9716 66th Ave

I have a love-hate relationship with New York City. It isn't easy to live here. New York City has become insanely expensive for the struggling employed, ie. those who actually have an average income.
That being said, I was forced to move out of a lovely spot in BK (brownstone sold for millions...) After 25 years...OH MY!!! One must decide what is important. For me... 1. Obviously, AFFORDABLE. Do NOT think you can afford more than you can! 2. Top floor..I don't want to hear clomping, banging,... thumping, stilletos, etc. etc. above me at 3 am. 3. Pets allowed...I would go homeless before giving up my two sons.....ok, my cats.. 4. laundry in the building....convenient beyond belief 5. elevator.... hey, you are on the top floor... and, finally 6. A VIEW!!!! (southern exposure is VERY nice); I don't want to wake up and look out my winow....at my neighbors, up close and personal, or a brick wall, or a smoke stack, spewing black smoke..... ideally, some distance, some coverage, a tree or two...

Which leads me to the title of this essay... I found the perfect spot in Queens. (A realtor is worth it if you got the $ saved. Mine saved me ALL the foot work and found me just what I asked for).
Everything was great...got my large one bedroom, top floor, pets allowed, elevator, laundry, affordable (sort of), and OMG the most beautiful six story tree outside my windows, that blocked, from May thru November, the ugly brown blocks of building, after building outside the windows.... Lush and green and majestic....home to countless birds and squirrels, breeze and shade maker... destroyed, eliminated...completely, in the time I was at work... I raged and wept...I feel its loss every day....which leads me to my final words...

You never know what can change once you've found your "paradise".... crazy neighbors, bugs/rodents, no water pressure, too much heat/not enough heat.....
I miss my tree, my "privacy", but I've learned to adapt...I think I'll stay awhile... Lee mas