Opinions needed please

I posted before about seeing a perfect apt. in an apt. building... we made an offer on it and are going to binder tonight. Yesterday, we saw a garden apt. that was nice, but needs some work (with the work, both apts. are in the same price range). The garden apt. is a little smaller but I like the fact that it feels more like a house than an apt. building. Which would you choose... DH is leaning much more towards just moving in and not having to deal with contractors, home depot, etc... I agree with that, but just wondering what everyone else would choose. Thanks!

PS. They are both in nice areas... Bayside (Union Tpke. and Springfield Blvd) and Douglaston and the schools nearby are both excellent, so that doesn't really affect the decision. Also, about the same distance from our jobs.

Re: Opinions needed please

i bought a house that i had to do work to and to be honest even though its going smoothly and i dont have contractor horror stories. i think if given the chance to do it over agaon i would pick a move condition in house.

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I lived in an apartment building in Queens growing up, moved to a house on LI as a teen and now live in a garden apartment. Given the choice you have, I would pick the garden apartment. I like the house feeling that it has. FI and I are both really handy and enjoy renovation. I would not pick it if the renovation were too serious.

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I would go with the Garden Apartment - you can then fix it up to your liking over a timeframe that's good for you. After the improvements, I'm sure it'll have a higher re-sell value as well.

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Yeah but doing the improvements themselves is a pain in the butt if you are not the handy type.

I would take a move-in place anytime unless the price is significantly cheaper.

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Well I am biased because we are closing on a co-op in Great Neck in the next week or so. It is in a 6 floor building with an elevator. I am thrilled to be living in a building even though both of us grew up in large homes on the island. I am excited to meet the other people in my building and form new relationships and possibly friendships. We are only staying 5 years and then buying a house so we opted for a place that was recently renovated and in move-in condition.

To me whether the place is 6 flights up or 2 just really doesnt matter. We live now in a 2 family home...similar to a garden apt. and I really don't see much of a difference accept that instead of walking up a flight of steps I can take an elevator up 6.

Good Luck!!

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I would go with which ever one is in Douglaston.
Both areas are very nice but Douglaston has an edge over Bayside especially if you are thinking about schools.

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I would go with the move-in condition place. It's less stressful, IMO. But I also like the feel of an apartment building as compared to a garden apartment.

Good luck with whatever you decide! Let us know!

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Posted by Fran M

I would go with which ever one is in Douglaston.
Both areas are very nice but Douglaston has an edge over Bayside especially if you are thinking about schools.

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SD26 in Bayside/Oakland Gardens has been rated one of the top districts in the state... definitely the best in all of Queens.

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If I were choosing, I probably would pick the garden apt. Just because I would like to have the house feel... you can decorate the outside, put flowers etc. I know that there are always things I would want to change even if it's move in!

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Thanks for all your opinions. We went tonight and signed the binder for the apt. building one, and put in an offer for the garden apt. We have three weeks to get the contract signed on the apt. building and the RE agent said she would get back to me on the garden apt.... if we get that accepted than we will have to decide, if not we are going to go for the apt. building. I keep saying the decision to where we will live is in fates hands now!

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I would choose Garden apt. I live in one now and it is so great to park outside and bring your groceries or shopping bags in. I would hate to bring them in an elevator, put them in apt, go back down for more. I also love decorating the outside and we have a grill which we love in the summer. But I guess there are pro and cons to each.

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we have a co-op in douglaston in an apt. building and absolutely LOVE it. chances are the place you're considering is right by me!

also, as far as schools, you cant really go wrong either bayside or douglaston, but i know that douglaston's elementary school (P.S. 98) is a VERY nice, small, well-run school.

eta: are you the one who just got a school psychologist position in the richmond hill area?? (sorry if i'm confusing you w/ someone else! )

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Miro - yes thats me... the school psychologist.
Where in Douglaston is your building?

Between starting a new job and looking for a coop - I'm ready for vacation!! Of course, the BOE hasn't given me a paycheck yet... they say Friday I should get one!

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dandj- FM