Biff: We agree. I don't think obesity is the result of eating "pasta, rice, potatoes and a bit of non-prime cut meat." I think if people had the time to prepare these foods as in the past there would be less obesity. I think obesity is at least partially the result of people not having or taking the time to prepare these foods as they did in the past, and relying on the convenient processed foods.

And if you rely on the convenience of processed foods because you're too busy working three jobs that don't pay a fair wage or provide health insurance or child care, then I'm not sure that providing more and better grocery stores will make much of a dent in the obesity problem. Not that I think it's a bad idea per se.

Posted by: Peter18 at September 24, 2009 12:11 PM in response to The City Spurs Grocery Stores to Underserved

The thing is "pasta, rice, potatoes and a bit of non-prime cut meat," as MM writes about, is not "fast food/junk food," as Biff describes. MM's memory is revaltory of the real issue here, which is not so much a lack of fruits and vegetables, as an over abundance of processed foods that are cheap and fast. If you're working two ro three jobs with no other adult at home it's way easier to heat something up or get take out than to cook, no matter what it is you're actually eating.

Posted by: Peter18 at September 24, 2009 11:55 AM in response to The City Spurs Grocery Stores to Underserved

Chicken,

A bank or a co-op board might not want to deal with someone who doesn't have a stake in the property, but the down payment percentage is not indicative of what's a responsible economic decision for an individual buyer.

Posted by: Peter18 at September 15, 2009 11:25 AM in response to New Rules for First-time Home Buyers

The down payment percentage should not be the focus. It's the actual amount of debt one is incurring that is key. Up to just over a $300,000 loan at 6.5% you are still paying under $2000 a month in mortgage costs. It doesn't make any difference to your ability to make that mortgage payment whether you put down twenty percent or zero.

Come to Midwood if you're looking for apartments under $300,000.

Posted by: Peter18 at September 15, 2009 11:01 AM in response to New Rules for First-time Home Buyers

The U-Haul at 4th Ave and 6th St has a used box exchange. You can just drop off your used boxes or take whatever someone else has left.

Posted by: Peter18 at July 7, 2009 4:27 PM in response to Suggestions - moving boxes?

Does anyone know what the layouts in buildings of this type were like when they were originally built? I assume they weren't originally floor through bedrooms.

Posted by: Peter18 at June 10, 2009 2:33 PM in response to Condos of the Day: 707 Carroll Street

I also do not understand why it isn't possible or practical to monitor the posts.

All forums for debate have a moderator to maintain decorum and topical comments. I don't think there is another solution.

Posted by: Peter18 at March 27, 2009 11:16 AM in response to Let's Talk About Commenting

The Times did charge for access to certain content like the opinion columns for about a year or two. Then they discontinued that program and made everything available to everyone again. Seems like they have already run the numbers.

Posted by: Peter18 at January 21, 2009 1:48 PM in response to (Slightly) Off-Topic Poll: Paying for The Times Online?

Knick,
Even when eminent domain is invoked the government still has to pay for the property it takes. Governments almost always try to negotiate a settlement before invoking eminent domain. That's what happened with everyone who was amenable in the Atlantic Yards project footprint. Eminent domain was only required for those who wouldn't sell.

Posted by: Peter18 at January 9, 2009 7:09 PM in response to City Spends Almost $40 Million on Two Downtown Lots

Save $875/month for 2 years, or $438/month for 4 years = $21,000 = 10% down payment on a $210,000 apartment.

30 year fixed mortgage at 6% + maintenance = $1,389/month in housing costs.

Sounds possible for any one making $40,000/year and up, especially if you're buying it jointly with a partner also making at least $40,000 and up.

For the many "younger" people who are already living in Bushwick, why wouldn't this be a good idea if the co-op is sound?

Posted by: Peter18 at December 2, 2008 11:21 AM in response to Co-op Success Story in Bushwick

Polemicist,
You're drinking the Republican kool-aid.

Posted by: Peter18 at November 25, 2008 3:47 PM in response to Headed Back to the 1970s in Bed Stuy and Beyond?

http://newsandobservations.blogspot.com/

Posted by: Peter18 at July 22, 2008 4:21 PM in response to Prospect park west stabbing