Will Studio Fever Spread to Brooklyn?

I believe it. It's not a property to live in for life (unless you're a retiree, for whom a studio is a great option) but an investment that will allow someone to buy a 2BR condo or coop later after getting married.

Posted by: guest at October 22, 2007 9:11 AM

studios are the white man's version of SRO

Posted by: guest at October 22, 2007 9:28 AM

The only reason that studio condos exist is NYS's history of rent stabilization -- it is part of the 'trust gap' in NYS real estate. If builders trusted the legislature to preserve property rights, it would be much more efficient for everyone, and would lead to a more flexible residential arrangement.

This is how it was done up until about WW2.

Posted by: guest at October 22, 2007 9:33 AM

apartments are expensive. people want to own them. hence they'll accept smaller apartments to own one. this should not come as a surprise.

Posted by: guest at October 22, 2007 9:34 AM

Can someone please explain the difference(s) between a studio and an SRO?

Thanks!

Posted by: guest at October 22, 2007 9:49 AM

to 9:49am: it is my understanding that studio apartments have self contained bathrooms and kitchens. SROs do not.

Posted by: guest at October 22, 2007 9:58 AM

SRO (single room occupancy) means that tenants share kitchens and bathrooms, usually with the other rooms on that particular floor. New York is full of them, and they often house the less fortunate among us. That is why conversion and a change in occupancy use to a condo/private home for sale/etc. takes a long time - to ensure that tenants are not forced out with nowhere to go.

A studio means a self-contained residential apartment w/ private kitchen and bath that is also legally habitable for sleeping.

Posted by: guest at October 22, 2007 10:20 AM

Thanks 9:58 and 10:20...That makes perfect sense.

Posted by: guest at October 22, 2007 10:54 AM

Yep! We can rent them for 2000.00 a month. It's not because there is no apartments, it's because of fucking greed. Please don't say 'you shoulda brought' . New York is going down the drain. Stop pumping the rents!!!!!

The What.

Someday this war is gonna end....

Posted by: guest at October 22, 2007 10:58 AM

I love studio living. It can be quite rewarding.

It's a good way of simplifying one's life, makes it easy to live green and it's a great way to get the creative juices flowing to make for an elegant small space that functions.

10:58, I wish you would leave New York City since you think it's going down the drain.
You annoy the hell out of me. People who live in places they despise shows what little respect you have for yourself. It's really gross to have to listen to. You have NOTHING nice to say about New York, so why don't you call it a day and move somewhere you think IS doing well.

Posted by: guest at October 22, 2007 11:43 AM

"10:58, I wish you would leave New York City since you think it's going down the drain.
You annoy the hell out of me. People who live in places they despise shows what little respect you have for yourself. It's really gross to have to listen to. You have NOTHING nice to say about New York, so why don't you call it a day and move somewhere you think IS doing well"

I was born and raised is Brooklyn. I'm not going anywhere! If I annoy the hell out of you then, don't reply.

The What: King of Brooklyn

Someday this war is gonna end......

Posted by: guest at October 22, 2007 12:26 PM

I loved living in a studio. I found it very cozy and it fulfilled all of my "artist in a garret" fantasies!

Posted by: guest at October 22, 2007 12:28 PM

If you love Brooklyn so much, then why do you continue to do it a disservice by talking shit about it and New York City constantly. You are one of those sick pessimists that only Brooklyn seems to have fostered in the older generation.

You need to get with the program.

Start shedding some positive news every once in a while for a change. There is a lot of it, you do realize??!!

People may be more inclined to listen or even read your posts if you stop with the world is going to end, New York is in the toilet talk.

It's not in the toilet. That's the thing.

YOU might be in the toilet, but for most of us...our homes going up and down in value does not constitute "New York going down the drain"

You need to find a hobby, go to Prospect Park, fine yourself a lover, SOMETHING that will bring a little happiness to your life.

Posted by: guest at October 22, 2007 12:38 PM

People don't move to Staten Island and get an apartment, and they don't move to Brooklyn to get a studio-sized apartment!

Posted by: guest at October 22, 2007 12:40 PM

that's funny, 12:40. i did.

seems that the other couple hundred thousand or so studios in brooklyn seem to be filled up too.

Posted by: guest at October 22, 2007 12:46 PM

Once upon a time, studios were the first rung in the real estate ladder, and could be be bought by a someone 3-5 years out of college--and not necessarily working on Wall Street or as an attorney. I know, I bought a studio in the late eighties in Manhattan, and if you could get the down payment together, which wasn't that onerous, you could often own more cheaply than rent, and get equity.

At that time, I'd heard studios were less desirable to developers/owners because they were the first to be affected by an economic downturn--more junior white collar workers would be the first to go in bad times, making studios harder to sell.

It would seem more studios would only work if they were less expensive than a one bedroom and therefore offered folks a way into the New York real estate market...but this probably isn't cost-effective for most developers.

Posted by: guest at October 22, 2007 1:13 PM

Studios are still oftentimes more economical than paying rent...even today.

For those who want to own their own homes (of which there seem to be more and more) it's a great way to get a foot into the market.

You can still find some nice 300K studios in Brownstone Brooklyn. Great for a first time buyer.

After taxes, I pay 1100. No chance of finding a studio to rent in prime Park Slope for that price.

Posted by: guest at October 22, 2007 1:16 PM

"You need to find a hobby, go to Prospect Park, fine yourself a lover, SOMETHING that will bring a little happiness to your life."

*** RUNNING IN PROSPECT PARK BUTT ASSED NAKED*******

The What

Someday this war is gonna end..

BTW I'm a very happy fella ; ^ }. Maybe we can have sex together but, you must be a Woman. No meat packing, LOL. I just crack my self up.

Posted by: guest at October 22, 2007 3:40 PM

I'm a gay guy.

You're gay, the what!!!???

Hot??

Posted by: guest at October 22, 2007 3:57 PM

"It's not because there is no apartments, it's because of fucking greed."

"Please don't say 'you shoulda brought'. "

"I was born and raised is Brooklyn."

The What: are you sure you were born in Brooklyn? You write English as if it was your second language.

Posted by: guest at October 22, 2007 4:16 PM

OK, "What" and 11:43 and 12:38, I am an journalist and editor and I just can't take your TERRIBLE spelling and grammar any more!! It's utterly shameful that adults could have such an awful, awful grasp of their primary language! Furthermore, your pathetic spelling and grammar actually make your posts confusing. There are 6th graders who write better than you guys! I realize that Internet spelling and grammar standards are very low, but this is ridiculous. I can see why the American educational system is ridiculed. STAY IN SCHOOL for God's sake!!

Posted by: guest at October 22, 2007 4:20 PM

Fuck you muthafucker I got one of the finest educations muney can buy!!

The What

Someday this war is gonna end..

Posted by: guest at October 22, 2007 4:22 PM

1:16

assuming 20% down, the mortgage is 1460 a month. maintenance would be at least $300.

cost of owning is still more than the cost of renting.

Posted by: guest at October 22, 2007 4:22 PM

at least 500 a month of that is tax deductible, 4:22.

at least.

Posted by: guest at October 22, 2007 4:25 PM

That's "motherfucker" dumbass. Learn to spell. You ought to think about seeking out a refund on that education.

New York is going down the drain alright - semi-literate people like "The What" are actually able to hold down a job!

Posted by: guest at October 22, 2007 4:28 PM

"I am an journalist and editor"

Clearly one with a little too much time on his hands....

:-(

Posted by: guest at October 22, 2007 4:48 PM

Fuck you muthafucker I got one of the finest educations muney can buy!!

The What

Someday this war is gonna end..

That's "motherfucker" dumbass. Learn to spell. You ought to think about seeking out a refund on that education.

New York is going down the drain alright - semi-literate people like "The What" are actually able to hold down a job!

This is not me. I have reframed from using profanity in my posts.
I will try to be civil. Sometimes I write something that are crazy but, I will not make a post that has cursing in them.

I think people should know me by now.

The What

Someday this war is gonna end.

Posted by: guest at October 22, 2007 4:48 PM

"OK, "What" and 11:43 and 12:38, I am an journalist and editor and I just can't take your TERRIBLE spelling and grammar any more!! It's utterly shameful that adults could have such an awful, awful grasp of their primary language! Furthermore, your pathetic spelling and grammar actually make your posts confusing. There are 6th graders who write better than you guys! I realize that Internet spelling and grammar standards are very low, but this is ridiculous. I can see why the American educational system is ridiculed. STAY IN SCHOOL for God's sake!!"

Well help me. Be part of the solution.
BTW The powers that be don't want me to 'be smart'.
Now are you going to help or be a Syntax Nazi.

The What

Someday this war is gonna end.........

Posted by: guest at October 22, 2007 4:52 PM

"Clearly one with a little too much time on his hands...."

When you are SUCCESSFUL at what you do, like I am, you have the freedom to spend a few spare moments trying to decipher the utterly crappy spelling and grammar found on sites like brownstoner, and attempt to set the record straight.

Posted by: guest at October 22, 2007 4:53 PM

"Well help me. Be part of the solution."

I'm TRYING to help you. Go back to school and take a grammar class!

"BTW The powers that be don't want me to 'be smart'."

In that case, they clearly have accomplished their goal!

"Now are you going to help or be a Syntax Nazi."

I'm not a Nazi. I just find it easier to read the English language when it's used PROPERLY.

Posted by: guest at October 22, 2007 4:57 PM

back to the topic at hand....

how bout we put "the what" and "the journalist" in a studio apartment and see who makes it out alive??

Posted by: guest at October 22, 2007 5:04 PM

I'd lick him in less than 5 minutes. I'm from Brooklyn, too.

-- "the journalist"

Posted by: guest at October 22, 2007 5:16 PM

Debtor Nation
The rising risks of the American Dream, on a borrowed dime

http://www.harvardmagazine.com/2007/07/debtor-nation.html

I didn't write this story, thank God lol. You don't have to be broke to be rich.

The What

Someday this war is gonna end.......

Posted by: guest at October 22, 2007 8:12 PM

""Well help me. Be part of the solution."

I'm TRYING to help you. Go back to school and take a grammar class!

"BTW The powers that be don't want me to 'be smart'."

In that case, they clearly have accomplished their goal!

"Now are you going to help or be a Syntax Nazi."

I'm not a Nazi. I just find it easier to read the English language when it's used PROPERLY."

I glad you feel good.

The What

Someday this war is gonna end....

Posted by: guest at October 22, 2007 8:13 PM

It is obvious The What got priced out of owning in NY years ago. I don't understand why the Brownstoner doesn't delete his postings. The comments section is worthless with his semi-psychotic babble everywhere.

Posted by: guest at October 23, 2007 8:43 AM