Novo 64

there's a shuttle that takes you to the train during peak hours.

A shuttle to which train, the local at 67th ave or the express stop at 71st?

I'd rather not be dependent on a shuttle or on someone's idea of "peak hours," that's why I'm more interested if the distance is walkable & what exactly I'd be walking through...

ellieworld-

To specifically answer your question, you'll be walking on apartment building-lined streets to get to the local trains at either 67th Ave or 63rd Ave and similar apartment building-lined streets to get to the express train at 71st Ave. Nothing too special, certainly safe.

But besides the walk to the trains, here's the advice I'd want someone to give me--keep looking. I'm from Forest Hills, not terribly far from this building, and while it's not the worst neighborhood to grow up in in NYC (well then anyway, it's been changing), it's certainly not an ideal place to live if you are concerned about convenience and if you are currently used to the energy of Manhattan. You would be maybe 5 or so blocks from the Queens Boulevard local trains (R, V [and G on the weekends]), but you are enough of a walk away from the express trains (F, E), especially in weather like this, that it will become an annoyance. Your commute to midtown will be about 45 minutes by local train and MAYBE five minutes less by express because you still have to walk to the station from this location and that will take at least ten minutes IF you are a fast walker. While the sales office may be telling you that you are close to Manhattan and can easily hang out there on the weekends, yeah, you probably won't. Like I said you are closest to midtown, it’s a longer ride to get downtown/uptown and since most Nyers don’t exactly hang out in Times Square on their own time by choice, figure that you’ll need to give yourself at least an hour when you want to go out in Manhattan. Realistically, it just becomes too much of an ordeal for casual shopping/drinks after a while and to be frank-there is nothing hip going on in this area. I mean the "hotspot" off Austin st (the one realtors affectionately refer to as "restaurant row") has like a Pizzeria Uno, a Johnny Rockets, sushi, tex mex and a few other cafes and literally a couple of bars. I'm not sure if that selection is why anyone chooses to live in NYC.

So far as like grocery shopping, oddly enough the building is in the Associated (grocery store) parking lot and from what I’m hearing Associated isn’t closing so I mean, yeah, weird to have luxury condos in a supermarket parking lot. The complex is right off of 108st which has a ton of Russian and eastern European shops if that’s your thing (and a NYC transit bus that will take you to the express stop at 71st but it’s REALLY crowded and takes longer than it would to walk 95% of the time).

I don't mean to sound harsh but I know this nabe, REALLY know it, and while it's ideal for homebodies who want a larger space and a relatively safe place to live (besides the fact that it has become a Russian immigrant hotbed, like seriously little Odessa Jr.), just don't be fooled into thinking of it as the next hot hood with diverse city amenities.

Wow, I remember when this building was going up.

My take on Forest Hills... it was one of the few "suburban" spots in the city. Nice, some decent storers, some suburban-looking housing stock. But, I think a lot more neighborhoods have gotten closer to that as the city improved.

And Kimerama is right... while its always been nice, its never really had much energy. Its the kind of place my parents would want to live. Yes, there are some younger people, but it is nothing like an astoria or williamsburg, etc.

Only big positive i can think of... if you are near the LIRR. 15 minutes to penn station can be awesome.

Otherwise, I'd pick a neighborhood closer to the city. To me, something like Cobble Hill is nicer, more convenient, and has MUCH more energy.

nyc10022--yep. And funny I just sold in Astoria and bought in Cobble Hill so nice nabe callouts, we are on the same page.

ellieworld--I would roll my eyes at anyone not from Queens saying this but honestly, forget Queens right now. Look in Brooklyn or wait and see what happens in Manhattan this year. 2009 may very well turn out to be the year you don't have to settle.

"nyc10022--yep. And funny I just sold in Astoria and bought in Cobble Hill so nice nabe callouts, we are on the same page."

Ha, funny.

I think I'm with you on the queens front. I think a lot of the gentrification expect to happen just isn't going to be there in 2009. So, you need a neighborhood "already there". I think Cobble Hill/Carroll Gardens provide decent value there, once the prices stop dropping.

Solid, honest advice, kimerama & nyc10022, thanks! Sometimes a look at big square footage and 10% down payments makes me a little woozy in the head. Have to keep my eyes on the prize of the UWS!

good luck, ellie...

I've heard of 2 other buildings by same builder Horizon. Sleezy. Look good but have a lot of problems. May be good to rent I was told NOT to buy. Many broken promises.

Looks like they relisted a whole bunch of units today, but with small discounts.

long live the ramones

I would not buy in this building as the location is pretty bad, and this is coming from someone who lives in and likes Forest Hills. It's nowhere near 71st and Continental which is where all the action is (and express trains) and the walk to the local train is quite far and uphill.

Hi,
Does anyone have the inside scoop on the lawsuit that resulted in the current assessment being levied against the current owners? I went to an open house and was told it was $140/month for 2 years. Just started in 9/2017.

Besides that, the unit I saw apt 101 wasn't bad. It had this funky outdoor terrace that's shared by the lounge area. I can imagine the noise would be bothersome when people decided to have a party.