice for groceries, too). In general I am not a first floor fan, but if there's no elevator and kids are a possibility, I would do it.

This is the only point I want to stress, above what others have already said. Having to deal with a big stroller or bike or other kid-related crap on an elevator can be a pain. I have no idea what it's like in the city you're moving to, but in Paris, every elevator building we looked at had TINY elevators. As in, 1 or 2 people could ride in it. For this reason, we chose to live on a European 1st floor (so 2nd floor to Americans). I can make it up 1 flight of steps with DD and all our groceries in tow, or with DD's bike, but if I had to go much more than that, I'd probably hate my daily life.

And in NY when DD was smaller, I hated my friends who lived in 5th floor walk-ups. I would leave our stroller in the entrance to the building and then climb the bazillion stairs with baby DD in my arms, cursing the people under my breath the entire time.

[Deleted]

Nov 28, 2012 12:22:52 GMT -5 anna7602 said:

And in NY when DD was smaller, I hated my friends who lived in 5th floor walk-ups. I would leave our stroller in the entrance to the building and then climb the bazillion stairs with baby DD in my arms, cursing the people under my breath the entire time.

I curse my friends who have lived in 5th floor walk-ups too, even though at most I'm carrying a purse and a bottle of wine when I visit them

[hocus]

NYC poster here.

Location to mass transit is key but every neighborhood has a vibe. Spend time researching places. You probably want a place that has a grocery store and several restaurants close by.

If you're thinking about having a kid you'll want to live near a park. A park is a lifesaver for apartment dwellers. I spend hours at the park on weekends.

We live in a what I like to consider a residential family friendly area. This isn't the suburbs but also isn't really the "city".

Washer and dryers are rare in rentals here so I wouldn't consider that. I send my laundry out as to most people I know. There are many places that do pick up and delivery. I would however try to find a place that has a/c units. Buying them is a big expense.