How Did You Find Your Current Home in NYC?
While strolling with my son in the stroller, I managed to spot a house for sale. Excitedly, I followed the street further and discovered the property was still marked as available. A quick call to my husband ensured the opportunity and we called the listing company, who were thrilled to sell it, as they were losing money on it. We made an offer, and they accepted it without hesitation. This house, with its eager buyers, speaks of the changing dynamics of the real estate market in New York City.
How Did You End Up in New York? What's Your Story?
My journey to New York City is a blend of personal and professional challenges. I was born in suburban New Jersey and grew up in rural Oregon. In 2001, I moved to India for work and eventually got married there. However, the homesickness and constant health issues in India began to take a toll on me by 2009. My wife, despite her initial reluctance, agreed to the idea of relocating to the United States. She had visited the U.S. before we met and felt that New York City was the best place to consider.
Feeling the pull of New York, I initiated an online job search and secured a position in Brooklyn, which I began in September. My wife, however, took longer to follow. Her application for a green card took time, and she finally joined me in New York City in 2012. We are both happy with the city, and currently reside in Hell's Kitchen, which is central to the city's activities. However, we anticipate moving to another neighborhood in Manhattan or Brooklyn in the near future due to rising costs.
Family Connections and Personal Reflections
Growing up, my parents moved from Brooklyn to suburban New Jersey. The apartments or houses they lived in are now long gone, replaced by newer structures. My mother, born in Brooklyn, spent her childhood in tiny apartments with her sisters, while my father, who grew up in Elizabeth, New Jersey, often visited NYC excluding the occasional Brooklyn Dodgers home game. My grandparents, on the other hand, worked hard to relocate the family away from the city and its smaller apartments. My generation is reversing that trend, working tirelessly to remain in the city, even if it means living in tiny apartments.
Reflections on Gentrification and Community
Every summer, I visit free punk rock concerts that often have speakers discussing gentrification. The concerts are an interesting juxtaposition of past and present, just a few blocks from where my grandfather was born and raised. While feeling anger towards certain aspects of gentrification, I understand the complex dynamics at play. Balancing the need for progress with the essence of community and history is a challenge. In my grandfather's era, working hard was necessary to escape the city and its challenges. Two generations later, I work just as hard to keep us in the city and navigate the complexities that come with modern urban living.
The journey to and in New York City is one of personal growth, reflecting on past struggles and present realities. The city, with its changing face and complex socio-economic dynamics, continues to shape my journey, offering both challenges and opportunities for reflection.