Moving on, west.

Is moving always so uncomfortable? I feel like i’m living someone eles’s life.

I lived in Chelsea, Manhattan for the last 12 years. Prior to Chelsea I lived in nomad, and before that I lived in a small building on 10th and University, close to NYU.

I never really felt at home in my apt during college, I felt like I was too young to be living such mature life. I started to settle into my NYC living when I moved to nomad, but Chelsea was the first place I really ever called “home” in New York City.

For much of my life “home” was Great Neck. My parents house was my safe place. But with my parents both affected by brain illness, my parents home quickly felt less like a home, and more like a discomfort. Despite enjoying seeing my parents and visiting my favorite hometown eats, i’ve found myself happy to head back into NYC after a great neck visit.

It's important to have a place you call home.

I knew my time in Chelsea was expiring. Our neighborhood has blossomed into a commercial frenzy. When I first moved to Chelsea Centro, the whole foods on 24th street was the main event. Times have changed. We have coffee shops on every corner, an abundance of supermarkets, Madison Square park and nomad are only 2 avenues away. We kind of have it all - and the prices reflect that.

I lived in 4 different apartments during my time in Chelsea. I started in a studio, met my now husband and moved into a small one bedroom… shortly thereafter we took over a lease for a larger one bedroom with a dreamy terrace - I still miss that apt everytime I think about it. Then about 2 years ago we moved upstairs to a larger one bedroom that we converted to make a small 2 bedroom for lily to have her own space.

We made it work for as long as we could, but with a potty trained toddler and a husband who lives in the bathroom I think we were all tired of bathroom wars. I don't really like fighting my husband for his throne, it's exhausting.

The west side is just the side of Manhattan that is best suited to my personality. It’s more laid back and causal. We searched high and low for where we could live - where we could afford to move. Not an easy task in this market.

A week ago today we landed in our new apartment, I won’t use the word “home” because I still feel like I am in some weird sort of dream and that I don't actually live here. The benefits are that my husband can enjoy a beautiful water view - the Pisces in him craves being around water at all times.

The downside is this area is much less, how shall we saw, happening than where I used to live. I am lost here and wondering when am I going to wake up from this dream?

Mind you we are expecting another child this spring - so I am not exactly galavanting around town 24:7, but I do wish I landed somewhere that I felt more “comfortable”.

Or, is moving always this way?

I do feel a moral obligation to stay close to home while my parents are still with us, but my dream would definitely be to pick up and go. Where to? I’m not quite sure - but the thrill of “anywhere” sounds amazing. Sometimes I think California, sometimes Europe. The thrill of travel is an exhilaration I never stop craving.

I’m curious to hear how moves have affected your lives? When do you know you tried long enough but it’s just not working? How long do I need to give this new place a chance😂?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Till next time.

Xx

Em