From the East Village to LIC: We were over the 20-something scene and wanted more space

After living in the East Village for a decade, Neha Jain and her family feel they have aged out of the neighborhood. They want more space with an in-unit washer and dryer in a new building. They find all that and more in Long Island City. Here’s Neha's story as told to Kelly Kreth.

I was born and raised in Mumbai, India. In 2008, when my husband and I graduated from college —he went to Northwestern and I went to DePaul—we got jobs in New York City.

Most recently we were living, along with our daughter, in Peter Cooper Village in the East Village. We rented a 1,000-square-foot, two-bedroom apartment for $6,000. It had an open layout, upgraded kitchen and laundry in the basement.

We loved Peter Cooper Village and StuyTown—especially all the park space around the complex. Being so close to New York University meant there was also a fun, young vibe. But the complex wasn’t very close to the subway so we had to walk a couple of blocks to catch the 6 train or walk to 14th Street for the L.

[Editor's Note: Brick Underground's series “Transitions” features first-person accounts of what it’s like to move from one New York City neighborhood to another. Have a story to share? Drop us an email. We respect all requests for anonymity.]

I own my own business and recently launched a website called Bubble Shooter Game, which helps improve cognitive abilities in kids. Before I started this business, I was a consultant with several start-ups so I took the M23 bus to the 6 if I needed to go Uptown or to Midtown East. I’d take the L train at 14th Street to get crosstown. As for my husband, he works in finance.

We loved going to New York Comedy Club. We caught some awesome performers there— one day Jerry Seinfeld randomly showed up!

Wanted: A spacious place in a new building

We decided to move in August, right before our daughter was about to start school, because we felt we had aged out of the neighborhood. We moved into the East Village when we were in our early 20s and stayed there for over a decade. Now that we’re parents, we need to be around other families.

I also wanted more space, newer construction, and the convenience of a washer/dryer in the unit.

We used Modern Spaces to help us find apartments and focused our search on Long Island City. We saw six apartments in two days. It was all very quick. We had to move very fast given the demand.

We decided to take a three-bedroom apartment that was listed for $8,000, and we got one month free for signing a two-year lease.

So we are paying more rent than before but we are getting more space, and the building is beautiful. We have a fitness center, dog spa, parking, roof deck, and lounge. 

What she loves about her new nabe

Long Island City is amazing—We also love the access to parks, shopping, and restaurants. Gantry Park is a wonderful place to walk along the river. There are kid-friendly exhibits at MoMa PS1 and phenomenal margaritas at Casa Enrique. Cafe Henry is great for breakfast. You can't go wrong at Jacx&Co Food Court. Another one of our favorite dinner spots is Adda for Indian food.  

One drawback is that there’s a lot of new high rises going up, and the construction can be disruptive.

But on the plus side: The neighborhood has both young professionals and young families and it is easier for us to get around compared here to the East Village. We live near Court Square station, which serves the 7, M, E, and G trains. 

My sister came to visit us in the fall. Our friends from Manhattan and NJ visited us and they loved the Riverwalk.

Overall, the neighborhood is very welcoming. Four of our close friends moved to LIC after the pandemic, so we already have an established set of friends here, plus we have made a ton of new friends with kids. We like it so much we are hoping to buy in the area when the interest rates go down.

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