I recently was asked by a client whom I had found an apartment for a few years ago to help her out again. She lives in a wonderful studio apartment with direct views of the Hudson river. Her motivation for moving, primarily the desire for a "bedroom"; I can understand that. She loves where she lives, the neighborhood that is; prime West Village, happens to be my favorite as well. I sort of dropped the ball on this one, based on what she wanted I suggested she work with management and relocate within the building. She also hopes to buy somewhere in the next year or two another major factor to consider. But she had come under the spell of an amenity laden building in one of Manhattans "new neighborhoods". She really likes "full service" luxury high rise style buildings with modern apartments and fixtures. When we first met she was living in a Midtown West high rise with all the bells and whistles, loved the apartment was way over the hood.
Well sometimes part of my job is educating, suggesting ideas based on what I am seeing, what they react to and what the client is telling me. I also take into consideration where they are in there life, where they generally socialize and where their friends live, single or a couple who has or wants children. Renting an apartment in Manhattan is not just a mechanical process reduced to whats it costs. Where you choose to live in our city says a lot about who you are and will also define your day to day habits. Most New Yorkers tend to stay in their neighborhood quite a bit, you don't get in the car and drive. We live here for a particular lifestyle, the convenience of walking outside and strolling to a cafe for our morning coffee and bagel. when you first move to Manhattan, it's usually with a romantic vision of city life, perhaps your read about it or saw it in a film. My feeling has always been you should put neighborhood at the top of your "wish list", especially if you are moving here for the first time, live your dream. Sooner or later you will most likely end up making decisions based on more rational criteria, for now why not think "Breakfast at Tiffany's". Sure we all don't have the luxury of doing that, but now with rents falling we do have more opportunities than ever.
Well back to my "client". So the first time around I really did a little arm twisting based on everything she was telling me. She moved into her new home in the Village and has been there for two years. I asked her while we strolled through the financial district if she liked living in the West village still? Her reply was, "I simply love it!, I love everything about it and you were so right to "convince me to move there". That said it looks as though she will be moving into what has become know as FIDI...we'll see how it goes.
Part of being a good broker is understanding people, that combined with a sound understanding of NYC, you are able to help people decide what neighborhood they may be most happy in. That's not to say if someone tells you they want to live in Tribeca, you should start showing them listings in Harlem! Most of my clients already know just what they want, some have a vague idea and others just don't have a clue. Ideally you want to find a balance of neighborhood "wow" factor and convenience. Some people move here and just don't care, "Just get me a good deal, I'll live anywhere". As someone said to me on the first tee of a very crowded golf course as he walked away,"I just don't have that kinda time!'. Me neither. I recently had a client who loved the Far West Village, but worked in Midtown East, he really wanted to live there but felt having to take either two trains or a bus and train would be a big hassle. I reminded him that the E train that stops at 14th street and 8th avenue heads East at 53rd street, leaving him just blocks from his office. He didn't know that.. now he does and is loving life on Horatio street.
Every neighborhood has it's own flavor, also important is it's proximity to other neighborhoods that you may enjoy. Three months free and a 20,000 square foot gym is nice. Walking out your front door and soaking in the the ambiance of that perfect New York City neighborhood...priceless!
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