After 13 years in Boston, Stuart and Patti Rosenberg made a radical way of life change: They moved to rural Virginia and have become farmers.

For Mr. Rosenberg, now 76, who had served because the president and CEO of a Harvard-affiliated medical group, the transfer to Burkeville, Va., (pop. 419) marked a post-retirement homecoming: His mom’s household lived within the space, and one of many city’s streets bears the household identify.

“They had been the farmers,” he mentioned. “My different grandparents had been Lithuanian Jews who emigrated to Boston.”

Ms. Rosenberg, now 66, had reservations. “The joke has at all times been that after I died I needed to be cremated as a result of I would not need a bug touching me,” she mentioned.

However as Ms. Rosenberg, who works as a well being care advisor, discovered about meals techniques in america — “and was simply appalled” — the farm grew to become not only a mission, however a calling. The couple remodeled the 230-acre property, which had belonged to Mr. Rosenberg’s uncle, into an organic-focused farm and agritourism vacation spot, with sheep, goats, chickens, horses, hogs, cattle, a C.S.A., an Airbnb and three workers.

“Now the joke is when she dies, we’ll throw her on the compost pile,” Mr. Rosenberg mentioned.

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However because the years handed, the Rosenbergs started to overlook metropolis life, particularly the entry to tradition. “I’m actually good on tractors, hay baling, chopping, mowing — that was thrilling,” Mr. Rosenberg mentioned. “However after 10 years, perhaps I’ve completed that sufficient.”

Final summer season, they traveled to New York Metropolis so Ms. Rosenberg may meet with a shopper. On a stroll by way of the Higher West Aspect, Mr. Rosenberg discovered himself looking the window listings in actual property places of work. One condominium, within the area of $650,000, caught his eye.

Nicky Rosendorff, an inside designer and actual property agent with the Corcoran Group, stepped exterior and requested if she may assist. “And I mentioned, ‘Who, me?’” Mr. Rosenberg recalled.

“We had no concept of ever shopping for a spot,” he mentioned, figuring it was too costly. “It’s 1,000,000 {dollars} or one thing.”

However the couple had at all times cherished their visits to New York, and the concept of placing down some roots there was thrilling. They’d not too long ago begun scaling again the farm operation, reorienting it as a vacation spot for native vegetation and wildlife.

“It’s not likely about escaping Burkeville, as a result of we’ll at all times be there,” Ms. Rosenberg mentioned. “However coming to New York may be very particular for us.”

Ms. Rosendorff inspired them to go searching, and so they all of a sudden discovered themselves in a full-throttle seek for a Manhattan pied-à-terre.

“Patrons had been unsure about entering into the market on the time due to the upper rates of interest,” Ms. Rosendorff mentioned. “So in a slower market, it really gave patrons alternatives to make educated choices. And there was really a lot to indicate them.”

With a finances of as much as $800,000, the Rosenbergs needed quick access to arts establishments and inexperienced areas. And since they might be driving to and from Virginia, parking was a should.

Ms. Rosendorff had only one remaining query: Did the pair have any pets? “Nicely, we even have 200,” Ms. Rosenberg replied.

Amongst their choices:

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