Which borough or specific neighborhoods is the easiest to live in for working to middle class? And how difficult is it? (Union: rental, homes)

[mead]

Originally Posted by DoomDan515

Most of the schools in the more stable Bronx communities [like Morris Park or Riverdale] are actually quite decent, judging from insiderschools.org. It's only High School thats a issue in the Bronx.

Yeah and population wise I think neighborhoods like Morris Park, Riverdale, etc only make up about 10-20% of the population of the Bronx.

[Dorian]

What is stoping the Bronx from becoming the next Brooklynn? It seems like it should be an easy commute to Manhattan.

[SouthQueens149]

Originally Posted by Dorian

I would say people that can afford to pay their bills and other life expenses and have money left over for entertainment and savings. I guess just above living check to check and up but not too high to be able to buy anything they want and not worry about it. Also be able to live in a half decent neighborhood (I am far from picky I have live from check to check before and have live in not so hot neighborhoods.) not the projects and not have to struggle that much. I don't know if any of those definitions make any sense but that's what I think of.

OK, but consider a two family house in Maspeth or Bellerose or similar nabe: The upstairs is a rental, the downstairs is where the landlord lives--this is a common arrangement in Queens. Are both families Middle Class? The owner, if he/she bought in the last 5 yrs or so, probably paid between 500K-700K; the renter, on the other hand, could not afford to buy into the area, but can afford the rent.

Are both Middle Class?

Well, they both LIVE in a middle class area, so both fit that criteria.

But the owner has more equity in the neighborhood, and a much higher net worth.

Personally, I would say both were Middle Class, but obviously many of the property owners have more wealth.

[analyticalkeys]

A lot of people like to divide middle class into - lower middle class, middle class, and upper middle class. So, you could say those people are at different ends of the spectrum of the middle class, but albeit still middle class.

[Dorian]

Originally Posted by mead

Probably Southern Brooklyn or most of Queens. Staten Island is also a good choice.

It's interesting that you said Staten Island because I have another thread asking what is wrong with SI. I heard there is a lot of working class people living there. Is it cheaper or more expensive compared to Brooklyn, Queens, or the Bronx?

[analyticalkeys]

Depends how you factor it.. houses are typically cheaper, but transportation is a little more difficult, and some people would prefer to have a car which would probably make it more expensive if you have a car.. if not, then it should be cheaper.

[Dorian]

Originally Posted by analyticalkeys

Depends how you factor it.. houses are typically cheaper, but transportation is a little more difficult, and some people would prefer to have a car which would probably make it more expensive if you have a car.. if not, then it should be cheaper.

Because of insurance and parking?

[analyticalkeys]

And let's not forget gas, which is becoming an increasing pain in the ass for drivers nation-wide.

[SeventhFloor]

Originally Posted by Dorian

What is stoping the Bronx from becoming the next Brooklynn? It seems like it should be an easy commute to Manhattan.

two words: public housing.

as you can see with gentrification in park slope, and williamsburg around bedford avenue, there's no public housing in those areas.

[Dorian]

Originally Posted by analyticalkeys

And let's not forget gas, which is becoming an increasing pain in the ass for drivers nation-wide.

Yea that is always a negative. Do you have to pay for parking?