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
Suburbandude:
Fair enough, but you must also realize that MOST of the people on this thread who live in the burbs (not saying you) but the majority, if not all said they left “the city” unwillingly.
Notice the posts in the forum from time to time from people about to be priced out of Brooklyn and come for moral support about moving to the suburbs.
That says something.
Sure, you might have adapted, but believe me, there was nothing unwilling about my move to New York City over a decade ago. I was thrilled that day and I continue to be thrilled with all that it has to offer.
Just sayin’….glad you love it, but the sheer fact that people on here are admitting that they left the city mainly because of $$ means that it wasn’t their first choice. Get what I’m sayin?
“I guess you’ve never been to California.”
Actually I lived half my life there
NYC suburbs, smart guy. too many margaritas in p-town today?
“weed sucks in the burbs too.”
I guess you’ve never been to California.
Sorry Harriet. I know and like my neighbors, and our neighborhood has an association. I just don’t want to hear their footsteps and their yelling.
You don’t get it. I am not putting anyone down for living in Browntone Brooklyn, which is a great place to live if that’s the lifestyle one likes.
I am putting down those people living in Brownstone Brooklyn who think that everyone would live in Brownstone Brooklyn if they could afford it. And because they can’t, they are languishing in the insufferable suburbs. Not quite the case.
“Also not sure the desire to lay around a pool alone when you could be walking and bumping into neighbors, grabbing coffee, lunch, talking, not talking.”
weed sucks in the burbs too.
Oh nevermind, Martha Stewart lives in Bedford. She’s nice. 🙂
Unless you’re growing food for your family and neighbors why would any normal sized family need or want 4 acres? Since I’ve been to Bedford, I’m guessing you’re watering and fertilizing all 4 acres of lush grass so that your kids can play on 1/100th of it. Bedford, NY has to have produced some of the most snobby people I’ve met anywhere in the world. Coming from me, saying a lot, huh? 😉
Also not sure the desire to lay around a pool alone when you could be walking and bumping into neighbors, grabbing coffee, lunch, talking, not talking.
I like Harriet’s take on things. Seems my friends who like the burbs don’t much like people and well…city people thrive on meeting new people.
Hi mopar, It looks like we are bound for Kensington, unless we somehow decide to go to Queens. The schools are strong in Kensington and it is affordable. We will miss the Shops on Lewis Ave though. We didn’t want to raise kids in Bed-Stuy anyway because the charter school drama just didn’t appeal to us. It’s weird to hear or see violence in your neighborhood but still feel safe, which overall I do. However, now that we have a child my bar of safety has been raised.
The NY Times article wasn’t great, but it was better than many of the comments here. Unlike Suburbandude, I like have neighbors all around.
I have my paradise (a 1300sf 19th century apartment on a 25 x 140 lot with lots of windows and a nice, little backyard for grilling and entertaining). I like NOT having a car in the driveway, and I can get to do my shopping in 30 seconds by walking out my door. On my way out, I’ve got something my suburban friends don’t get to experience- running into my neighbors. My spouse can walk to work.
I have friends in Montclair, and I can certainly understand living there. It’s not for me or my family. When my relatives in Denver talk about how great it is not knowing their neighbors, I understand better why they live there and I live in Brownstone Brooklyn.