Hey, blog buddies! The first part of my July vlog is here… and it captures a pretty big shift! I don’t know about you, but change is feeling pretty good right now. After locking down for the pandemic for months in our cramped apartment, we knew it was time to take the leap and find a new place to call home.
In my June vlog I’d mentioned that we unexpectedly found a place that felt ideal and we got approved for it. I signed the lease and we rented it without actually going to see it in person (major yikes, in my 15 years of living in NYC I never thought I would do that… but, #pandemictimes).
Well, the mysterious abode is finally revealed! This vlog features our very first official visit to the new place after it became ours, an empty apartment tour, some soothing rooftop views of Brooklyn, and a tribute to our old apartment.
Check out the vlog here:
2020 has had a lot of twists and turns, but for us, this one was pretty epic. I hadn’t imagined we’d have the chance to move to a new place this summer after a winter and spring that inspired so many hopeless, “stuck” feelings.
But I also credit the pandemic and quarantining in our old place by allowing us to take the leap. When you spend that much time inside an apartment that’s not right for you… something has to give!
Our last apartment was our first official home together and we made a lot of memories there. E actually moved in with me in 2018. And honestly, we’d been unofficially living together for years before that. ๐คซ But we’ve always had roommates and less-than-ideal living situations. This one is finally ours.
Thanks for watching! Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the bell if you like content about creative living and everyday magic. I’m trying to hit 100 subscribers by 2021! ๐
Look for part 2 coming soon.
Here’s to the future and making it brighter.
P.S. Need some tips on finding an apartment in NYC? Check out the post I wrote after seeking out apartments in various neighborhoods for over a decade:
How To Find An Apartment In NYC: A Serial Mover’s Whimsical Guide
Moving to NYC?
As an NYC transplant since 2005 (with an NYC-based blog since 2008), I post a lot about my experiences living here. As such, my readers and viewers over on YouTube sometimes ask about moving to NYC.
But we can’t talk about moving to New York City without talking about gentrification. It’s a source of great distress for many lifelong NYC residents. The ever-increasing influx of new residents causes real estate inflation, problematic development, and over-policing.
If you’re moving to the city, be conscious of how your presence impacts established communities. Then do something to counter at least a fraction of that negative impact. In other words, make sure youโre giving back in some way. You can do things like…
Support local small businesses instead of large chains (groceries, clothing, and home goods stores, etc). Walk around your neighborhood to find these places and make a point of patronizing them regularly. This is crucial, especially now that the pandemic has devastated businesses across the board.
Donate time, money, and resources to local organizations, both neighborhood-specific and citywide. I’ve listed a few above, but do some research on others, too. Brownstoner has put together a list here.
ย Participate in street clean-ups and neighborhood projects. There are so many of these, including projects initiated by some of the organizations listed above. Search for projects in your neighborhood, pay attention to signage, and seek out local social media to follow.ย A recent project co-founded by my friend Fei isย Plants For The People Brooklyn. They provide free plant clippings, gardening tools, and information about growing plants to community members. They also participate in street cleanups. It’s super cool!
Just be a good neighbor. People will always want to live in this city. Itโs magical, challenging, and inspiring. But yes, your presence will impact people. Whichever neighborhood you pick, commit to being a good neighbor. Be friendly. Be gracious. Know when to mind your business. ๐
