Why we moved to NYC from San Francisco: To support our daughter undergoing breast cancer treatment
- Lynn and Bob Pearson left their five-bedroom house for a new rental development in Gowanus
- They pay $7,364 for a two bedroom at 499 President St., where they enjoy a pool, gym, and garden
Bob and Lynn in front of Caputo's Bake Shop in Carroll Gardens. "We expected New Yorkers to be more interested in their own thing and too busy to say hello or chat. We were so wrong," Lynn said.
After their daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer, Bob and Lynn Pearson left their family home of several decades to live closer to her in Brooklyn. Now renters, they discovered they prefer it to owning. Here’s their story as told to Kelly Kreth.
I was born in Kansas but grew up in Northern California, primarily in Santa Rosa, where I met and married my husband, Bob. Most recently, we were living in San Francisco, where we raised our two children.
Our home was Edwardian-style, which is common in the area. We bought it in 1988 for slightly under $300,000. It was originally 900 square feet with two bedrooms and one bath on a large lot. We added two floors and expanded it to 3,700 square feet with five bedrooms and three baths 10 years after we bought it. It had a backyard and garden.
Our neighborhood, Mission Terrace, is very quaint and we knew all our neighbors. We were within walking distance of a swimming pool that we used every day to get our exercise. I loved the hills, the views, and the mild weather in San Francisco; being close to the Pacific Ocean and the bay was amazing.
[Editor's note: Brick Underground's series The Newcomers features first-person accounts about why a renter or buyer decided to take a chance on NYC.]
The neighborhood is filled with great ethnic restaurants—wonderful taquerias like Guadalajara and El Farolito. And of course there are lots of great Chinese, Vietnamese, and Thai restaurants. Some of our favorites were Beijing Restaurant, Pho Day, Chase Luck Bakery, Jo Jo’s, Beep’s Burgers. We often met up with friends at a wine place called The Check-In Lounge. We loved our Italian deli Calabria Brothers and the local sandwich shop Roxie Market.
But of course, San Francisco is known for great restaurants so was easy to take BART [Bay Area Rapid Transit] downtown if we wanted fancier dining options.
There was a Safeway and Whole Foods within walking distance and we shopped every Saturday at the Alemany Farmer’s Market. We bought fresh bread at Arizmendi Valencia Bakery on Valencia St. and fresh fish at Sun Fat on Mission Street.
I’m retired from a career in advertising. Bob is also retired. He was a tool and die maker, an occupation with which most Americans are unfamiliar. It’s like a machinist but more highly skilled.
We had a car, but we were also near the BART, the Muni streetcar, and multiple bus lines.
We enjoy babysitting our granddaughters, Alina, three years old, and Inez, 16 months. My husband and I love museums; I take piano lessons and I am involved in various Italian language groups, including a book club and a conversation class, both conducted in Italian.
Why they decided to move
We decided to move to Brooklyn to be closer to my daughter after she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
We knew we wanted at least two bedrooms, two baths, a patio, gym, and pool if possible. We didn't really have a budget. We wanted space since we are used to living in a large house.
It all happened very quickly. We only saw one property. Our daughter lives in Carroll Gardens so when I saw the apartment at 499 President St. in nearby Gowanus, it was perfect. I walked in off the street and we did the application later online.
What they like about their new place
Our new place is a large, two-bedroom unit with two baths, a large living and dining room with a modern kitchen. We have in-unit laundry machines and a large patio. We have great views and lots of natural light. Our rent is $7,364.
We love that the apartment has lots of light, a pool, big gym and beautiful outdoor space.
We have great amenities and staff organize great tenant events. There is an amazing garden on the ninth floor. We cut herbs and vegetables to use in our meal prep. Since my husband and I are avid swimmers, having a pool has been super. The lifeguards are super friendly and so is the staff.
We are so happy we found this building. The tenants we meet in the gym or at the pool or in the elevator are really sweet too—so unlike what we assumed NYC living would be like. We expected New Yorkers to be more interested in their own thing and too busy to say hello or chat. We were so wrong. In fact, we already have had get-togethers with neighbors on our floor.
Because we kept our San Francisco home, we moved here with just our clothing; we had to furnish the apartment from scratch.
What they think of the neighborhood
Gowanus is very vibrant, arty, and a mix of modern and industrial. It has working-class charm combined with young tech energy and hip restaurants and bars.
The grocery and dining choices are great! We’ve tried many places. We love Claro BK, Siempre, Kiosko 787, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, PDA Pizza, Mercado Central for tinned fish, and the bodega at Fourth Avenue and Union. We walk to restaurants and stores on Smith and Court streets, go to Prospect Park and frequent places on Fifth Avenue. There is so much to do.
We find living in NYC to be easier and faster, and more efficient than California!
Our lease is for two years, after that, we’ll see. Moving here was the perfect decision. We always assumed we’d buy an apartment in NYC when our daughter married and had children.
However, after renting at 499 President St., it opened our eyes to having a 24-hour concierge, porters, handymen and beautiful grounds and amenities that we don’t have to maintain ourselves. We are so happy we just might continue to rent.
And our daughter is doing extremely well. She has finished two-thirds of her chemo treatments and the surgery was successful.
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