Belle Shores Condominium-Retiring in NYC vs. Florida

I remember the days when flying was not so affordable and the beachfront areas of NYC were where the jetsetters would spend the summer months sipping their martinis, frolicking on the golden sands of the Atlantic Ocean, and kick their beachballs around . Those really were the days. Thousands of hotel rooms lined New York City's boardwalks, the streets packed with stars, singles, families, and all... [more]

I remember the days when flying was not so affordable and the beachfront areas of NYC were where the jetsetters would spend the summer months sipping their martinis, frolicking on the golden sands of the Atlantic Ocean, and kick their beachballs around . Those really were the days. Thousands of hotel rooms lined New York City's boardwalks, the streets packed with stars, singles, families, and all the rest. Life was good. Overtime of course with air travel becoming an affordable travel option and with jets that could get you there in a few hours, Florida became all the rage while NYC's beachfront areas started their decline and retirees started their migrations south in mass like birds flying south for the winter. Well, I am happy to say that NYC's beachfront areas are back on the rise and for me at least have all benefits of Florida plus a few. Teh truth is I am a New Yorker at heart and can't stomach the idea of spending my "Golden Years" anywhere but right here in my old hometown. For a while there even the most staunch New York lovers (like myself) had a hard time making it down to Seaside (Rockaway Park) in southern Queens. The place sort of fell into decay, with the other areas of the Rockaways faring even worse (Far Rockaway). I used to think about how great it would be if when I was ready to retire that I would be able to do it at the beach and right here in NYC. Well, let me tell you, the glory of the old Rockaway's is on it's way. I'll be retiring in a year and I am ready to go. What has happened in Rockway in the last couple of years is astounding. From what I know, the bulk of the credit needs to go to The FrameWorks Group who spearheaded this effort in 2002 with Shore Front condominium, but since then a slew of others have entered the fray and I could not be happier. I just purchased a fantastic 1500 sq foot duplex oceanfront condo at Belle Shores Condominium in Seaside (Rockaway Park) steps to the golden sands of old right here in my backyard. The views are stunning and I am at the boardwalk in half a minute from my front door. As far as I can tell Florida has nothing on New York now and my kids could not be happier! My grandkids even more so. The recent introduction of the Ferry between Rockaway and downtown Manhattan makes living in Rockaway that much easier. Anyway, I'll be retiring to my new oceanfront condo next year right here in NYC and as a proud New York native, I am happy to say they could not make a Floridian out of me! [less]