Kelly Kreth

Lauren, an attorney, was living in a rent-stabilized apartment in Brooklyn Heights. The location was great, but the place was dark and the building neglected. She saw a new waterfront condo in the Rockaways—the only building she checked out in person as part of her search—and decided to buy there—despite the fact that it would make her commute an hour and a half one way. Here’s her story.

Living in Elmhurst, Queens for the past four years, actress and author Samantina Zenon became increasingly concerned about crime in the neighborhood. During the pandemic, she decided to move somewhere safer and landed in Woodside. Here’s Samantina’s story.

After living in France for over a decade, Catherine and Dan moved to a rural part of Connecticut—and their housing was free at the boarding school where they taught. They liked being close to nature but missed the cultural amenities of city life so badly that they were willing to give up their free rent. They landed in Yorkville, which ticked all the boxes for them.

Ivy Story moved from Texoma, on the border of Texas and Oklahoma, to New York City to escape small-town life. She scored a deal on a studio rental with two months free. Here's her story.

After 14 years, Maureen Sanchez-Paredes and Dr. Manuel Vasquez-Ayala sold their large New Jersey house to move closer to their adult children in Manhattan. Downsizing the family home was challenging and the couple felt stereotyped when touring luxury rentals on the Upper East Side. But they are happy where they landed. Here’s Ms. Sanchez-Paredes’s story.

Homer and his girlfriend work in healthcare and were enjoying living and working in Suffolk County. When both land new jobs on the Upper West Side, they have no desire to commute from Long Island. They end up in a place on the Upper West Side that’s within their budget—but find they’re still spending more each month than before. It’s a tradeoff they’re willing to make. Here’s Homer’s story.