Life update: we’re moving! Episode 71
This week’s episode of Create & Consume is a big one—we’re moving into our first home!
After months of planning, saving, and searching, our lease is officially up at our old apartment, and we’re starting a brand new chapter in Hoboken.
In this episode, I’m sharing why we decided to stay in Hoboken, what the home search process looked like, the most important questions to ask when touring places, and some of the financial planning tips that helped us get here.
Create & consume:
What Austen is creating this week: a blog post with tips for pitching holiday brand deals for creators
What Austen is consuming this week: The Summer I Turned Pretty finale, specifically:
The Dress scene that the whole internet flipped out over
The honest communication between Belly and Conrad
Even the b-plot in Cousins was good
And yes I did rewatch once already but just the Paris scenes
In this episode:
Why we’re staying in Hoboken
We love it here!
Both of our careers are still in NYC, so we wanted to stay close
We get the benefits of homeownership but still with a little help (like with building management and package delivery)
Tips for the home search process
Get on the same page with whoever you’re looking with
If you’re exploring a new neighborhood, spend a full day there to see what it feels like
Tour as many places as you can and take notes (and videos!)—you’ll quickly figure out dealbreakers and nonnegotiables
Find a good realtor who can help you navigate the process
Check Zillow and similar sites daily to spot gems before they’re gone
Questions to ask when viewing potential homes
Why is the homeowner selling and what is their timeline?
How long has the house been on the market?
What’s included in the sale (appliances, furniture, etc.)?
Are there any known issues or hazards with the home?
What will monthly payments look like, factoring in taxes or additional costs like HOA fees?
Bonus details to check:
How is the cell reception inside?
Are there enough outlets?
Do doors and cabinets open and close smoothly?
Is there anything clearly broken or that would need repairs?
Can you talk to a neighbor and see if they have anything to say about the area?
Do you notice any noises (neighbors, street traffic, appliances)?
General financial planning we did
Made buying a home a clear goal so we could intentionally save
Invested money in the stock market
Researched the financial side of homeownership
Saving money tips that helped
Cooking at home more often
Still treating ourselves in small ways (e.g., one weekday coffee shop day + one weekend takeout night)
Choosing public transit over Ubers
Reviewing subscriptions regularly
Living below our means overall
If you want more money-saving inspiration, check out The hot girl’s guide to surviving a recession (Episode 48) where I shared approachable financial tips for stretching your budget and finding stability even when life feels expensive.
Summary
Buying a home is a huge milestone, but it’s also a process filled with learning curves, trade-offs, and a lot of planning.
For us, staying in Hoboken made sense for both our lifestyle and careers, and being intentional about saving and budgeting helped make it possible.
Whether you’re in the middle of a home search or just starting to think about the future, I hope this episode gave you both inspiration and practical tips for approaching the process with confidence.
Listen on Spotify
Listen on Apple