I don't love it. Something about the proportions makes me unsettled.

Posted by: lf2009 at October 2, 2009 3:33 PM in response to The Venetian Unveiled

Whatever you cover it with, the addition still breaks a roofline and creates a large, out-of-proporion hulk on top of what is, if you've evr walked by it, a nice block. Is it surprising that Trump houses or "working-class" housing can be successful and charming? I don't think this is a family that outgrew their space, either. The fact that the neighbors are filing so many complaints tells you that messing up a block affects too many people for way too long to be cavalier about it.

Posted by: lf2009 at September 25, 2009 4:49 PM in response to Horror Show Friday: 1715 11th Avenue

"...and generally decrease the quality of life in Red Hook"

Who thought I'd live so long to hear that said with a straight face?

Not that I'm rooting for pollution but Brooklyn--and the US--needs heavy industry and manufacturing. Lack of diversification in our economy got us into the mess we're in in the first place.

Love the idea of organic farms, but this is a section of the city zoned for industry--basically, zoned for a poor quality of life. Sad but so.

Posted by: lf2009 at September 14, 2009 12:09 PM in response to Red Hook Protests Concrete Plant

There are many schools with excellent reputations throughout Brooklyn. You need to consider what you can afford and how far you are willing to travel and what sort of amenities besides schools are non-negotiable for you. PS 321 you know about; PS 107 in the south slope is amazing with a very involved parent association; PS 154 in windsor terrace has interesting issues but will teach your children and offer enrichment; PS 230 in kensington manages to be diverse and cohesive at the same time; bay ridge schools truly are excellent, as are marine park schools, but you'll be in real brooklyn out there.

Posted by: lf2009 at June 4, 2009 1:18 PM in response to Best Public Grade Schools in BK?

Keep saving--I am convinced prices will drop, and you just need to be in a good position when that happens--it sounds like you are on the way. Good luck

Posted by: lf2009 at May 19, 2009 8:32 PM in response to Only if I were 10 years older

Saw this house when it was offered back in '98 (when it was going for under $200K). It is very sweet but so small--like a cramped apartment. Agree that the alley is great, as is being across from the park, but it is a very noisy intersection.

Posted by: lf2009 at May 19, 2009 8:28 PM in response to House of the Day: 161 Prospect Park Southwest

wine lover, don't be blaming your kids for your expenses. It's your status anxiety. Kids are pretty inexpensive--schools are free, two meals a day and healthcare are subsidized, and the world is filled with bigger kids who can pass their clothes along. Of course, we want more than that for our kids, don't we, so we move to this neighborhood and shop in that store and maybe even pay an outrageous tuition but definitely lay out for some "enrichment." But that's on us, not our kids. Those are our values--and they will be our children's values, since they learn what they live. So I expect we will have many more years of rich people bemoaning how "poor" they are.

Guys, you are doing well. You are choosing expensive neighborhoods, clothes, groceries, etc. Open your eyes and look at the Brooklynites who do NOT have these choices. Who are REALLY struggling. Even less expensive neighborhoods way the hell out have houses going for $500K--meaning a family would need an income of $200K and a downpayment of $100K to truly afford it. Some folks may have profited from this RE market, but it has really screwed the middle and working classes.

Consider that you are lucky enough to have options. Then, I don't know, consume less and appreciate more. Or at least quitcherbitchin.

Posted by: lf2009 at May 14, 2009 11:16 AM in response to Can Ditmas Park Save The Middle Class?

Arkady, I'm not sure you are paying a higher tax. My house is the only house in my area built as a 1-family; it predates C of Os, but is listed in all tax and city documents as a 2-family. I spent a long morning at DOB once tracking down the answer: tax rates are the same on 1-4 family buildings and there would be no advantage to changing my status to the correct 1-family. The gentleman at DOB who actually understood the regs and was polite enough to explain them did make the point you make--it's better for resale to be recognized as a 2-family.

Posted by: lf2009 at May 14, 2009 10:50 AM in response to C of O Issue

Parks are for people, yes, but too many of those people have cars, big cars, and drive them even when there's perfectly acceptable public transportation available. Consequently, if you close the park at rush hours, the streets, especially Prospect Park Southwest, clog up, drivers become cranky and impatient with traffic lights, pedestrians outside the park are endangered, buses are slowed up and homeowners are subjected to hell--cars, horns, pollution. Opening the park to cars during rush hours makes our neighborhood more livable.

Posted by: lf2009 at April 17, 2009 1:16 AM in response to Car-Free Prospect Park? Blech!

I have an issue with treating public streets like private property. And, if the production company is dumping so much money into the economy, can't they hire help to ease congestion and ensure pedestrians have freedom of movement when there is no shooting--ie, MOST of the time? They may put some money in the local economy (but not much--they bring their own food and interfere with usual shopping), but residents pay taxes and pump money into the local economy EVERY DAY. As a citizen, I have zero patience with some kid with a walkie talkie trying to keep me from my front door.

Posted by: lf2009 at March 25, 2009 11:11 PM in response to Big Fire on 9th Street?

I'm worried that if you make any effort to restrict the use of the space with signs or letters from the landlord, your building mates will spitefully return to tossing garbage in the yard. Look, they were turning their own residence into a garbage dump, they're probably not all that considerate. You don't own the yard, and you improved something you don't own. Something a renter does at his or her own peril. You probably should have made an arrangement with the landlord prior to doing the work. Good luck with this, but in the future be wary of taking care of somebody else's investment without a clear benefit to yourself.

Posted by: lf2009 at March 19, 2009 4:51 PM in response to Garden Party?

vinca: thanks for your comments about and against "privacy fences." They make narrow yards smaller and darker. Chain link ain't pretty, but it's not as weirdly anti-neighbor as these castle walls. City living may not really be for everyone.

bk bstonr: if you put up a new chain link yourself, make sure it's squarely within your property lines. And morning glory makes a rapidly growing and very pretty privacy screen.

Posted by: lf2009 at March 19, 2009 4:38 PM in response to Is this my fence???

Please double-check re: survey, because if you have a mortgage, either the mortgage company or the title company did a survey, or have a survey they consider up-to-date. If you don't have the document, ask the lawyer who did your closing. That will answer the question. Take advantage of the DOB open house, because the use of "retaining wall" in the Building Code makes me wonder if the fencing referred to is intrinsic and not aesthetic. Good fences do make good neighbors, but handling this too aggressively (tho I'm sure MaxOthermoxx is [mostly?] joking) will make your tenure in the house unpleasant. Good luck!

Posted by: lf2009 at March 19, 2009 10:46 AM in response to Is this my fence???