TheAnk

Turns out in the future, Providence is Thunderdome.

Waterplace condo has a third building? What is currently being erected in between there and the Fidelity building?

Does anyone know what they are doing on the grassy knoll across from the mall, next to the station and the Fidelity building? Its all fenced off and rimmed with hay bales..

I find it surprising that some people on here did not know that Apple is the prefered pc/mp3 player/"good" company for the left libbies.. I thought this was widespread knowledge.. My gripes are the same as jims.. I have both a Creative MP3 player and an iPod.. The iPod was a gift, I would not have bought one on my own.. Once it is up and set to my liking, it is far better interface without question.. I have an extensive music collection.. Creative allows easy on easy off, any format, drag and drop like a removable media drive. Apple does not, and now converts your music to ID3 tags automatically, which makes renaming my collection of 200 Gb in iTunes to my desired display format pretty daunting.. (if anyone knows how to import music using the file name on your pc instead of ID3, PLEASE help me out!!) iTunes does not handle big volumes well.. And if you buy a song there, you can only use on iPod.. Which is exactly opposite of what should be the iPod's greatest strength, synergy regardless of medium; PC, car, stereo, mp3 player, etc... Instead, Apple wants you to tote iPod to your stereo, car, etc, thus making your music collection and iPod one and the same.. I didn't know what DRM or ACC were (why ipod and itunes are exclusive).. Now I know the direct reason why I dislike the iPod and interface.. Thanks.. Sometimes you just want to burn a cd.. I'd rather pay $2 a song and be able to use as I please than pay $1 and be a slave to the ipod..

Yes, hit the nail on the head there.. Exactly.. Its the perfect storm in Ankdom, as Segal so eloquently called my world..

jim, that is correct.. Not advocating MD.. Just noting the similarities of purported world domination, thats all.. And MikeR, thanks for the detailed description.. Why are "personal music thingies" called MP3 players generally? While on topic: http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/biztech/04/03...e.ap/index.html Interesting.. Antitrust huh.. Wow.. Usually this is a term applied to monopolies or oligopolies.. Must be different in this case, because Apple is not one of those evil things.. Its a socially conscienceious green company.. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070404/ap_on_...een_electronics http://money.cnn.com/2007/04/02/news/compa...rtune/index.htm What is going on here.. Those trendy white iPods and iMacs and iBooks are just another corporate generated unfriendly to the environment item?? How can this be? Is Apple not what people though it was? Maybe those white head phones won't be so hip and posh now. Disclosure: I own an iPod Nano, and a Creative Jukebox Zen Xtra..

I don't hate everyone.. Just monopolies, and people like those who secretly videotaped that Rising Sun lady.. If you fall in the middle of those two extremes, its all good with me for the most part..

Cotuit, you are dead wrong here.. I'm mean when I'm not drunk. I'm upset that Apple appears to be the brand choice of the "look down their nose" set of Whole Food Shoppers, who think they are living a green lifestyle, yet own Apple products.. MikeR, Vista is the next version of Windows.. Same reason for creation as MPEG-4? World domination.. Maybe lied was poor choice of wording.. They "inferred" that these were created in California.. Through case studies, Apple found that the average American has only a 5 word attention span.. But I respect your blind devotion to them.. TheAnk: Wow. Mr. Environmental is also a raging capitalist. That's an interesting combination. MikeR: I hunt quail, TheAnk. They're overpopulated in this region and they're decimating the grubworm population. You got a f%*&ing problem with that? TheAnk: Not as much as I do with your attire, or just your general point of view toward everybody here. But hey, lets go kill some birds. I'm psyched. And yet, every other audio media medium uses MP3 (the bluray comparison is like Betamax vs VHS, and CD vs minidisc by the way, see a trend here??), only Apple uses MPEG-4 or M4A( I'm no techie) for reasons other than natural progression and evolution.. Actually, in that way it is very similar to bluray, in that Sony's greed will once again be a collosal failure like Mini Discs was.. How can you support a company like this yet blast Microsoft.. Do you see the similarity?

All I need to know about Apple is printed on an iPod: "Designed by Apple in California. Assembled in China" WHAT?? I bet there are no mirrors in Steve Job's house(s).. Who are they kidding with this.. At least other companies don't lie to their consumers.. Translation: "iPods are made by half naked Chinese minor children working for $0.35 a day, but we want you to feel all fuzzy inside, so we'll lead with 'California'".. What makes iTunes different from Windows? I love how Apple takes the stance that Microsoft is a big baddy, a "monoply" who forces people into being windows drones.. iTunes uses a different format than the standard (MP3), so how is that different??

http://money.cnn.com/2007/04/02/news/compa...sion=2007040309 http://blogs.business2.com/greenwombat/200...pple_ipod_.html Wonder what all you neuvo hippie ipod wearers and iMac buyers think of the fact that Apple is horrific for profit company no better than Microsoft.. All your links on your iMac to cruelty free meat vendors and home grown hydroponic patchouli are housed on a machine that an evil corporation produced... Stings a bit huh.. While on topic, is there anyone more smarmy than The Mac Guy from Mac & PC commercials? I wouldn't buy a Mac just cause that guy is associated with them..

I find the term "majority minority" extremely humorous..

I don't understand.. When a project is built with no affordable housing, people complain.. Forcing out current residents.. When a project is built WITH affordable housing, people complain.. Keeping too many current residents... No matter what, there is no winning.. I'm completely convinced that RI people would like no change whatsoever, forever.. "I change by not changing at all"... The truth of the matter is.. There are poor neighborhoods in Providence.. There are poor neighborhoods in every city.. There are projects all over Providence.. Some are more prominent than others.. Take Manton Heights; you know its there, you drive by the green facade every day.. But it goes down the hill; its huge.. They are a necessary evil.. You need to house a certain portion of our people.. I don't agree with the concept, but I understand it.. The government is keeping low income or no income people from a life of certain crime by assisting their living.. Is it the best solution, no.. Is it working, sort of.. Its a band aid fix, but real change is too hard.. People of like income and social status tend to live near one another.. Thats how neighborhoods work.. I have to say that Providence, more than ANY city I have been to has the most good block, bad block, naked baby block, mansion block mixes than any where else..

Autocad (or whatever the kids use nowadays) snobs...

That was me.. Does any one know what this is going to be? Also what is the similar building by the PO?

Consumers 785-0152 http://www.rimover.com I used these guys. They were great

Yeah, this was easily the best web thing for maybe a year.. Everyone in the office was on it all week..

There are hangups @ 295, 495 and then the split is always bad.. Then you have to brave 128, which as Cotuit says is bad.. Actually, maybe the best bet is to park @ 128 station, and train home.. Leave your car @ work..

Pearl Street has some affordable units.. I believe the one you reference is affordable.. Not sure on what the deal is on resale, whether they have to stay "affordable" or not.. I'm not sold on Pearl Street.. Its in South Providence.. Not desireable to me.. Who knows, things change.. It does have proximity to downcity, but the area just doesn't work for me.. It doesn't have either a city living or neighborhood feel to it.. I think anyone who doesn't mind hard work and getting their hands dirty would be infinitely happier buying a multi and fixing it up.. If working after work is not your style, then go condo.. But to me, paying that condo fee for stuff I can and do on my own would be like cryptonite.. To each his own.. Plus, you don't have to deal with idiots on the condo association and inane by-laws.. You are the association, and your rules are the by laws... As you can tell, I'm an anti-condite... As far as appreciation, personally, I think there will be a glut of high end units on the market.. In order for these units to appreciate, there has to be a ton of new money moving to Prov.. Whether it is the coveted empty nesters, or the Boston commuter, a whole lot of people will have to discover Prov.. And soon.. There are already like 2000 new units (condo & high end rental) hitting the market or in progress.. So unless Prov starts adding higher income jobs, there could be an excess supply, in my opinion..

What a post! this thread has some good info.. It is good to see peoples' opinion of Prov.. It seems like most people are talking about living, and the East Side is the place to rent. No question.. But investing is a different animal in Prov. Someone posted that Boston will experience a 52% drop in price, and Prov will drop 39%. This is incorrect; Boston has a 52% chance to drop in the next 2 years.. Prov has a 39% chance.. Still, Prov was in the top 10, and the others were all MA, CA and NY (with 10 Det).. YIKES... Alarming.. As far as my current opinion, areas like the Eat Side and rapidly approaching Fed Hill, are not good investments per say.. They are and can be, however good owner occ houses.. Rent a couple units, and pay about what you would in rent... Armory Properties, for some reason, is selling a Bobo dream over there.. Not sure I agree.. If you want a 3 fam in East Side, you are looking at around 450-500k.. Tough to make the rents come in at that.. Fed Hill is now in mid to low 300s, also tough to run profitable.. People are selling on the projected value POST LUX CONDOS... Thats interesting to me.. Big difference.. With 30 years rates hitting 6% recently, it will soon erode at prices... And since the current ask prices with projected rents are coming to about break even, I think it is very difficult to find something that can just be put in service without some major investment.. Rents are high, and i think they are tapped out... Unless some jobs come to Prov, or a lot moore people do my commute to Boston everyday, I think things could stall... Needless to say, I still love the city, it is just increasingly difficult to find a apt house that turns a profit.. Also, PMI just said they would no longer offer mortgage insurance on certain loans; which could really affect the market.. Something like 40% of all loans in 2004 were from 0-10% down.. These type loans will be severly limited, in my opinion... Leaving some low cash down borrowers relegated to the death trap of variable 2nd piggy back loans, which are a nightmare... the days of cheap money is coming to a close.. So, add in the condo glut, which with 2000 new units MAY stifle the market, I am a bit spooked about buying another in Prov for now... The reason Smith Hill is stalling is the number of "affordable housing" there.. There are the projects Admiral Terrace and Chad Brown.. Then, the area by Goddard Street near the State House, there are many low income housing small projects.. It is stifling any private investment... So, I am officially on hiatus from looking for another place.. I think even though Prov is experiencing a one time Gentrification, I think it is also approaching 88-89 status.. Since I was a wee tike more interested in Nintendo and Colecovision then, I asked old real estate agents.. they seem to think that SOME of the appreciation is caused by out of town money not doing their due dilligence.. So, The Ank is a bit spooked, and until he sees jobs and/or high income new residents, he is patiently taking a time out... Although, with good research and cost appraisals, there are still moneymakers out there.. Jus not like it was... Sorry to be doom and gloom.. Cause since most of you are looking owner occ, that is no question still an option... Cotuit, on being a landlord.. The only things I think you need to know are.. if a tenant needs a fix, you respond swiftly.. If they have a concern, you listen... If they don't pay rent on time, reinforce the rules.. you will not get calls in the middle of the night.. But you need to be on the ball, and not do the bare minimum.. Fixing things and listening to your people in a very timely manner will prove your best relatioonsip builder.. Giving tenants ownership feel and empowereing them will lead to happy people... And.. keep great books.. For a number of reasons...

I agree 100%.. I am a bit worried about condos being over built.. I think there is a niche for loft exposed brick/beam condos almost always, but these people converting multi family houses to condos... I think that is a huge mistake.. They simply are not selling... They are asking Boston prices for these things, and you can buy the whole multi for roughly 30-50k more.. Insane, I think... Perhaps they are out of towners who got bad information, or maybe they are just trying for a quick buck... Who knows... But condos out paced single family in appreciation, and almost rival in sales price (157k to 185k median)... I think those arew generally signs of a peak...

Hello.. I have actually been working for a while instead of posting.. My bad.. Cdog, I got your message.. It depends what you are looking for.. Lower Doyle Street is in the Hope section of Providence.. Its a little pocket of bad ("up and coming") in an area that is very nice.. There are stately multis on Doyle, and its like night and day above Camp street intersection and below.. The lower section by Whole Foods is just ripe for the picking.. If you are looking for an owner occ 3 fam in a nice section, the Broadway area is probably your best bet $$ wise, as the East Side is basically Boston prices... There is a huge tide change going on over there between Broadway and Westminster... An influx of capital and people with income.. New businesses going in.. Gentrification at its best (er, worst for some people)...There is a pretty big push to make this area rival the East Side, or just below it.. Nice Victorians, and some New England 3 deckers (my fave)... There are two major condo complexes going up on Lower Atwells; one on Rialto's Furniture lot, and the other behind the Holy Ghost Church... There is a scary section right there which consists of Penn, Tell, Gesler, and Ring Streets which run parallel to Atwells and Broadway... When these lux condos start popping up, the slumlords that own these properties will be forced to sell... They have already started.. If you have the stomach to be a pioneer, this is probably your best risk/return area... This is where I am currently looking... Then there is Olneyville/Valley area along the Promenade Section.. Again, major push by some big players to improve this area.. See the Fidas article in ProJo.. That made me smile as I have a 3 fam right there.. Pretty remarkable actually, the change in the last year.. New retail, many houses turning over, Rising Sun Mills, and Eagle Square... 1988 Toyotas are slowly being replace with Benzes... This is also a risk/return area, as Onleyville has been a high crime and depressed area... The Atwells/Valley Street area should be your focus.. Stay away from Manton Ave for now... Still very, very scary... Smith Hill to me SHOULD be up and coming as it is right downtown, but its just not happening.. Jewett Street is nice and has potential, as does much of the area behind the Foundry.. But upper Smith Hill... Not coming along... There is a good deal of affordable housing there, which is good for residents, but not good for landlords... The other area people like for investment The Armory/West End.. I'm not sold on it... Nice Victorians around the park, and some nice architecture on Wood St, Hudson, etc.. But to me, its sketchy.. Other people like it there though.. If you want more laid back almost suburban like atmosphere, try Mt Pleasant Upper and Elmhurst... It is expensive, but there are some quality streets there... I would say to avoid South Prov, Hatrford, Silver Lake for the most part, Elmwood, etc in that area... I'm not sold on it... There are many public housing projects in Prov... Avoid them all.. http://www.pha-providence.com/public.html You can look up crime stats, income and other stuff here: http://www.provplan.org/nprof/index.html It is a bit dated for some stuff, but still good reference.. www.riliving.com is the best site... craigslist doesn't have a good amount of houses for sale, and those that are there are mostly pie in the sky FSBOs... Right now it is a strange time; you can see a 3 fam listed for 269k, and the exact same house right next door for 350k... Odd, I think it is slowing down a bit.. Premium properties are still selling, but the other stuff is sitting.. Let me know if you have any questions.. I'm always willing to help bring people to a city that I think is really great and is on the move..

Nice.. Love that house.. Nice pic.. I always thought West Broadway and the Victorian houses were picturesque.. And of course, the Cranston Street Armory from the park... The state house and independent man on top.. water fire.. #12 @ Triggs golf course.. The mural on the underpass going to Onleyville Sq.. The Woonasquatucket river @ Donigian Park & Rising Sun at the water fall.. So get working!! jk

Garris: Take a pic of the Fluer de Lies (sp?) house!!