Fear (of Condos) and Self-Loathing in Williamsburg

What I think seems to be missing from this discussion is the acknowledgment that people with money have ALWAYS handed this wealth off to their children in various forms. New York City is the wealthiest city in the country, and is where the term "old money" was born America.

That term implicitly implies that money is transferred from one generation to the next.

You might not agree with it, you might be jealous of it, but it doesn't change the fact that this is how the world works.

This thread is really showing some ugly jealousy in a lot of posters.

Posted by: 11217 at August 12, 2009 11:54 AM

Quetal:

You are my new favorite poster. You are sensible, and I think we have similar stories. Besides the cost of housing, I find NYC to be extremely cheap. I've found an entire wardrobe worth of vintage clothing (mostly big names like Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, etc) for probably 500 bucks over the years.

That's about the same as some of these chicks in that article probably spend in one weekend at Bird.

Some of my most fun time spent in this city has been the times I've spent little to no money at all.

Posted by: 11217 at August 12, 2009 11:57 AM

"And instead (i say this from first hand experience) they end up buying expensive clothes, vacations and drugs - which isn't what I think their parents had in mind when freeing up some income for their children with their own hard earned money."

But this has more to do with bad parenting than it does anything else, don't you think? The parents did their kids wrong by not instilling a work ethic or value of the dollar in their kids. You can't really blame that on the children, can you?

There are people out there though who have money and HAVE taught their kids these things. I always find it interesting when I meet someone and get to know them and then find out much later that their parents are loaded and you would never guess from the way the kids act or live their lives. It's a great trait.

Posted by: 11217 at August 12, 2009 12:21 PM

I agree completely Ty and Gem.

Both parents and kids are to blame here, but it's a shame that so many kids these days have been brought up this way. I oftentimes feel as though I'm in the minority among my age group of someone who lives within my means, saves, has a job I love and managed to buy a small place (although could have bought a larger one had I asked my parents for help).

Too many kids are entitled and feel that a small space is below them or what not. We hear it here in some of the older commenters as well. Living here takes some compromise on all but those making over 500K a year. Some kids have not grasped that fact and probably never will. But what can you do?

Posted by: 11217 at August 12, 2009 12:36 PM

I'm gunna have to agree with Rob on this one.

Part of the reason I don't like Williamsburg all that much (besides for the lack of trees, lack of a real park, a lack of sense of community) is because many of the people I know who lived or live there do so because they think it's cool, not because they actually like it. Obviously there are exceptions...I'm just giving a personal anecdote.

In fact, most seem to actually hate it, but seem to think that they are "hip" because they live there. Believe me...I know it's not the coolest thing in the world to be an early 30's gay guy in Park Slope, but I love it, feel most at home here and I didn't want to fight it.

I think a lot of people in Williamsburg are fighting it.

Posted by: 11217 at August 12, 2009 1:02 PM

Wine lover makes me hate Williamsburg so much, it's not even funny.

Posted by: 11217 at August 12, 2009 1:04 PM

I've been trying to love it, Bjw2103. Really I have. And I've spent a lot more time there this summer than in the past and have had fun, but I feel as though Williamsburg has become the embodiment of what I dislike about Manhattan...it feels like the "neighborhood" is there for the sole purpose of raping people of money. It's all about how you look, how trendy the newest restaurant is, how much coke you can do off the bartenders ass at Royal Croak. I just find it so fake. But I think that's why a certain subset of people enjoy it so much.

And yes, this is my perception and I realize lots of people like it. I also realize that some people find the strollers on 7th avenue to be nauseating.

Most of my friends have either moved out of Williamsburg at this point or are in the process of looking to move away (some admittedly because it's too expensive for them now). 3 friends moved out just on August 1st. All to Prospect Heights, but in 3 different apartments. I know, random.

In any event, I don't feel the sense of community you speak of, but I feel a sense that the older generation doesn't much care for the new and the new don't even look at the old.

As an outsider, you are correct that perhaps I haven't been able to experience this, but when people come visit me in Park Slope, one of the very first things they say is how much of a sense of community they feel.

Posted by: 11217 at August 12, 2009 1:27 PM

You know I'm partially trying to be funny, DH.

I don't go to Royal Oak (after that one and only time) nor to Union Pool, and I think I've found some places that I do enjoy there.

I agree with you though. I'm sure there's a lot more to it than meets the eye. That's the beauty of NYC. It's fun to talk about though.

Posted by: 11217 at August 12, 2009 1:44 PM

Bjw,

I feel you. I'm sure I don't know as much about it as I claim. :)

But as for the raping of money comment...Park Slope has been expensive for a while. It came into its own more organically, as many of the brownstone neighborhoods did. They developed. It also has historic homes which were built by skilled artisans over a 100 years ago. They should be more expensive than those built of drywall, don't you think?

Williamsburg has been essentially built from the ground up in the past decade (or a little more) with regard to the condos, shops, restaurants, etc. Much of that stuff which has opened caters only to the new arrivals and not at all to those who have lived there and have a median income of 25K.

But that's true all over, I suppose.

We don't need to argue about it though. I'm really just trying to have a conversation, and I know I'm coming across more judgy than I mean to.

To each his/her own, right?

Thank god we all don't like Williamsburg. And thank god we all don't like Park Slope. World would be pretty boring....

Posted by: 11217 at August 12, 2009 1:53 PM

I'm sure bitch mode will be back, Rob. Don't you worry. Just tell wine lover or Muffy to post some more. :)

I guess the Italian in me has a hot temper, but deep down I'm a bunny.

Posted by: 11217 at August 12, 2009 2:06 PM

"I'm enjoying this thread much more than our discussion on inventory, I must say!"

HA! Agreed!

I'm glad we've found some common ground as well. I enjoy hearing your views on this thread, and apologize for being such an arse the other day.

Posted by: 11217 at August 12, 2009 2:12 PM

"BTW, I know this isn't the place for it, but as a local, what are your 2-3 fave bars in Park Slope?"

The places I enjoy are, in no particular order:

Commonwealth
High Dive
Sharlene's (really Prospect Hgts but right over the border)

None of these places are particularly destinations, but if you happen to be in the 'hood and want a drink with friends, they are nice, laid back neighborhood joints.

I also really like Franklin Park (although it's more Prospect Heights/Crown Heights). Great beer garden with terrific outdoor space.

Posted by: 11217 at August 12, 2009 2:33 PM

I can't picture, DH. The corner of 7th and 9th has Smiling Pizza on the southeast corner, and Brooklyn Industries on the southwest corner.

Maybe it was on 6th Avenue and 9th Street...Barbes?

Posted by: 11217 at August 12, 2009 2:49 PM

Brickoven:

Do you mean Olive Vine?

The one on 7th at Lincoln has a really nice outdoor space...

Posted by: 11217 at August 12, 2009 3:29 PM