From East Harlem to Bushwick: We wanted a neighborhood that fit us better as a 30-something queer couple
- They swapped a 600-square-foot, two bedroom for $2,550 with a larger one bedroom for $2,995
"We realized Brooklyn would provide us more of the day-to-day activities—and weekend revelry—that we wanted," said Tyler, left.
After their first apartment together started to feel too small, Tyler and his husband decided to move to Brooklyn, where they already liked to spend weekends. They landed in Bushwick, scoring a larger, renovated apartment with a balcony. Here’s Tyler’s story as told to Kelly Kreth.
I was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, later moving to Kansas City, Missouri, for a job opportunity. I lived there for five years, where I met my husband who grew up in rural Kansas.
We moved to New York City last summer to both start new jobs and for an educational opportunity. I work as the minister of Spiritual Formation & LGBTQIA+ Ministry at a Christ Church, a progressive United Methodist congregation in Manhattan, and I am studying in the PhD program at Drew Theological School in New Jersey, where I contribute to the growing field of queer biblical interpretation. My husband cuts hair at Mott NYC, a salon in Soho. We couldn’t see our careers growing anywhere else other than NYC and were thrilled when we both found the right opportunities to make the move.
[Editor's note:“Transitions” features first-person accounts of what it’s like to move from one NYC neighborhood to another. Have a story to share? Drop us an email. We respect all requests for anonymity.]
Most recently, we were living in East Harlem together in a 600-square-foot, two-bedroom apartment for $2,550. It was a great landing pad since it was on the same block as the 6 train and an easy commute to almost anywhere in the city. We were excited to be able to afford a two bedroom on the second floor within our budget—and the extra bedroom was great for the many friends who visited us. However, the apartment was tight, too compartmentalized, and had terrible natural light.
East Harlem has a lot of character and feels quieter than a lot of other parts of Manhattan. We enjoyed daily walks to Central Park, and we loved spots like Frenchy Coffee and Alison, both on our block. There were ample grocery stores nearby, though we often ventured to the Upper East Side to shop at Whole Foods.
Why they decided to move
But despite meeting some neighbors, our social lives kept taking us to Brooklyn every weekend.
We decided to move in the spring once we realized Brooklyn would provide us more of the day-to-day activities—and weekend revelry—that we wanted. We checked out Williamsburg and Bushwick and viewed four units quickly, then submitted an application a few weeks later for the Bushwick apartment that became our home.
What they love about their new place
Our building is a walk up and our place is a one bedroom on the third floor. There is a washer/dryer in the unit, dishwasher, and large balcony that really sealed the deal. It’s spacious at 750 square feet and the rent is $2,995 a month—a dream come true for us. Plus, it has excellent light, a recent renovation, and central AC.
Why they love their new neighborhood
Bushwick fits us better as a 30-something queer couple, especially the more residential part of Bushwick where we live. There are plenty of restaurants and they are cheaper, less busy, and just as good as what had in East Harlem.
We’re still learning our favorite spots in the neighborhood, but we like Bushwick Burger, Brooklyn Vintage Club, Nook Coffee, Wild Wines, and bars like The Exley and Metropolitan nearby in Williamsburg.
We wish there more grocery stores in the neighborhood, though we may have not yet found the right spot.
We’ve already met a few new friends in the neighborhood, sharing more common interests and life experience with our neighbors than before. My husband’s commute is the same, though mine is a bit longer; however, the L is incredibly reliable and a smooth ride. We’re by the Halsey stop and are using our bikes to get around. There are plenty of buses, but we haven’t yet tried those out.
We’re planning to stay for at least a handful of years as I complete my PhD, after which we’ll negotiate moving elsewhere, perhaps buying a condo somewhere in Queens or Brooklyn.
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