Native New Yorker— NYC Real Estate Tormented (Union, Murray: apartments, to rent)

[Alysse157]

Originally Posted by artdesignlou

That is what I am considering now. Looking elsewhere in the city where it is affordable.

But my problem is I keep looking back on what I COULD have bought back when (in the good areas). I lived in Cobble Hill for about 15 years and for one reason or another I didn't buy. Now I'm shut out for what seems like forever. It almost feels to me that I had a winning lottery ticket but I flushed it down the toilet.

I just need to deal with the reality of the situation and stop beating myself up. it's hard for me.

Yeah.. I've been known to do that, but you just have to try to remember that beating yourself up is counter-productive. What's done is done and you have to move forward. You should plan a trip up this way and check out some other neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Queens. Who knows? You might be pleasantly surprised. Maybe even the Bronx. I personally am not a fan, but an increasing number of people seem to be heading up that way. And finally, if you're not opposed to crossing the river, could check out Jersey City, Weehawken, West New York, etc.

I would still encourage you, though, to check out other cities as well. Even in the last 2 years, NY has changed quite a bit. Some would say for the better. Some would say for the worse. Really just a matter of opinion, I guess. But in any case, I'm always a big proponent of exploring different possibilities so that you can make an informed decision.

[yodel]

Originally Posted by artdesignlou

That is what I am considering now. Looking elsewhere in the city where it is affordable.

But my problem is I keep looking back on what I COULD have bought back when (in the good areas). I lived in Cobble Hill for about 15 years and for one reason or another I didn't buy. Now I'm shut out for what seems like forever. It almost feels to me that I had a winning lottery ticket but I flushed it down the toilet.

I just need to deal with the reality of the situation and stop beating myself up. it's hard for me.

I know what you mean. We bought in 2004 in the Bronx, but we should have bought much earlier. I should have bought something before I got married, but it never occurred to me. Who would have known that prices would change so much. For a long time I was waiting for them to go down, but that hasn't happened. We like where we are, but some on this forum disparage it. Anyway, it's not Cobble Hill. One of my friends told me point blank when we moved here "I don't go to the Bronx." I do think that eventually you have to just move forward and stop looking back.

[Elvira Black]

Might not be a bad time to buy, because although the real estate bubble has not really burst in NYC like the rest of the country, my sense is that prices are holding relatively steady and maybe even coming down a bit, esp for houses (but I'd say not in Brooklyn).

Many coops in the Bronx are still very affordable, though prices are starting to inch up a bit.

[ogplife]

There are some smaller, but much cheaper cities in Connecticut and New Jersey that can keep you sane during the week and you would be within 2 hours of the city to see your friends on the weekends. That is your best option IMO.

[arel]

Originally Posted by artdesignlou

That is what I am considering now. Looking elsewhere in the city where it is affordable.

But my problem is I keep looking back on what I COULD have bought back when (in the good areas). I lived in Cobble Hill for about 15 years and for one reason or another I didn't buy. Now I'm shut out for what seems like forever. It almost feels to me that I had a winning lottery ticket but I flushed it down the toilet.

I just need to deal with the reality of the situation and stop beating myself up. it's hard for me.

I think most people have some regret about choices made in the past, both actions and inactions. I know I have, and sometimes I beat myself up about them.

When you made decisions in the past, you did not have the luxury of knowing what you know now. You functioned in a different context. You operated with a different mindset, and under different pressures, both external and internal.

Also, the implications of a choice often cannot be known until time has passed.

Everybody has 20/20 hindsight.

Please lighten up on yourself. You are human.

[artdesignlou]

Originally Posted by yodel

I know what you mean. We bought in 2004 in the Bronx, but we should have bought much earlier. I should have bought something before I got married, but it never occurred to me. Who would have known that prices would change so much. For a long time I was waiting for them to go down, but that hasn't happened. We like where we are, but some on this forum disparage it. Anyway, it's not Cobble Hill. One of my friends told me point blank when we moved here "I don't go to the Bronx." I do think that eventually you have to just move forward and stop looking back.

I'm glad to know I'm not the only person who missed out. But you're right about moving forward and not looking back. what other choice do we have?

[artdesignlou]

Originally Posted by arel

I think most people have some regret about choices made in the past, both actions and inactions. I know I have, and sometimes I beat myself up about them.

When you made decisions in the past, you did not have the luxury of knowing what you know now. You functioned in a different context. You operated with a different mindset, and under different pressures, both external and internal.

Also, the implications of a choice often cannot be known until time has passed.

Everybody has 20/20 hindsight.

Please lighten up on yourself. You are human.

Yes, I listened to a mortgage broker who told me prices would go down. And then I was thinking I didn't want a condo, but a whole building. Ridiculous, huh? One of the things I have learned is not to trust other people blindly. I do the research myself now and then make decisions.

[artdesignlou]

Originally Posted by Alysse157

Yeah.. I've been known to do that, but you just have to try to remember that beating yourself up is counter-productive. What's done is done and you have to move forward. You should plan a trip up this way and check out some other neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Queens. Who knows? You might be pleasantly surprised. Maybe even the Bronx. I personally am not a fan, but an increasing number of people seem to be heading up that way. And finally, if you're not opposed to crossing the river, could check out Jersey City, Weehawken, West New York, etc.

I would still encourage you, though, to check out other cities as well. Even in the last 2 years, NY has changed quite a bit. Some would say for the better. Some would say for the worse. Really just a matter of opinion, I guess. But in any case, I'm always a big proponent of exploring different possibilities so that you can make an informed decision.

Thanks for your reply. You're right. What's done is done and I have to move forward and stop being so harsh with myself.

What do think has changed in the last 2 years? Do you think it was for the better?

[artdesignlou]

Originally Posted by ogplife

There are some smaller, but much cheaper cities in Connecticut and New Jersey that can keep you sane during the week and you would be within 2 hours of the city to see your friends on the weekends. That is your best option IMO.

Hmmm... those are options, I suppose. But I thought the cities close to NYC were really expensive.

[DD3]

Don't even think about Chicago!!!!!! It's not NYC!!!!!! You will make a huge mistake.