Then the first gay bar opened.
Within a few years, an influx of gay men priced out of Greenwich Village, the former gay mecca, had bought and renovated the charming brownstone buildings that line Chelsea's side streets. An explosion of excellent restaurants, art galleries, shopping and nightlife followed. Thank you, gay men!
These days, well-heeled couples of every gender combination are snapping up apartments in the luxury high-rise buildings being built all over our neighborhood. Two of these architectural masterpieces have started to block part of our expansive river view. While this is depressing, I have decided to turn the gentrification of my neighborhood to my home exchange advantage.
YOUR OWN HOME EXCHANGE COPYWRITER
The developers are selling apartments in the new luxury buildings for about $1,500 per square foot. That puts the cost of a 1,000 square foot 1-bedroom at a million and a half dollars. For that money, you can bet the sellers are hiring a decent copywriter to write enticing descriptions of the neighborhood -- my neighborhood.
You can have your own home exchange listing copywriter as well. Are there any new buildings or established developments in your area? Changes are there's a website touting your neighborhood too. But should a home exchanger rely on a professional to describe the area for other swappers? Let's compare what I wrote about my neighborhood to the same features as extolled by a real estate expert.
ASK A PROFESSIONAL
Here is my take on the area, from my home exchange listing:
"Our central Manhattan neighborhood is Chelsea. Set amongst lawns, trees, parks and gardens, our building is unique in all of Manhattan: verdant yet convenient to everything. Chelsea is a landmarked district. We feel this is the best neighborhood in Manhattan for visitors: you can easily get to everything, there are marvelous restaurants, shops and nightlife, yet it is a pretty neighborhood with parks and the River nearby."
Now, here is what the professionals came up with. Remember, the buildings they are describing are just a few hundred yards away from my building, and my location is actually more convenient because it is closer to transit, shopping, etc.
"From [the building's] desirable West Chelsea location, convenient to both midtown and downtown, residents are uniquely positioned to take advantage of the best that NYC has to offer"
The developers' copy hits some of the same themes. They are writing for NYC residents who already know how well-situated our neighborhood is, so they don't go into as much detail about that as I did. Round one: the Home Exchanger.
MAKING ATTRACTIONS MORE ATTRACTIVE
The great aspects of the neighborhood I point out in my listing are the same as those targeted by the developer. Let's see how I described the 'hood:
"Our area is the new art gallery mecca. Hundreds of galleries show world-class art for free within a block or two of our home. Chelsea has been cited by gourmet and travel writers for its extraordinary concentration of excellent restaurants to suit every taste/budget. We leave a well-received list of our favorites. Chelsea was recently awarded a "Best Restaurant Neighborhood in the United States" title by "Bon Appetit" magazine.
It's a few minutes' walk to amazing shops, all services, dozens of restaurants, Hudson River recreation piers/parks (free kayaking, brewery, minigolf, bike/jog paths, etc), hundreds of art galleries/museums, the new High Line Rail-Trail park, the Empire State Building, Madison Square Garden (see a pro basketball or hockey game or a major concert) and Penn Station(NYC-, regional-, airport- and long distance trains) Greyhound bus station is two subway stops (10 minutes) away. Cabs, bike paths, several subway train lines and NYC bus lines are steps from our door. Chelsea is very central yet peaceful & residential."
Now, here is what the pros came up with:
"[Luxo building is near] the renowned Chelsea Gallery District, with more art galleries per square foot than anywhere in the world...the celebrated High Line, an elevated railway conversion...with a beautiful 6.7 acre public park and greenway. Steps away, recreational opportunities abound at Chelsea Piers and the Hudson River Park with its miles of running and cycling trails, outdoor concert venues, and Hudson River frontage""
Wow, this sounds like just the spot for a home exchange vacation! Round 2: the Pros win.
SHOPPING FOR REAL (ESTATE)
Another great aspect of our area is the nearby shopping. Read on for my description of cultural and retail therapy opportunities nearby:
"Nearby shopping includes the original Macy's store (the largest store in the world), an area of dozens of antiques & thrift stores, the wholesale flower district and flea markets. Broadway Theaters, Jacobs Javits Center, Lincoln Center and world class museums are within one to 2 miles (less than 4k) and can be reached in under 15 minutes, door-to-door."
Here's how someone handles the same topic when trying to impress the folks with 3 million bucks for a pied a terre:
"residents can indulge their shopping urge in the Meatpacking District's high-end luxury boutiques, or sample gastronomic innovation at the best of New York's trend-setting restaurants -- all within walking distance. The nearby industrial-chic Chelsea Market, located on a full city block, offers one-stop culinary food-shopping and epicurean delights. Unquestionably, [this] location offers its residents unparalleled access to a wealth of cultural amenities and the best of New York"
I couldn't have said it better myself! Thanks, real estate moguls, for giving me some punchy copy to entice home exchangers!
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