Howdy y'all. What-what?!

"Silent J" (is that still his name?) asked me to come back on and post, so here's a question I've been grappling with lately.

I'm in the house-buying market at the moment. Problem is, I don't know where to go. I'm a semi-yeshivish frum guy who doesn't care much about exteriors (in people). I've been looking around in Passaic, kind of by default, cause where else am I gonna go? I've also been looking into Bayswater, which I've found to be a GREAT community. Only downsides are a)though in the community it's nice, surrounded by "the hood" b)longish commute to Manhattan. That said, it's still our front runner if we can find something affordable.

So my questions are:
1. Anyone know of anything available in Bayswater?
2. Anyone else thinking about moving there? If so, please PM me offline, I'd like to discuss at greater length.
3. Any other communities to suggest for a young couple (preferably but not necessarily with decent commute to Manhattan)?

Here's where I have considered and rejected...if you want to know more about my own very detailed search, feel free to ask. Also, no offense intended to anyone who likes or lives in the below, these are obviously my own personal opinions of the places:

- Brooklyn - Some nice upsides, but I don't really need to explain the huge downsides, do I? There are plenty of other threads about that.
- Monsey - Brooklyn-like people, but with bigger houses and longer commute to Manhattan.
- Lakewood - I am an internet user. Also in general don't like people telling me what I can or can't do when God already has done a great job of that.
- Passaic - Like I said, on the list. But every time I go I get the same bland vanilla feeling. Also, it's gotten so big as to have lost its 'community' feeling to an extent.
- Far Rockaway - Physically looks like a more broken-down Brooklyn except a few blocks that I can't afford. Also don't want to have certain next door neighbors. Also you have to know people there already or you'll be a statistic.
- Lawrence - not my type of crowd. Frankly, too snobby. I value diversity and open-friendliness.
- Cedarhurst/Woodmere - I've been told it's much like Lawrence. Please correct me and invite me for shabbos if you live there and know better. I'm entertaining!
- Teaneck - Not so much my crowd. Also very big.
- Bergenfield - a lot like Teaneck, though slightly more yeshivish. But I can't afford nor can I pay without getting nauseous $12-15k/year property taxes AND the same per child for yeshiva.
- Oceanside - most of you probably haven't heard of it. SUPER nice community. Just not as much my speed religious wise.
- Edison/Highland Park - I lived there for a while. Nice place. Under consideration.
- Elizabeth - don't know anything about it. Invite me for shabbos, I will bring yummy desserts and wines.
- Queens (KGH) - not affordable and similar to Brooklyn in many ways.
- Staten Island - garbage dump.
- Manhattan - I did say house, right?
- Bronx (Riverdale) - same as above, also not as much my crowd. Also $20k+ tuitions. I'm not kidding.

I'm sure there are some I've missed, please do let me know your thoughts.

Thanks....yes-no?

fascinating.

I know a cool, arty, frum family living in Woodmere, and they love it. They live by Aish Kodesh, which is an amazing shul with a very special rabbi.
They happen to be renting their house right now, so maybe you could explore the neighborhood a bit, without making a long-term commitment.
I'll give you their info if you change your avatar cuz it's grossing me out.

How now, brown cow?

I should have mentioned that all this is ONLY if I can't find something next door to melech. That would be worth the commute.



The avatar STAYS. The last one from many moons ago was worse. What exactly do you expect a geshtunkener to look like anyway?

Thats a thread in and of itself! Young couples are even priced out of starter homes in the NYC area since everything is crazy expensive.

PS: HI!

There's a house about three or four doors down for sale. You'd make it...let's see...6 h.com members on that street that I know of.

Fascinating problem solving approach of the moderation team.

Beefy?

Go to a BROKER.

Expensive by what measure? When should a young couple be "expected" to be able to buy a home?

In comparison to non NYC areas. You can talk supply and demand and free market for here until tomorrow but thats not going to change the anecdotal evidence.

Yes, housing in Monsey is more expensive than many other parts of the country because it is well-located and popular. If you think it's too expensive, you can move somewhere else....but of course you'd rather not, since it's Monsey after all.....and the problem is that there are many other people who feel the same way.....there's only so much land to live on and they are as heck are not making any more....

Ok, now multiply that by about 3/4 of the cities listed above.

There are neighborhoods in Monsey that are really great. Very chilled. Don't knock it till you try it.

Have you considered Mount Vernon? Small community last I checked but when I visited it was awesome. Bright, educated, non materialistic people.

Welcome back, geshtunk, it's good to have you back online.
Not much to add...there are some very nice families living in the 5 Towns that you guys would like, but the overall 'feel' is somewhat of a snobby one. Also property taxes are outrageous.

Glad you are doing all the hard work so when it's our turn, we can just get all the info from you :D

My advice would be to get invited for shabbos to different communities and see what you like.