As a former new yorker that is an awful decision. Unless I could live in a dooman building on 5th, send kids to the best private schools, country house and driver, I would not live there.

Also you say living outside of the city? That is lame. stay here.

Anonymous wrote:I lived in NYC for 8 years and hate everything about it. Disgustingly dirty, crowded, mean people, not enough space or air - you literally could not pay me enough to move there.

You really think the people in NYC are on the whole meaner than people here? I'm from the West Coast and am a little surprised at how mean DC can be. I thought NYC might be better in that respect.

Anonymous wrote:Maybe I am biased (live in NYC for 20+ before being dragged to the south) but I think that unless you are trying to squeeze into a Manhattan apartment (below 90th street) NYC is just a livable at DC.

I grew up in a large and lovely apartment above 90th st! But not quite Harlem yet. Why the hate?

$250k there is equal to about $100k here. I would probably feel poor unless we were making $500k. That wouldn't even get a great apartment with having to pay for private school and all of the activities, nanny and eating out every meal.

Did you live in NYC with kids? I am a NYC lover. Lived there in my early 20s. Then moved to DC. Thought DC was 'ehhh' compared to NYC. However, I've been back recently for work and at this stage in my life--child, stressful job--, see how undesirable NYC would be. However, if the salary raise is high enough, I do believe you can buy yourself a better life in NYC. Just think through what the actual salary raise will be when that is factored in.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The NYC tax sucks. Note you have to pay it if you live in any of the five boroughs, not just Manhattan.

No shit sherlock - NYC = the five boroughs.

You'd be surprised how many people think they're getting away from the tax by moving to Brooklyn or Queens.

If I were you OP, I'd stay where you're at.

I lived in NYC for 8 years and hate everything about it. Disgustingly dirty, crowded, mean people, not enough space or air - you literally could not pay me enough to move there.

Anonymous wrote:The NYC tax sucks. Note you have to pay it if you live in any of the five boroughs, not just Manhattan.

No shit sherlock - NYC = the five boroughs.

Maybe I am biased (live in NYC for 20+ before being dragged to the south) but I think that unless you are trying to squeeze into a Manhattan apartment (below 90th street) NYC is just a livable at DC.

The NYC tax sucks. Note you have to pay it if you live in any of the five boroughs, not just Manhattan.

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't live in NYC for less than a million a year.

+1. And even with that kind of money, I wouldn't expect to be living the high life.

Don't forget to factor in the higher taxes - income, property, etc. So even with a higher salary you may be taking home less. I also don't think driving into NYC is nearly as easy as driving into DC (not to mention the tolls!), but if you live near public transportation it should be fine. Taking advantage of all NYC has to offer is easy when you don't have kids, but it's harder with kids AND you're not living in the city.

Personally it sounds to me that the only major selling point for you is to be close to family.

FWIW, I'm in a similar situation, where DH's whole family up in that area. DH doesn't like DC very much but recognizes that having my family closeby (who is able to assist with childcare) is something that we won't be able to get in the NYC area since his family is so spread out. Plus, we've seen what his family gets for the price they pay, and as much as we hate the price of real estate in Arlington, it's nowhere near as bad as it is up there....

Our libraries rock? Which ones are nice? When I got MLK library it makes me so sad. Compared to NYC central library!

I wouldn't live in NYC for less than a million a year.

The pros: A job opportunity for more $ (not a lot more, enough to adjust for COL) just came up for DH. My job is easily transferable, and in fact more opps are there for me too. We already know where we would live (a close-in 'hood but not Manhattan proper) and are fine with the public school there through elementary (would probably aim for their AAP program and cross our fingers our DC tests well.) Generally, we love everything about NYC (we left for a temp post here in DC that turned into a longer stint due to family medical issues) and already have a friend base there since we only left a few years ago. Extended family is there too.

The cons: Public school past elementary is dicey so we need to think private at $40k+. We'll have to rent for quite a few years before we can even think of buying anything. I'll be honest and admit that the hassles of NYC can at times outstrip the excitement of living there. We only have 1 DC and DH's entire family lives in this area. We're not terribly close to his siblings but our DC has a great relationship with his grandparents. It would be sad to see this fade when we move away.

Anyway, that's that. It's tough because the more I live in DC, the more I'm being lulled by its charms (Smithsonians with older kids are great, Rock Creek Park is an amazing resource, our libraries seriously rock, free events all the time to engage with, a growing food scene, etc.) but being back in NYC also has it's plusses. Not having lived there as a parent, though, gives me pause.

Anyone out there made the switch back to NYC? Or anyone considered this move but found more reasons to stay in DC? Would love to hear both sides of this coin. Thanks!