« The Decline and Fall of 23 Caton Place Green on Flatbush »

April 14, 2009

A Dollar and a Dream

"Kit Schultz, for example, is 28 and just arrived from Columbus, Ohio. In some ways, her story could have been told anytime in the last 50 years, and in other ways, it’s very typical of right now. She lost her job as a nanny late last year and found her prospects were dim. Before Christmas, she went out for drinks with some old college friends who are living in Brooklyn, and they invited her to come out and stay with them. So she packed a van, headed east, and arrived in New York on New Year’s Eve. A new year, a new life, she thought. Now she says, “I am having a great time here, but it’s also very hard. I’ve never been this poor in my life. I don’t exactly know what tomorrow’s stories will be or even how I will pay my cell-phone bill. But I am confident this city will continue to open up for me in ways that I cannot even imagine, and I look forward and forward.”" — New York Magazine

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Comments

quote:

I’ve never been this poor in my life.

sing it sister. and don't be so optimistic that it will get better. it doesn't. unless you want to move to a studio in mott haven or something. the quality of life for many people our age without trust funds is crappy. we arent rich and we arent welfare cases. those are the only two classes of people who can live in the city comfortably.

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at April 14, 2009 10:04 AM

I have to admit and am sorry for offending anyone but why does everyone in Ohio have to move to Brooklyn? what is so awful about that state?
My neighbors are from there and I detest them with a passion and find them frankly to be hipster white trash/country bumpkins-ugh ugh ugh
good luck to this chick, but I wish they would stay in Ohio

Posted by: gemini10 at April 14, 2009 10:08 AM

rob, you miss the point of the last sentence. The point is you CAN make it better for yourself here, more so than most of the rest of the country. The question is, are you figuring out how to join the classes that live here comfortably, or are you just gonna complain about not having a trust fund?

Posted by: denton at April 14, 2009 10:09 AM

"But I am confident this city will continue to open up for me in ways that I cannot even imagine, and I look forward and forward"

ZZZZZZZZ! i'll bet a bowl of ramen noodles she's headed back west by NYE 2010.

Posted by: bowl of dicks at April 14, 2009 10:12 AM

ill just continue complaining i dont have a trust fund.

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at April 14, 2009 10:13 AM

G10, just ask the What, all the Asshats from Ohio will be on the way back soon, once the depression hits. And not a moment too soon, lol.

But seriously, I've been concerned for quite a while that high real estate prices will choke off the number of creative young people coming to NY to make it in the arts. If you loose that, got nothing left but Wall Street, and you know where that got us. Therefore I'm seeing falling real estate prices, especially rents, as a positive thing in terms of keeping NYC's creative juices flowing.

Posted by: denton at April 14, 2009 10:13 AM

Rob, being poor in this city isn't as bad as being poor in say, Fresno. I think you need to remember that more.

Posted by: Heather at April 14, 2009 10:14 AM

Gemini 10, I say this with kindness, because I generally like your posts, but get over yourself. There are obnoxious people from everywhere.

Posted by: Schultz at April 14, 2009 10:14 AM

rob, my question is, what are you doing to get one?

Posted by: denton at April 14, 2009 10:14 AM

why is it ok to complain and dislike people that move here from midwest or burbs but almost nobody would make the same disparaging comments about the people that move here from
Mexico, China, D.R., etc? Somehow those midwestern folks have some great abilities to change face of NYC even though their numbers are miniscule compared to immigrants from other countries?
Sounds like displaced zenophopia to me.
p.s. I'm not from the midwest of another country. And I welcome all of them.

Posted by: Petebklyn at April 14, 2009 10:15 AM

PB, cuz it's ok to complain about white people :-)

Posted by: denton at April 14, 2009 10:16 AM

Schultz!! - totally I get it - I don't realllly mean what I said! -
It's just I hate my neighbors! plus I knew someone who moved from Ohio that lived in PS that was nice
sorry - I will take that statement back. I hate my neighbors who happen to be from Ohio!
I just notice many people from Ohio have moved to BK, so I wonder why?

Posted by: gemini10 at April 14, 2009 10:17 AM

my sister who i just recently met for the first time who is almost 18 wants to move to nyc when she graduates high school in a year (shut up). we are going to start our own business. her ideas are kinda out there, and mine are sorta out there too, so i guess it's possible. we'll both probably wind up walking dogs or selling weed though.

*roB*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at April 14, 2009 10:17 AM

Possibilities:

1. Have something to contribute that NYC needs.
2. Find a sugar daddy
3. Marry someone with money
4. Hook
5. Welfare

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at April 14, 2009 10:18 AM

It was painful at first to be around that all the time. When I arrived in New York I was overwhelmed and excited and just manic about everything it had to offer. I think booms and busts and everything in between, this is such a beautiful and alive city. People hate you and love you at the same time. I think there are safety nets here...and she will have access to them too. The thing is, I don't want to think of what the city would be like without them...and Rob, the fact that they exist makes your life better.

Posted by: LincolnSlope at April 14, 2009 10:18 AM

quote:

Rob, being poor in this city isn't as bad as being poor in say, Fresno. I think you need to remember that more.

oh i know that..

also it's gross but people know how to "go shelter" here in this city. basically you put yourself in the shelter system even if you dont need to be, and then you get high on the list for public housing before people who might otherwise need it.

also it's very easy to steal in this city. very easy to mug people and get away with it and very easy to deal drugs despite what some people might think.

so yes, id rather be poor here than elsewhere... but still. im not poor enough for it to be a good thing . grrr

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at April 14, 2009 10:20 AM

If I were homeless, I'd "take the summer off" and walk across the country to somewhere with a better climate.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at April 14, 2009 10:22 AM

didn't Family Ties with michael J fox take place in ohio? 'nuff said.

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at April 14, 2009 10:22 AM

Anyone that complains on a blog about how poor they are...have never been poor.

~Poor~ is relative. A poor person in NYc does not have a computer, internet access nor a cell phone.

I'd wager that 95% of people in this forum have never stolen their dinner, squatted, lived in a car, gone without food for a week a time, prostituted themselves to pay rent or anything even resembling "poor".

And Rob, you have never been -poor- either.

Posted by: Prodigal_Son at April 14, 2009 10:23 AM

quote:

put me in the other 5 percent than lol

and yeah i KNOW that im luckier than 99 percent of planet Earth's population, but at the same time it doesnt matter what sometimes nyc just makes you feel poor regardless. also im a renter and we are always thought of as paupers.

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at April 14, 2009 10:28 AM

These little town blues, are melting away
I'll make a brand new start of it - in old new york
If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere
It's up to you - new york, new york

Posted by: bayridgegirl at April 14, 2009 10:28 AM

Well said, Prodigal Son.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at April 14, 2009 10:29 AM

PS, I've done almost all of those except lived in a car, dontcha know real New Yorkers don't have cars? lol. I totally agree, btw.

Posted by: denton at April 14, 2009 10:31 AM

Is there anyone "in this forum" currently prostituting themselves, male or female?

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at April 14, 2009 10:31 AM

amen to that, prodigal son.

Posted by: bxgrl at April 14, 2009 10:31 AM

"and yeah i KNOW that im luckier than 99 percent of planet Earth's population"

Rob, not only that you are luckier than 50% of -America's- population.

Try being "poor" in Detroit, Newark, Memphis, Geary, etc etc etc

This board is pretty sheltered. Just the fact that we are here typing about how bad our finances are is a -LUXURY-.

Posted by: Prodigal_Son at April 14, 2009 10:36 AM

you do realize that in the year 2009 anyone can have access to a computer and if youre that poor you can get free internet access right? you havent seen those commercials for free cell phones / internet access? poor people in general often have more luxuries than a lot of other people don't.

who has nicer shoes? someone like me struggling to pay bills or someone on welfare. i can guarantee you someone on welfare. (fyi have nothing against welfare. i grew up in subsidized housing)

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at April 14, 2009 10:44 AM

You gotta be tought to make it here, case closed. If you can't hack it, you can always go back to where you came from.

Posted by: East New York at April 14, 2009 10:48 AM

"who has nicer shoes? someone like me struggling to pay bills or someone on welfare."

rob, I'm gonna let this forum bury you on that one. I've got work to do.

and your whole free computer/internet/cell phone comments misses the point entirely.

Posted by: Prodigal_Son at April 14, 2009 10:49 AM

why does someone HAVE to "make it?" tho? what's wrong with coasting? as long as you arent hurting anyone, fine.

*roB*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at April 14, 2009 10:50 AM

quote:

I'd wager that 95% of people in this forum have never stolen their dinner............

Does dining and ditching at the Spotted Pig count?

Posted by: dirty_hipster at April 14, 2009 10:51 AM

geary is so poor...

it doesnt exist any more ;)

Posted by: bkn4life at April 14, 2009 10:52 AM

rob, you don't have to make it. You can stay poor, or relatively so. But usually those who want to, at least those of the educated classes, such as yourself, have trust funds or somewhat affluent families to back them up.

If you _don't_ want to stay poor, one suggestion would be to work harder, something you can't do while posting on Brownstoner all day. It worked for me, I might add.

Posted by: denton at April 14, 2009 10:55 AM

"Is there anyone "in this forum" currently prostituting themselves, male or female?

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at April 14, 2009 10:31 AM"

Yes.

Dictionary.com:
One who sells one's abilities, talent, or name for an unworthy purpose.

I hate poor people.....they're all so....poor....

Posted by: the chicken at April 14, 2009 11:00 AM

that was a joke by the way, in case anyone takes offence.

Posted by: the chicken at April 14, 2009 11:01 AM

Chicken
Ah well, perhaps you were just feeling poorly this morning.

denton- I know lots of people who "made it" without trust funds or affluent families. Maybe times were different and I do notice my niece and nephew have a lot of friends with trust funds or from wealthy families-and they also went to public school.

Posted by: bxgrl at April 14, 2009 11:07 AM

Madoff managed trust fund = poor.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at April 14, 2009 11:16 AM

bxgirl, I am one of those. I didn't make myself clear, I was answering rob's 10:50 post in which he states

"why does someone HAVE to "make it?" tho? what's wrong with coasting? as long as you arent hurting anyone, fine.".

And I'm saying fine, but usually those who find something noble in poverty have something to back them up.

OK?

Posted by: denton at April 14, 2009 11:24 AM

i dont think someone needs to back up their lifestyle choices. especially if they have no kids nor plan to ever reproduce to begin with. sorry but the genetic line ends with me. now. animals get pregnant and make babies. i think human beings would actually hello EVOLVE for a change if they stopped that prehistoric concept. we are no different now in 2009 than we were in 1999 or even 2009 BC. it's lame.

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at April 14, 2009 11:30 AM

QOTD:

*rob*

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at April 14, 2009 11:32 AM

denton,I agree with you- it easy to talk about being poor when you have something to fall back on. Since I have neither a trust fund or a wealthy family, i like to think of myself as rich in nobility :-)

But I do find it interesting how many of my niece and nephew's friends (who all attended public school) do have trust funds or money. Not when i was a kid in public school.

Posted by: bxgrl at April 14, 2009 11:34 AM

unbelievable.

Posted by: bxgrl at April 14, 2009 11:35 AM

"who has nicer shoes? someone like me struggling to pay bills or someone on welfare. i can guarantee you someone on welfare."

Your shoes are run down because you're spending your money on a Park Slope apartment. Move back to Harlem or to some low-rent dump in the upper Bronx or to Staten Island and you can buy nicer shoes. And coasting is fine, if you want to coast. Just shut the hell up and stop whining about it.

Posted by: East New York at April 14, 2009 11:40 AM

lots of kids these days have trust funds because they feel like they are entitled to them and parents are so lame that they don't know how to say no and to have them work for their own money. it's mind boggling how many kidults exist in this world between the ages of 22 and 35 getting assistance from their parents because their parents feel like they arent good parents if they don't give their kids money. im of the school of thought that kids should get nothing more than basic shelter, food, and clothes. and maybe some video games here and there. other than that, buy your own damn stuff.

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at April 14, 2009 11:43 AM

quote:

Your shoes are run down because you're spending your money on a Park Slope apartment. Move back to Harlem or to some low-rent dump in the upper Bronx or to Staten Island and you can buy nicer shoes.

hmmm nice shoes and living in a dump with crackheads, welfare families, and dog poop on every inch of the block, or live in a nice area and pay a little more but have scuffed up smelly shoes. ill take my scuffed up smelly shoes and contribute to the degentriciation of park slop thank you very much :)

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at April 14, 2009 11:48 AM

Are there really THAT many trustafarians out there? Sure, there are some people that still receive some cash here and there from their parents. But this notion that every young person who has more then someone else is living off mommy and daddy's trust fund. I know alot of successful young people who got where they are right now through pure ambition and hard work.

And what seperates NYC from other cities is that you can be piss poor and still have a fantastic time. I know alot of people who might be considered "poor" - (or posers by Rob) or whatever, but take full advantage of everything the city has to offer.

Posted by: dirty_hipster at April 14, 2009 11:50 AM

dirty hipster has mommy and daddy help him. that's why he feels so dirty.

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at April 14, 2009 11:54 AM

rob, nothing evolves when it's dead. what is wrong with your brain?

Posted by: i disagree at April 14, 2009 11:54 AM

Reminds me of a song,

"I drove to New York
in a van, with my friends."

Thought I'd have a lot to say but it's just evaporated. Most people I know have roommates when they live in the Slope or expensive areas, and no roommates if they live in Sunset Park and cheaper places, so they've got more cash to spend. I live alone in Park Slope, various reasons why, but I tell myself if I really feel like going out to dinner all the f'ing time (which I don't) I'll just move to Bath Beach.

Posted by: infinitejester at April 14, 2009 11:58 AM

Rob, it may be a scary thought but you might actually make a half-decent parent!

Posted by: the chicken at April 14, 2009 12:12 PM

"dirty hipster has mommy and daddy help him. that's why he feels so dirty."

actually not, but if thinking that makes you feel better then be my guest!!

Posted by: dirty_hipster at April 14, 2009 12:23 PM

I think the article is about as interesting as it gets for NY Magazine. Half of America's youth wants to live in NYC...? Not surprising....especially when so much of the middle of the country seems to be heading backwards, while the coasts are becoming ever more progressive. Imagine all those kids who supported Obama but are stuck in Kansas with their gay hating parents. They see NYC as OZ.

I find solace in this because many of us are from other places, came here and did something with our lives.

I moved here in 2000 right after graduate school, I have no trust fund...come from hard working parents (middle class). My first job in NYC paid me $17,000 per year, and within 6 months, I moved up to $30,000 a year and thought I was RICH! Seriously.

Now 9 years later, I own my own little place in Brooklyn and life is grand.

I don't think all of this would have been nearly as possible in other cities...especially not in my line of work.

Posted by: 11217 at April 14, 2009 12:27 PM

quote:

Rob, it may be a scary thought but you might actually make a half-decent parent!

oh hells to the no. im having enough gruff coming to terms with being an older brother out of no where!

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at April 14, 2009 12:29 PM

Rob, you're contradicting yourself... You say you're envious of the welfare class and how presumably easy they have it, but then say you would "rather have scuffed-up shoes" than actually live in their crappy neighborhoods.

Anyway, if you keep 'coasting' (as you put it), one day your dream of living on welfare will likely be fulfilled. You'll wind up an old man who can no longer take care of himself and has to depend on the state.

Posted by: Kris at April 14, 2009 12:33 PM

"crackheads, welfare families"

What exactly makes you better than these people? You can't look down on them and envy them at the same time. You may have a lot in more common with this stereotype than you are willing to admit.

Posted by: East New York at April 14, 2009 12:46 PM

quote:

Not surprising....especially when so much of the middle of the country seems to be heading backwards, while the coasts are becoming ever more progressive.

actually that is pure bullsh-t. nyc and california are regressing as more and more people from the fly over states populate it. duh

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at April 14, 2009 12:47 PM

quote:

You may have a lot in more common with this stereotype than you are willing to admit.

oh believe me i do and fully know it. the only thing that keeps me from being on welfare is a uterus.

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at April 14, 2009 12:49 PM

""Kit Schultz, for example, is 28 and just arrived from Columbus, Ohio. In some ways, her story could have been told anytime in the last 50 years, and in other ways, it’s very typical of right now. She lost her job as a nanny late last year and found her prospects were dim"

Hipster Claptrap! A Asshead coming to Brooklyn and displacing a Middle class family. I wonder why Brownstoner cheers this type of behavior? Maybe he's trying to change the neighborhood!

"Before Christmas, she went out for drinks with some old college friends who are living in Brooklyn, and they invited her to come out and stay with them. So she packed a van, headed east, and arrived in New York on New Year’s Eve. "

Note: This piece of filth is still unemployed and living with 5 Douches in a 1 Bedroom apartment, buying 5.00 lattes, sucking down PBR and contributing NOTHING to this city!

" “I am having a great time here, but it’s also very hard. I’ve never been this poor in my life.

Oh yes you have been poor but living with retards makes you feel better!

I don’t exactly know what tomorrow’s stories will be or even how I will pay my cell-phone bill.

The money shot!!!! Just another dirtbag Hipster taking up space, jacking up prices and destroying our fine city!

But I am confident this city will continue to open up for me in ways that I cannot even imagine"

Future Cock master! Blowjobs for PBR!!!

The What

Someday this war is gonna end...

Posted by: Return of The What at April 14, 2009 12:53 PM

"actually that is pure bullsh-t. nyc and california are regressing as more and more people from the fly over states populate it. duh"

Rob, 3 of the 4 states which now allows same sex marriage are on the Northeast...Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut.

The 4th is Iowa, which is unlike many midwestern states in the fact that they are a bit more liberal and extremely well educated.

Gov. Paterson on Thursday morning at 10am is introducing a same sex marriage bill for NY State...

How many states have you been to again, Rob...?

Posted by: 11217 at April 14, 2009 12:58 PM

i dont equate gay marriage with anything progressive. i cant for the life of me imagine why gay people would want to do something as ridiculous as get married. but hey, that's just me.

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at April 14, 2009 1:01 PM

What are you talking about, What? Don't you know she's gonna be famous and rich one day soon? You should read "One Fifth Ave" by Candace Bushnell. I do believe the main character is from Ohio. You will love it.

Posted by: mopar at April 14, 2009 1:03 PM

"crackheads, welfare families"

What exactly makes you better than these people? You can't look down on them and envy them at the same time. You may have a lot in more common with this stereotype than you are willing to admit.

Eh East New York! Now do you understand what's going on here?????? These are the same retards that walk down the street and smile in you face but write nasty things about people who was born and raised here! These retards are no better then the people they try to marginalized!!!!

The What

Someday this war is gonna end...

Posted by: Return of The What at April 14, 2009 1:05 PM

"What are you talking about, What? Don't you know she's gonna be famous and rich one day soon? You should read "One Fifth Ave" by Candace Bushnell. I do believe the main character is from Ohio. You will love it."

Really?????? Ask her future Pimp "Slickback" if she's famous! She is a future Pole Smoker!

7 months guys, 7 months.....

The What

Someday this war is goona end...

Posted by: Return of The What at April 14, 2009 1:08 PM

I agree, Rob. I don't necessarily need to get married either, but I do think that I should be given the same rights as everyone else. It's the principal of the matter.

And it's such a hot button topic, that it does indeed (to me, anyway) allude to a certain amount of progressive attitudes to be for such a thing...

The most recent poll found that only 42% of the population thinks we should be allowed to marry. I guarantee the LARGE majority of that 42% lives on the East and West Coasts...

Posted by: 11217 at April 14, 2009 1:12 PM

point taken. but im of the school of thought that straight people shouldnt be allowed to "marry" either. it's a sick concept that doesnt deserve tax breaks.

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at April 14, 2009 1:17 PM

Rob - I usually enjoy what you have to say, but some days (like today) i just want to walk a half block to broadway - find the window you sit near and throw my shoe at you!! lol

Posted by: dirty_hipster at April 14, 2009 1:22 PM

ugh i hear ya dipster. i think im just in a cranky contrarian mood today or something.

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at April 14, 2009 1:24 PM

"Eh East New York! Now do you understand what's going on here?????? These are the same retards that walk down the street and smile in you face but write nasty things about people who was born and raised here! These retards are no better then the people they try to marginalized!!!!

The What"

Let's not over-romanticize ALL natives; many of them are unwashed, smelly, backwards creeps who never bothered learn to use a computer or other modern things and now do nothing but stand outside dumps like Smith's Tavern here in Park Slope, "keeping it real." I walked by at 9 am Saturday and people were drinking inside - it's like, have some ambition you sh*theads. They're reverse Asshats. the door swings both ways, my gentle generic.

Posted by: infinitejester at April 14, 2009 2:27 PM

LOL @ "reverse asshats". im totally picturing an actual reversible piece of clothing right now

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at April 14, 2009 2:33 PM

jester...that Smiths sounds just like the one on 8th Ave & 44th in Hell's Kitchen

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at April 14, 2009 2:37 PM

No fan of gay marriage either, but if my partner should have a heart attack and was in ICU I wouldn't be able to visit him or hold his hand in most of USA.

Posted by: DeLepp at April 14, 2009 2:39 PM

"I walked by at 9 am Saturday and people were drinking inside - it's like, have some ambition you sh*theads. They're reverse Asshats. the door swings both ways, my gentle generic."

Naw dumbass! That smell was unwashed Ohio hipster! Underarm with a touch of Asscrack. Those people was trustfund, cityhijacking, doucheass, artsy reatrds!

Real New Yorker don't drink sunday morning dumbass they are trying to sleep off the night before! Real New Yorkers get wasted on Saturday nights!

The What

Someday this war is gonna end...

Posted by: Return of The What at April 14, 2009 2:54 PM

Actually if you had any CLUE what Smith's was, The What, you'd know that a hipster has never set foot in that place.

ALL REAL NEW YORKERS BABY!!!

Whatever the hell that means.

Posted by: 11217 at April 14, 2009 3:42 PM

Rob, sometimes you're fine, but yeah, this is off your game. It makes me once again imagine you sitting in the room of your shared apartment, smoking too much pot and whining. In twenty years, successful or not, if you continue on this dark path you'll just be whining again about losing your looks. Don't do it.

New York can be anything you want it to be. Make the most of that, and don't worry about what you don't have.

Geez, also, kids today...

GET OFF MY LAWN. (I know it's an imaginary one, but still.)

Posted by: Heather at April 14, 2009 8:50 PM

The solution is simple every renter just start cutting back on the rent amount by 200-300 dollars. If homeowners don't like it move to some place cheaper and rents will come down so you will not have to work your fanny off to pay some deadbeat homeowner. Bailout for renters!

Posted by: hannible at April 15, 2009 11:33 AM

« The Decline and Fall of 23 Caton Place Green on Flatbush »

April 14, 2009

A Dollar and a Dream

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