No Regrets (or Complaints) From Dumbo Pioneer
While we enjoyed the piece on Pep Gay’s slice of old Dumbo for nostalgic and voyeuristic reasons alone, we were also struck by the contrast in attitude between the Spanish-born make up artist and the South 11th Street colonizers that generated so much discussion last week. Pep’s had a good run–almost a decade renting the…
While we enjoyed the piece on Pep Gay’s slice of old Dumbo for nostalgic and voyeuristic reasons alone, we were also struck by the contrast in attitude between the Spanish-born make up artist and the South 11th Street colonizers that generated so much discussion last week. Pep’s had a good run–almost a decade renting the 2,500-square-foot space for an initial price of $1,600 a month and recently a good bit more–and is now resigned to the fact that market forces are pushing him out. Instead of suing the landlord, Pep is focusing his energies on building his savings and dealing with the fact that he won’t be able to afford the building or neighborhood he helped colonize.
A Pioneer Knows When to Move on [NY Times]
I might point out that the entire thesis of the New York Times article is flawed. Moving into Dumbo in 1997 is far from being a pioneer. Walentas was a pioneer by acquiring properties others thought had no value. Moving in to Dumbo a year or two before the chocolate factories and the sushi bars is pioneering? If he didn’t know Dumbo was being developed into luxury lofts in 1997 he is the only one living there who didn’t.
There’s a perception, apparent in this thread, that those who own are “haves’ and those who rent are “have nots.” I rented for 8 years in NYC and then scraped together every spare cent I had, squeezed a few pennies out of reluctant relatives, to come up with a whopping 4K down payment for a tiny rental property upstate. I’m still renting my primary residence, and no I can’t afford anything in NYC yet. But the point still holds: when you want to buy, you find a way. Trustafarians annoy me as much as they annoy everyone, but acting like a victim will guarantee one thing: that you remain one.
Hopeless renters reading this site might do well to familiarize themselves with the grants and loans the federal and state governments have for first time homeowners, and then to go out, find a developing neighborhood, and stake your claim.
Well, I started reading this blog 10 minutes before you did, so obviously my opinion as to the beauty and character of the blog matters, and yours doesn’t. I just hate it when new people move into a blog and think they own the place. I was here when there weren’t even advertisements for grocery stores and dry cleaners. I liked the blog better when it was dirty and dangerous.
pioneering brownstoner posters have grandfathered squatter rights, entitling a say in the editorial tone and direction of the site. possibly a cut of future revenues as well, ’cause, like, we all gentrified this bloghetto(tm).
I agree 4.08pm. This site is downright polite in terms of Brownstoner’s editorials. Check out the cheeky comments on Curbed for example…
I hear that goat milk is really good.
smug?? whatever. anyone calling b’stoner smug has ye old chip on ye old shoulder, a common affliction. check out gawker or curbed, my friend and you’ll be crying in your organic raw milk.
You don’t think there are landlord tenant issues in brrownstones Lofty? You must be living in Jerzy or somethin’.
True enough, brownstoner. But remember, the site’s called “brownstoner,” and that’s why we started reading it.