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Affordable NYC: Ocean Hill

Affordable NYC: Ocean Hill published on

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I covered Bed Stuy proper here, but Bed Stuy is only semi affordable. Ocean Hill is a subsection of Bed Stuy and you’ll find that home prices are close to $300k less expensive than prime Stuy.

Obviously, there are reasons for this. For one, although the crime rate is at an all time low, the neighborhood can still be shady in spots.

Ocean Hill is farther east (away from the city) than Bed Stuy. However! There exists a choice of train lines. The A, C, J and Z lines run though the neighborhood and it is not far from the Broadway Junction, where these lines meet up with the L at one of the largest hubs in Brooklyn.

Housing stock is not as grand as neighboring Stuyvesant Heights, but there are still older bricks, brownstones and limestones with details intact. Many newer homes have been built on the empty lots that infested the area during the downturn of the 60’s-90’s and older homes are being restored.

Newcomers are moving into the area, which has been populated largely by African Americans. An increasing number of Asians, Hispanics and Whites are discovering Ocean Hill.

Amenities are not yet there. You won’t find cute cafes, gourmet markets or chic clothing shops. Yet.

NY Times
Parks
Historic Photos
Habitat’s Affordable Green Condos

Affordable Burb: Ossining

Affordable Burb: Ossining published on

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Another Hudson River town for your consideration.

When you think of Ossining, perhaps you think of Sing Sing prison. You kind of can’t miss it when you’re there. It’s huge. And the prisoners have the best view in town. Unlike other river towns, the housing closer to the water is somewhat less valuable because of the prison. If you want waterfront property and don’t mind William “What’s the frequency Kenneth” Tager being your neighbor, you’re in luck!

Ossining is less than an hour from Grand Central on Metro North. The town is diverse in both it’s population and housing stock. It’s one of the few remaining Westchester towns that isn’t a fancy schmancy rich suburb, but rather a melting pot of cultures and economic variety.

Many of the structures in town are on the National Register of Historic Places. The village itself is quite a quaint, colorful experience. The housing stock is well varied. Let’s just say there’s something for everyone, whether you prefer a fabulous turreted Victorian, a run down fixer upper, a McMansion or a ranch.

Home prices are varied as well. However, as you can see from the listings, one can still find a home for under $400k… even under $300k.

2005 Times Article
Village of Ossining
Hudson Valley Arts & Science
Chamber of Commerce
Historical Society

Affordable NYC: Stapleton, SI

Affordable NYC: Stapleton, SI published on 1 Comment on Affordable NYC: Stapleton, SI

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Ok, you’ve gotta bare with me here. I’ve been to Staten Island a handful of times in my life. I’ve always been pleasantly surprised. But don’t tell anyone. I still have to make fun of Staten Island because it’s the thing to do.

Disclosure: I did not get to Stapleton recently before writing this article. It’s just that….I’m running out of Brooklyn neighborhoods. I have to branch out.

So, here’s why I chose Stapleton this week.

A. It’s affordable.
B. Cool old homes.
C. Seems alive…culturally speaking.
D. Supposedly has good Italian restaurants.
E. Near beach.
F. Near ferry.
G. Still alittle rough around the edges.
H. My Brooklyn friend Vinny moved to Staten Island years ago told me I should do a post on it.

Some links since I don’t know what I’m talking about:

Prodigal Borough
NY Times Hipsta Article
Forgotten NY
Downtown Staten Island
Preserve Staten Island
Walking Is Transportation

Weekender: Athens, NY

Weekender: Athens, NY published on 3 Comments on Weekender: Athens, NY

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In my humble opinion, in New York State, the farther north you go, the more breathtakingly beautiful it gets. The mountains are bigger, the leaves are more colorful, the towns are more quaint. Obviously, it’s a longer drive from the city, but then again, the homes are less expensive!

Athens is one of those very quaint towns located in Greene County. If you’re unfamiliar with Greene County, surely you’ve heard of Hunter Mountain Ski Area. Athens sits between the Hudson River and the foothills of the Catskills. It just just a swim across the water to the overpriced Village of Hudson.

The architecture is varied and droolworthy. Here you’ll find examples of Victorian, Georgian and Federal styles at affordable prices.

The village, like much of upstate New York, is slowly seeing a resurgence. You can see it in a cultural center here and a yoga center there. The Stewart House, a fully restored 1883 landmark, is open for dinners and Sunday brunch. The B&B period rooms are tastefully decorated…even the Meryl Streep, where she “died” in Iron Weed.

It’s worth checking out the nearby towns of Coxackie and Catskill . Between the river and the mountains, you won’t have any trouble finding outdoor activities.

Fun Halloween Trivia fact: Part of the 2005 remake of War of the Worlds was filmed in Athens.

Greene County Tourism
Greene County Chamber of Commerce
Greene County Historical Society

Bushwick Ice Cave

Bushwick Ice Cave published on 2 Comments on Bushwick Ice Cave

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I saw this rental share on Curbed and thought it was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. Then I made my way over to the Craig’s ad and the text made me puke in my mouth alittle.

” We work in film, photography, music, and the tattoo industry- thus you’d have access to a wealth of equipment in addition to great hook-ups to just about anything including the best parties in town & beyond”

“We are internationally traveled & speak 6 languages between us”

“First off: If you need your neighborhood to look like it was pulled out of a Norman Rockwell painting, THIS IS NOT THE APARTMENT FOR YOU. This is not Pleasantville folks, this is Bushwick. It’s dirty, it’s grimy, and it’s fabulous. Street art = YES; White picket fences = NO. If you need a Starbucks just around the corner, THIS IS NOT THE APARTMENT FOR YOU. If you don’t mind grabbing a coffee from the local bodega or neighborhood coffee shop, then perhaps THIS IS THE APARTMENT FOR YOU.”

“…if you like shouting randomly, dancing randomly, or laughing randomly, if you like playing pretend and using your imagination to create or inspire you like when you were a kid, if you like the idea of pretending your kitchen is in the ocean…”

Get over yourselves, kids! You’re not living in Iraq, ok? You’re in Brooklyn. Gosh, I don’t know how us old timers survived on our bodega coffee when the whole city was grimy and lacking in Starbucks.

Recycled Bottle Houses

Recycled Bottle Houses published on

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Oh yeah! You know I want one of these! I saw this on Treehugger originally and then found a few other fascinating sites from that post. So fascinating, in fact, that I’m inspired to work on some new projects.

Web Urbanist featured the bottle house, along with 4 other types of recycled architecture. The bottles are my favorite because they look like jewels. The oldest known bottle house was built in 1907. Since then, many bottle homes have been built around the world out of necessity where building supplies are scarce.

Agility Nut has links to many of them.

Affordable NYC: Riverdale

Affordable NYC: Riverdale published on 1 Comment on Affordable NYC: Riverdale

It IS The Bronx!

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I’m not too familiar with The Bronx. Now you know why you see so many Brooklyn posts. I have to admit, until recently, I wasn’t sure if Riverdale was part of The Bronx or Westchester. Apparently, I’m not the only one.

Soooo, I asked a friend who lived in Riverdale for years. Here’s what she had to say:

Riverdale still feels like NYC’s best kept secret. It’s still pretty much undiscovered. The prices are much lower than parts of other boroughs.

It’s green, clean and safe.

There is a diverse community with a fine selection of ethnic restaurants to show for it.

Great location for getting into or out of the city. The 1 or 9 line runs to 242nd Street. You can walk “up the hill” from Kingsbridge or take a city bus. Alternatively, there is an express bus or Metro North.

It’s probably not the best area for young hipsters, as there isn’t too much night life. Many young families are moving/living there.

Weekender: Hyde Park

Weekender: Hyde Park published on 4 Comments on Weekender: Hyde Park

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For me, there are two reasons to visit Hyde Park: the restaurants and the antiques.

The restaurants are CIA, the Culinary Institute of America. There are 5 restaurants on the campus and reservations are suggested for all but the Apple Pie Cafe. These places are worth the trip, even just for the day. I only like to eat, not cook, but CIA offers one day programs such as “An Indian Feast” and “Gluten Free Holiday Baking”.Continue reading Weekender: Hyde Park

Moving a House

Moving a House published on 7 Comments on Moving a House

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I’m always looking at inexpensive historic homes out in the middle of nowhere. I know that homes can be moved and I’ve often wondered if it’s cost prohibitive to move a house from North Carolina to NY, even if that house is free. I can’t imagine it’s cheap!

Plus, you have to buy land. Then there’s insurance, building the foundation, proper permits. It adds up.

Ah, but still….it’s something I wouldn’t mind looking into one day. Anyone know anything more about it?

Dawn House Movers

Larmon House Movers

Davis Building Movers

Mortgage News article

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