Jackson Heights Life

walk ups can definitely be starter apartments.

most people don't see a $350,000 (just throwing a number out there) apartment as a starter. that's a home.

Well they should see that price as a starter.  $350K is what you might pay for a studio...if you're lucky... in most of NYC. (That is, NYC near a subway). That's just the facts of today's real estate market.

I'm only reporting what's around in NYC. 'cause I check 'em out.   (The Bronx is the only place left for below $350K)

i know what the market says.

i also know that a $1500 mortgage plus $750(ish) maintenance requires a little more salary than most "starter home"- minded folks are able to scrape together.

does this mean mere workers need to commute in from monmouth county from now on?

perhaps so.

I believe in New Yorkers' endless creativity.

This below will be the housing of the future for cities like NYC...

https://www.common.com/

The concept of a completely private home/space will transform.

Much like WeWork has changed the definition of an office environment.

This change will be led by the young.

And we should be thankful they are thinking this way!

The mobility of technology has influenced the way they are conceptualizing everything.  Living, working and eating.

To the future! I say in 5 or 10 years the above style of living will be ubiquitous. Young folks will be buying shares in the above model.

(It'll be kinda like the opposite of suburban living. And much closer to communal, kibbutz-like living.  The cost of real estate in NYC these days dictates it.)

^^^Knee issues and arthritis have been on my mind since my early 30s. By the time I was 38, my parents had four knee replacements. I also remember my grandparents and great aunts and uncles struggling with arthritis.

^^people with mobility issues use the buses a lot more, and when using the subway they try to use stations with elevators. When you are stuck behind someone going up or down the stairs kind of slow, I'd guess you're probably behind someone whose knees kind of hurt (or hip).

If I lived outside of the city, I'd definitely be looking to buy a ranch. Or at least a place where the master suite is on the first floor.

Yes, subway stairs will eventually become an issue--and then there are buses and of course now Ubers and all the other car services. Still better than having to drive everywhere at that older age, so the city still has a big advantage over suburban living for older people. As for WeWork--in my new job I'm working at one. I had no idea there were so many of these places all over NYC now--lots of WeWorks and also other similar co-working spaces. It just makes so much sense really. Shared working spaces and living spaces--I do think that is the wave of the future, and I'm all for it.

Oh and Eddie, each of the six buildings in the Colonials is independently managed so the presence or amount of a reserve would depend on the building.

interesting didnt know that, i saw a unit there a long time ago and I guess that building had no reserve which was a big red flag for me personally. old building + few units = big assessments/maint increase if anything major needs repair.

NYC of the Future: Trudging up stairs aided by mechanical knees to common eating areas serving soylent green.

While their convenience can't be denied, elevators do mean higher monthly maintenances, major repair/replacement assessments and daily awkward silences.  I know one of the Hawthorne Courts was considering decommissioning their elevator because of the awesome replacement costs.  The +/- comes down to personal taste.

Further co-living developments are being planned.  Including in Queens.  (LIC)

http://www.ollie.co/new-york-city-locations/

I guess in 10 years or so, (+/-) this concept will be prevalent...and reach here in Jackson Heights.