Yeah, all people here get very passionate about neighborhoods and real estate (a bit too passionate, I'd say - but I'm guilty of it too.) I like Kensington alot but most people think it's too far from Manhattan. But those people take the train.

when i lived in the city, i lived up on 217th street in Inwood - which was an awesome area, mad parks / hills. was paying $1190 and it was myself, my gf at the time, and my friend. oh, and a dog. i could see the bronx from my roof top, which also over looked columbia stadium.

Morgan Ave area off the L. Lived there for a summer and visit friends over there all the time. Organic food store, check. Cafe/ DVD renting place, check. Bars, check. Parties, check. 10 mins on a bike to Williamsburg. 20 or so to the city. Mostly loft apts but there are a few more standard apt buildings. I know someone paying around $650 for a nice room with a big balcony in that area.

i lived right around the corner, sackett and 4th, from around 1999-2001. i just rode by there the other night - so much new construction there, including a huge 15 or so story building on union and 3rd ave. scenic views and smells of the canal.

1318 Cortelyou Rd, Brooklyn, NY

possible, but not easy. way uptown this would be doable

and you also lived right next to an amazing park and natural forest. yeah, that area is great. i miss it.

when i'm looking for a place to buy in a couple years, i'm definitely going to be looking in ditmas. i love that area, but there doesn't seem to be much going on there. you'd definitely have to travel to have a nightlife it seems

what he said. i pay 1500 for the joint on spring. small one bed, 5th floor walk up. i got lucky, but you still can. my recommendation is to walk around east chinatown and take down management numbers off the tenement buildings. you'll be paying gwailo rent, but that's still good compared

my definition of gowanus is a little more generous. i would say bounded by about carrol st on the north, the prospect expressway on the south, 4th ave on the east and smith st on the west. it's all about the industrial/manufacturing zoning.

agreed. that's how i was trying to limn it

lets not forget bay ridge either. it's not for everyone, kind of reactionary and old-fashioned, and it's very far from the city, but it's VERY neighborhoody. and quite cheap.

harlem and the bronx are where the deals are at now. My friend had a two bedroom apt in washington heights for about 1100 a month, super big with a view to jersey. Then she moved to the bronx for even cheaper and not such bad areas now, only getting better.

It all comes down to what you want to get out of it and what your willing to give up.

and whether you are willing to be part of the process of gentrification

just moved from morningside to a swank pad in the time warner center at columbus circle. my babe just landed a job at a bigass downtown law firm and is payin' for it so i have no idea how much it costs but i bet it's a bundle--i don't even wanna know actually. dudes! did i luck the **** out! they got a freakin' gym in this place that puts any other gym to shame, a whole foods market downstairs that'll deliver my tofu and **** right to me. and since i don't work and all i gotta do is ride my fixie all day is great (the doorman'll even "valet park" my iro--i just hand him my u-lock and take our private elevator right up. they got a way swank sushi joint here and a steakhouse where you can easily drop a few hundred bucks for just 2 people (but i still go to pakistan teahouse and big wong's all the time--i'm still a peasant at heart--i haven't forgotten you guys)! and of course central park is right outside my door. views from da bronx all the way to staten island as we're on the 21st floor. i am livin' the life bros, just have to say!

haha, you should get a job and stop being such a bum.

like loyd dobler. moochin off the lady. sept brunop cant kick box.

The 'sushi joint' is only about 400/person for dinner, so why not, go pig out everyday.

As an Architect, the TW center offends me just like the POS on astor place. But hey, it's good living for you and it's free. I love whole foods, but it costs more here than it does in Cali and it was already expensive there.

Gentrification is inevitable, but it also goes the otherway, every neighborhood has it's cycles and all good areas decline just like all bad areas will eventually gentrify.

yeah we know the building, n00b

[/jealousy]

I have never seen a more confusing emergency staircase layout than at the new Time Warner building. It is seriously soo ****ing confusing, and I spent the better part of a week walking the stairwells there for a job.

your girlfriend is really lucky to have you!

eddie, wangster, shants!! before this gets outta hand, i gotta admit i was just bull****tin'!! i wish. but if i did live in da joint i'd invite all you guys over for some serious drinkin' and partyin'!! i wouldn't forget about ya!!!! just playin'! still holdin' it down in da heights!!!

i was about to call bull**** on that, not cause i know you, just cause i'm pretty sure no one is that lucky

okay, good. you sounded just like another Kevin Federline.

gentrification in effect