Poll: Many Residents Don't Heart NYC

Economy is slowing down generally. People are starting to feel it. Inflation is higher than the government stats show and it starting to hurt. Not a problem yet for the banker crowd and the rich Euro touristas.

Tale of Two Cities.

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 10:05 AM

While I was looking in the window of the soon to open South Slope Union Market, a 20 something latina looked in and said to her friend, this area is just like 5th Avenue, only for white people.

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 10:11 AM

I'm all for a class war.

When the newcomers start to get mugged or their apartments get robbed, maybe thy'll move the FUCK back to wherever they came from.

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 10:11 AM

good news

middle class = boring

all the vitality is at the end poles of the spectrum

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 10:18 AM

Nope, nothing nasty, cynical or boring about these posts.

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 10:18 AM

The growing poverty and high end maybe true - but also maybe true for the country in general. The city has always been losing its 'middle class' - and has always been creating a new one. Think of the huge immigrant population here in recent years and improving their situation. (and remember it is them that has increased NYC population, demand for housing,etc - not the mid-westerers so derided by a certain few commentors on this sice).

P.S. - TO 16thStreeter - your comment sounds like projection of your feelings onto others.

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 10:24 AM

It's the end of your world as you know.

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 10:48 AM

You see more negative stuff now because everyone is still in vacation mode- there isn't much to report on right now so the negatives occupy peoples time.

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 10:55 AM

I think that the whole country is in a pretty bleak mood. Polling that has been done in relation to the presidential election has reflected this. But I agree that many New Yorkers are feeling suspicious of what direction the city is headed in.

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 10:59 AM

You know what's a nice state of mind to live with? A state of mind and being where you are not in a constant panic about your real estate investment.

Try it.

If you love your house or apt, you love or at least like your neighbors and in general you are happy with your life, you are so much better off than most of humanity. Just be thankful for it, and relax.

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 11:08 AM

This city is in big trouble of housing rates continue to go nuts.
I was looking at an 'affordable' housing project on Myrtle, and for a studio, the minimum income was 76K.
I'm sorry - that's not affordable. If you're making 76K and are single you don't need help.

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 11:21 AM

Agreed 11:21--that is absurd.

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 11:25 AM

"While I was looking in the window of the soon to open South Slope Union Market, a 20 something latina looked in and said to her friend, this area is just like 5th Avenue, only for white people."

What does that even mean? Did you turn to her and tell her she was a bigot?

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 12:59 PM

Everything in this city has gone fucking haywire!!! People want 2000 a month for a fucking studio. Assholes building condos which no one can afford. Mutant housing bubble going apeshit. Food and Gas going up the ass and STILL motherfuckers are drinking Jim Jones Kool-Aid.

Many Residents Don't Heart NYC???!! I say fuck the assholes that fucked up New York (you know who you are). Fuck off and die!!

The What (Enjoying the Implosion)

Someday this war is gonna end....

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 1:14 PM

"Is it just me, or do other people feel that recently there is something negative in the air?"

It's you. I feel fine!

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 1:40 PM

I have a few questions for The What. Given your very negative prognosis, what exactly do you think is going to happen? How are you preparing for it? What should other people be doing to prepare?

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 1:45 PM

I don't think 10:11's Latina was being bigoted, just realistic.

If you're from a neighborhood that had lower end shops for the last 50 years, has just been "discovered" by mostly white yuppie and hipster types, and someone builds a swanky new supermarket, you know they aren't doing it because the oldtimers deserve it.

What's unfortunate is that many minority people don't see ANY of the improvements to many neighborhoods as being "for" them, not even a supermarket. That encourages the *them and us* divide, and that is just wrong.

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 1:46 PM

Montrose,

I agree with most of your points except that about public schools. Whatever one's feelings about income disparity, at least in some places, the fact that families that used to leave for the burbs now choose to stay in NYC (if they can afford to) has benefited some public schools. True, many of them go private. But there aren't enough space in private for everyone staying. Some by necessity, and some by choice, are going public, and not just in the 2 or 3 "good" publics that everyone used to talk about. (Because again, not enough space for everyone.)

Those bourgeois who 10 years ago would have moved to Montclair or Westchester are instead staying and lending their involvement---and money, time and connections--to local public schools. Has this solved the schools' problems across the board? Of course not, not even close. But even on Brownstoner, you see a much more positive attitude toward local Brooklyn schools, in Ditmas, Windsor Terrace, South Slope, Kensington, etc., then you ever would have among the same cohort a few years ago.

There may still be "ony a few schools deemed 'excelllent'," but at lleast there are a few more of them, and more schools deemed "good," then there used to be. This kind of change happens slowly, and it may or may not last, but as someone with kids in the schools who's followed this situation for years, it has definitely been happening. Even if not for the reasons you or I might prefer.

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 2:00 PM

I think the City is better than ever and going to get even better in the next 20 years. If you don't think so go try Palm beach county florida see how u like that

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 2:20 PM

I don't feel anything in the Air. markets go up and Markets go down what do you people want the market to keep going up forever? face reality . Also i must say PS58 in carroll Gardens is a wonderful public school with an outstanding Principal. While not every school or nabe is perfect there are many that are very good. If you bought a home or a Stock and thought it would go up forever without taking a break you are a fool.

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 2:42 PM

The What - Thank you for coming down here to rap with the kids of today about this special topic we call gentrification. Do you think you could tell us once again how hella pissed off it gets you? Cuz I didn't get your position straight the last twenty times you posted it.

Gee thanks Mr. The What.

Someday The What will shut up...

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 3:10 PM

I'd say The What knows what is going down.

A recession and housing price crash as bad as the early 1990s in NYC, and even worse -- as bad as NYC in the 1970s -- in some other parts of the U.S. It isn't just NY where people are uneasy, that's navel gazing. SHTF in other places firms, and has yet to reach here full force, though it could be any day now.

Americans, collectively, have been spending 6% more than they produce every year since forever, going deeper and deeper into debt to pay for it. We've been so greedy that despite the fact they we are among the hardest working and innovative people in the world, we have bankrupted our country at the federal, state, local, financial corporation and, in many cases, personal level.

How have I prepared? By continuing to live modestly no matter how high our purported housing value is, and staying out of debt.

Hopefully we will not allow anyone to go hungry. But for those whose value of life is based on spending money, it's going to be a very depressing time. However...

Some day the coming depression's gonna end.

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 3:38 PM

As a renter with two kids and a HHI of $250K who can't afford to buy a decent apt. (not house) in our nabe, I can tell you that I find the state of NYC real estate downright depressing. I love NYC and we want to be here forever, but I don't know how we're going to make it happen without the stability of owning something. I'm obsessed with this site though I find it pure torture. A bunch of smug greedy owners who were smart enough and/or rich enough to buy 5 years ago. I can't believe I'm the "middle class" that's getting forced out, but it looks increasingly like that's the case. The What is right -- do the math, this town has gotten unrealistic for anyone with no family money who doesn't make at least $500K a year. Now that is depressing.

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 3:51 PM

"I'd say The What knows what is going down."

I wouldn't say that. Ever.

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 4:15 PM

"As a renter with two kids and a HHI of $250K who can't afford to buy a decent apt. (not house) in our nabe, I can tell you that I find the state of NYC real estate downright depressing."

You're pathetic. Quit whining, buy somewhere OUTSIDE of brownstone Brooklyn, or move somewhere else in NYC. Stop blaming others for your problems and do something about them. Are you waiting for the perfect market conditions to just come along and make everything right for you? It's not going to happen. On the other hand, you can definitely afford an apartment in NYC if you are willing to take some time and look around, and be flexible. Try taking some risks, like some of the "smug greedy owners" you envy so much undoubtedly did. Nothing worth having comes easy.

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 4:26 PM

"The What - Thank you for coming down here to rap with the kids of today about this special topic we call gentrification. Do you think you could tell us once again how hella pissed off it gets you? Cuz I didn't get your position straight the last twenty times you posted it.

Gee thanks Mr. The What.

Someday The What will shut up..."

HUH???! I think you missed something. Gentrification is when stupid people come to a middle class neighborhood and ramp the prices of things (Rent, Food and Any thing Else I Forgot) to take over shit. But they get Robbed, Ass Kicked and Skulled Fuck because they have no fucking clue. BTW Assfuck there have been "White People" how lived in this neighborhood for years and now you have the pioneers saying to them to get the fuck out too. You Genifuckers has made the place expensive!!! It's not about race assholes, it's about CLASS WARFARE!!! That's why I hate this fucking site!!! From the bottom of my heart I hope you Genifuckers get your asses kicked, stomped and shot for being in the wrong place at the wrong time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Suck my dick!

The What (fuck All Of You)

Someday this war is gonna end...

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 5:21 PM

I don't feel negative lately either. In fact lately I'd been thinking how glad I am to live in NYC. I've been in a better mood, not worse, about urban living.

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 5:34 PM

wow. wow. wow.

the what's last post was so hateful and angry it hurt to read and made me really sad. i can't believe some one is walking around with all that anger. so sad.

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 5:42 PM

The What
I love you!! wanna share a nice refurbed brownstone in bed Stuy, bought in 2005, now looking fab with all historic details etc? really pretty!

I'm drowning in debt and can only offer Ramen noodles for dinner, but not to worry, appreciation and a great neg am mortgage will keep me afloat!

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 5:51 PM

Yep, I very angry!! I have witness some greatest bullshit in my life. I witness the biggest asset bubble in my life. IO saw greed on a grand scale. I saw the darkside of human nature. Most likely I will live thru a depression (That's Right Assholes).

Why Human nature. The lowlife bullshit of entitlement and greed!!! Gimmie gimme mine mine, you are fucking cattle and don't even know it. You believe the Bullshit they tell you and you know what's sad I will get hammed for saying this.

Inflation is killing the spending power of our money. High assed prices so 'Investor Lou' and other Assholes could flip houses but, they don't understand "BIG BOY ECONOMICS". The BIG BOYS get bailed out, you get fucked!

We are in the beginning of the Long Emergency http://jameshowardkunstler.typepad.com/clusterfuck_nation/ and you are going to be so fucked, you have no idea.

Our Banking Institutions are insolvent (that's right insolvent). America is bankrupt and The FED and The Government knows this. But the waring signs are flashing in you fucking faces but, you are brainwashed dumbasses that want to see the new CSI.

Yep, I mad as fuck and you should be too

The What

Someday this war is gonna end....

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 6:00 PM

I think Dr. Demento (aka the What) doth protest too much. For someone who hates this site and those who read and post on it, as much as he asserts, he sure spends a lot of time posting and replying to people. He's probably on the site more than Brownstoner himself, who probably has better things to do than sit at a computer trying to think up more ungrammatical uses for the work "fuck".

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 6:06 PM

5:42 lives in a nice luxury condo overlooking the manahattan skyline.

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 6:38 PM

4:26...i'm with you completely.

anyone with an income of 250k...even in nyc...can afford a nice apt.

i believe it to be beyond pathetic to whine about it and say you can't afford anything.

IMMIGRANTS who have come to this country making 1/5th what you have, have managed to buy a home in this city.

you are entitled and greedy, 3:51.

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 6:57 PM

So what is net take home pay on a HHI of $250K? With a two-kid deduction, let's say. I'm constantly hearing my friends who make that amount, and have the requisite 2 kids, complain about not being able to afford ANYTHING.

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 7:17 PM

i constantly hear it also. it's really gross, is what it is.

making 250k a year probably puts you in the top 10% of income earners in the freakin WORLD.

and to say you can't afford a place to live anywhere in new york city is absurd.

you can get a beautiful 3 bedroom apartment in many parts of Brooklyn, Queens and even Manhattan above 125th street for around 600K.

that is MORE than affordable for someone on that salary.

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 7:21 PM

Or buy a fixer upper or buy on the fringe of a great neighborhood or....we don't make 250K a year but we managed.

As for The What-ever-he-is? Why are his rants allowed? I thought the posts were censored. Obviously not.

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 8:31 PM

3:50 is complaining because he/she only makes 250k??!?? My heart bleeds for you. You can buy in so many parts of NYC. Ugh. So jump off a tall building - with your prospects this bleak, why go on living...

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 8:55 PM

Actually, 7:21, two earners making 250K (let's say 125K per person) put 3:51 in the top 0.49%.

www.globalrichlist.com

And still he wants MORE! Just $500,000 would make him happy....

And the people who bought 5 years ago (when there wasn't a yuppie market on every corner) are the greedy ones?

--Will

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 9:00 PM

"I agree with 6:57 and co. on this family that makes 250K. As other commentators have noted in this space in the past, everybody seems to think they deserve a 4-story brownstone in Brooklyn Heights for their first house. Nice, if you can manage it, but you can't. So: Do what we (and everybody else with real-estate savvy) does: Buy a little apartment. Improve it. Sell it for a profit. Buy a bigger one. Repeat."

See, Rehab (The Asshole) makes my point! Entitlement!!

"Or buy a fixer upper or buy on the fringe of a great neighborhood or....we don't make 250K a year but we managed.

As for The What-ever-he-is? Why are his rants allowed? I thought the posts were censored. Obviously not."

Two people making 250k was great 5 years ago but, Inflation has killed that dream. Brownstoner loves me Assholes, my comments drive this site.

"Actually, 7:21, two earners making 250K (let's say 125K per person) put 3:51 in the top 0.49%."

On what fucking planet Uranus???!!! try .00049% Fucktard.

"I think Dr. Demento (aka the What) doth protest too much. For someone who hates this site and those who read and post on it, as much as he asserts, he sure spends a lot of time posting and replying to people. He's probably on the site more than Brownstoner himself, who probably has better things to do than sit at a computer trying to think up more ungrammatical uses for the work "fuck"."

I think I doth protest too little Fucktard (see)!

The What

Someday this war is gonna end..

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 9:14 PM

Don't worry What--you still have lots of fans on this site.

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 11:06 PM

Keep doing your thing What.

These people make it seem like they have the perfect lives in there overpriced condos. A lot of them are really miserable and oblivious to what's really going on out there.

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 11:12 PM

Oh for goodness sake, The What, stop reading alarmist garbage like Jim Kunstler. It obviously excites your already delicate mental state. Seriously, try to get help. You need counseling and probably medication, initiallyl.

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 11:57 PM

Is there any way to ban the use of the word "fucktard?"

Is it even a real word?

Posted by: guest at January 15, 2008 12:34 AM

Wow, didn't expect to get skewered by my $250K HHI post. For the record, I think that's a lot of money. I think it's insane that you can't buy a real two bedroom in Park Slope for that kind of money. And before you tell me that I'm being entitled, I'll tell you that we both work, have two young kids and are more than happy to have them share a room (again, assuming it's a real room and not a f*cking walk-in closet.) But being as we can't afford private school (and frankly couldn't put up with the racket of private schools even if we could afford it), we need a good school district. And, okay, call me entitled, but I don't want to have a mortgage of $4K a month (once you add maintenance) and have over an hour commute, live in a neighborhood where maybe I have to be nervous if I get out of the subway after dark and have none of the basic amenities at my fingertips that to me make living in the city worthwhile. I can't help it, I think the market is insane that someone who wants what I want seriously can't get it. We don't have a car, we don't have laundry in the apt, and my kids happily share a room. Yeah, I'm so f*cking entitled. Give me a break.

Posted by: guest at January 15, 2008 1:42 PM