https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 18 Apr 2026 18:12:34 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stroller-help-what-stroller-or-travel-system-for-a-city-walk-up-apartment#post-1878970 Fri, 26 Sep 2014 13:50:07 +0000 Rockies11 1878970@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SerenaSF: hey, these decisions suck, right? I would say for sure no to the travel system. I echo @luckypenny with a good carrier and an umbrella. We also live in a 3 story walk-up and Uppababy G-Luxe is the bomb because it folds into something that stands and has a carrying strap so it's the easiest to lug up the stairs. It's also the perfect travel stroller - we've travelled to many North American cities and in Europe with it and have no complaints. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stroller-help-what-stroller-or-travel-system-for-a-city-walk-up-apartment#post-1878938 Fri, 26 Sep 2014 13:28:58 +0000 SerenaSF 1878938@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kemma: I hadn't looked into the mountain buggy mini yet but that looks like it could be perfect - kind of a mix between a large regular stroller and an umbrella stroller, but still lightweight with good wheels! Thanks so much for the rec! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stroller-help-what-stroller-or-travel-system-for-a-city-walk-up-apartment#post-1872406 Mon, 22 Sep 2014 04:21:13 +0000 Kemma 1872406@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you plan on doing a lot of walking then you definitely want a stroller with good wheels and suspension, I hired a Snap'n Go while my LO was still in her capsule but it wasn't that great to push on anything but a smooth surface and I much preferred my Mountain Buggy for anything other than quick errands. Personally, I wouldn't worry about being able to attach the capsule if you don't do a lot of driving.</p> <p>Just as another option but have you considered the MB Cosmopolitan or Mini? Here's the link!</p> <p><a href="http://mountainbuggy.com/nz/Products/buggies/cosmopolitan#.VB_oxWscTIU" rel="nofollow">http://mountainbuggy.com/nz/Products/buggies/cosmopolitan#.VB_oxWscTIU</a></p> <p><a href="http://mountainbuggy.com/nz/Products/buggies/MB-mini#.VB_pCGscTIU" rel="nofollow">http://mountainbuggy.com/nz/Products/buggies/MB-mini#.VB_pCGscTIU</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stroller-help-what-stroller-or-travel-system-for-a-city-walk-up-apartment#post-1871388 Sat, 20 Sep 2014 17:03:07 +0000 SleepyMonkey 1871388@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know much about the city mini but I'm wondering if it has a strap or something that can be slung over your shoulder so when you are carrying the stroller, your lo and any bags from whatever errand you just finished, its not too much. Stairs are really tough...I would baby wear for the first few months and then switch to something lightweight with a shoulder strap that can be folded with one hand. We have an uppababy g luxe that weighs 13lbs, reclines and has a shoulder strap. But only issue is that it requires a two handed fold. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stroller-help-what-stroller-or-travel-system-for-a-city-walk-up-apartment#post-1871269 Sat, 20 Sep 2014 13:08:11 +0000 Ginabean3 1871269@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Chiming in late here....we had th UB Cruz! We bought the car seat adapter and what's how we pushed LO around until she got big enough for the seat. We lived in downtown LA...had an elevator, but still encountered a lot of random stairs here and there and it was lightweight and easy to fold. Also. I LOVE the basket underneath.....it's huge! Big selling point for us since we walked a lot and needed storage for all our stuff that we lugged around with us! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stroller-help-what-stroller-or-travel-system-for-a-city-walk-up-apartment#post-1871253 Sat, 20 Sep 2014 12:27:52 +0000 SerenaSF 1871253@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It seems like City Mini is the winning recommendation so far. For those of you that have the city mini, do you have the regular city mini or GT? Is the GT considerably bulkier than the regular? Do the tires really make that much of a difference? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stroller-help-what-stroller-or-travel-system-for-a-city-walk-up-apartment#post-1871066 Sat, 20 Sep 2014 06:42:46 +0000 lamariniere 1871066@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We lived in NYC for my first and had a Maclaren Techno XT from birth. It was great because it can be used from birth, folds easily, doesn't take up too much space compared to practically every other stroller and 3.5 years later we still have it. The cons are that it's a bit bumpy and the basket is tiny. </p> <p>Have you thought about the Bugaboo Bee? They just came out with a new one and it looks really cool, and seems like it would be great for city dwellers. You get a lot of the bells and whistles of a full size stroller, but it is definitely smaller and lighter. </p> <p>If you can't leave the stroller downstairs (locked), I would not get a big stroller that I would have to lug up and down the stairs everyday. That will quickly turn into a huge PITA. My Bugaboo weighs something like 26lbs when completely empty! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stroller-help-what-stroller-or-travel-system-for-a-city-walk-up-apartment#post-1870791 Fri, 19 Sep 2014 19:24:55 +0000 luckypenny 1870791@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi! Welcome :) I just left SF for NYC. Man, I miss it. DH was just there for work and said you guys are having a great Indian summer. So...back to your stroller question...</p> <p>I'd get a used snap n go for when you are planning to take the car. Honestly I didn't use my travel system very long. DD1 outgrew the infant seat at 8 months and after 4 months she was to heavy to carry in the car seat. Plus I know in SF I never used my car. </p> <p>And for everyday use, I would just get a good baby carrier (ergo, bjorn, wrap) and an umbrella stroller. We have the uppababy g-luxe. It can be used from birth, lightweight, and easy to fold. I carry it and my diaper bag up subway steps while holding my toddlers hand. Plus it stands when folded so for crowded small restaurants like in SF that's great. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stroller-help-what-stroller-or-travel-system-for-a-city-walk-up-apartment#post-1870709 Fri, 19 Sep 2014 17:47:05 +0000 catomd00 1870709@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you want a full size stroller with tons of options but is still lightweight, I'd recommend my stroller - contours bliss. I absolutely love it! I was deciding between that and the Vista and although the Vista is definitely a step up, I loved that this was lighter, the seat switches with one hand (which I have found to be very handy!) and the seat turns into a bassinet (vs. the separate bassinet - this was important to me since I was trying to keep gear to a minimum). It could have better wheels, but I use it tons on various terrains and it's a smooth ride. </p> <p>Also, the fact the seat turned into the bassinet was super convenient when my daughter was learning to crawl and wanted to be on her belly all the time! We'd have her in the stroller at dinner and she wouldn't want to sit in it, so we'd fold it down into the bassinet and she was happy as a clam playing in it on her belly.</p> <p>If you don't want a full size stroller, I'd go with the G-luxe. I think it reclines enough you could use it very early on (if not right away).</p> <p>It really depends what options you're looking for. I used the car seat part of my Bliss a good amount, but I had a winter baby and we drive around a lot. I probably still used the bassinet portion more though. The amount of time you'll use the infant adapter piece is pretty small, so I think you can get away without having it, especially if you don't drive tons. (we switched to a convertible car seat at 6 months because the infant carrier gets heavy fast!( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stroller-help-what-stroller-or-travel-system-for-a-city-walk-up-apartment#post-1870692 Fri, 19 Sep 2014 17:22:02 +0000 jhd 1870692@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We love our City Mini &amp; used it from birth with a jj cole infant body support cushion. They have them at babies r us. The stroller reclines and our baby was a pretty good size so he was very comfy and secure. We just have a convertible car seat so we haven't tried the stroller with an infant seat. I love how easy it is to fold the city mini! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stroller-help-what-stroller-or-travel-system-for-a-city-walk-up-apartment#post-1870685 Fri, 19 Sep 2014 17:09:41 +0000 mauxie 1870685@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a UB Vista but I can't imagine taking it up and down a set of stairs every day.. Especially with a baby, diaper bag, groceries... Maybe consider a UB Cruz?</p> <p>In the beginning, even with a stroller, we just ergo'd a lot :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stroller-help-what-stroller-or-travel-system-for-a-city-walk-up-apartment#post-1870671 Fri, 19 Sep 2014 16:58:56 +0000 meredithNYC 1870671@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SerenaSF: We had the Uppababy Vista and liked it, but it was a pain to fold. In retrospect, we probably should have done the City Mini, but I'll admit I chose the Vista because it's cuter :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stroller-help-what-stroller-or-travel-system-for-a-city-walk-up-apartment#post-1870609 Fri, 19 Sep 2014 15:56:20 +0000 SerenaSF 1870609@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Detour: How shallow is it that I want the bumbleride indie to win just because I think it's so much cuter than the city mini? :) Just added it as one of my top contenders. I know the fold isn't as easy as the city mini, but is it significantly harder? They seem quite similar other than that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stroller-help-what-stroller-or-travel-system-for-a-city-walk-up-apartment#post-1870586 Fri, 19 Sep 2014 15:39:29 +0000 maddyz 1870586@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have been thinking about the stroller question a lot. We live in a small NYC 3rd floor walk up.</p> <p>I was a nanny for years and have experience with the city mini and the MacClaren Quest. Personally I prefer to carry the Quest up and down stairs and it's way easier on the train. It also reclines all the way so it's usable for an infant.</p> <p>I plan on skipping the infant seat/frame because again, I find the idea of carrying the infant seat + baby up 3 flights to be no fun. In those early months I think I will mostly use a sling/carrier. But like the idea that the Quest could also work if I want.</p> <p>The uppa baby lux is also an option but the guy at buy buy baby said that the frame and wheels on the quest are a lot better...</p> <p>That's where I am right now for what thats worth. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stroller-help-what-stroller-or-travel-system-for-a-city-walk-up-apartment#post-1870534 Fri, 19 Sep 2014 15:07:43 +0000 BadgerMom 1870534@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not quite in the same situation as you, we live in a small town. But we love our Cruz! We use it with the car seat a lot, but Uppababy makes an infant positioner so you can use the actual stroller seat with a newborn. I chose the Cruz over the Citi Mini because you can have the baby face back or forward. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stroller-help-what-stroller-or-travel-system-for-a-city-walk-up-apartment#post-1870525 Fri, 19 Sep 2014 15:00:45 +0000 Foodnerd81 1870525@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In you situation I would get a city mini. The one handed fold is pretty unique and awesome. You can get the car seat adapter so you can still have baby in the car seat and carry that up and down when she is sleeping. Plus the car seat will face you, while the big seat faces out (I prefer having her face me while she is teeny) I also bought a snap and go on craigslist for really cheap, but I think if you walk a ton (I do) I wouldn't want that to be my main stroller even for a few months. </p> <p>I live in the city but leave our stroller in our garage parking spot. We have an UB vista, which I love, but it's big and just annoying to fold- I would not want I carry it and a baby up a flight of stairs. I planned to have c go in the nice fancy bassinet, rather than the car seat, but she hated the bassinet. So the car seat adapter was worth every penny. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stroller-help-what-stroller-or-travel-system-for-a-city-walk-up-apartment#post-1870455 Fri, 19 Sep 2014 14:23:59 +0000 Bubbles 1870455@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Another vote for city mini! We put LO into it straight from birth, using a newborn positioner. My only complaint in the newborn stage is that it's forward facing so you can't see the baby. My DS didn't like that - but I'm sure some are fine, and if you use a car seat attached or the bassinet then I think those rear face anyway. It's no longer an issue now he's more interested in the world around him, and he knows he has to just look up to see me! </p> <p>I live in a second floor flat up 4 flights of stairs, and even this bad boy feels pretty heavy by the top - I can't imagine having a heavier one! I sling it over my lower arm by its handle so I can have both hands free to carry my 24lb LO at the same time - not doing that journey twice! I would definitely factor weight into your decision, it can be tough if you want to nip somewhere close but then your heart sinks at the thought of dragging the pushchair up and down the stairs! </p> <p>I've never seen one of these snap and go frames but they do sound good, as long as baby is ok with being in the car seat! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stroller-help-what-stroller-or-travel-system-for-a-city-walk-up-apartment#post-1870445 Fri, 19 Sep 2014 14:19:27 +0000 Mrs. Detour 1870445@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No advice from experience since we're still baking #1, but we're in the same situation as you. The GT has an amazing one-handed fold and seemed ideal for a walk up but we went with a bumbleride indie since it was more comfortable to bump up our insanely steep stairs and the staff at our boutique said it was better in the snow. Still, it was a really close call because the GT's folding mechanism is that awesome. Both have bassinets that you can use in lieu of a car seat if you don't drive regularly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stroller-help-what-stroller-or-travel-system-for-a-city-walk-up-apartment#post-1870439 Fri, 19 Sep 2014 14:16:24 +0000 hummusgirl 1870439@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I lived in NYC and didn't use the stroller for the first 6 months - I wore LO everywhere in our Beco carrier. It was so much easier than schlepping the stroller down stairs etc. So...I'd suggest getting a snap n go (used if possible) at first and then see what you really need for a stroller. </p> <p>We have a CityMini GT which I like and was great esp because our sidewalks were "historic" (old and bumpy), but if I could do it again probably would just do an Uppababy Gluxe or Glite which seems to be the nicest umbrella stroller. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stroller-help-what-stroller-or-travel-system-for-a-city-walk-up-apartment#post-1870421 Fri, 19 Sep 2014 14:05:16 +0000 hilsy85 1870421@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>ETA AGAIN that the city mini also comes with a bassinet attachment! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stroller-help-what-stroller-or-travel-system-for-a-city-walk-up-apartment#post-1870417 Fri, 19 Sep 2014 14:01:32 +0000 bunnylove08 1870417@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congrats! </p> <p>We live in NYC and we bought a chicco keyfit 30 and a snap and go type frame. When DD was old enough we put her in our Uppa Baby G Luxe (has the recline option) </p> <p>We found this to be the best fit for our family due to space. Also these systems are lighter than most strollers. Great for going up and down subway stairs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stroller-help-what-stroller-or-travel-system-for-a-city-walk-up-apartment#post-1870415 Fri, 19 Sep 2014 14:00:44 +0000 hilsy85 1870415@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>ETA that if you don't have a bassinet but your stroller seat reclines almost flat, you can buy a newborn positioner that kind of snuggles them in there so they're not just lying in the whole seat </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stroller-help-what-stroller-or-travel-system-for-a-city-walk-up-apartment#post-1870414 Fri, 19 Sep 2014 13:59:50 +0000 hilsy85 1870414@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SerenaSF: I NEVER used the carseat unless I was using the car. I personally didn't like having LO in the carseat unless necessary--I jjust don't think it's a good position for them to be in for multiple hours (and we walk all the time too, so LO was in his stroller for 2-3 hours some days). We had a bassinet in our stroller so we used that, and if he fell asleep in it, we just took the bassinet and put it in the bassinet stand, so we didn't have to take him out. But I think that's the main advantage of the carseat-as-stroller-seat. If they fall asleep in it, you can take them out of the stroller, in the carseat, and not wake them up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stroller-help-what-stroller-or-travel-system-for-a-city-walk-up-apartment#post-1870411 Fri, 19 Sep 2014 13:58:38 +0000 thismustbetheplace 1870411@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SerenaSF: I have the city mini GT, use it with my Britax infant car seat and absolutely LOVE the combination. We use it daily and I'm so happy we picked it.</p> <p>Yes, you would need the car seat until LO is big enough for the big seat. Mine is 11 weeks and I can't imagine him bumping around in the big one just yet :) Basically I park the stroller outside, detach the carseat and bring LO upstairs and set him down in a safe spot, then go back down for the stroller. It's a bit of work but worth every penny!</p> <p>Edit: whichever stroller you decide on will have recommendations for how big baby should be to use the main seat. You can also buy a bassinet if it's compatible (UB has one) but I would think that's just one more thing you'd have to store in your house. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stroller-help-what-stroller-or-travel-system-for-a-city-walk-up-apartment#post-1870394 Fri, 19 Sep 2014 13:50:49 +0000 SerenaSF 1870394@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is kind of a stupid question... how often did you use the car seat without actually using your car? Right now, I only use the car about once a week, so on a daily basis, would I still be using the car seat each time I used the stroller? Or would I simply use the stroller? Is the baby too little for the stroller on it's own in the beginning?</p> <p>(i basically need a motherhood for dummies book!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stroller-help-what-stroller-or-travel-system-for-a-city-walk-up-apartment#post-1870379 Fri, 19 Sep 2014 13:43:48 +0000 catlady 1870379@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Another vote for city mini. We have one and used a carseat adapter so we could just plug it right in when she was a young infant (we had a Britax carseat and it worked great). We knew we wanted a city mini anyway, so we figured we'd just use that instead of the snap and go. It worked for us. It is somewhat heavy (17 lbs) but nowhere near the weight of big strollers. And the one handed fold is so nice.</p> <p>I do sometimes wish I had gotten the GT since the sidewalks around here aren't that level and I feel bad going over bumps. But that one is more expensive and weighs more, and LO doesn't really seem to mind the bumps! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stroller-help-what-stroller-or-travel-system-for-a-city-walk-up-apartment#post-1870367 Fri, 19 Sep 2014 13:38:20 +0000 gingerbebe 1870367@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have the Uppababy Cruz and love it. Huge cargo basket, lighter than the Vista, car seat snaps right into it and rides smooth. The Mesa car seat is a little heavier than others but makes up for it with the easiest install ever. We got the Cruz to try and avoid buying multiple strollers. So far it's working great for us. We just added a Britax parent stroller organizer (told the UP one sucks and is overpriced) and it's been super. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stroller-help-what-stroller-or-travel-system-for-a-city-walk-up-apartment#post-1870348 Fri, 19 Sep 2014 13:33:25 +0000 loveisstrange 1870348@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I honestly agree with @hilsy85: on the City Mini! It only weighs 15lbs (just looked, the new model is 16.8lbs), has an attachable bracket to put the carseat in and folds with one hand. I have been really happy with mine and the company has FANTASTIC customer service. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stroller-help-what-stroller-or-travel-system-for-a-city-walk-up-apartment#post-1870336 Fri, 19 Sep 2014 13:27:51 +0000 Greentea 1870336@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I walk everywhere, usually at least a couple hours a day and I like my bugaboo. I had a tiny space when she was born and I used the bassinet as a moveable bassinet indoors- it doubled as a place to set her. I never used a travel system. I wanted just one stroller- I know a more lightweight/compact stroller may also be needed for some people, for travel/ in the car- but my cameleon has been great. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stroller-help-what-stroller-or-travel-system-for-a-city-walk-up-apartment#post-1870335 Fri, 19 Sep 2014 13:27:37 +0000 Aimed 1870335@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SerenaSF: I am going to second the snap and go. We lived in a tiny NY apartment for LO 1st year and we used it constantly until he was 8-9 months and then we got a city mini. It was so great to be able to transport him out of the stroller without waking him. So y advice is get the snap and go - they are not too expensive and then when you get a better idea of your needs a few months in, you will be better placed to choose a big stroller. </p>