Our entry for Works for Me Wednesday.
This is our experiment in minimalism. Cool Dad and I have always said we don’t care much about space or “stuff.” We do care about chasing dreams and having interesting experiences.
The following experiment is not for everyone, but we both really felt like we were supposed to go for it. So here we are!
The dream: Living in Manhattan. And doing it on one income so that I can keep my SAHM gig.
What we left: A 3 bed/2 bath house on one acre of land in Florida. Family, friends, cars, and most of our possessions in storage at our families’ houses.
What we brought: Our one-year-old son (Cool Baby), a large rolling suitcase, small rolling suitcase, car seat, full backpack, and diaper bag. Only what we could carry through airports and train stations.
What we have: After 2 months of my husband’s job search, he landed a job at a small organization which will allow the good work/life balance that we were hoping for. We currently live in a studio apartment (zero bedrooms). It does have a separate dining area (size of a hallway) and kitchen (also the size of a hallway). It is in a clean and updated old building in the Upper East Side. It is also the cheapest rent we could find in this neighborhood. I’m not sure of the square footage, but the main room of the apartment is about 10 feet by 12 feet. This room serves as the living room and the bedroom! We have a great park and playground across the street, a public library, and groceries are a couple of blocks away. We love this place.
Some common reactions: Are you crazy? Did you know it gets cold there? Your son won’t have a yard! Or space! You can’t raise a baby/toddler in New York City! Don’t you know that everything is more expensive there?
Almost three months in, current keys to what we hope will be a successful year:
1. Using COBRA insurance coverage from the last job. (Never would’ve guessed that COBRA would one day seem cheap in comparison to health insurance costs here!)
2. A studio apartment. This is huge. I mean, the importance is huge.
3. Only buy items that are on sale that week at the grocery store, unless it’s a staple that we really need.
4. Craigslist and IKEA.
5. Try to laugh off (then forget about) minor frustrations–bumping into things as you move about your home, sharing a room with a sleepless toddler, and having your sweater fall into the sink because you’re storing clothes in your kitchen cabinets.
Tomorrow, Cool Dad will begin a series of posts telling how God got us here. If you want to catch up on the story, look out for that.
If anyone is interested, I’d be happy to post some of the numbers for how much things cost here. We are attempting to keep our expenses below $3,000 per month.
I will be checking back to read your husband’s posts, and I would be interested in your numbers as well. My husband is studying to be a pastor, and our dream is to start a church in NYC (although we are aiming for Brooklyn as opposed to Manhattan). We currently live in a 1 bedroom apt. in Va. Beach, and have no kids. I am constanty wondering where I will put things and how we will survive in NYC with a family and one income (but I know God will provide)
Wow, Cool Mum, you guys are doing so great! I mean, I know GOD is doing great things, but it really sounds like you and CD are rolling with this follow-your-dream business! I love, love, love hearing all about it and can’t wait for more!
Happy Thanksgiving to the Cool Fam!
Hey CD and CM!!! Again, it seems uncanny how much our lives parallel. That room you mentioned is around 12 aquare meters, and I bet your kitchen is about 3 or 5. That is the average apartment in Paris too… however, a good chunk of that three grand would be wiped out on rent. I believe in you guys, and in your cheap abilities… you can do this!!!! The best part, from my perspective is the mutual commitment to really doing it right. I dig that and respect the heck out of you both for chasing that passionately.
If and when I make it back state-side we might have to go have a slice (on ME) You guys RAWK!
A+
Mocha
Cool Mum, I’ve been following your move….especially since we moved as well. It’s really cool to see what God is doing for you guys there in NYC.
Awesome…yes keep us updated, the numbers would definately be interesting…we moved to Texas, where it is cheaper than S. Florida, and people still think we are crazy. :0) Our family is “slightly” larger than yours, but our goals seem to be similar.
Anyway…Thanks for the update.
This sounds interesting. I am glad you are happy : ). I like for people to be happy wherever they are in life. It makes things so much better! I am also glad you are near a park. Parks rock : ).
That sounds amazing! I would be really interested to read your husband’s upcoming posts…
Good Luck ! You All Rocks !!!