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Gawd, are we priced out forever in Queens already? Yikes! For myself, I'm afraid to even breathe the names of the nabes I might consider living in outside Brooklyn.
Bronx, still no thonks. Couldn't risk my kids growing up Yankee fans! Assuming they even learn English and manage not to get hit by a stray bullet before they reach adulthood, which also might be big achievements.
The whole thing is horrendous, I agree with jeffcon and the other ranters. But the time is coming for those who have patience and a little cash, I think. I could afford a 2-bed (though we need 3) in a nabe I would live in, but I expect it all to look better everywhere come this time next year. Let the dreamers hold on to their wish prices thru a dead spring "selling season" and see what happens. Even feel a little hope when I scan rents on craigslist these days ... just say no to stoopid prices, everybody, and spread the word, I say.
prices are going to fall, thats a fact. They have before and they will again. Prices have outstripped the local median income and that always spells trouble. With that said, don't turn your nose up at the Bx. Go see it and spend some time there. You seem intelligent so why not go and observe the Bx for yourself with out any pre conceived notions. You might be pleasantly surprised.
With that said, don't turn your nose up at the Bx. Go see it and spend some time there. ... You might be pleasantly surprised.
Point taken. Didn't mean to trash the whole boro. Have driven around Riverdale some and seen some lovely houses I could probably never afford. Also have seen some listings for decent-looking, large 2-3 bed places that are actually a little tempting. Ya never know.
[quote=Guywithacause;2826220]Holden a couple comments:
1-I acknowledge the daddy effect in Manhattan, however most girls are not living the Hilton lifestyle on a $25,000 salary...your examples are the BIG exception, not the rule by any stretch.
They're not Paris Hilton, but a large amount of them are VERY well taken care of. Stand outside ANY luxury condo and see how many are early 20s girls.
Have you visited Manhattan lately?
The Village, Chelsea, UWS, UES, Murray Hill, Union Sq., etc. They're everywhere, which is why the AVERAGE 1-bed is $2800/mo.
They will typically have 5 roommates and thus only spend $800 a month on rent and utilities, leaving plenty left over for "fun."
That's a stretch. Girls with roommates typically have only 1 or 2, and $800/mo. is still EXPENSIVE for anyone in their early 20s making $23,000. "Daddy" to the rescue.
2-The guys who are working like dogs do not have to live in the suburbs of NY and NJ, they choose to for a variety of reasons ( family, wife, get more for the money, etc)...and they are working like dogs because they choose to as well. They would do just fine anywhere...and if they didn't require a 5 bedroom, 4 bath house, 2 SUVs, expensive meals out, and private school for the kids, they would not need a 6 or 7 figure salary nor work like dogs....everyone digs their own grave.
You miss my original point that people who have to actually work for their money don't have the carefree life of the typical Daddy's girl in Manhattan.
But you're right. Raising 2.5 kids in a safe environment, having a backyard, and decent public schools, i.e., a comfortable middle class environment, are optional. You could just live in the Bronx and eat Lean Cuisine.
It's very sad that our country's largest cities have, on average, the worst public schools, unattainable housing, and bad poverty and bad crime rates.
People go on and on how NYC is the greatest city in the world and yet our city's kids have the worst education. What does it say about our future if it's a struggle to get our children a decent public education in our country's biggest cities?
This trend is not reversing any time soon and will probably get worse, which is why our currency is losing value. In between a few Paris Hiltons and the masses of uneducated lower-class, the backbone of this country, the middle class, are being squeezed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by John23
I live in Los Angeles. I read different boards to see what's going on in the world. Very interesting thread, it's a weird world we're living in.
Here in so cal, you see a similar thing to the NYC exces making 6 figures that work like a dog, and have long commutes. And the Sex and the City party girls make nothing, but seem to have a better life.
There's horrible traffic here, alot of people with combined incomes making $80-120 k are priced out of the housing game, they commute an hour, hour and a half. Then some people bought a long time ago, and their life is completely different.
30 years ago you could buy a house on a teachers salary, it's still hard to believe. The last 5-7 years have been an anamoly, eventually it will right itself out. The funny money, funny loans will all implode.
It's made me think about the old standard financial advice everyone gets....work hard, save 5-10% of your income, save for a house, it doesnt work anymore. There are more factors to think about. You've got these wild swings in real estate (houses here are up 300-400% in the last 15 years). You've got swings in communities. Swings in the economy.
It seems like everyone cancels each other out by all wanting the same thing at the same time....great neighborhood, great schools, cheap housing.
I think the problem in the last 30 years (or at least one of the problems, this could be a very long topic).
-Great schools are concentrated in fewer areas, people are willing to spend everything to get into the best districts. Increased demand. Maybe an over emphasis on this.
-Everyone wants into the hot areas, hot area codes, Sex and the City influence, or the OC. Probably over hyped.
-All the funny money, funny loans that fueled the boom.
-Traffic, congestion. People are living farther and farther away from where they work. This is only going to get worst, what are the population projections by 2020 or 2030?
And other factors like inflation, low wages.
If I had a family with young kids (I don't), and I wanted to live in NYC, San Fran or some place like that, I dont know, I'd think about these factors alot. Its gotten complicated. I wonder if it'll be back to normal in 10 years.
I have to disagree with you....you are skewing your perception based on the limited experience you have had with girls in the city. For every 1 girl you find that has Daddy paying all the bills, there are 1,000 more who don't. As I said, those girls are the BIG exception, not the rule. And if you think it's just girls living off daddy...you are wrong, as boys AND girls do the same thing...girls dont have the market cornered on living off parents. However, as I am a reasonable person, if you can provide actual evidence to support you statement besides the 2 girls you have dated and your friend has dated....please do so...I am not the authority on this subject anymore than you are.
There are currently many families raising very healthy, sane, well-adjusted kids throughout the city, they have yards, go to good schools, live comfortable middle-class lives, and are safer than most suburbs.....and that includes the Bronx. So no you don't have to make 7 figures and live in a McMansion in order to have those things...but you will likely have to give up 2 out of the 5 bedrooms, 1 of the 2 bathrooms, 1,500 extra (as in wasted) sf, and the SUVs....if you equate all that with a "good middle class lifestyle" it is no wonder all of these fools are working like dogs, commuting an hour, and are basically miserable....they got suckered.
[quote=Guywithacause;2835420]I have to disagree with you....you are skewing your perception based on the limited experience you have had with girls in the city. For every 1 girl you find that has Daddy paying all the bills, there are 1,000 more who don't. As I said, those girls are the BIG exception, not the rule. And if you think it's just girls living off daddy...you are wrong, as boys AND girls do the same thing...girls dont have the market cornered on living off parents. However, as I am a reasonable person, if you can provide actual evidence to support you statement besides the 2 girls you have dated and your friend has dated....please do so...I am not the authority on this subject anymore than you are.
I only mentioned 3 daddies girls. There are more. And then there are friends, friends of friends, acquaintances, neighbors, and so on. How many Manhattan girls do you know?
There are currently many families raising very healthy, sane, well-adjusted kids throughout the city, they have yards, go to good schools, live comfortable middle-class lives, and are safer than most suburbs.....and that includes the Bronx.
I am talking about Manhattan girls. Again, how many Manhattan girls do you know?
So no you don't have to make 7 figures and live in a McMansion in order to have those things...but you will likely have to give up 2 out of the 5 bedrooms, 1 of the 2 bathrooms, 1,500 extra (as in wasted) sf, and the SUVs....if you equate all that with a "good middle class lifestyle" it is no wonder all of these fools are working like dogs, commuting an hour, and are basically miserable....they got suckered.
A good middle class lifestyle means different things to different people.
I guess since you are from Mott Haven, having your house/car broken into only once a year, easy access to local drug slingers, households composed of mostly single mothers, a high incarceration rate for males, schools that have metal detectors that work, low pass rates on the Regents' exam, and kids who wait until 17 to have kids is "middle class".
Your lack of knowledge about girls in this city, and your illogical reasoning based on your miniscule experiences, is dwarfed only by your lack of knowledge of Mott Haven, the Bronx, or the city for that matter. Your middle class (at best) future awaits you: 1 hour commute each way, working like a dog, but without the 6 figure salary. Enjoy!
Speaking of middle class....the latest luxury condo development in Mott Haven/Melrose has just become available....and they are darnright affordable to just about everyone: 2bed/2bath for about $200,000, with cool amenities, 5 blocks to MetroNorth (10 min to Grand Central), a huge retail district, etc. For those interested check it out....affordability is alive and well in the city..don't believe the hype.
NEW CONSTRUCTION 2 Bedroom CONDOMINIUMS $216k to $265k (http://newyork.craigslist.org/brx/rfs/574210284.html - broken link)
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