All this put me in mind of our search for our first home. It was 50 years ago and we had just become parents. The real estate lady showed us a three bedroom refurbished(?) cottage. It was old and very neglected. But we were poor, young and had high hopes. Thinking we could never afford three bedrooms, we were so excited! We viewed the cottage but couldn’t find the third bedroom. Finally my husband turned back an area rug and there was a hatch! He pulled open the hatch. The third bedroom was in a smelly, leaky basement accessed by a ladder. Keep the faith. You will find the right place. Really enjoy following you.
I lived in a 2 room 4th floor walk-up (toilet in closet at one end of the kitchen, shower in closet at the other end) in the East Village from 1982 - 1994. Even though you posted this ad on April 1, I remember all too well the apartment search that resulted in my thanking heaven when I found it and I could afford it. I also remember when the landlord gutted the apartment below me (removing ceiling and windows, too) in winter. And the renovation of the building across the street resulting in a horde of cockroach refugees invading my building (without appropriate immigration papers). I admit not showing them any mercy whatsoever. Deportation was not an option - only extermination. Yet, I miss NYC and always will. Asking the universe and all the gods to look kindly on your search for a new NYC home. Keep me posted please.
When buying a house a couple of years ago, I instructed my realtor to not even show anything with the term “recently renovated.” She pushed back of course and we did see some, only to regret it. Gray soulless open spaces are not for me.
Also, from a former Brooklynite who went through something similar, I highly recommend Jersey City. I’ve lived in 5 neighborhoods across Brooklyn and Manhattan and Jersey City (Van Vorst park area) is by far my favorite of them all <3
Attempt at humour: have you considered a side hustle in real estate? You've got the vocab down and it's gotta offer a bonus of being able to check a lot of places out... For real though: I'm so sorry you're dealing with this hell. Looking for decent housing when you have kids is brutal at the best of times.
This is hard Erin, the very best of luck to your and your family, from what I know of you :-) you are a resourceful person and the right place will emerge for you. I am sure of it.
I feel so badly for you and your family! I can't even imagine trying to find something in New York City/Brooklyn that would meet your needs for a decent price--- not even a decent price --just something not obscene!!
I'm so sorry. This is brutal... and brings back some not-so-great memories of renting in Boston. Fun fact: husband and I first met at a tenant's union party. We were both renting from the same corrupt landlord -- so something good came out of that, at least.
Meanwhile, here on the opposite coast, friends of ours are compelled to sell their fire-leveled lots rather than continue the battle against insurance companies.
Hurry, quickly, somebody, tell me something horrible about socialism.
I should apologize ... I meant to say "insurance companies they've been paying for decades." And forgot to.
Flip side of this, Spectrum reduces our TV bundle bill due to weeks of evacuation: the sort of random kindness that capitalism could be, and which lays me low with gratitude in this era of daily Trump cruelty.
All this put me in mind of our search for our first home. It was 50 years ago and we had just become parents. The real estate lady showed us a three bedroom refurbished(?) cottage. It was old and very neglected. But we were poor, young and had high hopes. Thinking we could never afford three bedrooms, we were so excited! We viewed the cottage but couldn’t find the third bedroom. Finally my husband turned back an area rug and there was a hatch! He pulled open the hatch. The third bedroom was in a smelly, leaky basement accessed by a ladder. Keep the faith. You will find the right place. Really enjoy following you.
I lived in a 2 room 4th floor walk-up (toilet in closet at one end of the kitchen, shower in closet at the other end) in the East Village from 1982 - 1994. Even though you posted this ad on April 1, I remember all too well the apartment search that resulted in my thanking heaven when I found it and I could afford it. I also remember when the landlord gutted the apartment below me (removing ceiling and windows, too) in winter. And the renovation of the building across the street resulting in a horde of cockroach refugees invading my building (without appropriate immigration papers). I admit not showing them any mercy whatsoever. Deportation was not an option - only extermination. Yet, I miss NYC and always will. Asking the universe and all the gods to look kindly on your search for a new NYC home. Keep me posted please.
When buying a house a couple of years ago, I instructed my realtor to not even show anything with the term “recently renovated.” She pushed back of course and we did see some, only to regret it. Gray soulless open spaces are not for me.
Also, from a former Brooklynite who went through something similar, I highly recommend Jersey City. I’ve lived in 5 neighborhoods across Brooklyn and Manhattan and Jersey City (Van Vorst park area) is by far my favorite of them all <3
Attempt at humour: have you considered a side hustle in real estate? You've got the vocab down and it's gotta offer a bonus of being able to check a lot of places out... For real though: I'm so sorry you're dealing with this hell. Looking for decent housing when you have kids is brutal at the best of times.
OOOOF Erin! I am sending you some good real estate magic/alchemy/whatever you need. Sorry this is happening. :|
Oh dear! I feel for you... something will come up - won't it?!
This is hard Erin, the very best of luck to your and your family, from what I know of you :-) you are a resourceful person and the right place will emerge for you. I am sure of it.
Ooof this is not making me miss living in NYC. May the rental gods ever been in your favor.
I feel so badly for you and your family! I can't even imagine trying to find something in New York City/Brooklyn that would meet your needs for a decent price--- not even a decent price --just something not obscene!!
I'm so sorry. This is brutal... and brings back some not-so-great memories of renting in Boston. Fun fact: husband and I first met at a tenant's union party. We were both renting from the same corrupt landlord -- so something good came out of that, at least.
😞
New York's all glamour, isn't it?
Meanwhile, here on the opposite coast, friends of ours are compelled to sell their fire-leveled lots rather than continue the battle against insurance companies.
Hurry, quickly, somebody, tell me something horrible about socialism.
I should apologize ... I meant to say "insurance companies they've been paying for decades." And forgot to.
Flip side of this, Spectrum reduces our TV bundle bill due to weeks of evacuation: the sort of random kindness that capitalism could be, and which lays me low with gratitude in this era of daily Trump cruelty.
Ugh super sob, it is brutal and absurd. Sending you alll of the hidden gem apartment luck n vibes!!! Way better than thoughts n prayers!! 🤣❤️🙏
Erin, to me, this sounds like a piece for The New Yorker!
Humorous tone about your outrageous predicament. I’m so sorry!
Agreed! Something to submit?
Oof! Good luck with your search and I thank you for the chuckles you provided me!
So, it’s going well then? Sob! Co-conjuring up unexpected magic with and for you.
Sob!