To take 1 year old to New York for 6 weeks?

[newyorknewyorks]

DH has a chance to work in NYC for 6 weeks and I'm planning to go with him with our baby who will be just one. DH will be pretty flexible (some time in and out of office) and we'll have some time to do some long weekends away also. We'll get a 2 bed apartment and my parents plan to join us for 3 weeks or so so I'll have help for most of the trip (and they are very very helpful!).

I've never been to the states before. DH has many times but doesn't know New York that well. Is this a crazy idea or will it be good fun? I'm not expecting a whirlwind of sight seeing, just some new museums, new parks, new food, new walks and a few nights out with DH whilst the grandparents kindly babysit. Can anyone give us any tips to make it work for everyone?

I should add, DC on the whole is pretty relaxed with no particular schedule and sleeps very well in the pram or carrier. Sleep overnight is ok and usually settles pretty quickly on holidays, although we haven't been further than western Europe before.

Grateful for any tips!

What time of year OP? Summers are very hot and humid (and smelly!) in NYC so I probably wouldn't choose to be there in July/August, for instance. Sept/Oct is bliss though - the best time of year. It sounds great to me! Yeah, I'd definitely go for it. There are little playgrounds in lots of areas and Central Park is fab with kids. Take a lightweight stroller with good wheels as you'll be walking a lot, but also folds up small for taking on the subway or in cabs. You'll have a great time.

New York is a really walkable city - much like London. Lots of local neighborhoods rather than a centre with sprawl.

Can be ferociously hot and sticky in summer and cold and snowy in winter so time of year will affect how much you want to be out and about.

Food etc is familiar, no language problems, easy to find your way round.

I agree with tigers that you will be very good health insurance.
What time of year are you going? The temperature in both summer and winter can be very extreme.

@MissSookieStackhouse that sounds amazing, you must have made such great memories!

@Greenlittecat please do, another baby to entertain mine would be the cherry on top

@ThatTimeIKnewFamousPeople how funny - I will definitely happily benefit from the fruits of their neuroticism!

Thanks to all those commenting about the weather - luckily Sep / Oct is when we are going. DH has just been out and said it was very hot at the moment.

Babies adapt well and if yours is fairly laid back even better. Amazing opportunity I'd 100% go for it! It's only 6 weeks 😊

Sounds like great fun.
I’d be worried about finding an appropriate appartment and paying for it, but if that is all sorted already I’m not sure why you wouldn’t

I’d probably hate it for my parents to come and invade for 3 weeks though! One week yes

Sounds great and I'm sure you will all enjoy it.

If it were me, though I wouldn't want grandparents there all the time as you'll be living in such close quarters. I'd also want time to do my own thing and to be just me and my DC so I'd not have them over for more than 2 weeks max.

It sounds like an amazing opportunity, definitely go!

I wouldn't it's filthy and stinks to high heaven of weed - everywhere!also the crime rate is off the charts now.

Thanks for the comments re. grandparents. Luckily we get on very well with my parents and they're very very hands on with the baby and keen to babysit at any given opportunity. Our own home is a small city centre apartment so it wouldn't be a hugely different set up but they do plan to split the visit (something like DF visits for a week, DM comes and the three of us leave DH to work and rent a home out of the city somewhere new for a week, DF leaves and DM stays on for a week). They'd also plan to go off on day trips on their own.

You should 100% go! As previously mentioned, make sure to get comprehensive health insurance and then just enjoy NYC! What time of year will you be going?

What kind of job does your DH do that takes him to NYC for 6 weeks, and are they hiring? 😇

Just seen you're going September/October - enjoy the build up to Halloween!! It'll be amazing.

It sounds absolutely amazing. Definitely do it and have a fabulous time.

It's 6 weeks not 6 months. It's basically an extended holiday

Make sure you are housed in a safe neighbourhood and your DH employers don’t scrimp on the accommodation. Battery park, Greenwich and Tribeca are all safe areas.

I think it sounds like a lovely chilled way to explore a new city with a baby, much less pressure than if you were trying to do a mini break or just one week.

Don't underestimate the impact of jet lag on sleep / nap schedules and try to make sure you get outside in the sunshine lots on your first few days, drag bedtime as late as you can - she will be wanting to do her big nighttime sleep mid afternoon and will be waling for breakfast at 3 am (quiet cuddles in bed rather than get up and play). It should settle within a week if you make sure you stick to the new timings for bedtime and meals.

Thanks @WonderingWanda - the exact kind of tips I'm looking for. We've never dealt with time changes beyond an hour or two before.

@iamtheblcksheep I will definitely research the area carefully.

This thread has been so helpful! Whilst I'm posting, could anyone recommend somewhere my parents and I could explore for a week that is reachable by public transport or reasonable drive in a hire car from the city?

We're an expat family who have lived all over. Totally fine, fun and doable!

1. Get medical insurance sorted
2. Find a few local Facebook mums groups. They are life savers!

It will bebgreat and it might inspire you to do a bit more travelling with the baby. Have fun!

Sounds amazing. I'm jealous!

At that time of year I'd go up to New England - Boston is beautiful

https://www.timeout.com/usa/things-to-do/best-fall-foliage-in-usa

ooh yes, time it right and you could see some absolutely beautiful autumn colours!

Sounds like a great adventure!

How lucky to have parents that are willing to come and keep you company too. I'm very jealous OP! Great for DH as well that he doesn't have to be away from his family.

I would look for parent/ toddler groups etc that you can join to get you out and about meeting people. You could probably book these before you go.

A 6 week holiday is hardly uprooting your life…

I wouldn't feel safe enough in new York personally I went probably 6 ISH years ago and I didnt feel safe walking around to be honest, and I can think that is has only got worse ? Just my view !