Maren Droubay, age 32, along with her husband and five children, recently relocated from the Salt Lake City area in Utah to New York City. For many years, the family valued their proximity to relatives, the natural surroundings, and the local cultural options Salt Lake City provided. However, they had long aspired to broaden their children’s exposure beyond their familiar environment to a more diverse lifestyle and setting.
Though Utah remained their home base, the family frequently traveled to experience new places. They even homeschooled their children to facilitate these trips, nurturing a growing love for exploration. Visits to New York City over time deepened their affection for the city’s energy and opportunities. Yet, moving there had always seemed out of reach—an unlikely dream.
The opportunity finally arose after ten years when Maren’s husband secured employment in New York. Their move occurred on October 10, 2025. Preparing to leave behind their established life was an immense challenge. According to Maren, transitioning from their six-bedroom house to a Manhattan three-bedroom apartment ranked among the most difficult undertakings they had faced.
Before listing their Utah home, which was an older property, they undertook extensive renovations to ready it for sale. Downsizing proved a major task, requiring the family to minimize their belongings significantly. Furniture, garden tools, and both of their vehicles were sold or given away, and clothing was reduced to roughly a quarter of their previous volume.
Beyond physical goods, the family had to organize essential life logistics, such as identifying new healthcare providers and enrolling their children in school. Despite these obstacles, Maren expresses profound satisfaction with their new city life, marveling daily that they now reside in New York.
Finding their apartment involved leveraging community connections online. Maren utilized Facebook groups and Reddit forums to post their housing needs, specifying a preference for a three-bedroom unit within a certain location radius. This proactive outreach led to a fortunate match: a tenant looking to sublease their three-bedroom apartment in the same month. The unit featured amenities the family valued, including laundry facilities and an elevator.
Although their initial viewing was virtual, relying on video calls, they finally toured the space in person upon relocation. Their apartment includes a sizable bedroom for their three sons, who share a triple bunk bed arrangement. Their two daughters occupy a second bedroom outfitted with a mini crib and a twin bed convertible to a queen-size for visitors. The parents’ bedroom is situated at the front of the apartment, which offers two bathrooms. Notably, the children enjoy a scenic view of the city skyline and the Statue of Liberty, creating a memorable welcome moment as they first glimpsed the iconic vista.
To prepare the children emotionally and mentally for the move, the family held an initial meeting to gauge their feelings and provide information. The children’s prior positive travel experiences helped them embrace the change enthusiastically. The family continued holding weekly meetings to discuss upcoming plans and respond to questions, using images of New York as visual aids. They also created a 'family bucket list' to explore new activities together after moving, which they have started completing during weekend outings.
Leaving Utah evoked sadness, especially since the children had only known their previous house and community. Extended family members, including grandparents and cousins, remained in the state, deepening the sense of loss. Maren emphasized allowing their children to express and hold multiple emotions simultaneously—recognizing it is natural to feel both excitement and sorrow.
In terms of community reception, Maren initially worried about potential negative reactions to traveling with five children in the city. However, she has encountered overwhelming kindness. Strangers regularly assist with tasks such as carrying strollers on subways, offering seats, and even holding children’s hands while navigating transit stations. This contrasts with their prior suburban lifestyle, which involved more isolation and fewer daily social interactions. Living in New York has necessitated greater engagement with a diverse population.
Nevertheless, the absence of nearby trusted friends and family remains a challenge. The Droubays are conscious that rebuilding a reliable support network in their new home will require time and effort.
Financially, the transition has considerably increased their costs of living. Their mortgage payments have approximately doubled compared to Utah, and grocery expenses have risen around 30 percent, with specific items—such as cereal—increasing from $2 to $10 in some cases. Stores like Costco and Target offer similar pricing, but delivery fees apply in the city, adding to overall spending. Extravagance in dining out has further inflated their weekly expenses, though Maren anticipates this pattern may not persist indefinitely.
On the positive side, the family reduces transportation costs substantially by relying on New York’s public transit system, avoiding prior expenses related to cars including payments, insurance, and fuel. Cultural amenities also provide value: many of the city’s museums offer free admission to residents, and children gain free access to numerous activities and venues.
Maren highlights that her husband has experienced significantly improved job satisfaction by working directly in the city rather than commuting. Both parents express heightened happiness, suggesting the intangible benefits of their move extend beyond financial considerations.
Central to their decision is Maren’s vision for enriching their children's upbringing. She articulates a philosophy that childhood should be vibrant and filled with meaningful experiences, reflecting on what memories she hopes her children will cherish in adulthood. Challenging traditional expectations, she believes families can choose paths that differ from those of previous generations or local norms.
Ultimately, the Droubays embrace the changes and sacrifices for the potential rewards. Maren expresses hope that her children will one day recognize and appreciate the deliberate efforts made to provide them with diverse and enriching life experiences in their new urban environment.