I grew up in northern New Jersey, about 20 miles west of New York City.
I always had a love for water, being on the water. Between work location, home location and a desire to do boating on the Hudson river, I would often drive over 80 miles per day.
I was a kid then and kids have unlimited energy. I have no desire for such crazy driving currently.
I was the type of boater who would spend endless hours simply being on board. I would often start up the boats engine and cruise to the center of the Hudson river, which is about one mile across, shut the engine off and drift for hours where ever the current would take me. Relaxing, taking in the tranquility of being one with nature. THAT is MY kind of boating.
I would often cruise around Manhattan. Some times cruising by the Statue of Liberty or going into Sheepshead bay Coney Island.
There is a boat basin on the west side of NYC. If I recall, it is called the 79th St boat basin. As much as I love simply hanging out on a boat on the water, you would think that should be the route I would go in life. Like my friend who I refer to as old man Charlie, who is now 84 years old and for the last 22 or so years of his life, he has lived on a 26 and 22 foot sailboat.
I do not want to live on a boat 24/7, but for ME the true pleasure of being on a boat is with its engine cut off and simply bobbing around however nature causes the boat to bob.
How much did I love being on the water? So much that in November or Dec, when the Hudson river has ice floating down it and no normal boaters are on the water, I would be out there wearing a wet suit, knowing if I fell in the water I might be on my own for survival.
The economy is down currently. I now live in sunny south Florida and all the craziness of the real estate market has caused prices to drop quite drastically. Meaning, if you are a cash buyer, this is now the best time to get the lowest price on a property you are seeking.
I currently do not live on the water. I live about 7 miles in from the ocean and with real estate prices so low, I can more or less currently purchase a property that is on the water, in a much more upscale location, with in a half mile of the ocean and for a similar price to what I paid when I bought the property that I currently live in for some 20+ years.
Still though, it is a matter of making a deal on that ONE water front property in which due to market conditions, the owner is going to sell at fire sale prices. Others in this location have let their properties go at fire sale prices. I simply have to locate one more of them. I can then take advantage of these down economy prices and chess board my self into a better location and position.
Like most things in life, supply and demand determine what the market value of some thing is.
Thank you for listening, as I share my thoughts in playing the house hunting game! :)