>I was thinking... since you're so close to black belt,
>really, would you want to be given the black belt by a certain
>black belt in NYC, or would you be given it long distance by
>your long time instructor like sometimes is the case when a
>student opens a new school in another state, etc., because
>most likely it's going to happen one way or another during
>your time in NY.
>
>


I'd rather get promoted to black by my current instructor; even if I did start training at MGA, Unity, or wherever. But I'll worry about that issue if and when I need to.



>>I have already informed my instructor we will be moving next
>>summer (he's pretty bummed out). I think it is possible that
>>he promotes me to black before I leave, so that would
>>definitely help if I decided to look into teaching for a
>>discounted membership. I feel like good-hearted folks know
>>that a PhD student and a teacher wife (with two kids) can't
>>justify $500/month on a hobby/sport, and would work with me
>on
>>dues. I wouldn't mind paying dues if I had the money, but
>MGA
>>prices are extreme.
>
>You've obviously been thinking about where you plan to live.
>If you commute from the boros or NJ, you could probably find a
>local school that would love another black belt around. But
>maybe you will take advantage of campus housing in the NYU or
>John Jay etc. areas. In that case it's not even just MGA but
>all Manhattan gym prices that are dumb high.
>


Yeah, we are planning to stay in grad housing. I think my chances at NYU are decent; John Jay not so much. NYU overall is my #1 choice (Howard, #2), but I'm applying to 16 schools, and I will be looking to take the best offer I get.



>Let me know if you need me to ask around or if I can help with
>anything man
>


I 100% absolutely will, but I will probably wait until Spring when acceptance and rejection letters start rolling.

The other thing I've been thinking a lot about outside moving into grad housing and finding a new BJJ gym is day care. My oldest will be in first grade, but my youngest will be 3, so we have to navigate that. Which I know is a nightmare in Manhattan.