When I first shared in May that I would be moving to Brooklyn I heard from several of you guys inquiring why I was changing boroughs and whether I’d share my experience in moving from Manhattan to Brooklyn. After nearly two months here, I feel as though I’m finally settled and ready to share a little bit about how life has changed with this move!

The biggest reason I moved was to live alone. After living with roommates since 2003, I was very ready to have my own space. The problem with living in New York is that it’s expensive to do so and even more expensive to do so alone. While there were some places in Manhattan within my budget, they were all uptown and in neighborhoods I wasn’t very excited about.

And while I really wanted a one bedroom since I work from home, when I began (looking under a tight timeframe), I didn’t feel like paying an extra $500-$800 for a teensy tiny bedroom just to be able to have another door. What was most important to me was: location, natural light and a dishwasher and the third apartment I looked at fit the bill. It’s a tiny studio but full of light and character and I absolutely love it.

I’ll be sharing more about the apartment itself soon but I have to say I am so, so happy with the neighborhood I settled on. Brooklyn Heights is oozing with charm on every street, my apartment is a five minute walk from the gorgeous Brooklyn Heights promenade, a 15 minute walk to DUMBO, close to all the darling shops and restaurants in Cobble Hill and features easy access to a lot of trains which has come in super handy for shuttling back to Manhattan.

One of the biggest things I’ve noticed that I love about my new location is how calm everything feels. I instantly feel more zen when I get off the subway to head back home, I love the quiet mornings where I can open my windows and hear the birds and I truly love having so many friends nearby that have made my new location actually feel like a neighborhood rather than just a place to rest my head. As I walk around the tree lined streets and go near the water, my heart is singing a little bit with the assuredness I was meant to live here at this time in my life.

I am having to get used to coordinating my days better for when I’m in the city (and thus being more selective on what I say yes to), I’m taking the subway a lot more than I used to and my new place is definitely a bit noisier but all of that is outweighed by having my own space. I love living alone and feel like I’m properly nesting. I’m cooking a lot, loving making my coffee in the morning and watching TODAY as the sun streams in through the windows each morning and decorating a spot that is all mine. It’s truly been the best. I have never loved coming home more!

I have so much more exploring to do in Brooklyn and I am so happy I made this move. I of course miss my beloved East Village and all my old standby favorites but it was time for a change and a new chapter and it’s a chapter I’m already loving writing.

Shop the Post:

Gingham One Shoulder Shirt // Silk Pull On Shorts (under $40) // Aquazzura Heels // Miansai Cuff // Giles & Brother Bracelet (c/o)

p.s another gingham look in case you missed it yesterday and summer outfit inspo.

[Bekka Palmer Photography]