Jackson Heights Life

todd, now those are some cool photos for the masthead!  I liked MissHeather's travelogue.  I bet elyaqim knows those leather stores! 

I didn't know 82nd street had a leather store.  I have to go there next weekend to see what else is new on 82nd besides buying underwear.   

I don't see any criticism in Miss Heather's post, other than the general social criticism present in all of her work.  I think she had a good time in JH and was amused by some of what she found.  I was amused too, and am happy she shared her discoveries.

the hipsters and wannabes flocked to williamsburg 5+ years ago. they followed the artsy, cool, experimental crowd. The only reasons they were there in the first place was because rent was cheap and it was close to manhattan. Well, willliamsburg before that was full of factories, construction, warehouses. There is an extreme amount of pollution in the streets, and even still the trucks that go through there destroy the air/ground.  It really is a naturally terrible place to live.

so the biggest reason people are living there now is that they are chasing the people they think are cool. what do you know? they are actually chasing them out with the prices.... Luckily for them, there are at least 4 or 5 huge million dollar apartment buildings being put up there. it's going to seriously mess up their real estate market. Now, all the people overpaying for crappy apartments will be paying a correct amount for a really nice place. and all those crappy places are going to remain crappy and lose all their value.

greenpoint is cool because of the eastern european population, but it isnt much better than williamsburg and the kids are spilling into there now. It was actually one of the 3 neighborhoods I was considering before I moved here (the other ft. greene).

I don't want to say too much to promote the area yet. I need the prices to stay low. in short, the infrastructure and population are the strong points. id like to get involved in getting more new neighbors - but not too many.

the hipsters and wannabes flocked to williamsburg 5+ years ago. they followed the artsy, cool, experimental crowd. The only reasons they were there in the first place was because rent was cheap and

In the last 8 years I have done substantial work in Williamsburg...mostly Asbestos and Lead prior to converting those factories into Lofts (by others, not me).  Prior to that in the 90's we did hundreds of environmental assessments (phase I studies) - it was so bad some our clients told us to loose the reports and we still got paid in full (never heard from those clients).  Generally, and this is based on my personal experience, most people saying how "super duper great Williamsburg is" were people from Williamsburg or those with a financial / personal interest (realtors, Landlords, developers or people that found a great deal and wanted a different crowd to move in)  I know quite a few that bought low and flipped and made lots of money G-d bless 'em.  Unfortunately if anyone purchased anything there in the last 3 or four years got robbed.  Brooklyn is not Manhattan no matter how the "special agenda" group attempt to make you believe it.  The time is here, if you have the cash you can buy for as little as 50 cents on the dollar on some of these "D'lux condos" (and you still may be paying too much). 

There is truly a very big problem with the environmental issues in both of these places, Greenpoint and Williamsburg and they have only exposed the surface.  Political powers that be have been able to soften the blow but as more and more people are finding out some will have to make due.  On another note anytime your rent roll cannot cover a balance of 70% Mortg (30% equity) plus maintenance and any incidentals / vacancies plus provide you with a modest monthly return then you probably didn't get a good deal (Specially in this market).  If you occupy the unit for at least the duration of a flat market and truly find enjoyment in any place you purchase then it's more a matter of "value in use" and the price paid becomes almost secondary.