Making the Jump in 2008

[octothorpe]

As hinted in Thor's post (too lazy to link), I'm looking for condos. So far, Brooklyn seems to be "it", over Manhattan proper, simply because I don't feel the need to spend over $1.2M to get a shoebox. I'll do the boroughs, but no NJ. Must be subway accessible.

I'm looking at a few places, but there is so much I *don't* know, I thought I'd enlist the help of the LJverse.

The Oro http://www.orocondos.com/
The Argyle http://www.ArgyleParkSlope.com/

I'm looking at Modern Contemporary places.

Needs
* over 500sqft.
* At least 1 real bedroom. (No lofts)
* A full bath that can actually fit a normal human.
* "real" appliances (not the micro versions usually found in NYC flats).

Wants
* W/D In-unit
* Dishwasher
* big windows
* little to no noise heard from outdoors (no single-glazed Murray Hill condos, please ;-) )

Don't Cares
* "gyms"/pools
* Doorman


Does anyone know any coolie MoCo condos going from 500-750k?
Anyone know any coolie MoCo condo NYC/Boroughs blogs?

Pointers, advice, tips, hints, et al very welcome.

Thanks!

Comments

[gotmoof.livejournal.com]

just a thought about something you wrote:

A full bath that can actually fit a normal human.

Shouldn't you define "normal"? I understand you're a tall fella... wouldn't you want a bathtub that would fit you properly?

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

Well, in NYC, most bathrooms are so small, you can't actually close the door while you're on the toilet (seriously). I'll settle for not having to deal with that. I'd *LOVE* a proper soaking tub, but it's not required.

[jazzbearny.livejournal.com]

Howdy, neighbor to be!
The website for the Argyle is hilarious. 7th St. & 4th Avenue is indeed not that far away from the Botanical Gardens, but that particular corner is anything but picturesque. Although rezoning is going to transform 4th Ave. in the future; exactly when, I'm not sure. And it is true that you'd be very close to all the best the Slope has to offer.

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

That's kinda what I wondered. I really don't know brooklyn *at all*, so I am also looking for pointers about neighbourhood. I know from a little research that Oro's neighbourhood is a no-man's land for about 5 blocks, save (I believe) the DeKalb station. Luckily, it seems there is *a lot* of high-rise construction coming in, so the neighbourhood should be pretty gentrified in a few years 2010-12. While I am not a *huge* fan of such things, I have to think as a homeowner this will only make the value of the condo increase.

What are your thoughts on areas? Do you happen to know any interesting buildings? I've mentioned how much I love your place, but it's already taken ;-). I'm a huge MOCO fan, but I can also do "good bones" from which I can turn *into* a MOCO home.

[cellboy.livejournal.com]

The Oro website is very cool. That must of cost a pretty penny. I agree. Forget the pool, a real "normal" sized tub is important (the one's we grew up with). Last place I lived, they had those awful small fiberglass ones. When laying (actually sitting) in the tub, ones knees were up in the air. At least a tub where you could almost lay would be great; and one that could almost fit 2 would be better ;)

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I'm probably so 1998, but have you considered The Cloisters?

HUGS!

[rsc.livejournal.com]

They're letting people live in The Cloisters now? Cool!

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that was kinda my reaction.

[notdefined.livejournal.com]

Hmmmm, Father Christopher. (very naughty thoughts!)

[danbearnyc.livejournal.com]

There's a whole new series of new condo/coop construction happening in Long Island City, and while some of the real estate is on the water and is fabulous, it's worth avoiding any of the properties too close to the Queensboro Plaza subway stop. In addition to the quick commute, the neighborhood features a surplus of "gentlemen's clubs," a view of the relatively high crime Queensbridge Houses projects, or the one fortunate building whose front door is the bus stop where they discharge the Riker's Island prison bus every morning at 430. Oh, and fabulous views from each apartment of the shuttered parking garage immediately across the street.

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

Good to know!

I've heard about the pseudo-buzz of the LIC stuff, but again, as I don't know the area at all, I didn't know the down-sides. Looks like it's not to interesting. (I'd rather not have to fight drunken frat boys and cons in order to get into my house.)

[danbearnyc.livejournal.com]

Not drunken frat boys - no these are expense account commuters who take a little detour north from the Queens-Midtown tunnel into booty land. There used to be a more thriving street hooker business, but that's been mostly cleared up and replaced by the clubs.

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

Oh, even better. Annoying horny drunk salarymen.

Fantastic!

[danbearnyc.livejournal.com]

A recent episode of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit actually filmed on the street. The cops were meeting the Riker's bus and there was a shootout. Eventually one of the crooks made it to the roof of the parking garage and fell off the one side into a garbage truck below, also fully visible from the building. Amusingly, the truck driver had set the compacter function of the truck and couldn't hear the screams because he was out in the street grooving to the sounds from his iPod.

If for no other reason you want to be in this building so you can do a cameo for the next tv shootout.

Well

[telemann.livejournal.com]

brooklyn_usa folks would be able to help quite a bit.

If I were looking for a place again...

[jeffbearnyc.livejournal.com]

Christopher:

If I may suggest, start with a subway map. There's a great downloadable/printable PDF version on the MTA's Website.

Using a drafting compass or approximating one, draw a circle out from either a downtown or Mid-town Manhattan center point representing the approximate circumference inside which you'd prefer to commute.

Note the express subway stops that lie on and inside this circle.

List the subway lines and the neighborhoods they pass through within the circle.

Start scouting those neighborhoods. You can quickly eliminate several based on anecdotal research. When the opportunity arises to visit an area, stick to within a block or two of the nearest express subway stop, if you can.

You can also overlay an express bus map on top of your circle to note where this alternate form of transport might provide reduncancy in the event of, say, a strike, snow storm, etc. This is how I would do things if I were to do it over.

I ended up in Sheepshead Bay, served by a single subway line (Q), and at least an hour from Midtown on nights and weekends when the express (B, formerly D) isn't running.

It's a 90 minute commute by subway to/from TriBeCa, where I've been consulting for the last 15 months. Well, at least I catch up on my sleep.

Re: If I were looking for a place again...

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

This is really great advice. Thanks much!

Yeah, I am very conscious of the public transportation, as I won't have a car (I'm keeping it in CT), but I didn't have the idea to actually map it all out.

For example, the Oro is in not-the-best neighbourhood, although it seems it's on the rise. It *is* however, very close to a *major* subway stop, with many lines, so I am willing to let the neighbourhood play "catch-up".

[thornyc.livejournal.com]

Also: one of the guests I met at Greg & Ernie's NYE party has bought an apartment in one of the towers currently being constructed near downtown Brooklyn, so he probably knows a thing or two or three about looking, and neighborhoods there. You should also network with people who are also looking, or have recently moved there. G&E can hook you up with his name and number.

Would be great to have you around even closer!

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

Excellent. I'll ping the boys and see if I can get more information. I am sure I can pry it out of them if we go to momofuku again ;-)

Thanks again!

[mondragon.livejournal.com]

Luis & Michael have a deposit on a place in the Oro. They continue to think it's going to be a great place to live and they believe that the neighborhood will be redone by the time they move in.

They're the ones who took us to the Sushi place next door to Momofuku.

[gryphon773.livejournal.com]

Why not NJ? I have good friends in Jersey City (about 5 min walk from Exchange Place Path) and there is a ton of construction going on there.

[notdefined.livejournal.com]

I'll bet you the reply is going to be 'due to the lack of transportation'. Being on an MTA line gives him access to where he wants to be 24 hours/day.

[pagerbear.livejournal.com]

I don't know if Riverdale interests you, but there's a lot of new construction there not unlike that in LIC and downtown/DUMBO Brooklyn.

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

With or without the prisoners, and drunken boob-crazy salarymen?

[pagerbear.livejournal.com]

I think you can find prisoners and drunken, boob-crazy salarymen anywhere if you know how to look. I don't know of any "gentlemen's clubs" in Riverdale, however. Not being a gentleman myself.

[delmarmar.livejournal.com]

Give NJ another thought. Hoboken and Jersey City are very city accessible if you live near a PATH station. I can get to all sorts of places from home (Journal Square/Jersey City) quicker than most folks from the boroughs and upper Manhattan. One PATH goes to the WTC and the other hits Christopher/9th/14th/23rd/33rd.

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

Oh, I am well aware of the PATH train and where it goes.

NJ just isn't an option.

[delmarmar.livejournal.com]

OK, just thought I'd toss it out there in case you thought it was further than it is. Better too much info than too little.

Happy house hunting. Go find Susan Huang (HGTV-House Hunters) and make her help.