Queens County Farm
Who knew that a farm exists in New York City? Well it is in Queens, near the border of Long Island. My wife has been clamoring to go to a pumpkin patch for the photo op with Baby LRC. The farm in Queens is not that big, but you can’t really expect it to be since it is in the middle of a city. They had a corn maze, hay rides, pony rides, a petting zoo, among other fun family activities. It definitely was a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Being that Baby LRC is too young to do most of the activities, except pose for some pictures that Mrs. LRC wanted, it was a quick trip. Well it was also a quick trip because Baby LRC was starting to get fussy. I think Mrs. LRC had more fun that Baby LRC, though he does like to check out new places. Oh and admission was free!
Roundup
I posted this week that it is Save For Retirement Week in my post Why Aren’t You Saving for Retirement? In a recent Wells Fargo study, it found the following sobering facts:
37% of people don’t every expect to retire, but instead will have to work until they are sick or die.
34% say they will have to work until they are at least 80 because they have not saved enough.
This is pretty scary so for those of you who have not started saving for retirement read the following posts:
Start Investing Now, Even if You Stink by Matt from Mom and Dad Money
Putting Time On Your Side: How to Start Investing in Your 20s by John from Frugal Rules
As I’ve mentioned previously, my wife and I have been looking to buy a co-op. Currently, we’re renting a one bedroom apartment. I’ve heard so many times from so many people that I am just wasting money by renting. Connie from Savvy with Saving, who also lives in NYC, posted Should I Buy or Rent? That rent vs buy dilemma is a tough one and I don’t believe renting is necessarily flushing money down the drain like everyone says it is. There are many factors that come into play when making the decision. However, I do think that buying a place and investing in real estate is very valuable.
If you’d like to learn more about investing in real estate, read Charles’ blog Getting a Rich Life and his recent post How I Became a Millionaire…in Debt. He is practically a real estate mogul and is very knowledgeable in that area so check it out.
Have a great weekend!
Thanks for sharing! That farm sounds great, I want to take my niece.
Yes you should definitely take your niece. It looks like the kids were having a lot of fun there. We’ll be back when Baby LRC is older.
Thanks for the shout out Andrew. We’ve been crazy busy recently and haven’t had the chance to make it to a pumpkin farm or apple picking. Too bad because I think our son would love it. Hope you guys are enjoying the weekend.
Matt Becker recently posted…What is Net Worth and Why is it Important?
No problem. You still have some time before it gets cold…I’m sure your son would have a lot of fun!
I’ve heard of pumpkin patches in the city, but corn maze? I’m impressed! I was lucky enough to go to a wedding in upstate new york a couple weekends ago and enjoy some farm and country before and after.
Stefanie @ The Broke and Beautiful Life recently posted…Love and Money: When Should You Have “The Talk”?
Upstate New York is lovely during the fall!
It’s really too bad that 37% of people just plan on working until they die… with a little bit of planning early on everyone should be able to retire comfortably and enjoy their golden years.
Reading the words “corn maze” brought back fond memories of my days of living in the Midwest. Thanks for that!
Brent @ VOSA recently posted…Kids Are Expensive, But High Quality Kids Programming Doesn’t Have To Be
No problem. I’ve never been to a corn maze, having grown up in the city. I will definitely have to check it out when the baby is older.
And I agree with you that working until you die is not a retirement plan…definitely think that with proper planning that retirement should be possible.
Whoa, every one in New York who is not aware of the existence of this farm should definitely check the place out! I know for a fact that living in the city and then suddenly seeing a breather like this farm is refreshing beyond words. Makes you ready to tackle the busy hustle and bustle of city life again.
Jen @ Frugal Rules recently posted…Shout Out Saturday #39
Yea, I’ve lived here my whole life and didn’t know there was a farm nearby.
Hey Andrew,
Thanks for the write up. We don’t have seasons like you do, I sometimes wish we could get a white christmas. But I think NYers prefer our Christmas season more.
charles@gettingarichlife recently posted…How To Make $140,000 In Real Estate And Legally Save $46,200 In Taxes
I like a white Christmas and a little bit of snow is okay. I do like having 4 seasons, but sometimes the winter is pretty brutal and I do pine with Hawaii weather.
A farm, somewhere in the Big Apple! Wow…it certainly sounds quaint and fascinating. It certainly makes for a cool getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life…
Simon @ Modest Money recently posted…Scottrade Review – Exclusive Review of Scottrade Investment Brokerage
It sure was a cool getaway which was pretty close by.
Those figures on retirement are very sobering. Makes me want to put more cash in my IRA. Its not much but atleast its a start
Debt and the Girl recently posted…Being an Anonymous Blogger and Compromising with Myself
The National Save for Retirement Week motto was small steps big changes so yes…at least you started. I’d also like to increase my retirement savings but saving for a down payment at the moment.
Wow I wonder how long that farm can exist before a developer gives them an offer for the land that the owner can’t refuse? That’s very cool that you were able to take advantage of it, though, and I hear you about the rent vs. buy dilemma. So many variables to consider.
DC @ Young Adult Money recently posted…How to improve your career-related skills and keep them relevant
Well, the farm is not in Manhattan so I’m not sure it is prime real estate. It is in a more suburban area, though there are houses/co-ops right next to it. Although I did hear about a horse stable in Manhattan where developers are allegedly trying to push out the owners as that is prime real estate.
The farm sounds great. Hope you had a great weekend!
Holly@ClubThrifty recently posted…The High Cost of Commuting
Thanks Holly!
A pumpkin patch in queens, that sounds awesome. The thought of working until I croak is enough to get my butt in gear, financially speaking! That percentage is really sad.
Kyle | Rather-Be-Shopping.com recently posted…Field Trip to the Pumpkin Patch: Life Lessons Abound
I know…that is pretty depressing to think that you’ll have to work until you die!
I so wanted a coop until I saw the exhorbiant HOA fees. I’m curious, can you deduct property taxes when they’re part of an HOA fee?
I love NY state too much to leave here so after visiting my dad in Endicott (he’s a contractor for BAE) and I forget how many awesome towns there are in this great state. We drove through Syracuse on the way to Lake Ontario and we’re looking there next as a possible move.
Tara @ Streets Ahead Living recently posted…Falling in love with an old love
Yea those maintenance fees are pretty high. For the co-ops I’ve been looking at, the maintenance includes the property taxes and generally the maintenance is 50% deductible (probably the portion which is the property tax). NY does have some really nice towns. We drive up to Buffalo for my wife’s brother and sister’s graduation and passed by some interesting towns (GPS took me through the scenic route…it took longer but I didn’t mind). I’ve thought about upstate as a possibility since my brother in law is there and my wife went to school there, but winter is pretty brutal up there right?
Pumpkin patches seem like they are all the rage right now (even adults are going without kids, haha). We have quite a few corn mazes and pumpkin patches within an hour of my house, but it’s pretty cool that they have one in such a large city. Sounds like fun!
Daisy @ Prairie Eco Thrifter recently posted…How To Be Happy
Yea I’ve seen a lot of pumpkin patch posts! My wife definitely wanted the photo op with the baby…apparently it’s all the rage on Facebook for parents with kids. The corn mazes and pumpkin patches are probably bigger by you, but definitely cool that there is one near by in NYC.
The farm looks great! Sounds like you had a great day out Andrew. 🙂 Thanks for sharing these reads, saving for retirement is something I really need to focus on!
Hayley @ A Disease Called Debt recently posted…Frugal Feast #2
Yes, we had a nice time! Once you kill that debt, I’m sure you’ll ramp up your retirement savings.