LIC vs dumbo (or downtown brooklyn)

Pick somewhere you would like to live. I think dobro has best investment potential, but then you'd have to live there.

Both are equally livable for me. For the same price, I prefer living in dumbo. I like brooklyn and dumbo is great for its new condos, good mix of demographics and a pretty easy commute (25min). I work near time square; the commute from LIC is an amazing (10 min), equally nice condos and 20% less expensive than dumbo/downtown brooklyn. So, I am torn. With the hudson yards in midtown west and the 7 train extension, LIC seems like a better investment to rent or to resell? Do you think the dumbo justifies 20% premium over LIC?

Isn't the question -- Where can I be most near to bridge traffic noise ?

Both areas are overheated. In terms of livability, LIC would be my choice, but you know what environment you like. In terms of investment, Brooklyn is just too overpriced. New construction is pricey anywhere. Be careful to buy quality, or 5 years from now you could have a renovation project on your hands. Check out the developer.
If you want a real investment, neither of those nabes will give you great value. True bargains are not in either spot. The upper east side is currently no man's land on a square foot basis. That may be due for a change.

Apple: DUMBO will always be 20% nicer. And actually it is pretty obvious that location is king and so is luxury. So would be no choice for me, although I must admit to not loving DUMBO (which reminds me of Tribeca). Really pretty, but pretty boring. But pick somewhere you want to live. Your happiness is not worth another 5% profit or whatever.

Reallynow - Both LIC and Dumbo are quiet, no traffic noise.

Ottawa - thanks. It's helpful! Since 2008, LIC listings have gone up 20% while prime brooklyn listings have almost doubled. We are talking about 30% price increase in 2013 only. I feel like I am buying in Brooklyn in its bubble. I will continue looking...

"Both LIC and Dumbo are quiet, no traffic noise."

So, you haven't been there?

DUMBO is filled with soundproof window advertisements.

"while prime brooklyn listings have almost doubled."

Ok, you are really just making things up now.

"and a pretty easy commute (25min)"

Nice to know DUMBO is exactly the same time to anywhere in Manhattan. I think yours qualifies for the most usless post of the year.

DUMBO can be 15 min or less to downtown, and can be 25 to midtown if the trains line up, 35 if they don't.

Somewhereelse - the units I've seen (about 10 in each location), it was pin drop quiet. I indicated that I work near Times Square and the commute for me is 25 min. What is your thoughts on LIC vs Dumbo for investment purposes?

somewhereelse
1 day ago
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>DUMBO is filled with soundproof window advertisements.

what is a soundproof window advertisement?

DUMBO. You live in Queens when you are priced out of Manhattan or prime Brooklyn. Don't be offended by this statement, its the truth no matter how much denial someone who choose to live in Queens adheres to.

it is an advetisement for an entity which markets sound-proof windows.

said ads tend to appear in places where they will be seen by people who slept shittily, or cant think straight during the day due to neighborhood noise problems.

said ads dont appear in quiet rural areas.

elsewhere is pointing out that said ads seem to target residents of DUMBO.

maybe these marketers are throwing money away, but my guess is they know there is a good market for their product there.

Advertisements for soundproof windows. Now I understand.

I just bought in Dumbo. The area is absolutely superb and some parts of LIC are still ghetto in my opinion. Another unit closed in my building after one open house with multiple back up offers.

If you can afford Dumbo, why not live in Manhattan?

I would take LIC.

Better price.
More space.
Closer to midtown (5 minutes on 7 train).
Less noise and cleaner.

"LIC seems like a better investment to rent or to resell? Do you think the dumbo justifies 20% premium over LIC? "

Less units in LIC compare to Dumbo. I believe with the 7 train extension and the addition of new parks added, there's more upside for price appreciation in LIC. It's in the 800-900 psf right now with a chance of moving to a stable 950-1050 area.

I thought only the homeless live under a bridge?
Dumbo? Hell no!

"Advertisements for soundproof windows. Now I understand. "

Is there also dirt proof windows out there too? I can never understand why anyone would want to live in an area with car emission raining on you day and night.

Akirland. Not everyone wants to live in manhattan. I own a condo in DUMBO as well and I have no desire to live in Manhattan. Believe it or not, some people choose to live in Brooklyn by choice not because we were priced out since Dumbo costs as much as most of Manhattan. You live in Queens when you are priced out of Manhattan or prime Brookyln.

Bridges are very, very loud due to truck and car traffic, especially in. NYC due to high traffic volume and inadequate repairs that exacerbate noise with clanging metal plates and potholes . Dumbo is between two bridges and many blocks in that area that are not tolerable noise wise for many people.

And , as pointed out, it's just common sense that there is a lot of dirty air near the bridges.

Apple, please understand that there are several LIC boosters, who are not being exactly objective.

DUMBO is and will remain much more desirable. From a pure investment perspective it might be a wash, although if you are looking for more of a luxury unit then go for the higher-end neighborhood. LIC might have more value in terms of an investment, but it will always be a value proposition. Pencap captures that accurately.

Never understood why folks are scrambling to downtown Brooklyn.

It's congested.
Noisy.
Horrible traffic.
Dirty.
Horrible commute to Midtown.
Home of the NETS.
Did i mention congested?

Yes. I'm a LIC booster.
:)

Although I live in DUMBO, LIC has one major advantage. The food in DUMBO sucks unless you want to eat pizza every night (Julianna's is the only good pizza joint, forget that tourist trap Grimalidis). The other limited dining options are overpriced and mediocre. LIC has better food options.

DUMBO has had its day.

"And , as pointed out, it's just common sense that there is a lot of dirty air near the bridges. "

Between 2 bridges and boxed in by the BQE. On a bad traffic day, we can conclude that dumbo has the worst air quality in all of NYC.

"The food in DUMBO sucks unless you want to eat pizza every night"

Really? Did not know that.

Akirland and pencap75. I choose to live in Dumbo or LIC indeed. I own a place in Chelsea and lived there for 7 years. Last summer, I rented out my apt in Chelsea and am renting a brownstone in Park Slope. I love it in Brooklyn! It feels more of a neighborhood and people are chilled...

Thanks for bringing up the noise issue. I will observe more carefully. Any idea what the noise level would be like at 185 York Street, 85 Adams Street, 100 Jay Street, 133 Water Street...?

Apple, I live in 85 adams. It has outstanding soundproofing. You hear nothing from the outside. However, if you open your window or have any outdoor space, you will hear the BQE and and Manhattan bridge rumble, but once the windows are closed- complete silence.

The other great part about the building is you don't even hear your neighbors. Most newer constructions have thin walls and you can hear your neighbors fart. I live next door to a couple with a newborn and I hear absolutely nothing. I have a newborn as well that screams his head off and my neighbor tells me he hears nothing as well. I lived in all sorts of apartments before, and this is the most silent, peaceful apartment I have ever lived in.

Walk around in DUMBO and see for yourself if noise is an issue. It doesn't seem to affect property values. People either hate or love dumbo, but there seems to be enough fans that it is a highly desireable place to live.

Also be aware of flood zone A or B properties in your property search. 85 Adams is in flood zone C, and had no effects from flooding from Irene and Sandy.

Also, if you are thinking of investment potential, I would go for DUMBO.
Its one stop on the A,C subway line or a quick ferry ride to Wallstreet.
You have a lot of potential wealthy Wallstreet yuppies as renters.