I'd babywear for the subway. I did a stroller a couple times and you either have to do stroller on stairs or brave the like 60% chance someone's peed in an elevator, if it's even operational.

I regret our Nuna all the time — much prefer the compact mountain buggy Nano and wish we had gotten a baby zen yo-yo or, if it had existed back then, a minu. We walk everywhere and navigating the huge stroller in restaurants (back when those were a thing) or any other right space was awful. I even hate keeping it by the door, so huge. That said, we do still use it, now for my 9 month old with my 3.5 year old on a buggy board (or when 3.5 year old is tired, we carry baby in carrier and 3.5 can sit/sleep in stroller).

No. you do not need a full size stroller. We have the babyzen yoyo which is much better for city life. It has a small foot print which is better for tiny cafes, city sidewalks, subway etc. It is also very lightweight if you have a walk up. You can use it from birth to 4 years. The storage underneath has always been plenty for groceries etc in my mind. Less obtrusive is better for city life.

I have both an Uppababy Vista and a Britax B-Ready (long story as to why I have both...), as well as an old Maclaren Volo and a Combi. My Uppababy and Britax strollers are my favorites despite the fact that they weigh a bloody ton. Both have a bassinet for the newborn stage, a huge basket, a dream suspension, and a great canopy. I'd highly recommend a full-size stroller if you plan to walk much and if you want plenty of storage space for being out all day.

If you don't plan to have a second child in the next 3 years, I'd look at the Uppababy Cruz, with the bassinet attachment. If you think you'll have a second child in the next 3 years, I'd look at the Uppababy Vista or Britax B-Ready with bassinet attachment.

Anonymous wrote:If you're tight on space I would plan on wearing the baby until they're older and then using an umbrella stroller. Per my NYC mom friends, the train elevators are often non-existent or non-functioning so a lighter/smaller stroller is a big pro.

We also had a Maclaren umbrealla stroller and it was great (large sunshade, good recline, large basket and comfortable seat) but I agree with PP that pushing it wasn't nearly as comfortable as our city mini GT. That was/is our go to stroller.

Pp who just posted, but I wanted to note here that it is much,much easier and safer to kind of bump a bigger stroller up and down the stairs than it is to carry a lighter stroller down with a kid inside. (If you're traveling during peak hours I wouldn't want any stroller).

Fellow New Yorker here and I love love my Cruz. We last all day with it, load it with groceries, gear, etc. It's good on bumpy sidewalks, park paths, and the stairs. We keep it folded on the ground floor of our walk up. My 3.5yo rides on the piggy back board while my 1yo sits. I'd recommend the Cruz over the Vista if space and weight is a concern. I've never regretted ours, which we bought used right before my older kid was born. We also have an umbrella stroller but it's barely gotten any use bc of covid and our total change in day to day.

Anonymous wrote: Some people get a frame stroller (snap n go) for the first six months and then switch to an umbrella stroller after that.

I loved my snap and go (Chicco) and now only use the Zoe. I wish I had not gotten the bulky full-sized stroller - never use it. Too big and heavy.

Umbrella strollers don’t recline and your baby can’t sit up for 6mo. Split the difference and get a compact stroller that can do a full recline like the City Mini or a stroller that’s my can work with an infant car seat like a Joovy.

If you're tight on space I would plan on wearing the baby until they're older and then using an umbrella stroller. Per my NYC mom friends, the train elevators are often non-existent or non-functioning so a lighter/smaller stroller is a big pro.

We also had a Maclaren umbrealla stroller and it was great (large sunshade, good recline, large basket and comfortable seat) but I agree with PP that pushing it wasn't nearly as comfortable as our city mini GT. That was/is our go to stroller.

Anonymous wrote:I think city dwellers that walk a lot love the Vista (I know I did) because it has a smooth ride that can handle bumps and uneven pavement, it has a huge basket for storage/groceries/whatever, and because you can fit up to three kids on it so it grows with your family. If none of that sounds like it's of use to you then a full sized stroller isn't for you, which is great because they're expensive.

+1. I tried to get away with just an umbrella stroller and promptly got a vista, begrudgingly. LOVE my vista like I never thought I would, and pretty sure it’s because I put up with an umbrella stroller for a month first.

I think city dwellers that walk a lot love the Vista (I know I did) because it has a smooth ride that can handle bumps and uneven pavement, it has a huge basket for storage/groceries/whatever, and because you can fit up to three kids on it so it grows with your family. If none of that sounds like it's of use to you then a full sized stroller isn't for you, which is great because they're expensive.

Full size strollers tend to have bigger baskets which is helpful for getting groceries.

Some people get a frame stroller (snap n go) for the first six months and then switch to an umbrella stroller after that.

I have a Cruz but live in the suburbs. I wish i had got the Minu + the "from birth" kit that allows a snap in bassinet.

https://uppababy.com/ca/product/minu-from-birth-kit/

Most umbrella strollers are not suitable for newborns, though there are a couple that are.

We have a nice umbrella stroller (Maclaren) but I still prefer our full size stroller (not a fancy one - Chicco Bravo) as it feels much smoother on bumpy side walks and has an adjustable handlebar which is really helpful for my back. But I am sure I would get used to using the umbrella stroller exclusively if I needed to and space was at a premium.

First time mom here living in NYC in a small apartment. Everyone I see around me has the uppababy vista but it looks so large. Can we get away with just buying an umbrella stroller and no full size stroller? What the benefits of a full size stroller over an umbrella stroller besides easier maneuverability? It seems like both would do the job of pushing a kid around.