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WNYC has been doing a series on middle-income neighborhoods in New York City. Yesterday it was Bed Stuy’s turn.

They spoke to three residents about their households — two who with their families have been in the neighborhood for many years and own property there, and a couple who just arrived and is renting. While the story doesn’t get specific about all their incomes, ironically it looks like the renters, who are public interest lawyers, have the highest incomes, but are also living paycheck to paycheck with crazy student loan debt and relatively high housing costs. They are struggling to save a down payment to buy something, and note that by the time they do, if they do, they won’t be able to afford to buy anything in Bed Stuy.

All those interviewed identify as middle class, as most U.S. residents do, although a sociologist would probably disagree. The series assumes that “middle income” is also “middle class,” which is not necessarily the case, depending on how you define class.

One of the long-time residents plans to pass her house on to her children. The other one intends to cash out and move someplace warmer.

The story extensively quoted Evans & Nye co-owner and Bed Stuy resident Ban Leow, whose agency has been setting price records left and right for exquisite brownstones in the area. With a refreshing honesty, he acknowledged real estate firms play a role in gentrification. “A lot of middle class people are looking for homes around here, it also seems they’re being priced out,” he said. “The vigorous activity of Bed-Stuy became suddenly so hot, we are partly the reason for it as well…Brokers are always the person that brings the right people in, creates this vibrant mix of people, and hence business will come in, prices will go up and you are liked by some, hated by many.”

The story also has many beautiful photos of Bed Stuy’s amazing architecture. (Above, some brownstones we photographed — but click through to the WNYC story to see their great photos.)

The bottom line, according to the story? Bed Stuy is not going to remain middle income for long.

The Middle Class Squeeze in Bedford-Stuyvesant [WNYC]


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