Erica and Joe had built a life they loved in the heart of downtown Manhattan, living in Tribeca with their toddler, Brooks, and newborn, Cam. Erica, a corporate retail professional working in fashion, was happy being close to her midtown office. Joe, on the other hand, started considering suburban life when their first son was born.
“I loved being in the city,” Erica says. “My commute to work was 25 minutes, and I loved being so close to Soho. But when I got pregnant with Cam, we knew it was time. We were running out of space. We could have made it work, but it wasn’t long-term.”
The decision to move wasn’t an easy one for Erica, who had spent 13 years in the city. But together, she and Joe set out to find a home that would suit their growing family.
Finding Suburban Jungle
While researching their options, Erica stumbled across Suburban Jungle on Instagram. Intrigued by the unique approach, she decided to reach out. That’s when they connected with their strategist, Alli Levine.
“Alli was so helpful,” Erica explains. “We weren’t 100% sure where we wanted to go. We ruled out New Jersey and Long Island but had no idea beyond that. Alli introduced us to towns we hadn’t even considered. One of them is where we’re moving to!”
The couple’s strategy call with Alli, Erica says, was the turning point. With Erica and Joe unsure of where to begin, Alli crafted a list of towns to tour, each tailored to their priorities.
“Erica and Joe were open-minded but unsure where they would land,” Alli says. “They wanted a family-friendly town with a sense of community, great schools, walkability, and a strong sports culture for their boys.”
Town Tours, Open Minds, and a Surprise Favorite
In late summer, Erica and Joe started touring towns. They visited places that matched their criteria, balancing proximity to family and work with the community vibe they craved.
“At first, my husband had his heart set on certain towns,” Erica says. “Ironically, they ended up being our least favorites! But we kept an open mind. I’d been in the city for so long that I wanted to experience the towns in person. I needed to feel what it would be like to live there.”
One town quickly emerged as a favorite: Old Greenwich. “We loved some of the other towns we toured, but the housing inventory was so limited at the time. And we weren’t ready for a full gut renovation,” Erica explains. “Greenwich, on the other hand, had more options. It was family-friendly, with so many young kids and a community feel that we loved.”
The Perfect House, at the Perfect Time
Their search wrapped up faster than they expected. “It all happened so quickly,” Erica says. “We saw a house on our way to my nephew’s birthday party. We loved it and put in an offer that same day. We didn’t tell anyone until our offer was accepted.”
The house, located in Old Greenwich, checked all their boxes: walkability, proximity to restaurants and playgrounds, and a strong public school system. For Joe, seeing kids practicing sports and families out and about sealed the deal. “He loved seeing how involved people were in the town,” Erica shares.
With their accepted offer, Erica and Joe felt the stars had aligned. “We weren’t even looking in Connecticut initially,” Erica says. “But Old Greenwich was exactly what we were looking for.”
The Role of Suburban Jungle
For Erica and Joe, Suburban Jungle’s guidance made all the difference. “Suburban Jungle is an incredible resource,” Erica says. “I don’t even know where we would have started to find a realtor or how we would have gone about exploring so many towns on our own.”
Alli also shared key advice that helped Erica and Joe make the most of their town tours. “She told us to pay attention to the local vibe, whether the neighborhoods feel kid-friendly, and if we could see ourselves making friends here,” Erica recalls. “She even sent us events in the communities we were touring, which helped us really experience the towns.”
Alli adds, “Erica and Joe were so thoughtful throughout the process. They were open to exploring, but they also stayed true to their priorities. That combination made it easy to help them find their perfect fit.”
Advice for Other Families
As Erica and Joe prepare to settle into their new home, Erica has advice for other city families considering a move. “Just do it,” she says. “I was so nervous to leave the city, but once we started going on town tours, I realized most people here still commute into the city for work. It made leaving so much less scary.”
Her biggest tip? Keep an open mind. “We ended up in a town we didn’t even have on our radar. Be open to exploring different areas. Weigh the pros and cons, take notes, and visit the towns multiple times if you can.”
For Erica and Joe, the move to Old Greenwich represents the start of an exciting new chapter. “I’ll miss the city,” Erica admits. “But I’m so excited for the space and the life we’re building here. It feels like the perfect fit for our family.”
For more client stories, visit SJ’s blog page on our website.
Ready to find the perfect town in 2025? Let’s talk! Schedule a free initial strategy call today.
