equally as jealous. If not more, I can't even buy a place let alone install an inground pool

Posted by: jsscdb at June 27, 2008 10:45 AM in response to inground pool!

Thanks Quest! I'll check it out.

Posted by: jsscdb at June 27, 2008 11:18 AM in response to Close to Manhattan - but without a close to Manhattan price

Thanks everyone!! Silly me, I thought it said Quest... now I realize it's guest. Hehe. Thanks again!!

Posted by: jsscdb at June 27, 2008 11:34 AM in response to Close to Manhattan - but without a close to Manhattan price

And here I thought I would be the one getting beat up on ;)

Well, thank you all for all of your suggestions. I'm not fan of queens though, I have to be honest. I love BK, it has so much to offer.

btw 12:18 (second post) LOLOLOL, NJ IS where fashion goes to die! Have you seen how Jersy girls dress? Oh boy, you'd think you've died and gone to TJ Maxx.

Posted by: jsscdb at June 27, 2008 1:52 PM in response to Close to Manhattan - but without a close to Manhattan price

As a renter, I would rather have the right to control the heat, even if that meant having to pay for it. The fact that you're installing new equipment will be attractive to potential renters too. I currently live in NJ :( (am moving to BK shortly) in an old Victorian, we have constant problem with heat in the winter and water year round. Between the old equipment and upstairs complaining it's too hot when it's only 60 degrees in my apartment, I say let the tenant control the heat and worry about paying the bill.
As far as cost of renovations compared to future savings and whether you'll benefit, I don't know but I can tell you this, installing separate units will save you a lot of tenant phone calls.

Posted by: jsscdb at July 3, 2008 11:16 AM in response to Landlord Question: Heat / Hot Water Opinion

BTW, excuse my grammer... posted in too much of a rush.

Posted by: jsscdb at July 3, 2008 11:29 AM in response to Bushwick (safe?)

thanks for you honesty 12:46.
I was trying to stay closer to the city but it doesn't look like that's going to happen. Oh well. Thanks everyone.

Posted by: jsscdb at July 3, 2008 1:25 PM in response to Bushwick (safe?)

I'm interested 1:29!!!! I'M INTERESTED!!

Posted by: jsscdb at July 3, 2008 1:40 PM in response to Bushwick (safe?)

Forgot to say, that bushwick is big and it changes for the worse the further east you go. I lived in dekalb / Myrtle and b/t Woodhool hospital and the projects.

Posted by: gates_ave at July 3, 2008 2:20 PM in response to Bushwick (safe?)

I get that, 2:18. Bushwick is safe if you don't mind the rats and roaches. Nice

Posted by: denton at July 3, 2008 4:19 PM in response to Bushwick (safe?)

I'd take a look in Clinton Hill and Sunnyside queens. You should have no problem finding a one bedroom for that price

Posted by: bunkerlabs at July 3, 2008 4:50 PM in response to Bushwick (safe?)

Bushwick is pretty big, so it depends where you're talking about. My sis has lived there for almost 10 years, an early pioneer, but she's about three blocks from a subway stop and next to a cop station. She also speaks fluent Spanish and is tight with the neighbors, who look after her. Prices are inflated there because it's the where the overflow and the priced-out have moved from Williamsburg. It's a predominantly working-class Latino neighborhood, so do with that info what you will. There's a stoop culture, and people tend to play their radios loud. Not my bag, but hey, it's their neighborhood.

It has changed dramatically since she first moved in, but if you're not one of those devil-may-care types, perhaps you'll feel uncomfortable. My brother got jumped there are few years ago, and he's a big guy, but on the other hand, he was walking home drunk at 2 am, q.e.d.

The housing stock is not particularly pretty, so if aesthetics are your thing, you're better off in gentrifying brownstone brooklyn.

Hope this helps. But you certainly wouldn't be the only single white female living there, by a long shot.

Posted by: guest at July 3, 2008 7:22 PM in response to Bushwick (safe?)

I have a 4 family BS and the tenants pay for their own heat... The good side is heating bills are so high... I try to keep my rent a little lower to accomodate the fact that the heating bill is high. However the heating bill is only high in the winter months. You don't have to worry about paying peoples heating bill. The down side is you have to make sure the system is put in correctly or you will be called constantly and the systems have to be flushed you will need a reliable plumber....My 2 family home I pay for my tenant and my basement and my apartment and it's a big toll on my pocket... Seriously thinking of converting to 2 seprate meters... So good luck...

Posted by: guest at July 3, 2008 10:32 PM in response to Landlord Question: Heat / Hot Water Opinion

My boyfriend and I lived in Bushwick until recently. Things to know:
1. It's really dirty and smelly. Rats, roaches, sidewalks...you might get sick more often.
2. Unless you are planning on living in a new development, most of the housing is kind of 'blah' - unless you want to live in the lofts, which is still 'blah' depending on your standards.
3. Your take out, restaurant, and going out options are limited. Be warned.
4. The post office REALLY sucks in Bushwick. You may have never had a problem with the post office, but you will.
5. As for safety, you'll probaly be fine, just might feel somewhat generally threatened or more 'aware.'

And you should definately be able to get a one bedroom or even a two bedroom for under $1600.

Posted by: guest at July 4, 2008 9:43 AM in response to Bushwick (safe?)

I moved to Bushwick 9 yrs ago, stayed for 3 yrs. I also spoke spanish and just got back from living in PR, I tend to 'blend in', so I felt comfortable there. I liked it better then, than I would now, because it was less gentrified and more 'real' to me. Having said that, I made the mistake of my life there - I allowed a guy to start a conversation with me -- huge domino effect and 3 yrs later I needed Orders of Protection and to run away from my own apt (he had followed me to manhattan) in order to get rid of him.
However my personal problem had more to do with me and my issues rather than the place, and I wouldn't trust just anybody, wherever in nyc (not just Bushwick).
Good luck.

Posted by: guest at July 4, 2008 1:52 PM in response to Bushwick (safe?)

I just don't understand why anyone would choose to live in Bushwick when there are beautiful options in South Brooklyn. Dyker Heights, Bay Ridge and Midwood have large, gorgeous apartments in your price range. They are all about 30-45 minutes to the city, depending on where you want to go (seaport vs. midtown.)Keep in mind that the subway ride from Bushwick to Manhattan is no quick trip--about 40 minutes, so what's the point? In my opinion, Bushwick is rancid and so overpriced, but then again, all of the dummies who can't afford Williamsburg are just lapping it up, so why not??

Posted by: guest at July 6, 2008 1:16 PM in response to Bushwick (safe?)

If you have to ask that question, then you probably already know that it's not 'safe'. Everyone's comments are alluding to this, even if they are too PC to state it. Try Prospect Heights, Kensington or Bay Ridge. Actually, your budget is pretty decent; you may be able to find a deal in Park Slope or some of its surrounding areas.

Posted by: guest at July 6, 2008 10:54 PM in response to Bushwick (safe?)

If you have to ask that question, then you probably already know that it's not 'safe'. Everyone's comments are alluding to this, even if they are too PC to state it. Try Prospect Heights, Kensington or Bay Ridge. Actually, your budget is pretty decent; you may be able to find a deal in Park Slope or some of its surrounding areas.

Posted by: guest at July 6, 2008 10:54 PM in response to Bushwick (safe?)