Retiring in Queens? (White Plains, Lee, Stamford: rent, crime, co-ops)

[Coney]

Originally Posted by richrf

Thanks for the suggestion. Yes, we are considering CT and will take a look at some of the areas that are closer to NYC. Some areas have been recommended to me on another thread so we are looking forward to checking them out. Thanks again for your wonderful recommendation.

If your search is expanding to CT, then you also might wish to consider Fort Lee, NJ. There are high rise buildings with 2/2. It's a short bus ride into Manhattan right over the bridge. The Galaxy Towers condo in West New York in NJ is really nice too.

[richrf]

Originally Posted by Coney

If your search is expanding to CT, then you also might wish to consider Fort Lee, NJ. There are high rise buildings with 2/2. It's a short bus ride into Manhattan right over the bridge. The Galaxy Towers condo in West New York in NJ is really nice too.

Hi,

Thanks for the recommendation! Very much appreciated.

Yes, we are expanding our search. Stamford, as it turns out is MUCH cheaper when it comes to rental units and condos. Both in terms of quality, availability, and size (of course this is just comparing listings at this time). So maybe we will be pleasantly surprised with Ft. Lee. I had thought about it but your recommendation has given me the incentive to look more into the possibility. Thanks much!

[FOReverxpeace]

Astoria is a nice neighborhood as well, and also Forest Hills as most mentioned.

[grimace8]

Originally Posted by richrf

Thanks much for all of the links. I will check them all out. I didn't know about StreetEasy and HoPads. If they are accurate, they will be a valuable resource. Thanks again for your very helpful reply!

Another superb site is Trulia
[ZIP code] 11415, Queens - Average and median listing prices - Trulia.com

It's very current with stats and stat nutshells.

e.g.:

The median sales price of $905,000 [for Kew Gardens a.k.a. ZIP code 11415] is 78.40% higher than the median sales price for Queens ... Average price per square foot for homes in 11415 was $333 in the most recent quarter, which is 95.88% higher than the average price per square foot for homes in Queens.

Here are others:
Stamford, CT Market Trends - Trulia.com
Fort Lee, NJ Market Trends - Trulia.com

[Kefir King]

Originally Posted by richrf

Thanks for the recommendation. Just want to be sure I have the definition of sponsor owned coops:

"Sponsor units have no board approval! When an individual or company converts a rental building to a co-op or condo, the first transfer of an apartment, or "sponsor unit" does not require board approval."

I am more concerned with what happens when I sell, so it does not seem like sponsor units will help me since it would be at least the second transfer. Correct me if I am wrong. Thanks.

You are correct, but know well that co-op boards are NOT as persnickety as the horror stories you hear about buildings in the '60's on Park Avenue would have you believe. Co-opss are readily bought and sold daily.
It is the EXTEREMES you hear about (like Streisand and Madonna getting turned down by the Vanderbilts and Whitneys on the board.)

If a resale in a short time frame has you concerned, perhaps a RENTAL would better fill the bill? All you need do is call the movers when you want to clear out.

[mathjak107]

Originally Posted by richrf

Hi everyone,

My wife and I are from the East Coast (I am originally from Brooklyn) and have been living in Chicago for the past 40 years. For a number of reasons, we would like to return to the vibe of the NE.

We have mellowed over the last 40 years (Chicago is sedate by NYC standards) and have been looking mostly in Westchester (White Plains) as a good possibility, but not wanting to leave any stone unturned, I was wondering if it was worth trying to venture back into the city itself? Here is what works for us:

Housing budget: Max: $2800 2b/2b rental with 1 car parking; $500,000 condo (no coop); prefer a receiving room and/or doorman. Quiet and no pets.

Vibe: low key urban; must have organic produce; we really like to walk and enjoy meeting people and visiting local shops (not malls), enjoy reading at a non-Starbucks coffee shop (sorry Starbucks); progressive and diverse.

Rec/Activities: Yoga and table tennis a must; tennis, bridge a plus, art film theatre; rec center to meet new people our age (we are very active 60 year olds);

Anyplace in Queens or any other borough that might work for us?

Thanks!

getting ready to retire ourselves we gave this alot of thought .

we are in bayside queens and really like it there.

being avid fishermen and fisher-woman and hunters we thought we might like the more rural life of the poconos so we bought a home there 5 years ago.

well after being part timers there for 5 years we realize that its not what we want in retirement.

the winters are harsh and long, there is no public transportation if you are unable to drive.

there is limited medical resources and after you do all the local stuff there isnt a heck of alot to do going forward.

so we are selling the house ,re-thinking our game plane and just may end up staying in bayside. even though we dont go to manhattan much there is nothing like being near the center of it all. museums,shows, endless restauants, the list goes on and on.

as much as we do love the country life its really not for retiring as far as we go.

[richrf]

Originally Posted by FOReverxpeace

Astoria is a nice neighborhood as well, and also Forest Hills as most mentioned.

Thanks for the recommendations. I have looked into Forest Hills. There is a very low inventory of apartments and condos in our range but we will keep a look out for something that might fit. We haven't looked into Astoria but will do so and hopefully we will find more choices. Thanks again for your reply!

[richrf]

Originally Posted by grimace8

Another superb site is Trulia
[ZIP code] 11415, Queens - Average and median listing prices - Trulia.com

It's very current with stats and stat nutshells.

e.g.:
Here are others:
Stamford, CT Market Trends - Trulia.com
Fort Lee, NJ Market Trends - Trulia.com

Thanks for the links! Yes, I have used Trulia in the past. I never paid much attention to the stats but will do so henceforth. Thanks for pointing it out to me.

[mathjak107]

Originally Posted by richrf

Thanks for the recommendations. I have looked into Forest Hills. There is a very low inventory of apartments and condos in our range but we will keep a look out for something that might fit. We haven't looked into Astoria but will do so and hopefully we will find more choices. Thanks again for your reply!

your going to find most of queens is co-op.... we have a few condos in bay terrace where we are but they are soooooooooo expensive. co-ops dominate much of the new york area uness they are fairly new construction..

[richrf]

Originally Posted by Kefir King

You are correct, but know well that co-op boards are NOT as persnickety as the horror stories you hear about buildings in the '60's on Park Avenue would have you believe. Co-opss are readily bought and sold daily.
It is the EXTEREMES you hear about (like Streisand and Madonna getting turned down by the Vanderbilts and Whitneys on the board.)

If a resale in a short time frame has you concerned, perhaps a RENTAL would better fill the bill? All you need do is call the movers when you want to clear out.

Thanks for the reply. We are looking initially into rentals but eventually will buy. From purely a financial point of view buy is cheaper than rent nowadays, but we just don't want to put a whole lot of equity into a home until we are sure we like the neighborhood. So probably renting for a year or so will work best for us. Glad to hear that co-ops are not as bad as they once were. Thanks again for the info.