Does anyone really LOVE New York? (Albany, Marcy: foreclosure, condo, townhouses)

[nyasiandudeinnj]

NYC is expensive for a really simple reason: Everyone wants to live here. Basic supply / demand dynamics working here. If NYC was so horrible as all the naysayers say it is, then why would so many people cram into a closetsize apartment with beautiful pregnant roaches and roacheggs under bad vinyl tiles for $1,600/month ? There goes that argument.

As my username implies: I was born and raised in NYC, but relocated to NJ because I cannot afford to buy a house in NYC. Boo-hoo me that I don't make enough active and passive income, so I decided to live as close to the city as possible without paying too much for a house.

As far as crime, any major city in the world will have crime. There's huge crime problem in Warsaw, Poland, Beijing China as well....Crime is universal.

One of the positives is the gym ritual: Most NYC folks work out harder and faster than any other city I've visited and lived. Running the treadmill in NYC makes me run at a 7-8 when I normally run a 6. The gym environment in NYC made me benchpress at an astounding 225 lbs while I normally bench 175 lbs in other cities. My mixed martial arts performance and workout is significantly stronger and better at a NYC dojo than in NJ or PA or DE.

The only negative that I can say about NYC is its deteriorating infrastructure such as the outdated electrical grid that ConEd struggles to keep up and runnning during the summer heatwave and the deteriorating highway and subway systems. Even if NYC does nothing with them, NYC will still be and continues to be a world class city.

Overall, NYC is a great world-class city that's ranked right up there with Paris, San Francisco, Milan, Tokyo and London.

[BXGEAR]

^American cities are in dire need of repair and reform. Our culture is more on the aggressive side than most of the world (ie. drugs and violence is mainstream). Other countries have ancient history, while America is merely 200 years old. I guess you can say we "grew up too fast".

For those who have been here in NYC forever and is getting tired of it, I suggest you move out of the country for a year or two. Then come back with your experiences. It can very well help change your life for the better.

[Hustla718]

Originally Posted by Wild Style

Hustla,

I see what you are saying. Again you even admitted in your post things are not the same. I agree things have gotten more expensive for a lot of people. Like I said man, my fam is in the hood. My generation was the first one in our family to be born in NYC, our parents just moved there and setup shop. They all landed in Marcy Houses and from there stemmed out. Have family in Albany Houses, East Flatbush, East Harlem, Bronx, lefrak city. I drop all these names so you know I am not one of these people who are talking about places they have no knowledge of.

No, things are the same. In the HOODS. The poverty is the same problem that has always existed. That's all that matters. All the old problems are still there. The kids on the corner will still snatch your phone as they would your chain in the past. The drug dealers might not be killing each other off in bulk like they were, but some get greedy and get found shot in the head in an alley. People still start disputes over meaningless **** in these hoods. Stares, bumped shoulders. It's never a guarantee, but it happends. And if you live there or frequent the area long enough the chances are very good. Almost guerenteed.

Originally Posted by Wild Style

As for the crime and people killing rivals, yeah they killed rivals but I had friends in the game and I can tell you they bodied anybody in the way. I remember once dudes ran up in one of the Projects, knocked on the door and when someone answered they sprayed up the door. They killed kids, girlfriends or whoever was the person to answer the door, just to let heads know that they weren't playing. This was in the 90s and I can tell you thats not gonna happen now because Guliani/bloomberg was/is handing out football numbers for jail sentences. Thats why snitching is so high now, no one wants to go to jail for 20 yrs for strong armed robbery (yes dudes are getting sentences that long for that).

They still do body anyone. Yet even then innocent people getting murdered then was a rare occurance. It happend, but most people were killed over drugs. Today the leading cause of homicide is dispute related (roughly about the same level of violent crime about disputes today as then). Fights that escalate, and sometimes people that are just crazy and will kill you over a stare.

And yes, it happens today. A dispute in which the perp caused an arson in the Bronx earlier this year led to the death of an innocent child. A shootout took the life of a drug dealers daughter about 2 years back in a Mott Haven playground. I know of plenty of people that have been shot in the cross fire. Including an old man who was hit by a stray bullet during a drive by in West Harlem about a week ago. They still don't give a ****. Why should they. If they are going to kill one who cares about the rest.

As for snitching, always been a problem for them.

Originally Posted by Wild Style

I agree man people are being displaced, people are being pushed out of the city, it is harder financially for people than it was a few years back because rents are going up. But I am just speaking on a crime level not necessarily on a financial level. I think though thats going to change soon, I don't see how rents can keep going up like it has been all across America's metro areas. It will get to the point where people can't take it no more and they will bounce. The New York Times had this article that said 100,000 more people leave each year than move to NYC. Thats HUGE, and if that keeps up that will definitely push prices down because you don't have enough people coming in to take up the slack. Hold fast bro, it can't continue like this forever, people are feeling the squeeze and when they feel the squeeze so will these greedy @ss building owners cause they will have places sitting empty.

People are and have been getting displaced but the prices have rose too fast. These young professionals are pricing themselves out the city. The value even now far exceeds the quality of the product. Soon the demand will drop, the bubble will popp and you will see disinvestment especially in undesireable areas of the city.

Personally I am getting out before this city goes to hell. It's on a bad path. We are at risk for a lot of problems here in NYC. Like I said, this city is overpopulated and ill prepared for disaster. 8 million people cramped along a coast, 7 of thos 8 on islands. I guess the fact I work with Law Enforcement just gives me a much more realistic outlook on things then the average person.

Originally Posted by nyasiandudeinnj

NYC is expensive for a really simple reason: Everyone wants to live here. Basic supply / demand dynamics working here. If NYC was so horrible as all the naysayers say it is, then why would so many people cram into a closetsize apartment with beautiful pregnant roaches and roacheggs under bad vinyl tiles for $1,600/month ? There goes that argument.

People move into NYC becuase of the name. It's popular. You can find what you find in NYC anywhere. If you do not agree with me you have never left the Metro area. These people have jacked up the prices, but don't worrry. NYC is running out of idiots who will pay a million dollars for a Brownstone across the street from the Harlem River Houses. If this keeps up just as fast as those prices climbed they will fall. Say hell to disinvestment in the hoods especially.

Originally Posted by nyasiandudeinnj

As my username implies: I was born and raised in NYC, but relocated to NJ because I cannot afford to buy a house in NYC. Boo-hoo me that I don't make enough active and passive income, so I decided to live as close to the city as possible without paying too much for a house.

The burbs of any major city will offer you the same thing. Many other metros are actually cheaper.

Originally Posted by nyasiandudeinnj

As far as crime, any major city in the world will have crime. There's huge crime problem in Warsaw, Poland, Beijing China as well....Crime is universal.

Crime in NYC can happen anywhere although it is mostly concentrated in select areas of the city. None of those cities named have comparable locations to the high crime sections of the city. They do not have nearly the same level of drug crime and the ghetto mentality that afflicts the streets in these places.

Originally Posted by nyasiandudeinnj

One of the positives is the gym ritual: Most NYC folks work out harder and faster than any other city I've visited and lived. Running the treadmill in NYC makes me run at a 7-8 when I normally run a 6. The gym environment in NYC made me benchpress at an astounding 225 lbs while I normally bench 175 lbs in other cities. My mixed martial arts performance and workout is significantly stronger and better at a NYC dojo than in NJ or PA or DE.

Haha, what are you talking about?

Originally Posted by nyasiandudeinnj

The only negative that I can say about NYC is its deteriorating infrastructure such as the outdated electrical grid that ConEd struggles to keep up and runnning during the summer heatwave and the deteriorating highway and subway systems. Even if NYC does nothing with them, NYC will still be and continues to be a world class city.

You don't know the half of it.

[ogplife]

Originally Posted by nyasiandudeinnj

One of the positives is the gym ritual: Most NYC folks work out harder and faster than any other city I've visited and lived. Running the treadmill in NYC makes me run at a 7-8 when I normally run a 6. The gym environment in NYC made me benchpress at an astounding 225 lbs while I normally bench 175 lbs in other cities. My mixed martial arts performance and workout is significantly stronger and better at a NYC dojo than in NJ or PA or DE.
.

This is classic. I won't even comment.

[Wild Style]

hustla,

when I am home, I am in the hood. Marcy Houses, East Flatbush, The Stuy, Fort Green. For those places it has changed. Yeah you still get the tuff guys and the killers but you do your thing and people generally don't bother you. Having lived in three states I can tell you, any place you go with a hood, its the same old story. That crosses color lines too, its just a socio economic thing not a NY thing. I feel your frustration though.

As for the city I think one of two things are going to happen.

A. A return to NYC of the 70s.

or

B. Bubble will burst and those who are in position can finally get on.

I am hoping for B, I mean as you said prices can't go up for ever, it will get to a point where people can no longer pay and prices will have to fall back. Then would be the time to get your money up and buy a spot somewhere. I saw this map of all the foreclosures in BK and the areas that are being hit are massive. I just hope I can get my money right and get a nice spot some where. That is if the city doesn't turn into utter chaos.

wish you the best in your travels

[Debb]

Hi, I am a New Yorker, now living in South Florida for the last 20 years, but a New Yorker in my Heart... I go back as often as I can, got to Florida as I followed my parents here when i was only 20 years old!! Had my kids here, who are now 23, 18 and 11, and I take them to see where I grew up each and every year, and they just love it as much as I do!!!

You will be going to school there, and you made a great choice!! NY City is Alive, and Awake and the people are wonderful... they are there for you if you need anything!! My daughters almost went to school there too, but sadly didnt.... for various reasons, they couldnt.. But when we visit at least once per year we feel so Happy!! NY City is Happy!! There is culture there, and so much to do and see, and from NY City you can travel to various states and you can go upstate NY to the country to visit and see the mountains and hte snow!!! THe city is so exciting and during the holidays it is festive!! You will make lots of friends at your school and everywhere you go in NY. I make friends upon each visit!!! I grew up on Long Island, and visited the city as often as I could, and as i got older and matured I just loved the city more and more: you will never want to leave!!! Dont forget to see the museams, and the broadway shows, and even Canal Street for some fun Replica purses and jewelry!!!! You wil have the best experience by going to school in New York City!! Good luck and let me know how you do there, email me at
DFCOLORS@aol.com , we will visit you when we go to the city anytime!!!
Dont forget Central Park, you can go there and relax on the green grass and they have the zoo, and the festivals,, also the city has great festivals all different times through the year!! Just keep yourself safe, and be careful.. .Giuliani cleaned up the city when he was mayor, and he made it a much safer city.... butyou still have to be aware that s all!!! good luck!!! best regards, Debbie and family

[Hustla718]

Originally Posted by Wild Style

hustla,

when I am home, I am in the hood. Marcy Houses, East Flatbush, The Stuy, Fort Green. For those places it has changed. Yeah you still get the tuff guys and the killers but you do your thing and people generally don't bother you. Having lived in three states I can tell you, any place you go with a hood, its the same old story. That crosses color lines too, its just a socio economic thing not a NY thing. I feel your frustration though.

I grew up, live (but leaving) and work in the hood. I lived in various places here in the USA and outside the country (military).

The hoods of NYC have not changed. I see the youth today doing the same things I saw during the crack era. The same problems. Little differences, insignficant. For example, while less drug dealers and killing each other the economic struggle has increased. How is that an improvement? **** is ****. Bad is bad

Originally Posted by Wild Style

As for the city I think one of two things are going to happen.

A. A return to NYC of the 70s.

or

B. Bubble will burst and those who are in position can finally get on.

I am hoping for B, I mean as you said prices can't go up for ever, it will get to a point where people can no longer pay and prices will have to fall back. Then would be the time to get your money up and buy a spot somewhere. I saw this map of all the foreclosures in BK and the areas that are being hit are massive. I just hope I can get my money right and get a nice spot some where. That is if the city doesn't turn into utter chaos.

wish you the best in your travels

When the bubble burst, the prices will fall hard. The prices are TOO high and when you factor in possible population decline you will see disinvestments in the hoods. That is what all this is leading too.

So if you move to NYC make sure you move into a desireable area. If not be ready for major disinvestment in your nieghborhood in the not to distant future. As for natural disaster, NYC tops the charts for the most likely place to get hit by a major natural disaster. Which will lead to social unrest in an ill prepaired city. The situation in New Orleans was also predicted.

[Wild Style]

Hustla,

I'm with you bro trust me lol, don't feel no way, I see what your saying and I agree. I am speaking more so on the lines of safety. I feel MUCH suffer in the areas i mentioned than I ever did back in the days. But yeah its bad (economically) and it is getting worse; NO DOUBT.

On your disinvestment topic, that can go one of two ways and don't get it twisted bro, its not just the hood. NYT has a few good articles on this subject. It is hitting upper middle class areas too. a lot of these people refinanced their homes with A.R.M.s or they purchased the homes out right with a A.R.M to begin with. As these loans start to reset its going to be a problem. Now in the hood when this happens, if the city holds fast in their promise to keep up the police work, all you need is working class people with some bread to come in and bring the place up. Remember what Clinton Hills was like before the mass migration from Manhattan right? I don't think this is going to happen every where but some places do look to benefit, but this also depends on who is in position to take advantage of the situation when the bottom falls out.

As for natural disasters, yeah it could definitely happen, but then again the entire eastern sea board is at risk bro. I am in South Florida right now and I can tell you, this last hurricane we had was ridiculous. We didn't have electric for damn near two weeks, and couldn't use water for almost a week. We were not prepared at all and we still aren't. Electric lines should be underground and a year later they have not made ANY moves to put them damn things under ground. One of the papers here did a full report of the things south florida needs to become prepared and we don't even meet half those things. I think Orlando was unique because of the levies, if those things didn't give way it would have been a bit more bearable on the people.

As for population decline, NYT had a article (im still trying to find this thing) where it quoted Bloomberg as saying 100,000 more people are leaving NYC each year than moving in. Its already a problem, this was stated when he gave his hiring freeze speech not to long ago. NYC is in a ton of trouble no doubt, but so is a lot of metro areas across America. I am also thinking of moving to Nashville, but they have housing issues, ridiculous tornadoes, drought and air quality worse than nyc or Chicago. there is always going to be some problem, its just a matter of does a place have what you like in enough abundance, so much so that you can live with the negative aspect of things with out it taking away from your quality of life.

[LookingtoLeave]

Originally Posted by nyasiandudeinnj

As my username implies: I was born and raised in NYC, but relocated to NJ because I cannot afford to buy a house in NYC. Boo-hoo me that I don't make enough active and passive income, so I decided to live as close to the city as possible without paying too much for a house.

Are you an accountant? I'm asking because I've actually never heard anyone (until now that is) refer to their income as active or passive.

[taniamw]

I love NY. I left because I couldn't afford to live there and I'll move back when I have enough money. Is it crazy-expensive? Yes. But worth every penny IMO.