Hello and Good Morning from Jersey City!
If you’ve checked into the blog over the last couple of weeks, then you already know that Scott and I are in the middle of a pretty big transition. We loaded up a U-Haul in Metro Detroit, we set out for New York City last Wednesday, and we haven’t looked back since!
We ended up sleeping on and off every few hours until we made it to Jersey City, New Jersey early Thursday morning. By the time we would have driven straight through (it’s about a ten hour drive without stopping), we would have arrived well into the early hours of the morning with nowhere to store our truck. Needless to say, we took our time.
Mid-Thursday morning, we met our friend Jess who ever so graciously offered us a complimentary stay at her boyfriend’s place until we found one of our own. (Um, lifesavers.)
We have really enjoyed our time in Jersey City and Hoboken! Some of the best views of the Manhattan Skyline are right here.
While it requires more steps and commuting time into the city, we considered looking around Hoboken for an apartment of our own. It’s becoming quite popular!
As you can imagine, life has been all over the place since we arrived. It’s been really nice to catch up with friends, but our main focus over the past few days has been to find an apartment to call home. Lo and behold, we found one!
Neither Scott or I could believe how smooth the whole process went. We knew of an empty apartment in a charming building that wasn’t even listed on the market, and we somehow skipped over going through a broker that comes with a pricey broker fee!
We couldn’t have done it without our friends, Shawn and Hillary, who live in the same building. We have basically been stalking the property and the landlord for months … and timing just worked out. We are so grateful.
We officially move in next weekend, and I am super excited to call Brooklyn our new home. We really love it there, and we feel incredibly blessed that our first New York apartment is located in Park Slope.
After moving our stuff in on Sunday and walking the area, it already feels like home!
Backing up a bit, here’s a look into our weekend riding the trains and exploring different areas of the city when we were looking for potential places to live …
Central Park
Next to Herald Square
The Met
We spent several hours walking Washington Heights, the Upper West Side, and then the Upper East Side. A girl can dream, right? We also walked Columbia University which was really cool to see. Neither Scott or I had ever visited, and we would love to go back and explore more. It’s a beautiful campus and area!
Surprisingly enough, our time in the city has felt anything but overwhelming so far. Little by little, things are falling into place and we have received several affirmations that we made the right decision in moving out here. This week will be focused on getting prepared for an event in Orlando that both Scott and I are working (The Invictus Games!), and, of course, finding full-time jobs here in New York.
Other highlights from the weekend included …
a homemade welcome dinner in the city made by Lauren
coffee and a delicious lunch in Park Slope (this sign is on point)
sushi with Jess and Jareth at Robongi in Hoboken
… a birthday party for our friend, Jason, and live music at Rockwood Music Hall with Erin!
I didn’t take half as many photos as I normally do, but I’m starting to learn that’s okay. We have truly enjoyed diving face first into the big city culture, and I am looking forward to continue sharing our journey with you.
I should be back to more of a normal posting schedule this week, and I’ll see you back in the morning with a new at-home bodyweight workout. Thanks for checking in!
» Linking these Weekend Snapshots up with Katie and Erin.
Question of the Day
• What was one highlight from your weekend?
• Do you know of any must-try places in the Park Slope area?
Have a great Monday!
![[in our elementary school era] 🚌😭
Skyler did great walking into KINDERGARTEN with a big smile on his face this morning. I, however, was a bit of a mess on our walk home. 🥹
It’s wild how fast these 5 years with him have gone … 7 since we moved to NYC and into our apartment, dreaming of the day our kids would someday go to the *awesome* school right down our block. 🏫
That day is today, and I still don’t believe it — feeling allll of the emotions and thanking God for placing us here and for being able to trust His timing through the journey. 🫶🏼 #hbshinnyc
SO proud of you, SK - you are going to rock your first year at your “big boy school” - WE LOVE YOU !! 🩵👑](https://lifeinleggings.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)
That’s so exciting! We’ll be moving to DC (from Michigan) in August. I went to NYC for the first time last summer and loved it. I hope you enjoy living there!
Sarah
The Midwest Darling
Sarah recently posted…My Baby Is Turning Four
We have already really fallen for the city. I have a feeling that we will stay here for a while! Best of luck to your move to DC, you won’t be too far from us!
Yay for finding an apartment! I was so excited when I saw your snapchat. Best of luck getting settled and taking on the city!
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie recently posted…Toned Arms Upper Body Workout
Woot! Thanks for following, Brie. We are really excited!
That’s so exciting you found your apartment already! If I were to ever to move to New York I would definitely choose Brooklyn to live in too.
Jen @ Pretty Little Grub recently posted…Weekend Recap – Exercise, Eat, Repeat
It’s such a great area – and we are grateful to be in an area where everythinggg is only blocks away!
Yay for an apartment! I LOVE Brooklyn – we’re in NJ, but we head there all the time. If you like BBQ, I highly suggest going to Hometown BBQ in Red Hook – it’s the closest we’ve been able to find to authentic Texas BBQ and it’s AMAZING. The restaurant is super cute, as well. Ther’es also an IKEA near there so you can get the essentials and some grub!
Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood recently posted…Best of the Weekend: Snow and Crazy Toddlers
There’s an IKEA? Okay, now I’m really in heaven. Thanks so much for the info – we love BBQ!
I am so excited for you. SO EXCITED! I don’t know Park Slope that well, but I know that it rocks 😀 Good luck getting settled!
Susie @ Suzlyfe recently posted…My Nonchalant Birthday Weekend
Thanks Susie!! I hope you had a great birthday, even though it was in the snow 😉
Life is going to be so exciting living in NYC! 🙂 I loved driving through Brooklyn when we went there about a year and a half ago.
Emily Swanson (@Emily11949309) recently posted…Why Beauty Looks SO DIFFERENT
Wow! So lucky. Finding an apartment in the City can be daunting. So happy for you.
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment recently posted…6 Awesome Ways to Use a Mini Band
Ahh congrats on the apartment! After moving to Atlanta and going through something similar I know how relieved you guys must be! Good luck on finding jobs, but I think you guys are in the right place to do so!
Hilary recently posted…5K, Zunzi’s & Weekend In Savannah
Congratulations on the move and finding an apartment! in NYC, that is a serious accomplishment. Check out Zaytoons in Prospect Heights if you’re into middle eastern food. The dolmas are delicious!
Anna @ THE POSH BODY recently posted…Plantain Taco Recipes
I was wondering if you could do a budget or how to save and spend post sometime? I am a newlywed and my husband and I are planning on moving and definitely have trouble navigating finances within our relationship. Any tips?
Thanks!
Hello! I discovered your blog while studying for the NASM cert test. Thanks for posting all those resources – I passed last Monday! I happened to think to check back on your site and saw this post about moving to Park Slope…where I live! I’m actually in “South Slope” aka “Greenwood Heights,” but I’ve lived in this general area for over 10 years. I’m more than happy to answer any questions or share tips. Here are some I can think of off the top of my head:
Best Burger: Korzo or Lot 2
Best Cocktails: Blueprint
Best Sushi: Nana
Best Italian: Al Di La or Convivum Osteria
Best Tapas: Talde
Best Pizza: Luigis on 5th ave for takeout, Toby’s for eat-in
Best Wine Bar: Brook Vin
🙂
Heather,
I am a longtime lurker, but I’ve never posted any comments until now. I just have to say, congratulations! New York City seems like it will be a fantastic fit for you. I would never want to live there, as I prefer the country or suburbs, but I love visiting! There is always something fun and excited to try, eat, or learn. You are very blessed to have great friends, and also being able to find an apartment that quickly!
I’m an Upper East Side girl myself, but a good friend lives in Park Slope and really likes the area! The only place I’ve eaten with them in Brooklyn is Bareburger (womp womp) but there are lots of cute places around 7th/8th Avenues and Grand Army Plaza.
renaissancerunnergirl recently posted…Weekly Workouts and Updates 4/4-4/11
What an adventure! But it does seem to be falling into place which is a huge sign it was meant to be! Were you able to bring your dog to NYC?
Yay for finding an apartment. The last move we did was about 5 minutes away, so I can’t imagine how anxious you have been to find a place and get settled. Excited to hear about the jobs you find in the city!
Patricia @ Sweet and Strong recently posted…Total Body Cardio and Strength Workout
Wow, how fun that you found a place in Park Slope! I’m a life-long Michigander but visited NYC (including Brookyln, and the Park Slope area), for the first time last fall. It has to feel so amazing to have landed such a great apartment location – if anything, surely it helps to reinforce your decision to move and take on this new chapter. Congrats, and good luck to you and Scott! I’ll be looking forward to getting your recommendations for my next return trip to NYC. 😉
I visited Hoboken a few years ago and remember loving the vibe there! I personally couldn’t live in Manhattan, but I could see myself living there for sure! Best of luck!!
sarah recently posted…Marvelous In My Monday #2
Park Slope is so pretty, you must be so excited to move into such a cute neighborhood. I haven’t spent much time in that neighborhood but had a great dinner (amazing pizza and salad) at Franny’s on Flatbush Avenue.
We are very excited! We will have to check out Franny’s – thanks for the suggestion 🙂
This is an amazing place. Jersey City is beautiful. Thank you for sharing how great New York is.