FiDi vs BPC

we were thinking of buying in bpc but the common charges are crazy and the fact you really don't " own " your apt put us off. we love the fidi and the potenital of it.

I know they're awful close, but I absolutely hate BPC but think FiDi has great potential post-crash.

BPC to me looks like you're in a copy of the Upper West Side in cleveland. None of the well-integrated "mesh" of commercial/residential/retail the city is known for. And its cut off my a major highway from the rest of the island (and the trains). Plus some god awful housing stock. Some of the older buildings are horrible, and some of the newer aren't much better. Ugly brick blocks.

FiDi to me has everything BPC has and more. Much better housing stock, some great converted buildings. I also like the irregular street layouts and some cobblestone. And MUCH, MUCH more variety of streetscapes and buildings (again, much of what NYC is known for). And, most importantly, it connects to the rest of the city. Once criticalmass hits, and the restaurants and people all show, I think the gap with uptown neighborhoods will narrow...

I have put happy clients in both.

I think you've nailed the distinction pretty well -- as a result, some of the decision, I think, should be based on how much of a residential feel you want.

FiDi feels to me like it's heading to be Midtown West -- over time, it will get more restaurants and cooler things to do, but it will probably always feel like you're living in an office area rather than a residential one. (I've lived in Midtown West for the past five years, after living in the Village).

BPC, on the other hand, is marvelously residential (and I think transportation is okay if you live in the north half) but Eddie is right, it doesn't feel like the retail is well-integrated into the area -- even with a new Barnes & Noble. And the land-lease aspect does mean your monthly carry can be high.

Also, I don't know if school capacity is a factor for you -- but if it is, do that research. At present, both areas probably have more kids than slots.

ali r.
{downtown broker}