Population: 155,605
Number of Households: 49,527
Median Age: 28.8
Median Income: $27,380
Crime Index: 102
Population Details
Gender
Male 49.0%
Female 51.0%
Population Change
Since 1990 12%
Since 2000 9%
Race
White Non-Hispanic 51.2%
Hispanic 43.8%
Black 18.2%
Asian/Pacfic Islander 5.9%
Other 102%
Crime
Total crime risk 102
Personal crime risk 174
Murder risk 158
Rape risk 88
Assault risk 124
Property crime risk 76
Burglary risk 58
Larceny rick 66
Motor vehicie theft risk 82
Household Breakdown
Average household size 6.2
Single 29.7%
Married 26.3%
Separated 7.9%
Widowed 4.2%
Divorced 5.3%
Household:Family 63.6%
Households:Non-family 36.4%
Households:No Children 62.5%
Income
Average household income $39,653
Average household net worth $251,414
Change in average houshold income 20%
Per capite income $13,078
Median disposable income $24,875
Household income by range
$0-$50K 35,608
$50K-$100K 10,256
$100K-$200K 3,032
Over $200K 626
Home Value
Average house sale price $
Median value of home equity $98,557
Median value of investment property equity $19,905
Median value of vehicles owned $11,919
Average total househoid expenditures $37,559
Meidan mortgage debt 194,122
Housing Information
Median dwelling age 56.6
Owner-occupied dwellings 16%
Renter-occupied dwelling 76%
Vacant dwellings 8%
Median years in residence 3
Education and Occupation
Education Attainment
HS degree 17.8%
Bachelors Degree 9.2%
Graduate Degree 4.6%
Job Type
White Collar 21%
Blue Collar 6%
Enrollment by grade
Nursery/Pre-School 54
Kindergarten 760
Grades 1-4 4,077
Grades 5-8 4,059
Grades 9-12 3,838
College Undergrad 14,306
Graduate of Professional 7,126
Transportation
Household with one vehicle 24%
Household wirh two or more vehicles 6%
Household without Vehicles 70%
Transport to work: Public 58%
Transport to work: Drive Carpool 20%
Transport to work: Walk/Bike/Other 18%
Median travel time to work 32
Showing posts with label Williamsburg Brooklyn. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Williamsburg Brooklyn. Show all posts
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
Apartment Hunting Tips
Finding an apartment in New York City is always difficult, for people of all income levels. Be sure you know all there is to know about looking for an apartment before beginning your search.
Ways to Find an Apartment
#1: Brokers One of the most common methods of finding an apartment in New York City is using a real estate broker. If you know what neighborhood you want to live in, it's usually best to find a broker based there. Many brokers also have Web sites where you can view available apartments, sometimes even with photos and detailed descriptions.
#2: Word-of-Mouth There is good news for those who would prefer not to pay hefty brokers' fees: a substantial number of New Yorkers find their units by word-of-mouth, mostly from friends, relatives, and co-workers. If you're looking for an apartment, make sure everyone you know knows that you're looking.
#3: Classified Ads The third most common method used by recent movers is a classic: the classified ad. Movers cite using the New York Times, the Village Voice, the Daily News, local or community papers, and Newsday. Foreign-language or ethnic newspapers, such as El Diario and the Jewish Press, are also a good source of classified ads. Many newspapers now post their classified ads online, so make sure to check out the Web sites of local papers and online message boards like newyork.craigslist.org.
#4: Walking Around A small but notable percentage of movers find their apartment when they simply see a "For Rent" sign. It can pay to walk around the neighborhood you want to live in and look around.
#5: Housing Office If you're living here for professional or educational reasons, don't neglect your organization's housing office or service. They know what you often don't about renting in New York City and it's their job to help you find a great new apartment.
#6: Referral services are a growing resource that savvy hunters, especially those who are comfortable searching on the Internet, should not neglect. For a monthly fee these services will provide you with a list of no-fee apartment rentals as they become available.
#7: Apartment Referral Office Finding a Vacant Apartment in Same Building Other movers find their apartments in the same building in which they already live. Be proactive and talk to neighbors, doormen, supers, landlords, and/or your management company to see if another apartment is available in the same building.
#8: Going on Waiting Lists Affordable housing is often offered through waiting lists or application lotteries. If you have time before you need to move, put your name on waiting lists and/or fill out applications for affordable housing through the NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development (HPD), the New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC), or the NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA).
#9: Community Groups You may occasionally find housing through local government offices or community groups that keep information on neighborhood housing notices.
#10: Apartment Guides Lastly, don't forget to rely on resources like our Apartment Guide. These general references provide information about leases and other housing issues.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Stimulus Package effect on New York Real Estate Market
The financial meltdown is drowning New York’s real estate market.
The nearly decade-long construction boom has ended abruptly. The city’s residential market, which seemed immune to the market turmoil as the average price of a Manhattan apartment has continued to rise, is about to see a sudden drop. The accelerating number of job losses is sending commercial vacancy rates up and rental rates down.
“I think it’s going to be like being pushed over a cliff,” said Louis Coletti, president of the Building Trades Employers’ Association. “2009 is shaping up to be a horrific year.”
Mr. Coletti’s organization puts the value of cancelled development projects at $5 billion and he thinks that figure will continue to rise.
Those invested in the future of the city’s real estate industry are armed with ideas to throw at the problem, ranging from tax incentives to streamlining government bureaucracy. Their primary hope, however, is that President-elect Barack Obama’s proposed $800 billion stimulus package will stop the decline.
“New York City must be ready to engage the federal infrastructure dollars,” said Mary Ann Tighe, chief executive for the New York Tristate region at CB Richard Ellis Inc. “It will go a long way toward something positive happening in a difficult period.”
In the meantime, the numbers are bleak.
Permits for new residential buildings fell 74% in November, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. A report by brokerage firm Prudential Douglas Elliman and real estate appraiser Miller Samuel Inc. noted that the number of apartments for sale in Manhattan rose 39% in the fourth quarter, pushing the inventory up to 9,081 apartments, the third highest level in a decade. The report for the first quarter is likely to show a decline in average prices of at least 15%, said Jonathan Miller of Miller Samuel.
With financial firms contracting and shedding space, commercial office leasing hit a seven-year low in the fourth quarter, falling 19%, to 19 million square feet, from the year-earlier period, according to a Cushman & Wakefield Inc. study. The plunge in activity pushed Manhattan’s overall vacancy rate to 8%. Average commercial rents fell $5, to $79.81 a square foot, the largest quarterly decline in memory.
The financial industry alone lost 17,800 jobs in the last 16 months, and as employment continues to drop, so too will rents. It’s the law of supply and demand at work. “The more people, the more requirement for space,” thus boosting rents, said Barry Gosin, chief executive officer of Newmark Knight Frank. The reverse holds true, of course.
To spur activity, Mr. Gosin recommends reinstating tax incentives for converting commercial space to residential use in lower Manhattan. The program — credited for revitalizing the financial district in the first part of this decade — would take commercial space off the market and boost slumping rents.
On the residential side, the city could liberalize the recently tightened 421-a tax exemption program to spur residential projects elsewhere in the city.
“This is a longer-term solution to a longer-term problem,” said Andrew Singer, chief executive of The Singer & Bassuk Organization, a real estate consulting firm, about revamping the 421-a program. The hope is that when banks start financing projects again, developers armed with a tax advantage could get back to work more quickly.
A reorganization of the New York City Department of Buildings sits at the top of Ms. Tighe’s to-do list. Reforming the commercial mortgage-backed securities market makes the cut, too.
If there’s no plan for dealing with problems that arise as those mortgages come to term, pain in the commercial sector could lead to the same wave of foreclosures that have crippled the residential market. Providing financing for commercial mortgages is “a critical step toward avoiding a major, major hit across the country,” said Steven Spinola, president of the Real Estate Board of New York.
While disagreement exists on the effectiveness of these programs, everyone believes the best hope for New York’s real estate and construction industries lies in the Obama stimulus plan and its hundreds of billions of dollars for infrastructure.
“There is the expectation that these investments will create thousands of jobs,” said Michael Della Rocca, president of the North American operations of Halcrow, a leading infrastructure firm. Mr. Della Rocca sees a twofold benefit from Mr. Obama’s stimulus package. In the short term, federal funding will stimulate jobs and spending on raw materials. In the long term, financing infrastructure projects will bolster confidence in the city among potential investors looking for places to do business.
“It’s necessary to do fundamental maintenance and operations,” said Mr. Della Rocca. But he argued that the government must also strategically dole out federal funds to projects like the Second Avenue Subway and East Side Access, which may not have as many immediate benefits but will create more jobs and more revenues in the future.
Mr. Spinola said that while the city may be down, it is certainly not out, and conditions remain a far cry from the 1970s. “The bottom line: People still want to be in New York,” he said.
Source: http://www.crainsnewyork.com/
The nearly decade-long construction boom has ended abruptly. The city’s residential market, which seemed immune to the market turmoil as the average price of a Manhattan apartment has continued to rise, is about to see a sudden drop. The accelerating number of job losses is sending commercial vacancy rates up and rental rates down.
“I think it’s going to be like being pushed over a cliff,” said Louis Coletti, president of the Building Trades Employers’ Association. “2009 is shaping up to be a horrific year.”
Mr. Coletti’s organization puts the value of cancelled development projects at $5 billion and he thinks that figure will continue to rise.
Those invested in the future of the city’s real estate industry are armed with ideas to throw at the problem, ranging from tax incentives to streamlining government bureaucracy. Their primary hope, however, is that President-elect Barack Obama’s proposed $800 billion stimulus package will stop the decline.
“New York City must be ready to engage the federal infrastructure dollars,” said Mary Ann Tighe, chief executive for the New York Tristate region at CB Richard Ellis Inc. “It will go a long way toward something positive happening in a difficult period.”
In the meantime, the numbers are bleak.
Permits for new residential buildings fell 74% in November, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. A report by brokerage firm Prudential Douglas Elliman and real estate appraiser Miller Samuel Inc. noted that the number of apartments for sale in Manhattan rose 39% in the fourth quarter, pushing the inventory up to 9,081 apartments, the third highest level in a decade. The report for the first quarter is likely to show a decline in average prices of at least 15%, said Jonathan Miller of Miller Samuel.
With financial firms contracting and shedding space, commercial office leasing hit a seven-year low in the fourth quarter, falling 19%, to 19 million square feet, from the year-earlier period, according to a Cushman & Wakefield Inc. study. The plunge in activity pushed Manhattan’s overall vacancy rate to 8%. Average commercial rents fell $5, to $79.81 a square foot, the largest quarterly decline in memory.
The financial industry alone lost 17,800 jobs in the last 16 months, and as employment continues to drop, so too will rents. It’s the law of supply and demand at work. “The more people, the more requirement for space,” thus boosting rents, said Barry Gosin, chief executive officer of Newmark Knight Frank. The reverse holds true, of course.
To spur activity, Mr. Gosin recommends reinstating tax incentives for converting commercial space to residential use in lower Manhattan. The program — credited for revitalizing the financial district in the first part of this decade — would take commercial space off the market and boost slumping rents.
On the residential side, the city could liberalize the recently tightened 421-a tax exemption program to spur residential projects elsewhere in the city.
“This is a longer-term solution to a longer-term problem,” said Andrew Singer, chief executive of The Singer & Bassuk Organization, a real estate consulting firm, about revamping the 421-a program. The hope is that when banks start financing projects again, developers armed with a tax advantage could get back to work more quickly.
A reorganization of the New York City Department of Buildings sits at the top of Ms. Tighe’s to-do list. Reforming the commercial mortgage-backed securities market makes the cut, too.
If there’s no plan for dealing with problems that arise as those mortgages come to term, pain in the commercial sector could lead to the same wave of foreclosures that have crippled the residential market. Providing financing for commercial mortgages is “a critical step toward avoiding a major, major hit across the country,” said Steven Spinola, president of the Real Estate Board of New York.
While disagreement exists on the effectiveness of these programs, everyone believes the best hope for New York’s real estate and construction industries lies in the Obama stimulus plan and its hundreds of billions of dollars for infrastructure.
“There is the expectation that these investments will create thousands of jobs,” said Michael Della Rocca, president of the North American operations of Halcrow, a leading infrastructure firm. Mr. Della Rocca sees a twofold benefit from Mr. Obama’s stimulus package. In the short term, federal funding will stimulate jobs and spending on raw materials. In the long term, financing infrastructure projects will bolster confidence in the city among potential investors looking for places to do business.
“It’s necessary to do fundamental maintenance and operations,” said Mr. Della Rocca. But he argued that the government must also strategically dole out federal funds to projects like the Second Avenue Subway and East Side Access, which may not have as many immediate benefits but will create more jobs and more revenues in the future.
Mr. Spinola said that while the city may be down, it is certainly not out, and conditions remain a far cry from the 1970s. “The bottom line: People still want to be in New York,” he said.
Source: http://www.crainsnewyork.com/
Monday, February 16, 2009
Strange But True Laws In New York
• A fine of $25 can be levied for flirting. This old law specifically prohibits men from turning around on any city street and looking “at a woman in that way.” A second conviction for a crime of this magnitude calls for the violating male to be forced to wear a “pair of horse-blinders” wherever and whenever he goes outside for a stroll.
• A license must be purchased before hanging clothes on a clothesline.
• A person may not walk around on Sundays with an ice cream cone in his/her pocket.
• Before the enactment of the 1978 law that made it mandatory for dog owners in New York City to clean up after their pets, approximately 40 million pounds of dog excrement were deposited on the streets every year.
• Citizens may not greet each other by “putting one’s thumb to the nose and wiggling the fingers”.
• Donkeys are not allowed to sleep in bathtubs in Brooklyn, N.Y.
• In Carmel, N.Y., a man can’t go outside while wearing a jacket and pants that do not match.
• In Greene, New York, During a concert, it is illegal to eat peanuts and walk backwards on the sidewalks.
• In New York, you can teach your pet parrot to speak, but not to squawk.
• In New York City you need a permit to transport carbonated beverages.
• In New York City it is illegal for a man to give ‘The Standard Lear’ to a woman. Violators are forced to wear horse blinders.
• In New York City, it’s illegal to throw swill into the street.
• In New York City it’s illegal to shake a dust mop out a window.
• In New York State it is still illegal to shoot a rabbit from a moving trolley car.
• In Ocean City, New York It is illegal to eat in the street in residential neighborhoods, and the only beverage you can drink on the beach is water in a clear plastic bottle.
• In Ocean City New York, It is illegal for men to go topless in the center of town.
• In Staten Island, New York, It is illegal for a father to call his son a “faggot” or “queer” in an effort to curb “girlie behavior.”
• In Staten Island, New York, You may only water your lawn if the hose is held in your hand.
• In Tonawanda, New York homeless people may not start a fire in the park unless they intend to cook food.
• It is against the law to throw a ball at someone’s head for fun.
• It is illegal for a woman to be on the street wearing “body hugging clothing.”
• It is illegal to jump off the Empire State building.
• It’s illegal in New York to start any kind of public performance, show, play, game or what have you, until after 1:05 p.m.
• Jaywalking is legal, as long as it’s not diagonal. That is, you can cross the street out of the crosswalk, but you can’t cross a street diagonally.
• Members of nine New York Indian tribes are exempt from the city’s eight percent parking tax.
• New York and a handful of other states require that toilets be evenly divided among men and women in public theaters or arenas.
• You may not smoke within 100 feet of the entrance to a public building.
• Women may go topless in public, providing it is not being used as a business.
• New York City may be the theater capital of the country, but it’s illegal to have a puppet show in your window and a violation can land you in the snoozer for 30 days.
• New Yorkers cannot dissolve a marriage for irreconcilable differences, unless they both agree to it.
• Ocean City: It is illegal to eat in the street in residential neighborhoods, and the only beverage you can drink on the beach is water in a clear plastic bottle.
• Slippers are not to be worn after 10:00 P.M.
• Staten Island: You may only water your lawn if the hose is held in your hand.
• The New York City Transit Authority has ruled that women can ride the city subways topless. New York law dictates that if a man can be somewhere without a shirt, a woman gets the same right. The decision came after arrests of women testing the ordinance on the subways. A transit police spokesman said they would comply with the new rule, but “if they were violating any other rules, like sitting on a subway bench topless smoking a cigarette, then we would take action.” Smoking is not allowed in the subways.
• The New York State Senate passed a resolution to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Brooklyn Dodgers’ 1955 world championship and expressed a longing that someday the Dodgers will return to “their one and only true home.”
• The penalty for jumping off a building is death.
• To cut down on its once-horrific graffiti problem, New York City several years ago made it illegal to carry an open can of spray paint.
• While riding in an elevator, one must talk to no one, and fold his hands while looking toward the door.
• A license must be purchased before hanging clothes on a clothesline.
• A person may not walk around on Sundays with an ice cream cone in his/her pocket.
• Before the enactment of the 1978 law that made it mandatory for dog owners in New York City to clean up after their pets, approximately 40 million pounds of dog excrement were deposited on the streets every year.
• Citizens may not greet each other by “putting one’s thumb to the nose and wiggling the fingers”.
• Donkeys are not allowed to sleep in bathtubs in Brooklyn, N.Y.
• In Carmel, N.Y., a man can’t go outside while wearing a jacket and pants that do not match.
• In Greene, New York, During a concert, it is illegal to eat peanuts and walk backwards on the sidewalks.
• In New York, you can teach your pet parrot to speak, but not to squawk.
• In New York City you need a permit to transport carbonated beverages.
• In New York City it is illegal for a man to give ‘The Standard Lear’ to a woman. Violators are forced to wear horse blinders.
• In New York City, it’s illegal to throw swill into the street.
• In New York City it’s illegal to shake a dust mop out a window.
• In New York State it is still illegal to shoot a rabbit from a moving trolley car.
• In Ocean City, New York It is illegal to eat in the street in residential neighborhoods, and the only beverage you can drink on the beach is water in a clear plastic bottle.
• In Ocean City New York, It is illegal for men to go topless in the center of town.
• In Staten Island, New York, It is illegal for a father to call his son a “faggot” or “queer” in an effort to curb “girlie behavior.”
• In Staten Island, New York, You may only water your lawn if the hose is held in your hand.
• In Tonawanda, New York homeless people may not start a fire in the park unless they intend to cook food.
• It is against the law to throw a ball at someone’s head for fun.
• It is illegal for a woman to be on the street wearing “body hugging clothing.”
• It is illegal to jump off the Empire State building.
• It’s illegal in New York to start any kind of public performance, show, play, game or what have you, until after 1:05 p.m.
• Jaywalking is legal, as long as it’s not diagonal. That is, you can cross the street out of the crosswalk, but you can’t cross a street diagonally.
• Members of nine New York Indian tribes are exempt from the city’s eight percent parking tax.
• New York and a handful of other states require that toilets be evenly divided among men and women in public theaters or arenas.
• You may not smoke within 100 feet of the entrance to a public building.
• Women may go topless in public, providing it is not being used as a business.
• New York City may be the theater capital of the country, but it’s illegal to have a puppet show in your window and a violation can land you in the snoozer for 30 days.
• New Yorkers cannot dissolve a marriage for irreconcilable differences, unless they both agree to it.
• Ocean City: It is illegal to eat in the street in residential neighborhoods, and the only beverage you can drink on the beach is water in a clear plastic bottle.
• Slippers are not to be worn after 10:00 P.M.
• Staten Island: You may only water your lawn if the hose is held in your hand.
• The New York City Transit Authority has ruled that women can ride the city subways topless. New York law dictates that if a man can be somewhere without a shirt, a woman gets the same right. The decision came after arrests of women testing the ordinance on the subways. A transit police spokesman said they would comply with the new rule, but “if they were violating any other rules, like sitting on a subway bench topless smoking a cigarette, then we would take action.” Smoking is not allowed in the subways.
• The New York State Senate passed a resolution to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Brooklyn Dodgers’ 1955 world championship and expressed a longing that someday the Dodgers will return to “their one and only true home.”
• The penalty for jumping off a building is death.
• To cut down on its once-horrific graffiti problem, New York City several years ago made it illegal to carry an open can of spray paint.
• While riding in an elevator, one must talk to no one, and fold his hands while looking toward the door.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Top Ten Things to do in Brooklyn
1) Walk The Brooklyn Bridge
For a truly unique view of the spectacular Manhattan skyline, walk over the brooklyn bridge through its intricate steel cables. Centre St. in Manhattan is your starting point (btwn Chambers/Murray east of City Hall).
Subway to walkway: 4/5/6 to Bklyn Bridge/City Hall; J/M/Z to Chambers.
2) Stroll along the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden
This relaxing Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden makes for a great stroll on a sunny NYC day. There are plenty of amazing lush garden paths around the crystal clear pond.
Subway: B or Q to Prospect Park (B doesn't run on weekends) or the 2/3 to Eastern Parkway.
3) Tour the Historic (and spooky!) Green-Wood Cemetery
Green-Wood Cemetery is home to great permanent residents like Basquiat and Leonard Bernstein as well as a half million others. There are fascinating walking tours that explore the great architecture, sculpture, and history of this cemetery.
Subway: R to 25th Street. 718.768.7300. In Sunset Park.
4) A Day at Coney Island
If you are fortunate enough to live in Brooklyn then you must make a trip out to the historical and fun filled Coney Island. Coney Island is one of America's most iconic classic amusement parks. The wonder wheel, cyclone roller coaster, and new york aquarium are just some of the many attractions that can easily fill up your day. While you're out there, make a quick trip to Brighton Beach and experience the rich Russian culture.
Subway: F to Ave. X.
5) First Saturdays at the Brooklyn Museum
If it's cultural refinement you seek look no further then the Brooklyn Museum. The Brooklyn Museum hosts "First Saturday" events on the first saturday of each month. Enjoy a night of harmonious music, art, and entertainment totally free of charge! Food, beverages and a cash bar available.
Subway: 2 or 3 to Eastern Parkway. For info: 718.768.7300.
6) Pizza at Grimaldi's
For a classic Brooklyn pizza experience, look no further then Grimaldi's. Coal oven-baked crust, savory sauce and homemade mozzarella keep the crowds coming back again and again. Overly crowded on weekends and long lines on the weekdays but well worth the wait for a taste of one of the best slices of pizza in town.
19 Old Fulton St.(under the Brooklyn Bridge). 718.858.4300. Subway: A/C to High St.
7) Cheesecake at Junior's If desserts are your thing, then head to Junior's for the best cheesecake ever. Dozens of varieties to choose from and each are to die for. Juniors is often crowded but worth the wait. 386 Flatbush Avenue Extension at Dekalb Avenue. 1.800.4JUNIOR (1.800.458.6467) Subway: A/C to Jay St.
After you're done savoring all the delicious goodness at Grimaldi's, head on over to Juniors for some amazing cheesecake for dessert. There are dozens of varieties to choose from and can satisfy the taste buds of anyone who appreciates cheesecake. Not surprisingly, this place is also crowded but well worth the wait in line.
386 Flatbush Avenue Extension at Dekalb Avenue. 1.800.4JUNIOR (1.800.458.6467) Subway: A/C to Jay St.
8) Take in a Cyclones' Game
For the Sports fans you can get a great thrill by catching a Cyclones at the 7,500 seat capacity KeySpan Park at Coney Island.
1904 Surf Avenue 718.449.8497 Subway: F to Avenue X.
9) Peter Luger Steakhouse
Peter Luger is by far one of the best places anywhere to enjoy a steak. Service is unmatched in its quality and reservations are near impossible with so many people wanting the privlege to dine at this fine restaurant. However, if you are lucky enough to get through their doors and be seated your reward is an amazing porterhouse steak that is near divine perfection.
178 Broadway (at Driggs) In Williamsburg. Subway: J/M/Z to Marcy Ave.
10) Prospect Park
For the outdoors enthusiast, Prospect Park offers endless activities including the nation's first Audubon center, Wollman skating rink and the beautiful 1912 Carousel.
F to 15th Street/Prospect Park. Events Info: 718.965.8999.
For a truly unique view of the spectacular Manhattan skyline, walk over the brooklyn bridge through its intricate steel cables. Centre St. in Manhattan is your starting point (btwn Chambers/Murray east of City Hall).
Subway to walkway: 4/5/6 to Bklyn Bridge/City Hall; J/M/Z to Chambers.
2) Stroll along the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden
This relaxing Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden makes for a great stroll on a sunny NYC day. There are plenty of amazing lush garden paths around the crystal clear pond.
Subway: B or Q to Prospect Park (B doesn't run on weekends) or the 2/3 to Eastern Parkway.
3) Tour the Historic (and spooky!) Green-Wood Cemetery
Green-Wood Cemetery is home to great permanent residents like Basquiat and Leonard Bernstein as well as a half million others. There are fascinating walking tours that explore the great architecture, sculpture, and history of this cemetery.
Subway: R to 25th Street. 718.768.7300. In Sunset Park.
4) A Day at Coney Island
If you are fortunate enough to live in Brooklyn then you must make a trip out to the historical and fun filled Coney Island. Coney Island is one of America's most iconic classic amusement parks. The wonder wheel, cyclone roller coaster, and new york aquarium are just some of the many attractions that can easily fill up your day. While you're out there, make a quick trip to Brighton Beach and experience the rich Russian culture.
Subway: F to Ave. X.
5) First Saturdays at the Brooklyn Museum
If it's cultural refinement you seek look no further then the Brooklyn Museum. The Brooklyn Museum hosts "First Saturday" events on the first saturday of each month. Enjoy a night of harmonious music, art, and entertainment totally free of charge! Food, beverages and a cash bar available.
Subway: 2 or 3 to Eastern Parkway. For info: 718.768.7300.
6) Pizza at Grimaldi's
For a classic Brooklyn pizza experience, look no further then Grimaldi's. Coal oven-baked crust, savory sauce and homemade mozzarella keep the crowds coming back again and again. Overly crowded on weekends and long lines on the weekdays but well worth the wait for a taste of one of the best slices of pizza in town.
19 Old Fulton St.(under the Brooklyn Bridge). 718.858.4300. Subway: A/C to High St.
7) Cheesecake at Junior's If desserts are your thing, then head to Junior's for the best cheesecake ever. Dozens of varieties to choose from and each are to die for. Juniors is often crowded but worth the wait. 386 Flatbush Avenue Extension at Dekalb Avenue. 1.800.4JUNIOR (1.800.458.6467) Subway: A/C to Jay St.
After you're done savoring all the delicious goodness at Grimaldi's, head on over to Juniors for some amazing cheesecake for dessert. There are dozens of varieties to choose from and can satisfy the taste buds of anyone who appreciates cheesecake. Not surprisingly, this place is also crowded but well worth the wait in line.
386 Flatbush Avenue Extension at Dekalb Avenue. 1.800.4JUNIOR (1.800.458.6467) Subway: A/C to Jay St.
8) Take in a Cyclones' Game
For the Sports fans you can get a great thrill by catching a Cyclones at the 7,500 seat capacity KeySpan Park at Coney Island.
1904 Surf Avenue 718.449.8497 Subway: F to Avenue X.
9) Peter Luger Steakhouse
Peter Luger is by far one of the best places anywhere to enjoy a steak. Service is unmatched in its quality and reservations are near impossible with so many people wanting the privlege to dine at this fine restaurant. However, if you are lucky enough to get through their doors and be seated your reward is an amazing porterhouse steak that is near divine perfection.
178 Broadway (at Driggs) In Williamsburg. Subway: J/M/Z to Marcy Ave.
10) Prospect Park
For the outdoors enthusiast, Prospect Park offers endless activities including the nation's first Audubon center, Wollman skating rink and the beautiful 1912 Carousel.
F to 15th Street/Prospect Park. Events Info: 718.965.8999.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Size Matters
When apartment shopping, size does matter, and varies on the needs of the clients. Some people are content with a studio apartment while others may be looking for a 2 BD or perhaps a 4 BD apartment. The following factors play a part in your ultimate decision:
1. How many people will be living in the interested unit?
2. Will it be family, roommates, or couples?
3. Is it a bachelor pad setup or a family oriented living arrangement?
4. How much are you willing to spend? (remember to factor in payment of utilities if any plus additional expenses)
5. Will the apartment also function as a home office/personal studio or any other such use of the space?
If you’re a bachelor right out of college making your mark on the world, then a studio apartment would perfectly meet your needs. If you’re sharing the apartment with your best bud from college then a two bedroom apartment is what you will need to live and entertain your guests in. If you’re a couple just starting out in life then there are plenty of beautiful one bedroom apartments ready to be moved into. If you’re one of the lucky few to be fortunate enough to work from home then you definitely should look into a duplex apartment.
When some people hear duplex apartment they automatically assume that it will cost a lot of money to rent out but that is not necessarily true. There are plenty of inexpensive duplex apartments available for hundreds of dollars less then what you may expect to pay. So no matter what your living arrangement or financial situation may be, Peoples Choice Real Estate, L.L.C." can accommodate any and all of your needs. Check out all of our apartment listings and give us a call at 718-782-2400 for additional listings as well.
Monday, December 15, 2008
The Building and the Neighborhood Checklist
• Are pets allowed? If you have a pet, make sure there are no restrictions.
It really depends on the owner/landlord/management of the premises. Some are more willing to amend the lease in regards to pets depending on the type and size of the pet.
• How close is public transportation? Calculate how easy it would be to get to work or other frequent destinations. If your commute will be long and complicated, you may want to reconsider unless you really love the apartment.
• Is the neighborhood safe? Will you feel comfortable walking home alone at night?
• Is there a laundry room in the building or nearby?
• Is there outdoor space available (roof, garden, terrace)?
• Does the neighborhood provide all of the daily conveniences within easy access?Locate the closest grocery stores, gyms, dry cleaners, pharmacies, banks, etc.
• Is there a live-in superintendent? Does he maintain the building well and respond quickly when repairs are needed? Ask a current resident if possible (just corner someone in the lobby or elevator).
• Is there a doorman? What type of security is offered (i.e. security cameras, number and strength of locks, etc.)
• Is the building managed responsibly? Check with the Better Business Bureau to make sure there are no complaints against building management.
• Is the building in good repair? Look for signs of disrepair or shabbiness in the public spaces.
• If you have a car, is there convenient parking nearby?
• Do you like the feel of the neighborhood? Do you feel comfortable there?
Friday, December 12, 2008
Apartment Checklist
• Is the rent reasonable? Do your research before deciding on the apartment you want. Just like you would shop around for the best deal on a digital camera or the latest fashion, the same thrifty rule applies to a rental unit. Make sure you've seen other apartments in the same price range (or at least perused listings and talked to people to understand current rental trends). Be prepared to adjust your budget according to your financial situation. It’s always a better idea to have a broad choice base rather then narrowing it down too specifically and severely limiting your options. If it's the first apartment you've seen, think hard before committing unless you really love the place. If you're new to the NYC apartment-rental game, bring a savvy friend with you to provide some objective advice.
• Is the apartment clean and freshly painted? If the landlord is promising to paint or renovate before you move in, exactly what will be done? Get it in writing. Verbal agreements don’t stand up in courts since it becomes a he said she said situation and neither party will come out a winner.
• Are the kitchen appliances clean and in working order? Test the refrigerator, stove, and other appliances to make sure everything’s in working order. Better safe then sorry.
• Is there enough cupboard and counter space in the kitchen?
• Are there any signs of roaches or rodents? Look under the sink and around cracks and crevices.
• Do the windows open and close properly?
• Are there enough electrical outlets? Test the electrical outlets to make sure they all work.
• Are there enough closets and are they large enough?
• Can you live with the view and the amount of light in the apartment?
• Do the bathroom fixtures work? Are there any leaks?
• Are there any rules against painting or making other modifications to the space? If you’re thinking about remodeling or redecorating, make sure there are no rules that prevent you from doing so (or your landlord may take it out of your security deposit).
• Is there excessive street noise or noise from nearby apartments?
• Is the apartment cable-ready? Make sure the apartment is wired to support your cable TV or high-speed Internet habits.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
NYC HOUSING DISCRIMINATION LAWS
Finding the perfect apartment to rent in NYC can be a very stressful and daunting task. Dealing with housing discrimination after you have found the perfect apartment is something that no New Yorker should have to face. Luckily, the greatest city in the world has the greatest housing discrimination laws in the country, put in place to protect New Yorkers. Housing discrimination is rare but it does happen and that is when it is important for the renter to know what his/her rights are and how to deal with it and put these laws to work for them.
It is unlawful for landlords, superintendents, building managers, condominium owners, cooperative owners and boards to discriminate in the sale, rental or lease of a housing accommodation or in the provision of services and facilities because of a person’s actual or perceived race, color, national origin, gender (including gender identity), disability, sexual orientation, creed, marital status, partnership status, alienage or citizenship status, any lawful source of income, age, lawful occupation, or because children are or may be residing with the person.
Peoples Choice Real Estate, L.L.C. has a very thorough and intense pre-screen process for all of our potential landlords/owners/management, to make sure that they do not discriminate against qualified renters and follow all guidelines set forth by the city of New York in regards to rental discrimination laws. Should we ever come across a person or management group in violation of these strict laws, we immediately take any and all necessary action to correct this serious matter.
“Our clients are important to us and each person deserves a decent place to call home,” says Nathan Smith, Operations Manager of Peoples Choice Real Estate, L.L.C. “We address the individual needs of all of our clients and make sure that their rental process is free of any discrimination. Should any violation of the discrimination laws occur we take swift action to correct the situation immediately.”
If you feel that you have been a victim of Discrimination, please visit New York City’s official website for more information on filing a complaint in regards to Housing Discrimination.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Apartment or Loft? Which is the perfect deal for me?
There are pros and cons associated with both apartments and lofts and the best fit really has to do with what kind of function they want their living space to provide. If you are someone with a care free attitude who does not want their world defined by barriers, then a loft would be the best option. But if you need pre-defined boundaries for privacy and space then the traditional apartment setting is the way to go.
A traditional apartment has definitive rooms separated by floor-to-ceiling walls and accessible through doorways with or without a door. Bathrooms are always separate and are not included in the overall square footage. A classic loft-style apartment is one huge space with an average living space of 1,000 to 2,000 square feet. High ceilings (with windows to match), hardwood floors and exposed building elements such as brick, pipes, and beams with cavernous spaces beyond the reach of the average resident are just a few of the aspects that lure tenants to the city-life. Many lofts are converted factory space which reflects the living environment. Lofts are usually attractive living spaces for trendy hipsters and yuppies looking to make their mark on the NYC scene.
Brooklyn is filled with many traditional apartments and lofts each offering up great living space and spectacular city views. Secured video entry, in-house fitness center and a pool are a just a few of the luxury items that may or may not come with your apartment, no matter which style you choose.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Renters in Brooklyn take advantage of Real Estate "Market Crisis"
Developers who have constructed or are still constructing new apartments have found themselves in a very tricky situation in this volatile real estate market. These apartments were originally slated for sale once completed, but the financial crisis that has hit the nation has forced the developers to adapt quickly and shift from selling to renting these apartments. This has in effect created a win-win situation for thousands of young professionals who have dreamed of living in some of Brooklyn’s most sought after neighborhoods, including the trendy Williamsburg hot spot.
Eager hipsters from all over the nation have begun grabbing up these apartments in record numbers and there is no shortage of apartments to meet this demand. Peoples Choice Real Estate, L.L.C. has been fortunate enough to negotiate many exclusive deals featuring the most amazing apartments in Williamsburg, Red Hook, Greenpoint, Clinton Hill, and tons of more locations throughout Brooklyn.
“If there is an economic crisis gripping this nation, it hasn’t quite made its way to our backyard” says Malkiel Berlianshik, owner of Peoples Choice Real Estate, L.L.C. “We’ve been incredibly busy in this traditionally slow season and have been fortunate to be able to offer apartments at unbelievably low prices. The developers are happy to rent out their apartments as soon as possible and the renters are even more happy taking advantage of this “renter friendly” market.
For more information on how Peoples Choice Real Estate, L.L.C. can accomadate your rental needs, please visit our web site, Peoples Choice Rentals.
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