| A lot of the benefit of buying is non-financial. In some instances it’s just a different product not available on rental market. Can’t really rent on Park or 5th. Co-op rules create a better environment - people who actually live there as their primary home, some element of screening, strong community where you know your neighbors. Obviously, there are dysfunctional co-ops too but the good ones are worth it. |
It’s pretty obvious you’re kind of screwed if you’re in your 40s in Manhattan with kids and still renting. It’s not like it’s cheap to rent in NY. Many families paying $10-12k a month to rent a decent apartment. Even if you make a million a year, by the time you pay nannies, 2 in private school, taxes, retirement accounts etc there isn’t much leftover. Our friends still renting say it’s a better deal but when they move out, all they get back is a security deposit. When I move out, I’ll get a check for over a million dollars. I highly doubt they’ve saved that much more renting that it makes up for a levered investment. |
It’s this for most people. You end up with a lot of equity over decades and you eventually have a mortgage payment that seems less and less over time. |
For us, renting a $15k apartment is about 3 percent of our annual net income and worth the flexibility. Also in our 40s with 2 kids at independent schools. You get better returns on S&P. |
Life must be pretty amazing, right? I'm being totally serious, not snarky. I've been working for 30 years and don't make 6 figures, I can't imagine having your income. I understand why you rent! |
This. Buying is a consumption and lifestyle decision. Buying in Manhattan hasn’t been a good financial decision for over a decade and your property won’t keep up with inflation. It doesn’t matter if it’s a townhouse, coop, or condo. If you’re looking at areas flush with luxury rentals, you’re a fool to buy thinking it’s an investment. |
If you make $5 million, then sure. But really why deal with a rental building and not the stability of a coop? |
Except buying can lock in housing costs. |
Not in NYC. You have monthly maintenance and insurance. Monthlies have outpaced inflation by a good deal and this went on pre COVID. Health insurance, doorman unions, and deferred capex have gotten out of hand. If you want predictable property taxes then move to a state that limits annnual increases. |
I’m not convinced the renters are investing in the s&p instead of buying. Anecdotally, a lot of families I know spend the entirety of their earnings on baby nurses, private schools, vacations, summer rentals, taxes etc. Whenever they catch up they have another kid and add a nanny. |
How much are you actually saving out of your $5 million salary though? At least a million a year? I know a few families in the $2-3 million range who rent and spend every penny. If you’re in the NY scene you can spend $200k alone on private clubs. It goes fast. I do think there are wealthy individuals in Manhattan who rent but big spenders are way more common |
Strongly disagree. Rent increases are often very large in NY. Property taxes and maintenance is still just a % of your overall payment. Once you’re 10-15 years into ownership your housing expense should start to seem like a great deal. It’s how people stay in the city long term. If you only view it short term, then sure. |
1-3 family houses have preferential property tax and you have control over maintenance. Many civil servants are millionaires in the outer borough. |
lots of co-ops have had minimal price appreciation in the last decade. Getting a similar apartment to a 10k rental costs a ton more, probably like 15-18k a month. So even if you bought a decade ago, you are barely ahead by buying and that doesn't include the return on the downpayment. |
you need to talk to other types of families. |