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My spouse and I just bought in the Bronx. We're white, middle-class people. We had to leave Brooklyn after we couldn't afford the rents, rented in Queens for five years, were ready to buy and couldn't find anything we could afford / wanted to spend that much money on. In Astoria, where we lived, there was a new condo development a block from us. 700 sq. ft. one bedroom apartments were selling for more than the 2,000 sq. ft. house on a 3,500 sq. ft. lot, with a driveway, that we ended up buying in Marble Hill. No coop board, no neighbors directly on top of us, easy access to the 1 train and MetroNorth. It's a racially and economically diverse neighborhood. The parks are amazing. We couldn't be happier.
My spouse and I just bought in the Bronx. We're white, middle-class people. We had to leave Brooklyn after we couldn't afford the rents, rented in Queens for five years, were ready to buy and couldn't find anything we could afford / wanted to spend that much money on. In Astoria, where we lived, there was a new condo development a block from us. 700 sq. ft. one bedroom apartments were selling for more than the 2,000 sq. ft. house on a 3,500 sq. ft. lot, with a driveway, that we ended up buying in Marble Hill. No coop board, no neighbors directly on top of us, easy access to the 1 train and MetroNorth. It's a racially and economically diverse neighborhood. The parks are amazing. We couldn't be happier.
Similar story for me. We were looking throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, etc. We were able to purchase a proper townhouse in South Bronx for significantly less (even when factoring in the gut reno costs!) than the 1100 - 1300 sq ft. 2 bedroom in a co-op with astronomical monthly fees we were seeing elsewhere.
Through the process and some of our other dealings, we have met several developers in the area and it seems promising - in our neighborhood the population is supposedly diversifying from where it was a few years ago. There are rumblings of even greater improvements down the line as well - less grandiose than the riverfront park (which is not happening anytime soon if at all) but more concrete which is exciting.
My spouse and I just bought in the Bronx. We're white, middle-class people. We had to leave Brooklyn after we couldn't afford the rents, rented in Queens for five years, were ready to buy and couldn't find anything we could afford / wanted to spend that much money on. In Astoria, where we lived, there was a new condo development a block from us. 700 sq. ft. one bedroom apartments were selling for more than the 2,000 sq. ft. house on a 3,500 sq. ft. lot, with a driveway, that we ended up buying in Marble Hill. No coop board, no neighbors directly on top of us, easy access to the 1 train and MetroNorth. It's a racially and economically diverse neighborhood. The parks are amazing. We couldn't be happier.
Congrats. I'm very happy in the fact that you decided to give the Bronx a chance and look pass the stigma and stereotypes.
As a Bronx landlord myself, I can tell you that the Bronx has improved tremendously over the years and will continue to improve in the future. It's just a matter of time. You are a pioneer and will reap the rewards when the Bronx pulls a Brooklyn and becomes the next hot neighborhood.
Similar story for me. We were looking throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, etc. We were able to purchase a proper townhouse in South Bronx for significantly less (even when factoring in the gut reno costs!) than the 1100 - 1300 sq ft. 2 bedroom in a co-op with astronomical monthly fees we were seeing elsewhere.
Through the process and some of our other dealings, we have met several developers in the area and it seems promising - in our neighborhood the population is supposedly diversifying from where it was a few years ago. There are rumblings of even greater improvements down the line as well - less grandiose than the riverfront park (which is not happening anytime soon if at all) but more concrete which is exciting.
Congrats to you to. We need more middle class folks like you moving to the Bronx to help improve it. As I mentioned in my previous post, you to are a pioneer in venturing out to the Bronx and I guarantee you that you will reap the rewards once the Bronx becomes the next hot neighborhood to live in. You will be ahead of the curve.
My spouse and I aren't white but we are middle-class and recently purchased a single family home in the Bronx. We searched the surrounding suburbs for over 2 years and decided to stay in the Bronx. My next door neighbors are Indian and middle class. We spoke about why we decided to purchase in the Bronx and had almost the same exact reasons. Cost of living, cost and length of commute, and the fact that the Bronx has improved greatly in the last decade.
Quote:
Originally Posted by versicle
My spouse and I just bought in the Bronx. We're white, middle-class people. We had to leave Brooklyn after we couldn't afford the rents, rented in Queens for five years, were ready to buy and couldn't find anything we could afford / wanted to spend that much money on. In Astoria, where we lived, there was a new condo development a block from us. 700 sq. ft. one bedroom apartments were selling for more than the 2,000 sq. ft. house on a 3,500 sq. ft. lot, with a driveway, that we ended up buying in Marble Hill. No coop board, no neighbors directly on top of us, easy access to the 1 train and MetroNorth. It's a racially and economically diverse neighborhood. The parks are amazing. We couldn't be happier.
Congrats to you to. We need more middle class folks like you moving to the Bronx to help improve it. As I mentioned in my previous post, you to are a pioneer in venturing out to the Bronx and I guarantee you that you will reap the rewards once the Bronx becomes the next hot neighborhood to live in. You will be ahead of the curve.
We are so excited! We've met some great folks up there too (although we likely won't be moving in until some time in 2015). The unit has a few LPC and occupancy violations that we will be amending so I'm glad to be improving the neighborhood even if it's just my small piece.
My spouse and I aren't white but we are middle-class and recently purchased a single family home in the Bronx. We searched the surrounding suburbs for over 2 years and decided to stay in the Bronx. My next door neighbors are Indian and middle class. We spoke about why we decided to purchase in the Bronx and had almost the same exact reasons. Cost of living, cost and length of commute, and the fact that the Bronx has improved greatly in the last decade.
My friend, thank you for helping out the bronx. Who cares about the color or race, its character and prosocial behavior. Good luck!
My spouse and I just bought in the Bronx. We're white, middle-class people. We had to leave Brooklyn after we couldn't afford the rents, rented in Queens for five years, were ready to buy and couldn't find anything we could afford / wanted to spend that much money on. In Astoria, where we lived, there was a new condo development a block from us. 700 sq. ft. one bedroom apartments were selling for more than the 2,000 sq. ft. house on a 3,500 sq. ft. lot, with a driveway, that we ended up buying in Marble Hill. No coop board, no neighbors directly on top of us, easy access to the 1 train and MetroNorth. It's a racially and economically diverse neighborhood. The parks are amazing. We couldn't be happier.
Thanks! Your post is very reassuring. I too just purchased closer to Riverdale in the Kingsbridge section and could not be happier. The area is quiet, safe, restaurants are around every other corner and the park is nearby which is great because my SO and I love biking and running. The price is so low compared to places like Astoria (where I lived in the past) that for the price of a 2bdrm dinky apartment I could purchase a house! Glad to hear that someone else has made the move to the area as well!
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