Single Mom, move to Public Housing, East Harlem?
Posted 10-12-2008 at 09:52 AM by Lawatusa
I am a single mom, 3 kids, 1 teen son, 2 toddler girls. I live in a nice area of Bronx, quiet, tree-lined street, in a private house, where I rent a small okay apartment at an okay but not cheap rent. Gas/Light not included.
My problem, I can't save one cent just because of the expenses of a single mom w/3 kids. Private school (with a partial grant) day care, afterschool programs are the bulk of my expenses. Living expenses are second to that. I work FT, and receive no public assistance.
My question, I have been offered public housing in East Harlem and at cheap rent. I did the numbers and for the first year, I can save roughly $8,000, cutting the cost of living expenses, without giving up the private school for my boy. (This is the only thing I won't give up)
My goal, to be able to buy a modest place (condo/co-op/house) for my children and I. The catch, in a nice area within the city limits, with a good school district for my girls. In addition, I can't and won't commute 2 hours a day to own a home.
The Apt is located near 5th ave/112th st. What do I do? Give up my quiet tree-lined street apartment, where I am just making it for a cheaper apt in a much rougher area in order to save $$ for a down payment for a place of our family's own? I am a PO and work off hours, my boy is often home alone, most times with the girls. I have no help from family and no assistance with the father.
There are a lot of factors to consider but the most important is the safety of my family, mainly my teenage son and of course myself, my job and the off hours I work.
Do I let the opportunity go by? I will never ever be able to do it on my own and there is no prince charming knocking on my door to save the day.
Help. All opinions would be great. Thanks you.
My problem, I can't save one cent just because of the expenses of a single mom w/3 kids. Private school (with a partial grant) day care, afterschool programs are the bulk of my expenses. Living expenses are second to that. I work FT, and receive no public assistance.
My question, I have been offered public housing in East Harlem and at cheap rent. I did the numbers and for the first year, I can save roughly $8,000, cutting the cost of living expenses, without giving up the private school for my boy. (This is the only thing I won't give up)
My goal, to be able to buy a modest place (condo/co-op/house) for my children and I. The catch, in a nice area within the city limits, with a good school district for my girls. In addition, I can't and won't commute 2 hours a day to own a home.
The Apt is located near 5th ave/112th st. What do I do? Give up my quiet tree-lined street apartment, where I am just making it for a cheaper apt in a much rougher area in order to save $$ for a down payment for a place of our family's own? I am a PO and work off hours, my boy is often home alone, most times with the girls. I have no help from family and no assistance with the father.
There are a lot of factors to consider but the most important is the safety of my family, mainly my teenage son and of course myself, my job and the off hours I work.
Do I let the opportunity go by? I will never ever be able to do it on my own and there is no prince charming knocking on my door to save the day.
Help. All opinions would be great. Thanks you.
Total Comments 2
Comments
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Tough Choice
I can't believe no one has responded to your post. Well not sure if it is too late or not but I wanted to give you my 2 cents. It really and truly does depend on the type of parent you are. Let me explain...my mother was a single mom of 3 girls (I'm the youngest) for the majority of my life. She, like you, did not recieve assistance and did not have a "Prince Charming" knocking at her door (until many years later). We lived in the projects but were not "Project Girls". She worked very hard so that the 3 of us were all able to attend private schools from K-12 grade! We came straight home from school (she did not want us to socialize with the other children...although we wanted to, now that I am older I understand why), we brought home excellent grades and were respectful young ladies. Most of the neighbors kept an eye out for us when she was at work and believe it or not we weren't teased or picked on. Years later she was able to put a down payment on a starter home in Westchester County.
The only reason why things worked out so well was because she was a very hands on mom. Homework was checked, parent teacher meetings attended, and she breathed belief in us on a daily basis. We never allowed the neighborhood to determine the type of young ladies we were going to become. Now she only has 10 years left on the mortgage and the house will be my gift when she retires and moves down south. In my opinion you should make the move...it will be worth it in the long run. Hope this helps!Posted 04-01-2009 at 10:00 PM by onmyown09
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I would move to the public housing area i grew up in harlem 133rd an Lenox i'm married now and in the air force with 2 boys and when i get out i'm going right back... harlem is not like it used to be way better !!!Posted 07-11-2009 at 05:12 AM by 212NYC718LV702
