Houlihan Lawrence

Gino Bello

Associate Real Estate Broker

GinoBelloHomes.com

917.653.4099

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Walker Tower

New York City is home to residential buildings of all different shapes, sizes, and façades. But one thing that many of them have in common is the goal of attracting growing families through their expansive offerings (think outdoor terraces, WiFi lounges), convenient amenities (like 24-hour concierge service and in-building fitness centers), and kid-friendly features (playrooms galore!). Here are eighteen such buildings, in no particular order, that appeal to parents who are in the market for a new place to call home.

The Story House | 36 East 22nd Street
A boutique, nine-story condominium located in the middle of the Flatiron district (an up-and-coming area for families), The Story House offers full-floor condos filled with light, space, and wonderful amenities. Developed by Manhattan Skyline, the luxury building boasts eight full-floor loft residences, all with privately keyed elevator access directly into each home. The remaining homes on the top two floors of the building offer expansive, two-bedroom and three-bathroom layouts as well as outdoor terraces. To complete the story, all of the apartments have gourmet chef open kitchens and remote controlled gas fireplaces, plus access to a VIP concierge service. thestoryhousenyc.com

The Fairmont | 300 East 75th Street
Located on the Upper East Side, The Fairmont on East 75th Street has a vibrant, dynamic, family-friendly atmosphere—not to mention that it resides in the hub of first-class New York City private schools. With 24-hour doormen and valet services, a fitness center, beautiful lighted gardens, and even a rooftop sundeck to catch up on your R&R, The Fairmont has more than you could ever need in a residential building. The extraordinarily spacious one- and two-bedroom apartments have flexible layouts to suit your liking, and instead of installing your own playroom, you can take advantage of the custom-designed children’s play center. And if that’s not enough, The Fairmont resides in a global epicenter of shopping, dining, and cultural destinations, and is only a short walk from Central Park. glenwoodnyc.com

Reade57 | 57 Reade Street
A luxury condominium located in TriBeCa, Reade57 offers three-bedroom residences up to 1,863 square feet. And in an area where the average price of a home is over $4 million, Reade57 gives families the chance to live in the coveted neighborhood at a lower cost. In developing the building, the John Buck Company took a radical departure from traditional lofts to offer a diversified unit mix, with starting prices of the three-bedroom units under $3.25 million. Homes feature sleek, contemporary design in teak floors, floor-to-ceiling glass windows, solid core doors, and some ceiling heights of up to 9’10”. Additionally, every home features central air with digital thermostats and in-residence washers and dryers. Building amenities include a landscaped common terrace, fitness center, lounge, 24-hour doorman, and bicycle units. reade57.com

Azure | 333 East 91st Street
Azure has great appeal to families who want to be on the Upper East Side and are seeking amply sized residences at great values. Located at 333 East 91st Street—just a few strides away from Carl Schurz Park—the 34-story residential building offers floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning views of the East River and Manhattan, along with top kitchen appliances and Bosch washers and dryers. The building also provides 6,300 square feet of amenity space including a children’s playroom, a teen lounge with pool and foosball tables and Internet access, a fully equipped athletic facility, and a 24-hour concierge and valet service. Azure has also become known for customizing units to best fit the needs of its families; larger spaces are often created by combining units. azureny.com

1214 Fifth Avenue
The tallest rental building on the Upper East Side’s Fifth Avenue, 1214 Fifth Avenue offers amazing views of Central Park and proximity to the area’s great schools and cultural institutions. Managed by Related, the rental property is smoke-free and pet-friendly, featuring a children’s playroom, a media room with theater-style seating, and 185 apartments that include convertible two-bedrooms, corner two-bedrooms, and three-bedrooms, all perfect for families. There’s also a fitness lounge, an indoor pool, and—something you rarely see in Manhattan these days—a drive-through courtyard. 1214fifthavenue.com

The Carlton House | 21 East 61st Street
The newly unveiled Carlton House has the style, sophistication, and history that perfectly blend with its premier Upper East Side location on 61st Street and Madison Avenue. The original 1950s-era limestone and brick façade is being meticulously preserved and restored. These luxurious homes have been completely redesigned to combine the finest pre-war details with state-of-the-art modern elements. Home to 68 residences ranging from two to six bedrooms, The Carlton House can accommodate families of all sizes. The beautifully crafted interiors vary in design, with some residences open and airy and others more closed and formal. Two distinct design finishes are available in Pearl or Mink color palettes. In addition to a 24-hour doorman and concierge, residents can take advantage of the 65-foot indoor swimming pool, steam rooms, fitness center, private storage, game room, and bike room. thecarltonhouse.com

101 WEST 87 | 101 West 87th Street
Just one block west of Central Park and a short walk from Riverside Park, 101 WEST 87 is a full-service luxury residence offering a broad range of one- to four-bedroom condominiums. Each home features broad-set windows that frame the neighborhood’s charming tree-lined cityscape and enable substantial natural lighting; many units also include a private outdoor space. All building residents have access to a landscaped Sky Terrace, refrigerated storage for grocery deliveries, and a ground floor fitness center. Directly adjacent to the fitness center, the children’s playroom is a visually stunning space, featuring a custom-painted mural by John-Paul Philippe and a considerable collection of toys and interactive games to entertain and stimulate kids of all ages. With immediate proximity to some of the city’s most significant cultural and recreational outlets such as Lincoln Center, Central Park, and the American Museum of Natural History, this building offers families a chance to live at the cultural crossroads of the Upper West Side. 101w87.com

150 East 72nd Street
Just as it’s celebrating its centennial, 150 East 72nd is currently in the midst of a dramatic facelift. In the coming months, the building will experience a total aesthetic and infrastructural overhaul to match contemporary standards for luxury living. Appealing to families seeking the complete feel of a home while maintaining the convenience of high-rise living, the units range from large three- to five-bedroom homes. With private elevator landings, 10-foot ceilings, windowed eat-in kitchens, and large and inviting living and dining areas, these soirée-eligible spaces provide residents with a heightened sense of chic and exclusivity. The building also houses a fitness center, children’s playroom, and multipurpose room. Located in the heart of the Upper East Side, the building provides immediate access to some of the city’s finest museums, restaurants, boutiques, and Central Park. For families with school-aged children, some of the city’s finest public and private schools are within walking distance. 150east72.com

Peter Cooper Village-Stuyvesant Town

The post Manhattan Real Estate For Families appeared first on New York Family Magazine.

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Our Amazing Town Consultants!

In addition to all of these services, you will also have the privilege of speaking to each of our town consultants. These are folks that moved from NYC to the towns you are considering with little kids in tow (many did not want to leave the city!), and will tell you truly what it is like to live there! (The good, the bad…and the stuff you can’t figure out just by looking at the house!)

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After months of looking at apartments with bedrooms smaller than the trunk of our car, we found a spacious two-bedroom with the perfect mix of vintage charm and modern upgrades. It even included a private veranda—a coveted amenity. But we had no idea that underneath all of the charm was a tiny problem. No sooner than we’d moved in and assembled the last of our IKEA furniture did we discover that bedbugs had invaded our dream home. The exterminator told me that ours was the worst cases he’d seen in his 15-year career.

Getting out of this mess was no small feat. Before we could leave, we had to launder and pack all of our belongings (for the second time in a month) to ensure that none of the little pests would sneak out with us. I squeezed in precious packing time while my kids slept, meaning I barely slept at all.

Yet, while my husband and I were consumed with the stress of getting out of our lease, not to mention looking for movers and hotel rooms in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, our kids were taking it all in stride. Our two-year-old could not have been happier eating pizza in the hotel we finally found and staying up way too late. She jumped for joy at the idea of being able to snuggle in bed with Daddy—who took time off to help with the move—rather than wave a gloomy goodbye as he left for work. Meanwhile, my seven-month-old son slept through the entire thing.

Moving twice in one month with two little kids felt like carrying a fifty-pound boulder through a pile of quicksand. But this experience taught me that no amount of planning can prepare you for life’s little twists and turns. In the end, my children showed me that home is really wherever we are together.

After all of the packing, itching and stressing, we ended up right back in our tiny old apartment which, thankfully, remained un-rented.  It’s the place my husband and I got engaged, the place we brought our daughter home from the hospital, the place our son was born, and the place we’ll continue to call home—at least until our kids are old enough to pack their own things!

The post One Wrong Move appeared first on New York Family Magazine.

Azure

For many city families, especially those with young children, the question of where to live is not merely a matter of lifestyle. It’s often the single most important financial decision they will make. And underpinning all of their considerations—what neighborhood to live in, what size living space they need, what amenities are a must, what the nearby schools are like—is the often bedeviling question of whether to rent or buy.

With so many real estate options around the city, and so much swirling around the news about the economy, the task can become overwhelming if you’re not prepared. The good news is that city families tend to become informed real estate shoppers. “I think the market has changed in that people are more educated now than ever before,” says Laurie Zucker, a Principal at Manhattan Skyline, a developer and real estate management company that has both rental and condo properties. “I think they do a lot of homework.”

If that sounds like you, then think of this story as extra credit. We asked a number of well-regarded figures in local real estate for their take on the market, along with their advice for families. Hopefully, it’ll help you clarify your own ideas and inclinations.

Rental Market

“Rents are rising,” says Jonathan Miller, President and CEO of Miller Samuel, a real estate appraisal and consulting firm. “The rental market is at or near historic highs.”

David Stern, the Downtown Leasing Manager for Glenwood—the luxury residential development and property management company—echoes Miller’s claims. “Rents have been going up, [although] I think seasonally now we’ll see them level off,” Stern says. “Inventory is [low]. And I think people are waiting to see what the sales market does [while] staying with rentals.”

With rents rising and mortgages rates at a low, some families might prefer buying a home because the mortgage payments may actually be lower than monthly rent. Unfortunately, many buying hopefuls simply don’t qualify financially, and mortgage qualification can be unattainable. These families must continue to rent.

The big picture?

Perhaps not surprisingly, New York City seems to have swung to a “middle zone,” says Miller, where both buying and renting are common. The current market reminds him of a game show, in which a bank chooses between two doors. Behind door number one, the bank can borrow from the federal government at low rates and participate minimally in mortgage lending. Behind door number two, the bank can lend to a home-buying family for, say, 30 years at historically low mortgage rates. Of course, door number two is less favorable to banks, which means that they make buyers jump through a lot of hoops to obtain mortgages.

Which may, of course, drive buyers back to the rent market.

Buy & Sale Markets

Another aspect to consider is the market for selling. A family who already owns and would like to upgrade first needs to know if their condo sale is feasible.

Right now, Jonathan Miller of Miller Samuel says, “There’s no urgency to sell.” According to him, if a family would be putting themselves under water post-sale, it’s not the time to do it. Common sense rules the day. If the condo isn’t currently worth what they once paid for it, chances are they can’t afford to sell.

But Sofia Song, Vice President of Research at StreetEasy, thinks that a person wanting to sell right now is probably in a favorable position. With inventory shrinking—and continuing to shrink—certain property types are desirable and are getting bought up quickly. If a person knows they’re in a popular area or have a beautiful property, they can be relatively confident it will sell.

Laurie Zucker from Manhattan Skyline sees the current climate as favorable to both buyer and seller. “In a way, it’s a buyer’s market because mortgage rates are so low,” she says. “But [it’s also a seller’s market] because there’s very little on the market. Because there is so little product, the prices have really held high. It’s an interesting time.”

With the family perspective in mind, Diane Ramirez, President of Halstead Property, a leading real estate brokerage firm in New York, assessed some of the city’s most popular family neighborhoods for us. As she sees it, the Upper West Side is a very tight sale market, while the Upper East Side is looking a bit flatter. Larger sized post-war condos are selling at lower prices than pre-war ones in the Upper East Side, but all apartments are highly sought-after. This is, in part, due to the collection of public and private schools in the area.

Looking at other neighborhoods around the city, Zucker reports that the Flatiron district is becoming more appealing, based on her experience thus far with The Story House—a new condo development in the area. “The neighborhood has definitely become more family friendly,” she says, adding, “The Murray Hill area will probably be the next up and coming area for young families.”

Our experts also indicate that downtown neighborhoods (the Financial District in particular) are becoming more popular for younger families, especially as the area begins to make headway in addressing its perennial shortage of school space.

To be sure, the competitive inventory in both the buy and rent markets make it increasingly difficult for many city families as they grow in number and their square-footage needs increase (so to speak). But if you’re going to sell, just be aware that trading up is not that easy right now, and you may end up having to rent.

West River House

What The Future Holds

In the buying market, the median two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo final sale price in Manhattan was recently $1,547,500 (July, August, and September), which is almost a 12% increase from the third quarter in 2009, according to Sofia Song at StreetEasy. In the rental market, the same type of living space was a median price of $5,872/month in summer 2012—also almost a 12% increase from the third quarter in 2009. It’s clear—prices have been going up on both fronts.  But what does the future hold?

Looking at the entire real estate market, Miller sees this middle ground of equal buys to rents remaining for another year or two; however, he forecasts more buying in the future. “I see the next five to ten years of homeownership rates expanding as credit eases and people can make the transition from rent to buy,” he says.

On selling, Ramirez believes the average seller won’t be able to profit hugely off the sale of a current condo to use towards a new one right now—and that we probably won’t return to the pre-bubble days when you can trade up any time soon.

Accordingly, David Stern at Glenwood sees the value in renting. “Families are able to hold on to the money that they would otherwise use towards a down payment. I think people like to have that extra money. [And] I think people like the flexibility of renting,” he says. “In the next year, I still think that rents are going to hold where they are.”

The monthly sums that come with renting make for a much more liquid situation, Song adds. The worry of a layoff or life’s other financial surprises aren’t so threatening.

However, a rental isn’t the same as a home, and, given the option, many families would still like to nourish a co-op or condo because it’s a longer-term commitment and investment.

“To me, it’s about where you are at in your life,” Ramirez says. “If [buying a condo] is something you think will work for your family for at least five years, then I think it’s absolutely the right time.”

But regardless of what you ultimately decide, doing your research is key to a successful apartment search. “I think StreetEasy is a great resource, [as is] the New York Times. I think you can do a lot of searching online, but you do have to get out there and look at the product,” Zucker recommends. “DNAinfo is a great resource for neighborhood-centric information. And word-of-mouth is very big.”

That being said, talk to your friends and family and anyone else you may know who’s been in the market recently. But don’t let their experience dictate your own choices too much. Do your homework as thoroughly as possible to help you make the right decision for your family.

Now & Then: 2-Bedroom Prices

Courtesy of StreetEasy

The post Weighing Rent Versus Buy In Manhattan Real Estate appeared first on New York Family Magazine.

200 East 79th Street

A few years ago, the city landscape was blessed with a big harvest of new luxury residential buildings. Seizing on the fact that more and more young families were opting to stay in the city rather than move to the ‘burbs, developers met their needs with buildings loaded with special amenities—from movie rooms to swimming pools—to help enhance family living. Reflecting the downturn in the economy, the rate of new amenity-rich buildings appearing on the market slowed to a trickle, but when we surveyed the city for this article, we found more new (or new-ish) and exciting residential properties than we had anticipated. And to give you a better sense of your local options, we threw in a few classics as well.

West River House: 424 West End Avenue

Located in the heart of the Upper West Side, at 81st Street and West End Avenue, West River House is one of Manhattan Skyline’s properties that families love: a rental building with family-sized luxury-appointed apartments up to convertible three-bedrooms. A very pet-friendly building, its amenities include a staffed penthouse fitness center, a fully furnished and landscaped roof deck with river and skyline views, a 24-hour doorman, laundry rooms on every floor, a 24-hour attended parking garage, and “Sky’s the Limit” concierge. Of course, the building is also a brief walk away from Riverside Park, the Museum of Natural History, and the Children’s Museum—not to mention the West Side’s great food shopping. manhattanskyline.com; 347.728.0367; info@westriverhousenyc.com

The Story House: 36 East 22nd Street

A boutique, nine-story condominium located in the middle of the Flatiron district (an up and coming area for families), The Story House offers full-floor fantasy condos filled with light, space, and wonderful amenities. Developed by Manhattan Skyline, the luxury building boasts eight full-floor loft residences, all with privately keyed elevator access directly into each home. The remaining homes on the top two floors of the building offer expansive, three-bedroom and three-bathroom layouts as well as outdoor terraces. To complete the story, all of the apartments have gourmet chef open kitchens and remote controlled gas fireplaces, not to mention access to a VIP concierge service. thestoryhousenyc.com; 212.697.8679; info@thestoryhousenyc.com

Philip House: 141 East 88th Street

Ranging in size from 702-square-foot one-bedrooms to 3,795-square-foot five-bedrooms, all of the 79 units in this completely renovated pre-war condo on the Upper East Side feature distinctive crown moldings, wide plank oak flooring, coffered ceilings, and wood-burning fireplaces. Building amenities include a landscaped rooftop terrace with a resident-only club room furnished with comfortable lounge areas, 60” LED HD televisions, surround sound, Wi-Fi, and wet bar. Residents will also have access to a separate gaming room equipped with game systems and foosball table, a music practice room, a Technogym fitness center, and on-site storage. In addition, a full-time staff of doormen and porters, as well as a resident superintendent, will be available on-site. philiphousenyc.com; 212.860.4188

Barclay Tower: 10 Barclay Street

One of the newer buildings to join Glenwood’s roster of luxury rental properties, the 58-story, 396-unit Barclay Tower offers an intimate living environment and amenities that are well-suited to families. The building’s one-, two-, and convertible three-bedroom apartments are spacious and cleverly designed, featuring nine-foot ceilings, oversized windows, eat-in kitchens with granite countertops, and lots of closet space, plus a washer and dryer in each unit. Building amenities include a state-of-the-art fitness center with yoga room, a fully furnished party room, kitchen, and dining area equipped with an indoor/outdoor terrace and serving bar, a nautical-themed children’s playroom with hand-painted murals, and a swimming pool with special times set aside for kids. glenwoodnyc.com; 212.430.5900

Reade57: 57 Reade Street

A luxury condominium located in Tribeca, Reade57 offers three-bedroom residences up to 1,863 square feet. And in a neighborhood where the average price of a home is over $4 million, Reade57 gives families the chance to live in Tribeca at a lower cost. Developed by the John Buck Company, the team took a radical departure from traditional lofts to offer a diversified unit mix, with starting prices of the three-bedroom units at under $3.25 million. Homes feature sleek, contemporary finishes including teak floors, floor-to-ceiling glass windows, solid core doors, and some ceiling heights of up to 9’10”. Additionally, every home features central air with digital thermostats and in-residence washers and dryers. Building amenities include a landscaped common terrace, fitness center, lounge, a 24-hour doorman, and bicycle units. reade57.com; 212.396.5801; Shlomi Reuveni at sreuveni@bhs-select.com

Azure: 333 East 91st Street

Azure has great appeal to families who want to be on the Upper East Side, and are seeking family-sized residences at great values (compared to other parts of the area). Located at 333 East 91st Street—just a few strides away from Carl Schurz Park—the 34-story residential building offers floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning views of the East River and Manhattan, along with top kitchen appliances and Bosch washers and dryers. The building also provides 6,300 square feet of amenity space including a children’s playroom, a teen lounge with pool and foosball tables and Internet access, a fully equipped athletic facility, and a 24-hour concierge and valet service. Azure has also become known for customizing units to best fit the needs of its families; often, larger spaces are created by combining units. azureny.com; 888.509.8539; info@azureny.com

1214 Fifth Avenue

Recently opened, 1214 Fifth Avenue is the tallest rental building on the Upper East Side’s Fifth Avenue, offering amazing views of Central Park and proximity to the area’s great schools and cultural institutions. The rental property, managed by Related, is smoke free and pet friendly, and features a children’s playroom, a media room with theater-style seating, and 185 apartments including convertible two-bedrooms, corner two-bedrooms, and three-bedrooms, all perfect for families. There’s also a fitness lounge, an indoor pool, and—something you rarely see in Manhattan these days—a drive-through courtyard! 1214fifthavenue.com; 212.268.1214

200 East 79th Street

A few years ago, developer Orin Wilf raised the lifestyle bar on family living in the city with 170 East End. His next residential enterprise, 200 East 79th Street, will open its sales office in early October—and it’s looking like an easy sell, especially for families. The intimate 19-story development will house 39 residences, combining a modernist aesthetic with materials and details that evoke prewar luxury residential architecture in its Upper East Side neighborhood. Imagine grand entertainment spaces, eat-in kitchens, family rooms, laundry rooms, and generous closet space—not to mention a gymnasium with a children’s basketball court, ping pong, a ballet bar, and yoga area. 200e79.com; 212.729.4355

225 Rector Place

What family doesn’t need some relaxing feng shui in their daily lives? A new 24-story luxury condo in Battery Park City, 225 Rector Place has been re-envisioned by internationally acclaimed hospitality designer Clodagh, thanks to the magic she works with color, lighting, and material selection. The building’s 181 contemporary residences, including 12 exquisite penthouses, are designed with one of two distinct palettes: the first being open, modern, and decidedly downtown; the other inspired by the textures and colors of nature. Residents also get to enjoy building amenities like a swimming pool with oversized skylights, a fitness center, yoga studio, children’s playroom, and a landscaped rooftop retreat with views of the harbor and Statue of Liberty. rectorplace225.com; 212.779.0225

One Museum Mile: 1280 Fifth Avenue

Art aficionados—and the rest of us—have found the perfect home at the 21-story tower known as One Museum Mile. It houses 116 luxury condominiums at the northeast corner of Central Park’s lush landscape and is the future home to the much anticipated Museum for African Art. The building offers studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes and penthouses as large as 2,118 square feet. Interiors are complete with white oak flooring, teak cabinetry, deep brown granite kitchen countertops, stainless steel appliances from Thermador, GE, and Bosch, and polished Dolomitti marble in the bathroom. Some residences take advantage of the verdant views with outdoor terrace space, and all families will find a multitude of amenities at their fingertips, including a children’s room, a teen game room, a rooftop pool with barbecue area, and a catering kitchen. onemuseummile.com; 212.996.1280

The post Ten New Family-Friendly Buildings In Manhattan appeared first on New York Family Magazine.

A River Runs Through It

HUDSON TOWERS: 3777 Independence Avenue, 9L | Riverdale

Settle into an extra large three-bedroom (convertible four-bedroom), two-full bath home. With over 1,600 square feet plus a deeded indoor parking space and a washer/dryer, you’ll feel all the comfort of a house. Entertain friends and family on a spacious terrace with expansive views of the Hudson River, Palisades, and GW Bridge. This luxury building’s amenities include a 24-hour doorman/concierge, children’s playground, outdoor pool, and a covered driveway for pick-ups and drop-offs.

Asking Price: $589,999
Maintenance/CC: $1,657
Agent: Adinah Kranzler, 718.796.1132, 917.607.2230
Alan Cutler, Prudential Douglas Elliman, 212.769.6585

Envision Green Living

THE VISIONAIRE: 70 Little West Street, PH1F | Battery Park City

This two-bedroom penthouse condo with two baths contains state of the art features including: floor-to-ceiling windows prewired for motorized solar shades; digital programmable thermostat controls with fresh air filtration systems; sustainable hardwood flooring; and in-home EnergyStar Asko washer and dryer. If you and your family want to live sustainably without compromising luxury, the Visionaire is the nexus of it all.

Asking Price: $1,595,000
Maintenance/CC: $1,595
Agent: Cory Walters, 212.425.2550

Island Hopping

THE OCTAGON: 888 Main Street | Roosevelt Island

Adjacent to a three-acre ecological park, The Octagon provides plenty of waterfront space. Family-friendly facilities include six tennis courts, a swimming pool, two playrooms, a playground, and daycare center run by Bright Horizons. Three bedroom units include spacious high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and wonderful views of the East River and Manhattan.

Asking Price: $5,300
Agent: On-site leasing staff, 212.888.8692

It Takes A Village

PETER COOPER VILLAGE

Your family will find an urban oasis at Peter Cooper Village’s 80-acre private park. A seasonal greenmarket, ice skating rink, and bocce ball courts are just some of the many amenities available. The apartments at Peter Cooper Village boast capacious design with large closets and high ceilings. Over-sized windows look out onto the verdant interior park. To top it off, it’s a pet-friendly residence.

Asking Price: PCV 2BR starting at $4,800-5,300
Agent: On-Site Leasing Office, 888.814.9049

Prices on all properties as of July 19, 2012. For more tips on real estate and design for families, sign up for our weekly newsletters.

The post Suburbs In The City appeared first on New York Family Magazine.

Does living in a kid-friendly apartment building really make a difference? Let’s put it this way: Would you choose a babysitter or pediatrician who wasn’t kid-friendly? To find out if a particular building is up to scratch, check for the following:

Cleanliness, Security, Safety Of Public Areas

Why: It says a lot about how a building is operated and maintained—and how short of a leash you should be prepared to keep your kids on for safety reasons.

Do Your Research: Is the building entrance well-lit? Is the external door solid with a working deadbolt? Does the building have audio-video security? How easy is it for non-residents to get in the building? Is there more than one entrance? If there’s a doorman, does he check with residents before letting guests into the building?

Throughout the building, look out for lights that are out, peeling paint, the general dirt and grime level and wires hanging out of windows. The more signs of decrepitude, the more likely the building is under-maintained and may be in financial difficulty. Also, check for emergency lighting for sprinkler systems. Do the halls have fire extinguishers, smoke detectors and fire alarms? This will help you see how up-to-date the building is for handling emergencies. And if you’re buying the apartment, request to see the building’s repair log.

Doorman

Why: A doorman can cut down on unwanted intruders and help you manage getting your kids into the building in one piece.

Do Your Research: Ask the managing agent for the exact hours and days of duty, especially if it’s important to you that the door is manned 24/7.

Resident Super

Why: It can make a real difference to have assistance with middle-of-the-night emergencies like clogged toilets.

Do Your Research: Ask the managing agent about the super. Find out what hours he’s in the building, where he’s located when he’s not there and how he can be reached.

Occupant Demographics

Why: There’s safety and fun in numbers. Your neighbors can shape the building’s attitude toward children and provide potential playmates and emergency child care backup.

Do Your Research: Use your eyes to determine whether there are kid residents. Ask to see a bike room and check for children’s equipment. See if the doors and halls have kids’ artwork. Check if there are window guards. And feel free to ask about the residents directly; you’re entitled to know ahead of time.

Laundry Facilities

Why: It’s critical with kids. Having facilities in your unit is heavenly; having them in the building is important.

Do Your Research: Ask your agent or super about the facilities. If they’re shared, ask to see them and inquire about peak usage times. In a family building, it’s best to have one washer and dryer for every 8 to 10 units. If there are many single residents, fewer is fine.

Storage
Why: Kids have lots of stuff. Any extra space, from lockers to bike rooms, minimizes apartment clutter.

Do Your Research: Ask your agent or super if there is a communal storage room. If lockers are available, ask about the cost and waiting list for one.

Apartment Configurations

Why: Bigger units indicate more resident families and opportunities for moving into a larger unit or combining units.

Do Your Research: Ask the building agent or manager for the various apartment configurations and how many of each size are in the building.

Play Spaces

Why: Indoor play areas are great on rainy days, but outdoor play spaces get the most use.

Do Your Research: Look around and ask to see any kid-friendly or communal spaces.

Neighborhood Schools

Why: Need we say more?

Do Your Research: For public schools, refer to the Department of Education (schools.nyc.gov) and Insideschools (insideschools.org). For private schools, try the Independent School Admission Association (isaagny.org) and the Parents League (parentsleague.org).

Kathy Bishop and Julia Whitehead are the co-authors of The City Parent Handbook.

REAL ESTATE RESOURCES

For home listings

Craigslist craigslist.com

The New York Times nytimes.com

Street Easy streeteasy.com

For brokers (and their listings)

Brown Harris Stevens bhsusa.com

Corcoran Group corcoran.com

Halstead Property halstead.com

Prudential Douglas Elliman elliman.com

Sotheby’s Realty sothebysrealty.com

For New Developments And Other “Hot” Buildings

Street Easy is a reliable source for news of buildings that are new on the market or about to become available, as are the major brokerages listed above, which all have divisions that market buildings. You should also check out the websites of noted residential developers that are known for their work in the city.

Extell Development Company extelldev.com

Glenwood glenwoodnyc.com

Glenwood’s Paramount Tower: Located at 240 East 39th Street, every detail of Paramount Tower delivers exceptional luxury rental living. From the private semi-circular driveway and landscaped entrance to the elegant lobby and superb finishes throughout, every aspect boasts Glenwood’s signature attention to quality. Spacious residences range from one-, two- and three-bedroom homes. Full-service amenities include 24-hour doorman; cheerful children’s playroom and state-of-the-art swim and fitness center with landscaped, furnished sun terrace, 55-foot lap pool and saunas. For additional information, call 212.430.5900.

Related related.com

TF Cornerstone tfc.com

The post What To Look For In A Building appeared first on New York Family Magazine.

When Alison Bernstein decided to move outside the city with
her young family in 2005, she found a house in a beautiful suburb that everyone
was buzzing about—Westport, Connecticut.
But soon after the family settled in, Bernstein realized that the town wasn’t
exactly a perfect fit. It was the ideal neighborhood on so many levels, but for
a family that values a small-town feel and seeing familiar faces on Main
Street, it was simply too big.

Several years later, armed with experience and a wealth of
knowledge, she and her husband, Jay, decided to move to a different suburb. This
time, it was Armonk, New York—a
town in popular Westchester County.
Armonk was a great choice for the couple and they remain happy there today
along with their four children.

From this real-life relocation, the idea for a specialty
real estate company was born. With the goal of helping families making similar
decisions, Bernstein, an veteran broker, launched The Suburban Jungle Realty
Group in 2008—a company that acts solely as the buyer’s broker, representing
city-dwellers who are ready to make the move to the suburbs.

“Most of our clients are at this wonderful stage in life
where they have just had children and are excited,” Bernstein says. “They want
a lovely place for their families to grow up and to establish themselves in a
nice town.”

But with over 500 suburbs in the tri-state area to choose
from, families can easily be overwhelmed by the task of finding the place that’s
right for them.

Of course, many potential buyers from the city will start by
looking at the most well-known suburbs, including Westport
in Connecticut, Port
Washington in Long Island, Montclair
in New Jersey and Larchmont, Rye
and Scarsdale in Westchester.
But there’s a lot to consider beyond popularity.

To fully understand a buyer’s needs, Suburban Jungle first
asks its clients to fill out a questionnaire before meeting with the client.
The company helps its clients sort through important considerations, like what
kind of school the parents would like their children to attend, and even has a
division dedicated to finding the best local education options for special
needs children. Moreover, Suburban Jungle encourages clients to consider
whether a community is a two-parent-working kind of place or a stay-at-home mom
neighborhood. And, by extension, whether it’s a creative-writing town or a
sports town, a walking town or a driving town, and how long the commute to the
city is—whether it’s by car, train, bus or boat. Furthermore, parents may even
be asked if they plan to send their kids to camp.

“If you pick a town where everybody is sending their kids to
sleepaway camp and you don’t believe in that, I think you’re going to have a
hard time because your kid is going to be the only [one] home during the
summer,” Bernstein advises.

Adding to its niche appeal, Suburban Jungle gives buyers
access to Town Consultants—ex-Manhattanites currently living in the suburbs who
can say what it’s really like to live in a certain town. These representatives
can shed light on daily life in the community, such as how far you have to
drive for milk at midnight.

Beyond such personalized attention, Bernstein’s company also
has a complimentary interior design division. She explains that her clients are
usually moving out of smaller apartments into larger homes and they can feel
overwhelmed by the enormity of decorating a much larger space. Suburban Jungle
takes care of that.

“I think that there’s nothing more incredible than seeing a
family moving…to a town where they’re going to start their life,” Bernstein
says. “You know this is a place where they’re going to be raising their kids
and to have helped them figure that out is truly rewarding.”

Megan Maxson, a lawyer, is currently working on a collection of short stories. She lives with her husband and daughter in Maplewood, New Jersey.

SEE WHAT SUBURBAN JUNGLE IS ALL
ABOUT

With young families in focus, Suburban Jungle is hosting an
event with Mommybites on Wednesday, May 16 at Portrait Bug on the Upper
West Side. For couples considering moving to the suburbs, you’ll
find out the good, the bad and the unexpected when it comes to life outside the
city. For more information, visit our family calendar at newyorkfamily.com/events.

The post Relocation, Relocation, Relocation appeared first on New York Family Magazine.

The Citizen | Chelsea

This spacious and architecturally stunning building on West
23rd Street meets all LEED energy efficiency
qualifications, making it one of the greenest residential buildings in Manhattan.
The triple-layered windows let natural light in and keep noise pollution out.
Walls are specially formatted for soundproofing and have an extra layer of
drywall for quiet serenity. The building boasts low-flow toilets for water
efficiency and multiple secure bike storage spots. Should you need public
transportation, The Citizen is located within blocks of major subway lines. The
neighborhood is lively and buzzing with young families—providing playmates for
your little ones and the perfect culture boost.

Agent: Shelley
O’Keefe, The Corcoran Group, 212-839-0124

Emerald Green |
Midtown West 

Centrally located
at 320 West 38th Street,
Emerald Green offers eco-minded living with style, functionality and
spectacular views from all angles. This pair of 24-story towers, encompassing a
total of 568 apartments, is Glenwood’s very first LEED-certified rental
building. Living up to its name, Emerald Green has been designed according to ecological
guidelines with features like sustainable bamboo wood flooring, VOC-free
interior finishes and water-efficient plumbing. Other green features include a parking
garage complete with electric car charging stations. With families in mind,
Emerald Green also has a hand-painted children’s playroom and a screening room
with theater-style seating. The neighborhood offers a wide variety of shopping,
food and fun. Plus, the neighby boasts plenty of parks and schools. 

Agent: Glenwood, 212-695-3838

The Helena |
Midtown West

With its Gold status, The Helena on West
57th Street is the first voluntary LEED-certified
residential building in the city. The building’s green features include recycled
materials that produce less waste output, a blackwater system and extensive
solar paneling. While at least 50% of The Helena’s purchased energy is wind-generated,
it also offers glass walls to maximize sunlight and reduce electrical needs. Additionally,
the spacious apartments sport amazing views and tons of room for the little
ones to run and grow. The Helena
comes with valet and cleaning services, a fitness room and a children’s
playroom. Plus, the building is pet-friendly—so Fido can make himself right at
home.

Agent: James Manning,
Durst Fetner Residential, 212-262-6500

New York by
Gehry | Financial District 

This much-admired building (towering at 76 stories!) is located
at Eight Spruce Street and touts
a ton of amazing amenities such as a fitness center, 50-foot swimming pool and
indoor secure bike storage. Eco-minded touches include the installation of
Energy Star appliances and use of low-emitting paints, coatings and sealants as
well as regionally manufactured and recycled materials. The New
York by
Gehry has truly unique views and the neighborhood is family-friendly and
hip to boot. To top it off, the building is pet-friendly and also boasts a Tweens’
Den, Children’s Playroom and Screening Room with Gehry-designed amphitheatre
seating.

Agent: Citi-Habitats
Marketing Group, 212-877-2220

For a great list of Earth Day activities taking place locally in Central
Park and beyond, see our Family Calendar at newyorkfamily.com/events. And for a round-up of eco-friendly crafts, recipes and toys, see our Quality Time story for May.

The post Living At Its Greenest appeared first on New York Family Magazine.