Window shopping on Craigslist

Who else plays this game – window shopping on Craigslist for apartments you might want to move to.

Keep in mind — I like it where I am now. I’d like to stay in the same apartment for a few more years (though the ‘no pets’ rule may factor into that equation sooner or later). It’s a nice, quiet spot with a good elementary school nearby, sushi and shabu shabu until midnight on the next corner, three pizzerias at strategic locations, and plus it’s a quick skip and a jump to the beach. But also keep in mind, when I moved back to Brooklyn from Bridgeport a couple of years ago, Plan A was always to end up in Bay Ridge. I fell back to Plan B (Bensonhurst) out of cost considerations. So I still wistfully look at Bay Ridge as a place I might like to end up eventually. So what if I did just re-up my lease?

I almost called up this place to take a look:

$1850 / 2br – 2 BR Brownstone in Bay Ridge Historic District

National Register of Historic Places!

Bright, sunny, 2 BR floor-thru on top floor of Brownstone on one of Bay Ridge’s “best blocks”

The Senator Street historic district includes architecturally distinctive 20th century neo-Renaissance style brownstone in Bay Ridge, designed by Fred Eisenla.

Completely renovated kitchen includes in unit washer and dryer and dishwasher

Formal dining room and spacious living room

High ceilings, hardwood floors and crown molding

1.5 blocks to subway station, ½ block to Midtown Manhattan express bus

Parks, stores, grocery, post office, pharmacies, restaurants 1 or 2 blocks away.

15 minutes to Wall Street [BH: hahaha. I don't think so. Maybe by car when there's no traffic, but rush hour is a different story], 5 minutes to the Harbor & ferry and highway, just blocks from scenic Owls Head park.

This place looks and sounds awesome. And the chance to have an actual awesome apartment? That would be… well, awesome!

Like I said. I almost called them. But.

• What is it about New York that has me conditioned to think that $1,850 for two bedrooms is a bargain? I like watching the balances on my bank accounts actually grow. That wouldn’t happen if I took that apartment.
• Even though I personally rate Bay Ridge higher than Bensonhurst overall, the difference isn’t that great, and there are some other tradeoffs besides money. Like accessibility to the beach. Or never having to rely on the R, for anything.
• The more I move (six times in the last ten years), the more I hate moving.
• I like it right where I am now.
• I like it right where I am now. (Much like State Senator Pedro Espada, that reason claims two votes for itself.)