Living in New Jersey

If someone had told me a a few years ago that I would live in New Jersey one day I would have thought they were crazy! Right after our wedding in October of 2007 Dan was offered a job in New York City. I was sad that I had to leave family and my first grade class in Virginia but I was also very excited. I'll never forget driving into Manhattan on New Years Day with our uhaul truck! It was a crazy experience. Seeing all the people and the city still decorated for Christmas and knowing this was our new home was very exciting for us. I'd always been someone that said I love New York City but could never live there. Little did I know! The city has many pros and cons but I have to say living in Manhattan for a year and a half was an amazing experience. I loved being somewhere completely out of my element and exploring everything it had to offer. I now know my way around, understand the subway line, and can't wait to continue our visits many years from now with Anderson to show him where he was born.

When we found out I was pregnant and realized I was going to be staying home we knew we needed to reevaluate where we were living. We looked everywhere in the city but in the end decided we did not want to live in a small one bedroom apartment with our baby. We ventured back out to visit apartments in Hoboken, NJ where we had looked before and loved. As soon as I step off the Path train and arrive in Hoboken it's like a breath of fresh air. I love the city but I

don't miss all the "crazies" and hustle and bustle of people pushing you around everywhere. When we were looking I was sold as soon as I realized that Anderson would be able to have his own little nursery. And who can pass up these wonderful city views?

We have found Hoboken to be very family friendly and a great place to have a baby while at the same time still being minutes away from the city. I took Anderson to his orthopedic doctor's appointment (more on that later) on Monday and it took us 30 minutes door to door. When we got my old car from college in November to have in Hoboken it also made it another great reason to live here. It's been so nice to have a car to go to places like Target, BJs, and the mall in Jersey City. Although we didn't need a car in the city it's nice to have one here to do our grocery shopping and keep us entertained.

So, although I do live in New Jersey a state I never thought I'd call home, I have to say I do love Hoboken. I love the small city feel, local stores, family friendly restaurants, and the waterfront path is absolutely beautiful. I'm so excited for the spring and warmer weather when Anderson and I will be able to go take picnics to Frank Sinatra Park and enjoy the city views. : ) The only real downside of living here is that I wish we were closer to family.

Frank Sinatra Park