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shadowkatExplaining the NYC public transportation system and rental situation to people who have never lived here? Is ...not easy. Actually explaining NYC to anyone who hasn't lived here for a period of time...is a bit interesting. Most people just know what they've seen on tv or brief visits as tourists, which is Manhattan proper, most likely Tribeca, Mid-Town and Central Park.
I think the closest that I've seen to what NYC has -- is possibly London in Great Britain. Those cities are the closest in design. Except London is a lot smaller, not quite as sprawling, nowhere near the population, doesn't have a huge country that keeps pouring people into it, and doesn't have a 24/7 public transportation system.
But other than that - very similar in design. Although I like London better -- for a lot of reasons. One, is that it was cheaper when I visited in the 1980s (probably not now), much more interesting theater scene, and easier to get around in my opinion -- I didn't get lost as easily, possibly because I have no sense of direction and according to my brother neither does London. Plus, frigging cool buses. I refuse to take the bus in NYC, but London -- I prefer it. And, when I visited, a lot less crowded. It's just as diverse in all ways though.
Anyhow..that was a long time ago, I'm sure it's changed since then.
NYC? Whoa boy. First of all the rental situation is all over the place. We have rent controlled (good luck getting one of those -- you either have to inherit one or sell your first born child), rent stabilized (equally difficult to obtain but doable -- you have to settle for a lot less and really look, usually what you will end up with is what I have -- a preferential lease agreement. Unless you have connections. Preferential lease agreements, while anxiety inducing are good deals. They basically mean you pay below the market rent. But the landlord can raise your preferential rent at the end of the lease anywhere between $10-the actual market rate. So, you could have a rent increase at the end of your lease at anywhere between $10-$1000.)
Then there's month-to-month. Rooms for rent. Subleases -- which aren't exactly legal and frowned upon. Airbnb's which are also not exactly legal and somewhat controversial. Plus, regular leases -- where rent can go up to close to $1000, without batting an eye lash. Most landlords won't do that -- because good tenants are hard to come by. There's a lot of crazy tenants out there. And believe it or not, NY law actually does go a long way to protecting the tenants.
If you have a severe financial hardship -- you can get a Section 8 or rather apply for them. There are several section 8 apartments in my building.
And I used to work beneath the Section 8 offices in Jamaica, Queens. When I was in Kansas, I worked with legal aid to provide section 8 and inspect housing conditions.
There's also affordable housing in NYC - to buy or rent -- this is in such high demand that they set up lotteries and will often provide places based on financial need.
What is it? When a developer gets a permit to put up a building with more than say a certain number of units, I think it's 20, not positive, they have to reserve a specific amount for "affordable" housing in order to get a tax break. Affordable Housing is either "rent controlled" (rent never rises) or "rent stabilized" goes up per the percentage set by the rent stabilization board. Note this is not to be confused with the "projects" or housing set aside completely for disadvantaged, which is also available.
Another thing a lot of people don't understand about NYC is the most expensive housing is closest to Manhattan (or the areas that everyone wants to live). These are Long Island City, Williamsburg, Chelsea, Tribeca, Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Fort Green, Forest Hills, Prospect Park, Ditmas (which basically looks like Greenwhich, Conneticut -- I kid you not), and Carroll Gardens. All of these areas, with the exception of maybe Ditmas -- you can walk everywhere, movie theaters, etc.
Most are tree-lined and have gardens and quite lovely. (Except for Long Island City). Williamsberg is frigging hard to get around without a car.
And...transportation? While you can live in NYC and not drive at all -- there are regions of it that this is NOT possible. The further you go from Manhattan proper, the harder it is to get around without a car. A good portion of Staten Island (or so I've been told is basically suburban with cars), same with most of Queens, the Bronx, and a sizable section of Brooklyn. You need a car in Southeastern Brooklyn. The further you go East, the more a car is required. You need a car in Coney Island, Dyker Heights, Red Hook, and pretty much east of Prospect Park. Same is true of Queens.
The MTA is attempting to remedy this problem by extending it's reach. But unfortunately, the transportation system was set up to mainly serve Manhattan and to bring everyone into Manhattan. That's slowly changing as it is becoming more clear that there is a necessity to serve the outer boroughs. For the most part, once you get past a certain point in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Long Island -- you are stuck with Ubers and Buses...Long Island Rail Road does serve needs, but it is pricey to live close to it, although doable. Also, the LIRR isn't exactly cheap. I think a ticket from Brooklyn to Jamaica, Queens is $14 one way, and that's off-peak.
Also it just went up in price. The subway is by far the best deal in town.
For anyone who is curious -- Interactive MTA Subway Map -- note how the emphasis is on Manhattan and how the closer you are, the more avenues of transportation you have available.
Some of this will change once the MTA finishes the East Access Project bringing the LIRR into Grand Central. Also the Jamaica Capacity -- where more trains will travel from Jamaica to Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, and they complete work on the G and the L. Not to mention all the new ferries added. And plans in the works to set up a trolly.
There's also Citibike -- which allows you to rent a bike to get to work -- but only serves certain areas of the city, and seriously? I'd think you are putting your life in your hands.
Lyft is a better deal than Uber, but the drivers get lost (I know every time I had one, I was directing them.) Car services often are cheaper. As are green taxis, which now serve the outer boroughs. Buses aren't bad and are electric now. There's also express buses.
I think the closest that I've seen to what NYC has -- is possibly London in Great Britain. Those cities are the closest in design. Except London is a lot smaller, not quite as sprawling, nowhere near the population, doesn't have a huge country that keeps pouring people into it, and doesn't have a 24/7 public transportation system.
But other than that - very similar in design. Although I like London better -- for a lot of reasons. One, is that it was cheaper when I visited in the 1980s (probably not now), much more interesting theater scene, and easier to get around in my opinion -- I didn't get lost as easily, possibly because I have no sense of direction and according to my brother neither does London. Plus, frigging cool buses. I refuse to take the bus in NYC, but London -- I prefer it. And, when I visited, a lot less crowded. It's just as diverse in all ways though.
Anyhow..that was a long time ago, I'm sure it's changed since then.
NYC? Whoa boy. First of all the rental situation is all over the place. We have rent controlled (good luck getting one of those -- you either have to inherit one or sell your first born child), rent stabilized (equally difficult to obtain but doable -- you have to settle for a lot less and really look, usually what you will end up with is what I have -- a preferential lease agreement. Unless you have connections. Preferential lease agreements, while anxiety inducing are good deals. They basically mean you pay below the market rent. But the landlord can raise your preferential rent at the end of the lease anywhere between $10-the actual market rate. So, you could have a rent increase at the end of your lease at anywhere between $10-$1000.)
Then there's month-to-month. Rooms for rent. Subleases -- which aren't exactly legal and frowned upon. Airbnb's which are also not exactly legal and somewhat controversial. Plus, regular leases -- where rent can go up to close to $1000, without batting an eye lash. Most landlords won't do that -- because good tenants are hard to come by. There's a lot of crazy tenants out there. And believe it or not, NY law actually does go a long way to protecting the tenants.
If you have a severe financial hardship -- you can get a Section 8 or rather apply for them. There are several section 8 apartments in my building.
And I used to work beneath the Section 8 offices in Jamaica, Queens. When I was in Kansas, I worked with legal aid to provide section 8 and inspect housing conditions.
There's also affordable housing in NYC - to buy or rent -- this is in such high demand that they set up lotteries and will often provide places based on financial need.
What is it? When a developer gets a permit to put up a building with more than say a certain number of units, I think it's 20, not positive, they have to reserve a specific amount for "affordable" housing in order to get a tax break. Affordable Housing is either "rent controlled" (rent never rises) or "rent stabilized" goes up per the percentage set by the rent stabilization board. Note this is not to be confused with the "projects" or housing set aside completely for disadvantaged, which is also available.
Another thing a lot of people don't understand about NYC is the most expensive housing is closest to Manhattan (or the areas that everyone wants to live). These are Long Island City, Williamsburg, Chelsea, Tribeca, Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Fort Green, Forest Hills, Prospect Park, Ditmas (which basically looks like Greenwhich, Conneticut -- I kid you not), and Carroll Gardens. All of these areas, with the exception of maybe Ditmas -- you can walk everywhere, movie theaters, etc.
Most are tree-lined and have gardens and quite lovely. (Except for Long Island City). Williamsberg is frigging hard to get around without a car.
And...transportation? While you can live in NYC and not drive at all -- there are regions of it that this is NOT possible. The further you go from Manhattan proper, the harder it is to get around without a car. A good portion of Staten Island (or so I've been told is basically suburban with cars), same with most of Queens, the Bronx, and a sizable section of Brooklyn. You need a car in Southeastern Brooklyn. The further you go East, the more a car is required. You need a car in Coney Island, Dyker Heights, Red Hook, and pretty much east of Prospect Park. Same is true of Queens.
The MTA is attempting to remedy this problem by extending it's reach. But unfortunately, the transportation system was set up to mainly serve Manhattan and to bring everyone into Manhattan. That's slowly changing as it is becoming more clear that there is a necessity to serve the outer boroughs. For the most part, once you get past a certain point in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Long Island -- you are stuck with Ubers and Buses...Long Island Rail Road does serve needs, but it is pricey to live close to it, although doable. Also, the LIRR isn't exactly cheap. I think a ticket from Brooklyn to Jamaica, Queens is $14 one way, and that's off-peak.
Also it just went up in price. The subway is by far the best deal in town.
For anyone who is curious -- Interactive MTA Subway Map -- note how the emphasis is on Manhattan and how the closer you are, the more avenues of transportation you have available.
Some of this will change once the MTA finishes the East Access Project bringing the LIRR into Grand Central. Also the Jamaica Capacity -- where more trains will travel from Jamaica to Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, and they complete work on the G and the L. Not to mention all the new ferries added. And plans in the works to set up a trolly.
There's also Citibike -- which allows you to rent a bike to get to work -- but only serves certain areas of the city, and seriously? I'd think you are putting your life in your hands.
Lyft is a better deal than Uber, but the drivers get lost (I know every time I had one, I was directing them.) Car services often are cheaper. As are green taxis, which now serve the outer boroughs. Buses aren't bad and are electric now. There's also express buses.
no subject
Date: 2019-05-01 08:41 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2019-05-01 12:09 pm (UTC)I remember taking the bus after the tube shut down around 11 Am or Midnight in the 1980s. The buses ran 24/7, just not the tube or trains back in the 1980s. Not sure about today.
no subject
Date: 2019-05-01 05:07 pm (UTC)The other thing for people coming in from car culture areas is that it is simply easier to walk in many cases, but I think people in large metro centers are accustomed to a lot more of it than people in other areas.
no subject
Date: 2019-05-01 07:46 pm (UTC)Also, more and more people are admitting to being terrified of driving and preferring to take trains or other modes. Living closer to the lines, reduces commute time and travel time. Also you trade in the cost of the house or apt, for cost of maintaining and owning a car.