Park Slope Versus The Burbs
New York has a reputation for being an expensive town, which of course it is. But the high housing prices and rents don’t tell the whole story. You see, New Yorkers don’t necessarily need cars. And our property taxes are pretty low. Which is why a Times story this weekend comparing the cost of living…
New York has a reputation for being an expensive town, which of course it is. But the high housing prices and rents don’t tell the whole story. You see, New Yorkers don’t necessarily need cars. And our property taxes are pretty low. Which is why a Times story this weekend comparing the cost of living in Park Slope versus Orange, NJ found that a family of four with a household income of $170,000 could actually live more inexpensively in Brooklyn than Jersey. In fact, monthly expenses were $1,285 cheaper in the County of Kings. “Specifically, each month, the suburban family needs to lay out about $5,668 to run their home and commute to work in Manhattan, compared with $3,852 for the urban family,” said The Times. “That includes most relatively static expenses — from the mortgage, property taxes and homeowner’s insurance, to transportation, utility bills and, for the house, landscaping. ” The major caveat: If you want to send your kids to private school, fuhgettaboutit. You’re better off moving to the burbs.
High-Rise, or House With Yard? [NY Times]
Photo by Betty Blade
A major issue with New York City, compared to the “suburbs” is the ability to LEAVE. A little drive to the countryside is a major decision when you’re trapped in Brooklyn. And I use the word ‘trapped’ purposefully.
If you find the magic window, you can get to the other side of the 5 boroughs in 1/2 hour. But that is NOT common… and requires either very early wake-up call on a Sunday morning or a HUGE dollop of luck.
I’d love to do a lot more outdoorsy stuff, especially since there’s a lot of it so nearby (distance-wise). HOWEVER, when it takes an hour OR MUCH MORE just to get outside of the city limits (and the same to come home)… and then a $12 dollar toll… again, just to cross the magic barrier… it is very disheartening. If you live in Westchester or Orange, you can be on a lake or hiking in 45 minutes total.
“No one said better, DH. Those are your words. I simply find it more interesting…no one said you needed to agree.”
No – you were using the people in your building as some sort of benchmark for diversity you can only find in NYC. And you’re wrong. For every interesting, bohemian person in Brownstone Brooklyn – there’s 5 lawyers or bankers (and don’t even get me started on North Brooklyn)
But then again, you probably assume everyone in the burbs works at wal-mart or the food court in the mall.
It’s funny all the people bashing me for saying the city fosters creativity, energy, lack of same-ness, etc.
If that’s not true, then WHY did you all move here?
The clean air, the cheap rents, the summer stench or the roaches the size of your head?
Clearly there’s a reason why people choose to live here (and in other cities) and I doubt it’s any of the above.
You just don’t want to be honest with yourself about why you’re here apparently. Or you just don’t know.
DH, you seem to be the resident food critic of Brownstoner…how’s the restaurant scene in your home burb?
It’s called a co-op, Rob. During the interview process you learn a lot about your neighbors (some say too much). It’s a small building and a few of us have become great friends. No one said better, DH. Those are your words. I simply find it more interesting…no one said you needed to agree.
quote:
My theory is that crossing the Hudson River is so much trouble that many people understandably decide not to voluntarily cross the river and make them prisioners of NJ with all that entails.
i commuted from north jersey for awhile crossing the hudson river via bus in the lincoln tunnel. it really wasnt bad at all. i’d rather not have to commute that way to work tho, but overall it wasnt bad. new jersey’s gold coast is highly under rated.
*rob*
“does the average (or even above average) suburb have enough relevant dynamics to support a blog like this (or even more narrow focused to a Brooklyn nabe) – in the suburbs do enough people really care about the architecture of a house 5 blocks away, or a coffee shop opening or a restaurant closing or dogs barking at a dog run, etc, etc?”
I’ve lived in two suburban towns and found people were almost borderline obsessive about these things, which actually turned me off. I’m not much of a joiner and tend to enjoy some bit of anonymity. There were many more associations and annoying “leaders” of the community.
I can say I’m all into city living, but I still want green space and tree lined streets. You can take the girl from the suburbs…
“Sorry that sounds obnoxious to you. Not enough people writing their “screenplays” while sipping coffee for you?”
Yeah – you’re right. What’s obnoxious is thinking somehow those people are any better neighbors than people in the suburbs. I’m from the suburbs, and you (and your “friends”) really don’t know jackshit.
11217 sounds like the building’s resident busybody.. you really should NOT know all that much about your neighbors.
*rob*
quote:
you’re buliding sounds like an obnoxious reality show.
LOL!
*rob*