Key facts
- A family of five relocated from Texas to New York City.
- They downsized from a 2,000 sq ft, four-bedroom house to a 1,000 sq ft, three-bedroom apartment.
- Their monthly rent in New York is three times their previous mortgage payment.
- The children share a bedroom, with two in a bunk bed and one in a lofted bed.
- The parents report that the children sleep better when sharing a room.
- The family finds their New York lifestyle simplified and focused on what is important.
Alexis Adegoke and her family, after trying suburban life in Texas for two years, decided to move back to New York City in December 2025. The family of five, previously living in a 2,000-square-foot, four-bedroom, two-bathroom house in Dallas, downsized to a 1,000-square-foot, three-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment in Brooklyn. This move resulted in their monthly rent tripling compared to their previous mortgage payments. The children, aged 6, 4, and 3, now share a single bedroom, with two sleeping in a bunk bed and the third in a lofted bed. Despite the significant reduction in space and increased cost, Adegoke reports that the children are sleeping better and that the family feels happier and more focused on what is important. The family had initially moved to Texas in June 2022, feeling a desire to provide their children with a 'white-picket-fence' life and more space, but within a year, they missed the walkability, community, and opportunities of New York City. Adegoke emphasized that her own happiness as a mother was crucial for the family's overall well-being. The move back to New York involved significant downsizing of belongings, and the children were prepared for the transition through homeschooling lessons and activities.