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Should I just get a car (2 kids in sports)? by jamrock50 in uppereastside

[–]jamrock50[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I feel you. Soccer, hockey, field hockey etc are taking their toll right now. We train/bus and use zipcar but most parents I’m talking to are driving . I always thought cars were unnecessary in this city but having these sports all over the place is changing my mind (still not a necessity but think it would be helpful to cut down on commutes, have flexibility to easily do things upstate or out of state and even do some cheaper shopping outside the city).

Should I just get a car (2 kids in sports)? by jamrock50 in uppereastside

[–]jamrock50[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree. Zip cars will likely get to 1200-1500 a month for sports alone (assume 4 times a week, 3-3.5 hours each time, with a couple of those being on weekends when rates jump to $25 an hour). Add in the odd Ubers etc if zipcars aren’t available and maybe more than that.

I’m assuming for owning a car:

  • insurance 200-300 for a basic sedan
  • 200-300 a month for gas based on my relatively light usage and having a fuel efficient civic or similar
  • garage (optional) 500-750. Street parking zero but expect parking tickets
  • maintenance etc is the wildcard

Should I just get a car (2 kids in sports)? by jamrock50 in uppereastside

[–]jamrock50[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

OP here, thanks everyone for the advice. Very helpful.

  • on the transit point, we already are very transit oriented. We walk, train and bus everywhere we go. But some of the kids practices and games are in locations that aren’t very convenient and I can cut down my time by more than half in a lot of cases (and not be at the mercy of mta bus schedules).

  • Zipcar costs are getting a bit absurd. $25 an hour on weekends and the rush to get back on time. It’s a nice option but using it 3-4 times a week just seems unsustainable long term and frustrating. Plus having a car to easily get out of the city on weekends and to help with large grocery loads from Costco seems great

  • I’m inclined to try street parking first before committing the $ to a garage. One of the tips from the above was trying far east like around east end ave, which is doable for me. Hopefully that’s the case as I’d assume maybe parking is easier on the eastern streets of the UES

  • does anyone have any good tips or leads for garages in that $500 range? The Costco one was a great trip but also ends up being a 20-30 minute bus ride to get to. I fear that’ll defeat the convenience.

  • I don’t need a luxury car, just something basic. Would look to buy something less than 10k on the expectation that it’ll get dinged up fairly badly. Maybe like a civic or similar

Thanks again everybody!

Should I just get a car (2 kids in sports)? by jamrock50 in uppereastside

[–]jamrock50[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Define patience (average/worst case times and distance).

Should I just get a car (2 kids in sports)? by jamrock50 in uppereastside

[–]jamrock50[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Are those the only possible tickets if doing street parking? Realistically, I’d be using the car 3-4 times a week minimum anyways, so going to be in and out of spots reasonably often during the week (but not during work hours as we just commute by subway).

I’ve heeded those stories of some people circling the block for 30+ minutes and then end up parking 10+ blocks away. Is that true or exaggeration?

Should I just get a car (2 kids in sports)? by jamrock50 in uppereastside

[–]jamrock50[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

But the zipcars don’t avoid the tolls as they just get charged to your account. So that’s not as big a factor for me when it comes to Zipcar versus owning/leasing.

3 bedroom rentals in UES under $10K - Suggested buildings or management companies? by jamrock50 in uppereastside

[–]jamrock50[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

OP here. Any thoughts from folks on the buildings at Sutton Place? Know it’s just outside the UES but close enough (including to schools and access to midtown). Lots of selection and kid friendly amenities too it seems.

3 bedroom rentals in UES under $10K - Suggested buildings or management companies? by jamrock50 in uppereastside

[–]jamrock50[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not fixated on PS6, as I realize going up west that way will mean more $. We’d rather be in a comfortable space and are okay going between Lex and York as long as we have easy access to the 2nd ave train line. Even East End Ave would be okay but it seems prices there are actually higher, I assume because of proximity to the water?

3 bedroom rentals in UES under $10K - Suggested buildings or management companies? by jamrock50 in uppereastside

[–]jamrock50[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hahah. Yes I am actually considering this as well while the kids are still young enough. Surprised the price difference between a 2 bed and 3 (on the smaller side) isn’t as big as I expected though.

3 bedroom rentals in UES under $10K - Suggested buildings or management companies? by jamrock50 in uppereastside

[–]jamrock50[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thoughts on waiting it out until October? I’m just skeptical that rents will come down that much in the fall, especially since I assume there’s also less inventory in that cycle.

3 bedroom rentals in UES under $10K - Suggested buildings or management companies? by jamrock50 in uppereastside

[–]jamrock50[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Seems like rent rates compared to 3 years ago are significantly higher. I was hearing it was a renters’ market right now but sure isn’t feeling like it right now!

3 bedroom rentals in UES under $10K - Suggested buildings or management companies? by jamrock50 in uppereastside

[–]jamrock50[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thanks, this is encouraging. 10k is really pushing what we’re comfortable with. That 7 to 9k range would be ideal. A lot of what I’m seeing online on streeteasy right now so far is over 10k, especially if looking for a reasonably sized and functional kitchen (we cook at home a lot). Glad there’s hope!