Navigating childcare in New York City can be one of the biggest challenges for working parents—especially for families relocating from outside the city. In this episode of Let’s Move to New York, host Mark Erickson sits down with Mawena Tafa, founder and CEO of Pickup Buddy, a New York City–based startup addressing the after-school childcare gap in urban environments.

Mawena shares how her background as a lifelong New Yorker and Babson College entrepreneurship student led her to create Pickup Buddy, a service that matches parents with thoroughly vetted college students who safely escort children from school to home or after-school activities using walking and public transportation. Designed for a city where most families don’t own cars, Pickup Buddy offers a smart, flexible solution for modern urban parenting.

Listeners will learn how the platform works, how pickup buddies are screened, why childcare is uniquely challenging in NYC, and how services like Pickup Buddy can help families thrive while balancing careers, parenting, and city life. This episode is a must-listen for parents considering a move to New York City, working professionals seeking childcare solutions, and anyone interested in social entrepreneurship and family-focused innovation.

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Thinking about moving to Dutchess County or Beacon, New York? In this episode, we talk with Elaine Thomas, a top-producing Century 21 real estate agent, about why Hudson Valley communities are drawing buyers from New York City, California, Illinois, and beyond.

Elaine explains how remote work, flexible commuting, and lifestyle priorities have changed the real estate landscape, making towns like Beacon a prime choice for buyers who want space, walkability, and a strong sense of community—without giving up access to NYC.

This conversation covers:

• Why Beacon is one of the Hudson Valley’s most desirable towns
• How hybrid work has reshaped commuting and homebuying decisions
• What first-time buyers from the city need to know before purchasing
• Millennial homebuyer trends and walkable downtown living
• VA loans and homeownership support for veterans and service members

If you’re researching a move to New York State, exploring the Hudson Valley real estate market, or want expert insight into buying a home outside the city, this episode delivers real-world advice from someone who lives and works in the community.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.