Proposed "questions for new residents" sticky thread (Bloomfield: apartment, rental)
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I've proposed to one of the mods the idea of a sticky "questions for new residents" thread. Such stickies have been floating around other CD forums, and are a very useful way of directing those with relocation questions to provide information that leads to helpful responses.
I was hoping to post this to the forum for review, ideas for edits, improvements, etc first. Here it is:
When are you moving?
Where are you coming from?
Why are you moving?
Where will you be working?
If working in NYC, what part of NYC specifically ?
Have you been here yet?
Will you buy or rent?
If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo/townhouse? How much can you spend?
If renting, are you looking for an apartment, a townhouse, or house rental ? How much can you spend?
Are you married or single? Do you have children?
Do you prefer public or private schools?
Do you have pets?
Do you want or need a yard?
Are you keeping a car?
Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet?
What do you want to be closest to?
Work
Shopping
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.)
Nightlife
Train or subway stations
Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood?
I think it's a great idea elford!! It would cut down on a million threads that go no where until OP gives real details on page 4 or 5!
My only thing is that you have waaaaaaay too many questions, I got bored reading half way through, I can't imagine how long someone's initial post would be if they were answering all that.
How about:
1-What is your budget, buy or rent?
2-Where will you be commuting to and what is the LONGEST amount of time you are willing to travel? Do prefer a certain mode (car/bus/train)?
3-Do you need/want good schools?
4-List three things that are important to you in order of importance.(examples: diversity, nightlife, outdoor activities, rural/urban, safety, downtown area, charming, new construction, proximity to XYZ, family oriented, easy parking, etc.)
I think it's a great idea elford!! It would cut down on a million threads that go no where until OP gives real details on page 4 or 5!
My only thing is that you have waaaaaaay too many questions, I got bored reading half way through, I can't imagine how long someone's initial post would be if they were answering all that.
How about:
1-What is your budget, buy or rent?
2-Where will you be commuting to and what is the LONGEST amount of time you are willing to travel? Do prefer a certain mode (car/bus/train)?
3-Do you need/want good schools?
4-List three things that are important to you in order of importance.(examples: diversity, nightlife, outdoor activities, rural/urban, safety, downtown area, charming, new construction, proximity to XYZ, family oriented, easy parking, etc.)
Question 4 is a nice touch, because it allows us to compress it. I have a preference for making the questions too terse (1) because these questions have worked well elsewhere, and (2) because ultimately it is a big time saver if there is no back-and-forth regarding points that should have been on there. I'd like to keep the diversity question in there verbatim, because it really helps cut down on flame wars (see the links to the threads I posted)
How about this ...
When are you moving?
Where are you coming from?
Why are you moving?
Where will you be working ? (if NYC, what part of NYC?)
Will you buy or rent?
What is your budget ?
What kind of place are you looking for ?
Will anyone (spouse, children, pets) be moving with you ?
Do you need/want good public schools?
Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood?
List three things that are important to you in order of importance.(examples: diversity, nightlife, outdoor activities, rural/urban, safety, downtown area, charming, new construction, proximity to XYZ, family oriented, easy parking, etc)
Seems good to me but the shorter the better - so, I'd delete "when are you moving" - if it's urgent, people will say so. And why ask about who is moving with the OP? If that affects the relo, it should be covered in schools or "3 things" q's, no?
I would delete the parentheses from the "what part of NYC" - posters from other areas often don't realize how much that affects their commute.
On the 3 things -- be sure to add "short commute" - and no need to include diversity because you've already asked about that.
I believe CD only allows two stickys per board and we have two already. I would rather have your suggestion that the "Please report abusive..." thread, as yours might cut down some redundancy. But if you really want to get this done....(looks over both shoulders)....Leave a little somethin somethin under Bobby Kovacks pillow and lets just say good things will happen.....
Seems good to me but the shorter the better - so, I'd delete "when are you moving"
will do
Quote:
- if it's urgent, people will say so. And why ask about who is moving with the OP? If that affects the relo, it should be covered in schools or "3 things" q's, no?
This also covers pets, and the age of the children. Age of children is important regarding school districts -- if the kids are 2 years, you could do quite well in Bloomfield for the next 10 years or so. It also provides some information about how much living space they will need.
Quote:
I would delete the parentheses from the "what part of NYC" - posters from other areas often don't realize how much that affects their commute.
ok.
Quote:
On the 3 things -- be sure to add "short commute" - and no need to include diversity because you've already asked about that.
ok.
Quote:
Don't mean to nitpick!
Not at all. If it's worth doing, it's worth doing well. Let's try again:
Where are you coming from?
Why are you moving?
Where will you be working ? If NYC, what part of NYC?
Will you buy or rent?
What is your budget ?
What kind of place are you looking for ?
Will anyone (spouse, children, pets) be moving with you ?
Do you need/want good public schools?
Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood?
List three things that are important to you in order of importance.(examples: nightlife, outdoor activities, rural/urban, safety, downtown area, charming, new construction, proximity to XYZ, family oriented, easy parking, short commute, etc)
I think it is looking good, but I would get rid of this:
"Do you want to live with people of a similar age, race, religion or sexual preference or do you prefer a diverse neighborhood?"
If they are looking to live in a neighborhood with a particular group of people, they tend to say so.
I kind of have to agree on this point, I know elfords point is to avoid conflict and it might if someone says "I want to live near Indian people" or "I need access to a synogogue" or "I need and asian market" but heaven forbid someone says they want to live around only white people. It's sad but true that this will start an instant flame war. I think if you just leave this point in the condensed "pick three" question people who this matters to will bring it up people who don't care won't.
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