Not-So-Bitter Renters Embrace Brooklyn
Brownstone living is no great shakes, say people profiled in this week’s Times’ real estate section cover story. The premise of the article is that there’s a new crop of Brooklynites who go ga-ga over our borough’s condos-turned-rentals because they’re much cheaper than similar full-service buildings in Manhattan. These renters say they’re not interested in…
Brownstone living is no great shakes, say people profiled in this week’s Times’ real estate section cover story. The premise of the article is that there’s a new crop of Brooklynites who go ga-ga over our borough’s condos-turned-rentals because they’re much cheaper than similar full-service buildings in Manhattan. These renters say they’re not interested in trad brownstone living because it lacks newfangled amenities, and they don’t want to buy a condo in today’s market. My peers who have their M.B.A.’s and their new master’s degrees and new jobs, they’re looking for new condos; they’re not into the traditional houses or brownstones, says a guy who rents a $2,550-a-month pad at Bed-Stuy’s The Mynt, above. This is the lifestyle we like. You cannot put a fitness center in a brownstone. You don’t have a doorman in a brownstone. Rentals are increasingly in demand, according to stats from StreetEasy that show Brooklyn rents rising 6 percent over the past year and sales prices falling 4 percent. If this is indeed a trend, one wonders how long-lived it’ll be. If more new buildings are planned as rentals rather than condos, how many developers are going to outfit their buildings with pricey condo-style trappings?
They Love (the New) Brooklyn [NY Times]
People can appreciate history without having to live in it, 1:18.
Duh.
Appreciating and loving brownstones is not just about the bricks and mortar of it. It’s about appreciating history and where we came from.
I meet too many people…especially in New York who don’t give a rats as* about the past. It’s important to know about our history and to preserve what past generations have given us.
Thanksfully there are those who still appreciate this concept.
For the rest, there are plenty of white boxes to go around…
People in their 20’s and early 30’s need to focus their time and energies on establishing their careers. Not restoring a 100 year old house and dealing with tenants. Especially if they are single which the typical young condo buyer is.
I bought an 80 year old house in need of renovations in my late 20’s too, as a single, and it was really really hard. I would get a condo in a heartbeat if I could do it all over again. The house was lovely but became a big source of stress on top of my very demanding career at the time. And it was a money pit at a time I should have been traveling and spending my money on enjoying my youth.
As for Bob Marvin saying he did it so others should do it, as I understand it from what you’ve described before, Bob you were married in your late 20’s not single. You also weren’t in a corporate job with long hours. Huge huge difference. Nothing to compare.
a lot of the new apartments are really beautiful- much as I love brownstone living, I would love a granite countertop. Many of them do have beautiful open floor plans, great views, amazing bathrooms. It’s a choice and I’m glad the Brooklyn has so much to offer so why we have to get into this urban/suburban, renter/owner foolishness is senseless. How much more boring would it be if everybody wanted exactly the same thing? since when does making a lifestyle choice become a ratings game?
i always find it humorous when people point to condos turned rentals to support a nyc real estate prices are going off a cliff argument (hope).
2 points to consider here:
1) condos are going rental for the very reason that the sponsor is not going to drop sale pricing significantly, and such conversions keep new condo supply in check, further strengthening a floor under condo pricing.
2) in the current construction financing situation, higher cash flows are needed to get a loan, thus more new developments going rental – again stemming condo supply and providing price support.
Two of my neighbors who bought their homes (Park Slope) for around 2 million are in their early 30’s.
“the problem is that all these buildings are nothing more than suburban tract houses and they are bringing suburbanites here. Is that the kind of people you want to live with?”
No, the problem is you do not get to be The Decider about who is allowed to live in Brooklyn.
A city evolves. Constantly. Accept it.
Oh, and if it weren’t for all the people who would have normally chosen the suburbs 10 years ago instead of buying a brownstone in Brooklyn like they’re doing now — your brownstone wouldn’t be worth anything near what you’ve invested in it, and we wouldn’t have jack sh** for amenities in Brooklyn. (We just barely have what we need now). So you actually should be very thankful towards these former “suburbanites”.
Bizarro What, you’re actually accusing someone else of being predictable? It’s unfortunate you don’t see the irony in your statement, for nobody is more predictable than you. Here’s your script:
1) Stalk bxgrl until you find her posting somewhere on Brownstoner
2) Make tired, unoriginal and ridiculous references to her selling kitty litter, getting her money back from Hostos CC and living in her friend’s basement. Perhaps throw in an occasional false accusation involving pornographic links.
3) Run through your perception of bxgrl’s typical behavior.
4) Reference how even those who login are anonymous and accuse them of logging in as a guest – another ironic accusation given you have multiple logins (Bizarro What, Legion, What, a Stupid bxgrl, etc.) and likely also post as an unidentifiable guest yourself.
5) Ultimately never contribute anything postive or of relevance to the actual story.
At least bxgrl comments on many things other than you – seems you’re a one-trick pony and your trick sucks.
“”Suburbanite” is a mind-set. It is the mind set of people who want granite counters and his and her sinks in the master bath. They can live in Brooklyn, but they’re still suburbanites.”
Yeah, damn people who want nice sinks and countertops, go back to the suburbs. If you want to live in NY you have to have a tiny kitchen with cracked plastic countertops and a tiny sink with spotty hot water!
Seriously, WTF? When did wanting to live in a nice apartment = living in the suburbs. I’ve lived here for 17 years, but the worse thing about this city is the crappy, overpriced housing. If I could live in NY and have a giant jacuzzi tub and a subzero fridge, well, why wouldn’t I prefer that?