How Many Times Have You Moved?
Martin-Christopher Harper, a 32-year-old hairstylist, has moved more than 40 times during the 9 years he’s spent in New York City. According to the New York Times: When he lists the neighborhoods he has lived in — in chronological order — he sounds like a bartender reciting a long list of microbrews: “Brooklyn, Chelsea Hotel…
Martin-Christopher Harper, a 32-year-old hairstylist, has moved more than 40 times during the 9 years he’s spent in New York City. According to the New York Times:
When he lists the neighborhoods he has lived in — in chronological order — he sounds like a bartender reciting a long list of microbrews: “Brooklyn, Chelsea Hotel for a moment, Bronx, Carroll Gardens, Crown Heights, Red Hook, Carroll Gardens, Greenpoint, Chelsea, Crown Heights, Carroll Gardens, Williamsburg, Bushwick, Bed-Stuy, Williamsburg, East Williamsburg…”
The article discusses the psychological problems of the constant mover, noting that Harper has been “tackling the issue in therapy.” Sure, 40 moves in 9 years is extreme, but we know plenty of mentally-stable Brooklynites who’ve lived in a lot of apartments in search of the perfect place. Does anybody come close to this guy’s moving history?
The Psychology of Moving [NY Times]
Photo from prettyjjbean.
When I lived in Philly I had five one year leases that all ended on labor day weekend so every Sept for 5 years I moved. Since coming to NYC I have lived in Sheepshead Bay, East Village, Brooklyn Heights (2 different apts), Williamsburgh/Greenpoint and Clinton Hill (2 different places). So that is a total of 7 different houses in 18 years.
since 2003 I have moved 7 different places.
3 in raleigh, nc
1 in chapel hill, nc
3 in Brooklyn, ny
My parents and I moved 13 times before I was 18. That was a hard experience as a kid, always trying to make new friends and fit in. When I moved out on my own, of course I had several places that I lived until finances were stable. Then I bought a home in NY followed by a vacation home in Florida. But I found that I repeated my parents pattern to some degree. I wound up “moving” between the two residences for eight years. But after a while I started feeling like everything was so temporary and began wanting a place to really call home. Now I think I prefer having consistency in where I live. Although I repeat this pattern on a smaller scale living in Brooklyn and having an upstate house. Maybe my exposure in my youth made me OK with this? I feel like both places are home though.
When I was in Dallas, I moved more often that I would have liked, but even that was barely once a year.
When I first got to NYC, we llived in the UES as I wasn’t sure about the other boroughs. After one year (and an increase of our rent by $500 to renew), we relocated to Astoria. Thankfully neither apartment had broker’s fees attached. I didn’t really intend to spend long in the Astoria apartment, it more just a stop gap. That was three years ago. We’d probably stay even longer if we weren’t about to buy in Brooklyn. It’s just too much of a hassle to find a place and get moved in this city, especially if you end up paying broker’s fees too.
I think the regulars on this site are disproportionately homeowners, who probably move less than renters. I’ve lived in 15 apartments in the 10 years I’ve been in NYC. It’s not that unusual. A summer sublet here or there, a breakup with a boyfriend, another summer sublet, grad school, a few months on a friend’s couch while I found another apartment, etc. I’ve never renewed a lease in my entire life. The only time I stayed in a building for more than a year, I moved units, because a bigger apartment opened up.
Now that I’ve bought a place and am gutting half of it, I’ll either die in my house, or move right after the renovation is finished.
I’m in my early thirties and have only moved once in my life…Clinton Hill to Crown Heights.
In 2001, I moved to the Midwest to work for an energy trading company, selling my Brooklyn coop, living in an apartment while looking for a house which I bought. Long story but the Enron story brought be back to NY within 2 years, then I bought a brownstone and renovated it, pretty much a gut renovation. From 2001 till 2005, I lived in 8 different places. This is NOT RECOMMENDED.
7 apts in 10 years. and considering another move at the end of current lease. I think Bono said it best, “still haven’t found what I’m looking for” LOL
4 boroughs, nine places. Not moving again, hopefully.