They Left Queens for Manhattan With $650,000 and a Short Wishlist
Introduction to the Big City
When Kelly O’Connell arrived in New York after college in 2007, she landed in Astoria, Queens, and quickly found everything she needed — friends, food and shopping. “You don’t need to go into Manhattan on your day off to do anything,” she said. “Astoria is like its own little city insulated from the city.”
The Search Begins
Shortly before the pandemic, Ms. O’Connell was working at a theatrical rigging company when she interviewed Steven Ferrier, newly arrived from Chicago, for a job. He declined, but the two started dating and Mr. Ferrier eventually joined Ms. O’Connell in Astoria, where they rented an apartment for $2,100 a month.
The Pandemic and a Changing Perspective
The couple spent the pandemic in the closet-free railroad unit. The long, narrow layout felt increasingly claustrophobic, and as Covid receded, they worried that their landlord would raise the rent.
Resolving to Buy
The couple got married last year and resolved to buy a home, looking first in Astoria and nearby Long Island City, with a budget of up to $650,000. They were surprised to find that places for sale seemed no better than places for rent. They found mostly small walkups in older co-op buildings far from public transportation.
Prioritizing Needs
They asked themselves what was really important and settled on just two things: a good work commute and a dishwasher. Everything else was negotiable. “We wouldn’t cook much because we both hate washing dishes,” Ms. O’Connell said.
Expanding the Search to Manhattan
Frustrated with Astoria’s offerings, Mr. Ferrier suggested they consider Midtown Manhattan, where they could both walk to their jobs. Ms. O’Connell, 39, now works as the general manager of The Ride, a tour bus company in Times Square. Mr. Ferrier, 40, is a member of the Broadway stagehand union, IATSE Local One, and works primarily in the theater district. His hours are long and irregular, and he often lugs a heavy tool case.
Discovering New Options
The co-ops they found in Midtown (they avoided the most crowded areas, like Times Square and Hell’s Kitchen) were bigger and nicer than the ones they’d seen in Queens, with better amenities and lower purchase prices, but higher monthly maintenance costs. “Suddenly the choices seemed endless instead of one halfway decent apartment a grandmother had died in,” Ms. O’Connell said. “It was bonkers.”
Working with a Realtor
The two were referred to Yan Gladkov, a licensed salesperson at Keller Williams NYC. “We kept the radius of their search super tight,” Mr. Gladkov said. They aimed for the West 50s, and nicknamed every place they looked at.
The Inspection Process
Often, places didn’t live up to the listings, with professional photos that turned dark into light, small into large, narrow into wide. Mr. Ferrier was scrupulous about checking fixtures, testing every faucet, knob and light. “He has never met a detail he can’t obsess over,” Ms.O’Connell said. “He always has his multi-tool on him.”
Conclusion
The couple’s journey from Queens to Manhattan in search of the perfect home with a budget of $650,000 and a short wishlist of a good commute and a dishwasher led them through a series of discoveries and challenges. Their story highlights the complexities and nuances of the New York real estate market, particularly for those looking to balance location, amenities, and budget.
FAQs
- Q: What was the couple’s initial budget for buying a home?
A: The couple had a budget of up to $650,000. - Q: What were the two non-negotiable items on their wishlist?
A: A good work commute and a dishwasher. - Q: Why did they decide to look for homes in Manhattan?
A: They decided to look in Manhattan for its better commute to their workplaces and the potential for nicer and bigger co-ops with better amenities. - Q: Who assisted them in their home search?
A: Yan Gladkov, a licensed salesperson at Keller Williams NYC, helped them in their search, keeping their options focused in the West 50s area of Midtown Manhattan.
