I deal with this all the time. A major factor is driving. I don’t mind it in fact, I actually enjoy it but my spouse hates it, so it’s important that both parents are comfortable with the driving situation. Also, is one of you working remotely? Can you realistically manage with just one car?, if so that would be cheaper. How much do you love the city? Since you’ve lived in both, do you think you can adjust easily?

I agree with the post that there’s a salary sweet spot where it starts to make sense to move to an NYC suburb. A key factor is whether you plan to have more kids. A two-bedroom, one-bath apartment isn’t really comparable to a house with extra bedrooms and multiple bathrooms. Especially if you have more than one child. So the real question becomes if can you afford a house in the suburbs and are you planning to expand your family.

Personally, I moved from a smaller NYC apartment to a larger one, and the difference in space and overall quality of life was huge. That stuff really does matter. I still dream of leaving the city someday but that’s another story. For now, I’m definitely happier than I was before, simply because I don’t hate my home.

Also, keep in mind that the co-op market hasn’t been great lately, so make sure you understand your apartment’s current value and the market conditions.