Fear (of Condos) and Self-Loathing in Williamsburg
What happens when you mix the snide aspects of hipster culture with the gleaming new developments that have popped up in Williamsburg, Greenpoint, and Fort Greene? Condo shame, says the Observer. The hipsters who once scoffed at new developments like The Edge or nV are now—ironically, perhaps—experiencing a desire to buy units in these buildings…
What happens when you mix the snide aspects of hipster culture with the gleaming new developments that have popped up in Williamsburg, Greenpoint, and Fort Greene? Condo shame, says the Observer. The hipsters who once scoffed at new developments like The Edge or nV are now—ironically, perhaps—experiencing a desire to buy units in these buildings (gasp!). In the current market, it’s the modern units that are suddenly in the price range of 20- and 30-something new buyers, while the common brownstone fantasy still costs over $1 million. The article chronicles several 20-somethings such as Kendall Turner, 23, who bought a $449,000 one-bedroom in the Ikon building on McCarren Park in Greenpoint, or Nicole Ferejohn, 27, who refused to give in to her condo urges and continues to rent. Those profiled in the article make excuses and apologies; they feel guilt for their un-Brooklyn-y purchases; but in the end, perhaps the point is that if you price it low enough, they will (begrudgingly) come.
Condo Shame [NY Observer]
quote:
I still sort of like Jersey City, but moving back to Brooklyn made me feel a little like a fresh air child or something — like suddenly there were so many options! So many places to go! Beer at delis! Pharmacies open on Sunday! Etc.
omfg heather hilarious. i was born in jersey city, and i completely forgot about the whole no selling 40s in delis. so for that reason alone i dont think it would even be POSSIBLE for me to live a quality life in new jersey. i can just see myself having moved there then finding that out like a ton of bricks raining down on me.
*rob*
Sixyears, mommy and daddy would NEVER let Tiffany live in a walkup. They’re dangerous!
Anyone read Candace Bushnell’s “One Fifth”? The main character is a 22-year-old with no job who is sure she’s going to be famous and whose midwestern parents pay for her $5,000-a-month stunning West Village apartment. Then Lehman and the crash hits. Great book!
quote:
Isn’t there a chance that most of us would probably like the investment banker who elects to live in Williamsburg better than her colleague who lives in Murray Hill?
no.
*rob*
And as for who lives in Williamsburg — it used to be the newcomers were mostly artists, then around 2003 it was musicians and creative directors (money), then the regular people with office jobs, first-year-law whatevers started moving in (2005). Then the wanna-be actors followed (2007). It’s just like the East Village ten years ago. Whatever!
I don’t know who lives in the new-construction high rises. I’ve always wondered. The ones on MacCarren Park never seemed particularly appealing — or convenient, since they’re on the G train.
I agree completely Ty and Gem.
Both parents and kids are to blame here, but it’s a shame that so many kids these days have been brought up this way. I oftentimes feel as though I’m in the minority among my age group of someone who lives within my means, saves, has a job I love and managed to buy a small place (although could have bought a larger one had I asked my parents for help).
Too many kids are entitled and feel that a small space is below them or what not. We hear it here in some of the older commenters as well. Living here takes some compromise on all but those making over 500K a year. Some kids have not grasped that fact and probably never will. But what can you do?
Yeah, it’s absolutely bad parenting… AND you can blame the kids. They are 24, 28, 35… whatever and take NO effort to reflect on themselves critically. Is it their parents fault? Sure. But who’s responsibility is it now?
11217 – read my 11:50am post above
I agree it’s also about bad parenting. But at 25 you should know right from wrong
Saving money seems to be all about the rent-income equation. If you earn $50,000 a year, you *have* to spend $800/month or less on housing to save. (For example.)
“And instead (i say this from first hand experience) they end up buying expensive clothes, vacations and drugs – which isn’t what I think their parents had in mind when freeing up some income for their children with their own hard earned money.”
But this has more to do with bad parenting than it does anything else, don’t you think? The parents did their kids wrong by not instilling a work ethic or value of the dollar in their kids. You can’t really blame that on the children, can you?
There are people out there though who have money and HAVE taught their kids these things. I always find it interesting when I meet someone and get to know them and then find out much later that their parents are loaded and you would never guess from the way the kids act or live their lives. It’s a great trait.