It seems like a lot of people say you either really love living in NYC or you really hate it. After more than a year here, I think I can safely say we love New York. I’ve been surprised at how doable it is with kids. Who knows if we’ll stay forever, but it is great for right now. My husband is loving his work and I’m having a great time. I do worry a teeny bit about my girls here though. They say they love it here, but they also talk a lot about wanting a dog and they reminisce about our backyard in Cambridge and in Delaware (they mostly miss the family of bunnies that lived in our backyard in Dover). Part of me thinks we should consider moving up to Connecticut or Westchester next year so the kids can have a more normal childhood, but I just can’t wrap my mind around adding a three hour commute to my husband’s already too-long work day.
Lately Brooklyn is feeling like a good in-between option. The commute to my husband’s downtown job would be super easy. And most Brooklyn neighborhoods feel a little quieter on the streets (more kid-friendly) and it’s easier to find a place with outdoor space. I keep telling Michael that we just need a cool 10 million so we can buy a townhouse in Brooklyn Heights. No big deal right?
Check out this one that’s available for (only!) $14 mill. What? Don’t you real estate stalk all the crazy expensive homes in your city?
This townhouse is HUGE for NYC (or anywhere I think) at 7,000 square feet. I want to marry that front door. Completely amazing.
The view’s not bad either.
What a GREAT house! Doesn't hurt to dream ofcourse… I live in The Netherlands and I love to get on real estate websites to look at houses in fabulous places like NYC or San Fransisco. Or even the more affordable options in different states. And then I tell my boyfriend: 'look what we could buy if we'd move to…' We are not moving anywhere. Just so fun to do. :)
Oh my word, that house is beautiful! The stairway took my breath away. To dream…..
My dad grew up in a brownstone two blocks from the one you shared. I grew up in Westchester and it was great. Still is, my brother and sister are both still there with their young families. 30 minutes to Grand Central on Metro North and if it's late, that's what car services are for!
I walk past that house every day and had no idea.
Brooklyn Heights is a great neighborhood. Getting more crowded now with tourists, etc. because of the new park.
Still love it, though. Coming off the subway from Manhattan, Brooklyn feels like a forest.
I am in LOVE with this home. My grandmother used to live in a Brownstone in Bedford-Stuyvesant and her home had an almost identical layout. Thanks for posting and helping me relive those memories.
I wrote before I read your reply post. We actually live in New Rochelle and love it. My husband works downtown as well and he makes it in 1 hour (the subways run very frequently during rush hour times). The sense of community is wonderful too – particularly in the warmer months. I'm a big cheerleader for lower Westchester!
whoa. you don't need to MARRY anyone people. women can work at hedge funds too. oy.
this home is owned by nina collins (and husband) who I'm sure has made a LOT of money
there are good public schools in brooklyn. all over NYC really. no need to spend 35k on private unless you want to
I totally do this exact same thing! I love finding gorgeous listings and picture my family living there some day. It's also fun to think how you would redecorate the home. Good luck with whatever decision you make.
If you're serious about Brooklyn, check out Midwood and Ditmas Park. We live in a lovely old brick row house in Ditmas Park and because it needed some work, we got it for less than a suburban house of comparable size. And, we have a (tiny) backyard. Both areas have a nice community atmosphere and are quite diverse. We even have feral parrots here. :-)
Love your blog.
Wow, gorgeous. All of those homes on the promenade are insane Im sure.
You should just buy a house on my block and we can be neighbors. :)
Forget the front doors, I want to marry the whole house! I haven't lived in a city for a long time and I am rather accustomed to the sticks. On a non-trafficky day I can be in D.C. in an hour, which is fine with me.
What a beautiful home! Absolutely stunning.
I too have an abnormal addiction to looking at Real Estate in NYC, Brooklyn, and all of NY state for that matter.
Another option would be Long Island. The schools are fantastic (providing you choose the right town) and with the real estate being what it is right now, you can find a bargain. We live in a great town, within walking distance (I can see the RR from my house) of the RR, which takes 43 minutes to get to Penn)and we have a super large yard.
We get to take advantage of backyard living with the kids, and the dog, and the garden, and one day a pool, but can also just pop on the train anytime we want to take a trip to the city….in fact, I am on so many lists for discounted hotel deals, that we often pop in for date night and just stay, with or without the kiddos.
Personally, my dream would be a Long Island home, a brooklyn or Manhattan apt., and nice little cabin in upstate NY with lots of land. It is a dream right now, but hopefully will be reality once the kids are gone and college is done and paid for.
~~Lauri~~
That is 100% my dream home- sigh….adore!!!
You must know my friend Stefanie, of Brooklyn Limestone, right? She has a similarly gorgeous Brooklyn townhouse.
That said, you might also look at New Jersey. I know it gets a bad rap, but the commute into the Financial District is pretty easy, and there are some really lovely towns (like Montclair).
Of course, this is coming from a former Manhattanite who happily traded high density living for little piece of suburban Southern California heaven. Fireplaces, vegetable gardens, hammocks, youth soccer …
I am actually one of those 67% who still pays for rent but I am saving up to have a home of my own soon too. I definitely would agree that it would be one of the best long term investments out there. Although cars are more fun, I'd still like to have a house of my own first.