Brooklynites Jumping Ship to Manhattan?
Could it be that many self-proclaimed Brooklyn loyalists are ready to trade it all in at the first sign of a recession? Was the borough’s surging popularity in recent years merely a function of Manhattan becoming unaffordable? Or is Brooklyn still a first choice for many? The Real Estate section cover story from yesterday’s New…
Could it be that many self-proclaimed Brooklyn loyalists are ready to trade it all in at the first sign of a recession? Was the borough’s surging popularity in recent years merely a function of Manhattan becoming unaffordable? Or is Brooklyn still a first choice for many? The Real Estate section cover story from yesterday’s New York Times certainly tries to create the impression that, given the chance, a number of folks who professed to like Brooklyn in recent years are finding the lure of affordable rents and proximity to work just too much to resists. Take Andrew Baisley, who describes himself as a “cheerleader for Brooklyn.” The Bushwick resident, though, just last month jumped at the chance to rent a $2,100-a-month one-bedroom in Chelsea. When you go to Manhattan, there’s an air of selling out, he says. I’ve accepted that. Let’s try to get a sense of how many fair-weather Brooklynites there really are out there:
Manhattan Calling [NY Times]
Just had to check in on Craigslist and see what’s on the market right now (<$3k/mo, 2+ bedrooms, apts. for owner, manhattan/brooklyn).
Always hard to tell with craigslist, but this one caught my eye in brooklyn:
http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/abo/1165144182.html
$3000 / 2br – Brand New 2 Bedroom w/ Top-of-the-Line Finishes, Balcony, 2 Baths (PARKSLOPE-SOUTH — 20th st. & 4th Ave — 838 sq ft)
v.
http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/abo/1165152978.html
$2595 / 2br – 850 Sqft – Pvt deck – Brand new renovation – St Marks PL & 1 Ave (East Village)
Now, St. Marks and 1st is a very noisy spot and is absolutely not the neighborhood for everyone, but the price is right (and there is — or at least use to be — a great used book store on st. marks btwn 1st and A).
$3,000/mo for 20th/4th ave in PARKSLOPE-SOUTH? That’s nutso.
Most of the folks I know who live in brooklyn, moved there because they were priced out of the city (i.e. manhattan). Price and space being equal, they would have all stayed. At this point, because they have all moved to Bkln and their friends all live there, it makes sense for them to stay (again, price and space being equal). But lets not kid oursleves that the allure of Manhattan is so much greater. I love walking around brownstone brooklyn – particularly at this time of year. Very peaceful – like a village in the city. But on a day-to-day basis, where work and travel and amenities becomes more important, I truly miss the convenience of the city. when i lived on the UWS, I had my choice of 5 subway lines to get me to work in 10-15 minutes. From the slope, it takes me 40-45 minutes. Thats an extra hour a day traveling that I lose every day. When i lived on the UWS, I had fairway, zabars and god knows how many other supermarkets, cleaners, etc within a few blocks of my apartment. Brooklyn..well, we all know. from the UWS, I could be in Central Park in a few minutes, Yankee stadium in 15 minutes (as I do love the Yanks!), and Penn Station in 15 minutes (I use amtrak often enough for work). So, yes, I love the charm and beauty of brownstone Brooklyn, but not a day goes by where the commute and lack of convenience doesnt have me wishing that I could afford a comparable pad on the UWS.
“Yeah, Williamsburg rules with the taxi math but you will pay $2000 a month for your space there bwaahahaha”
There’s deals to be had – anyone who is paying 2k for a railroad “2 bedroom” off Bedford is a sucker.
“THL, dirty hipster is probably aghast to hear that some people have friends on the UES or UWS.”
I do have friends there – but they tend to hang out downtown, as the bars up there tend to be fratboyish.
THL – it’s just the mentality that from any two points in Manhattan is closer then any point in Manhattan to Brooklyn. Sure – my situation isn’t the norm – but the cab fare from downtown to pretty much anywhere in Brownstone Brooklyn is comparable to the UES/UWS/Harlem.
I’m sure you’ve heard people say “well i may live in Harlem but at least it’s still in Manhattan”
And if your buddies all hang out on the UES/UWS you may want to get new buddies.
THL, dirty hipster is probably aghast to hear that some people have friends on the UES or UWS.
Yeah, Williamsburg rules with the taxi math but you will pay $2000 a month for your space there bwaahahaha! Also everyone move to the Dekalb stop on the L and you will get a seat every morning. If you’re late to work like I am, I mean.
Northsloperenter, actually, I far prefer Brooklyn to Manhattan. However, it would be interesting if we lived close to a decent grocery store.
DIBS, bf sells used books online.
I Disagree, Stuvyvesant Town and the former socialist coops on the LES may be somewhat comparable in price and do-able for a family compared with Brooklyn. I know some families that live there. One friend of mine loves her daughter’s public school. Of course those apartments lack charm.
I saw in the paper today a West Village townhouse for rent for $15,000. What is that to buy – $2 million?
DH, not everyone hangs out at the bottom of Manhattan and cabs it to the top of Brooklyn. What if your buddies all hang on the upper east or west and you have to schlep back to ENY CH or Bay Ridge?
So yes, cab fare is certainly a factor.
northsloperenter – the used book store is moving to prospect heights, on vanderbilt. it’s nice over here, and the commute is the same…
obviously, the article was tilted toward singles and younger couples, for whom the switch from a one-bedroom to a studio, or from a real bathroom to one without a sink, could be made with relative ease and for which the trade-offs seem more “worth it.”
what i’d like to see is a comparison between larger apartments for families, the price and amenity differentials, and school districts. my guess is that it will be a long time, if ever, before we see good family-size rentals in decent manhattan school districts priced competitively with those in bklyn. it’s not just about the commute – i’d love a shorter travel time, but i’m not at the point yet where the 45 mins saved seems worth sharing a room with my 2-year old.
What, with this, I agree 10000000000%