Transit Oriented Development Near NYC

If your going to move to LI, why not just buy a house? And you still need a car in a "transit oriented development" (seriously, do you work for a RE firm because "transit oriented development" has a strong realtor smell to it) in order to do your daily errands around LI, liek grocery shopping.

It's funny how people get suspicious when certain terms or phrases are used, but no, I'm not a realtor. I'm really keen on new developments and I'm a single guy, so I don't really need all the space of a house. I'm aware that a car is still an essential in such areas, but from what I've seen, there aren't many places that are affordable and provide sizeable space that justify having to purchase vs. rent.

Been to a couple of open houses for re-sales around Bayside, Douglaston, Little Neck, etc. and the asking prices seemed too high, so I stepped up and began looking at new developments in Astoria, Northern New Jersey(not Hoboken too expensive),and Suffolk County. Jersey was okay, but didn't quite feel right, at least for me. I liked the vibe of Astoria, but it was a little too congested/busy in my opinion and Suffolk County was nice, but too far a commute to and from the city. Also, I'd like to be close to NYC, and I plan on keeping my car regardless of where I go, but with some of these places, having to pay additional for parking is just ridiculous to me.

If you want to keep your car, and get more bang for your real estate buck, and are willing to go to the suburbs, why limit yourself to property adjacent to noisy train traffic? For that amount of money, as a single guy, why not get a small apartment, which is quiet and close to a park and mass transit in the city? The property taxes will be lower and you don't need a car ever--another savings. If you desire a generous sized apartment for household growth, I would think there would be a lot of priorities besides "transit oriented development" to consider.

PMG, kindly provide me with some ideas/places - just to clarify, my budget isn't really that big - was looking for a two-bedroom condo and looking to pay a maximium of mid to high 300's. Also, could you elaborate on what you mean by priorities. Thanks.

AC1081, are you serious? You referenced a "transit oriented development" story with 2 bedroom townhouses in Babylon, Long Island priced at $579,000, and your maximum price is mid to high 300's? Please explain.

PMG is right -- do Forest Hills, Kew Gardens or Riverdale, in a postwar near the subway or LIRR, and with a garage.

Sorry for the confusion -- I referenced the "Transit Oriented Development" story, but never indicated my price range. The new development that I mentioned in Valley Stream (also transit-oriented concept) has two-bedrooms starting in the high 300's. Do you think that's fairly priced in this environment? It's a few blocks away from a LIRR station and a bus stop. I'd like to bite, but I'm hesistating and wondering if I should rent and see what happens in the marketplace.

Can I get some feedback?

Anybody?

I don't know Valley Stream at all to have an opinion. There are some really nice areas in Long Island, but they mostly tend to be expensive, no? Maybe some poster from Long Island can give an assist. Alan's suggestions of Kew Gardens and Forest Hills in Queens and Riverdale in the Bronx are solid, less expensive choices for someone committed to keeping a car and being in the city.

Also, you didn't like the vibe of Astoria, but have you tried Sunnyside, Queens? That's also extremely close to the city, and parts are supposed to be really sweet. Plus the 7 train takes you a few stops to Grand Central or Times Square--you could be literally anywhere in Manhattan in 30 minutes.

Here's a two bedroom/one bath coop with Manhattan views for $335k, no garage onsite, but steps from mass transit:

http://streeteasy.com/nyc/sale/529353-coop-45-08-40th-street-sunnyside