Sara Haines, cohost of the popular daytime talk show ‘The View,’ has found a new home and a slower pace of life in the suburbs of northern New Jersey. Leaving behind the hustle and bustle of New York City, Haines and her family discovered a community that resonates with her Iowan roots. This article explores Haines’ transition to suburban life, her experiences in New Jersey, and how it compares to her upbringing.
Haines’ journey from a small town in Iowa to the bright lights of New York and, finally, to the tree-lined streets of New Jersey showcases a quest for balance and a connection to simpler values. Her story highlights the importance of community, family, and finding a place where one truly feels at home. This article will delve into:
- The reasons behind Haines’ move to New Jersey.
- How suburban life in New Jersey compares to her childhood in Iowa.
- Her favorite spots and activities in her new community.
- Her experiences balancing her high-profile career with family life.
Falling in Love with the Jersey Suburbs
For Sara Haines, it only took one visit to the New Jersey suburbs to realize she had found the perfect place for her family. After years of searching for a home in Westchester, Haines and her husband, Max Shifrin, decided to explore properties in northern New Jersey. It was the third house they visited that sealed the deal, with a basketball hoop in the driveway unexpectedly becoming a major selling point.
Originally from Newton, Iowa, Haines found that life in northern New Jersey shared similarities with the Midwest. She noted that the emphasis on family, community, and church resonated with her upbringing. While some New Jersey residents might bristle at the comparison, Haines insists that the values and priorities are surprisingly aligned.
“To me, what I love about where we live now is, it takes it back to the basics I grew up with. It’s about family, it’s about community, it’s about church,” says Haines.
Haines shares three children with her husband, and the move to the suburbs has allowed her to create a more grounded and wholesome environment for them. The slower pace of life and the strong sense of community have helped her fill a void that had been present since leaving her small town in Iowa.
From Sketch Comedy Dreams to ‘The View’
Despite not considering herself a city person, Haines moved to New York City after graduating from Smith College to pursue a career in sketch comedy. When her dreams of joining Saturday Night Live didn’t materialize, she shifted her focus to news and was accepted into NBC’s Page Program.
In 2008, Haines began working behind the scenes of the Today show’s new ten o’clock hour with Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford, conducting celebrity interviews for the show’s website. It was during this time that she caught the attention of Kotb and Gifford, who invited her to appear on their hour to promote the new Facebook page for Today.
This appearance proved to be Haines’ breakthrough moment. She became the fourth hour’s contributing correspondent until 2013, when she transitioned to ABC News. This new role provided opportunities on Good Morning America and a coveted guest-cohost spot on The View.
“That was like a pipe dream for me. So I kind of felt like I had achieved everything by just visiting once,” she says.
After several months, The View invited Haines back, and in 2016, she became a permanent cohost for the show’s 20th season. In 2018, she returned to Good Morning America for a hosting gig on GMA3: Strahan, Sara and Keke. When that show was halted due to the pandemic, Haines was offered the opportunity to rejoin The View, which she described as “lightning striking twice.”
Wholesome Days in the Suburbs
When the constraints of a small apartment and three young children at home made it difficult for Haines to go live on-air during the Covid-19 lockdown, she and her husband decided to make the move to their forever home in the New Jersey suburbs.
Haines describes their life in the suburbs as filled with simple pleasures and outdoor activities. Biking, scootering, and spending time at local parks have become staples of their family life. She emphasizes that this was the kind of environment she wanted for her children.
One of the first places Haines discovered in North Jersey was the walking trails and playground. She also enjoys visiting the Able Baker in Maplewood, praising its sustainable practices and charming packaging. Liv Breads in Millburn is another favorite, where her family religiously orders pizza.
Just a Regular Mom in New Jersey
Despite her high-profile television career, Haines notes that people in her community typically don’t approach her to debate or discuss controversial topics. She feels that New Jersey shares a similar sense of privacy with New York City, where people tend to mind their own business.
Haines emphasizes that, in her neighborhood, she is primarily known as a mom. One of her friends didn’t even realize she was on TV for several years. The most heated discussions she engages in occur at her monthly neighborhood book club gatherings, which she describes as her core group of women friends.
Creating Family Traditions
Inspired by her childhood memories of driving from Iowa to Pennsylvania to visit her grandparents every summer, Haines wanted to create her own family tradition. For the past four years, her family has vacationed in. She describes it as the “least Jersey Shore town in the whole state,” with a focus on family, beach, and food.
Favorite family spots include the Washington Inn and the Rusty Nail, the latter of which caters to kids with sandboxes while adults enjoy live music. These simple yet meaningful experiences have become cherished traditions for the Haines-Shifrin family.
Back to ‘The View’
As the summer winds down, Haines prepares for the premiere of season 29 of The View on September 8. She describes the show’s atmosphere as akin to sitting down with girlfriends over a glass of wine, discussing everything from motherhood to current events to the latest trends in plastic surgery.
Haines appreciates the opportunity to engage in diverse and meaningful conversations with her cohosts Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, Alyssa Farah Griffin, and Ana Navarro. Every day before she walks onto the set, Haines reminds herself to be grateful for the opportunity to live out her dream.
And, she says, she feels lucky to call herself a Jersey girl now, too.
Final Thoughts
Sara Haines’ journey from Iowa to New York City to the suburbs of New Jersey is a testament to the importance of finding a place where one feels truly at home. Her story highlights the values of community, family, and a slower pace of life. By embracing her new role as a Jersey girl, Haines has found a balance between her high-profile career and her personal life.
Key takeaways from Haines’ experience include:
- The importance of community and connection.
- The value of slowing down and appreciating simple pleasures.
- The ability to find common ground and shared values in unexpected places.
As Haines continues to navigate her career and family life in New Jersey, she serves as an inspiration to others seeking to create a fulfilling and meaningful existence. Her story reminds us that it is possible to find happiness and contentment by embracing the values that matter most.
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