Connecticut Family Finds Manhattan Pied-à-Terre for $500K

Karl Minges and Michael Urban search for a small West Side apartment to ease commute and connect with the city.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 9:04am

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Karl Minges and Michael Urban, a married couple from Connecticut, have adopted four children and were looking for a small Manhattan apartment as a pied-à-terre. With Dr. Urban commuting long hours from New Haven to his job at Columbia University's medical school campus, and Dr. Minges driving 45 minutes to his job in Fairfield, the couple decided to purchase a one-bedroom apartment on the West Side of Manhattan for under $600,000 to use during the week and on weekends.

Why it matters

This story highlights the challenges faced by families looking to balance work, family life, and access to the city in the expensive New York real estate market. It also shows how some professionals are finding creative solutions, like purchasing a small pied-à-terre, to ease long commutes and maintain a connection to the urban center.

The details

After considering several one-bedroom options on the West Side, the couple settled on a $499,000 railroad-style one-bedroom co-op with 12-foot ceilings, exposed brick, an updated kitchen, and a lofted sleeping area. The apartment has a small but renovated bathroom and is located on a raised first floor of a 20-unit building. The monthly maintenance fees, which include gas but not electricity, are in the low $1,400s.

  • Two years ago, Dr. Urban landed a job as an assistant professor at Columbia University's medical school campus in Washington Heights.
  • Last year, the couple decided to buy a small place in Manhattan as a pied-à-terre.

The players

Karl Minges

A 41-year-old who is the dean of the College of Health Professions at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut.

Michael Urban

A 47-year-old who is an assistant professor of occupational therapy at Columbia University's medical school campus in Washington Heights.

Kelly Cole

A real estate agent with the Cole Team at Compass who helped the couple find their Manhattan apartment.

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What they’re saying

“If we had a crystal ball, we would have lived someplace closer to the city. But we love the town we're in, and the kids are having fun in the schools.”

— Karl Minges, Dean of the College of Health Professions at Sacred Heart University

“I had the 'aha' moment once when I tried to pick up Mike's backpack. I thought: You are going to throw out your back.”

— Karl Minges, Dean of the College of Health Professions at Sacred Heart University

“But with houses, I'm used to something always coming up. I do a lot of handy stuff, like house repairs.”

— Michael Urban, Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy at Columbia University

What’s next

The couple plans to use the Manhattan apartment during the week when Dr. Urban has classes at Columbia and on weekends to take the kids on city adventures.

The takeaway

This story demonstrates how some families are finding creative solutions to balance work, family life, and access to the city in the expensive New York real estate market, such as purchasing a small pied-à-terre to ease long commutes and maintain a connection to the urban center.