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inGearX
3.1415 9265
join:2000-06-11
New York

inGearX

Member

balconies - Europe vs USA vs World

I'm in Europe

more exact in Italy

and wow it feels like 80% of apartments have a balcony - and many have HUGE balconies - it's like having a backyard ...

I live in Brooklyn, NY and most of the apartments - even new ones being built now - do not have balconies ...

what is going on?

I just want to understand ...

my mother said that because many buildings in Brooklyn were built in 1930s balcony wasn't exactly a priority - but what about before that and after ... maybe it's just not our culture do that that in USA

and what about the rest of the world...

looking forward to an informative discussion...

thank you...

Juggernaut
Irreverent or irrelevant?
Premium Member
join:2006-09-05
Kelowna, BC

Juggernaut

Premium Member

In Europe, it's about the quality of life. Gardens, a veranda for socializing, eating and entertaining.

In NA, it's an afterthought for the most part.

Coma
Thanks Steve
Premium Member
join:2001-12-30
NirvanaLand

Coma to inGearX

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to inGearX

What he said ^

Edit: forget about the balconies and get into the wines & food.
Moffetts
join:2005-05-09
San Mateo, CA

Moffetts to inGearX

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to inGearX
Some things are done differently in other parts of the world? Say it aint so!

mityfowl
Premium Member
join:2000-11-06
Dallas, TX

2 recommendations

mityfowl to inGearX

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to inGearX
When you visit Europe it's about food , booze and sex. Don't miss the sex part.

When you get back don't say "Europe this and Europe that"

Start telling everyone Brooklyn needs to change.

Then move

ilikeme
Premium Member
join:2002-08-27
Stafford, TX

ilikeme to inGearX

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to inGearX
Most apartments around DFW and Houston have them, both new and old.

UHF
All static, all day, Forever
MVM
join:2002-05-24

UHF to inGearX

MVM

to inGearX
A lot of apartments in Milwaukee have them too.

alkizmo
join:2007-06-25
Pierrefonds, QC

alkizmo to inGearX

Member

to inGearX
Where I live, there are TONS of condos being constructed, or recently built.

They all have balconies.

I can imagine balconies being left out for whatever zoning, code requirements, budget, etc, especially in regions where the temperature makes balconies useless half the year.

sk1939
Premium Member
join:2010-10-23
Frederick, MD
ARRIS SB8200
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sk1939 to inGearX

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Few here in DC for better or worse. I've never seen the use of a balcony for the most part, every apartment that I've had that has one has either been utilized as a smoking section for visitors or a place to put plants and a bicycle, that's about it.

mityfowl
Premium Member
join:2000-11-06
Dallas, TX

mityfowl

Premium Member

said by sk1939:

Few here in DC for better or worse. I've never seen the use of a balcony for the most part, every apartment that I've had that has one has either been utilized as a smoking section for visitors or a place to put plants and a bicycle, that's about it.

See that's the difference in DC and most of the country.

I like being outside.

It feels nice to be out int the air, not trapped in a rabbit hutch.
mityfowl

mityfowl to inGearX

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to inGearX
Most of those animals don't know they are in a hutch. They just accept it.

AVD
Respice, Adspice, Prospice
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join:2003-02-06
Onion, NJ

AVD to inGearX

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how many of the non-tourist apartments have any form of Air-Conditioning.

sk1939
Premium Member
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Frederick, MD
ARRIS SB8200
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sk1939 to mityfowl

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to mityfowl
said by mityfowl:

said by sk1939:

Few here in DC for better or worse. I've never seen the use of a balcony for the most part, every apartment that I've had that has one has either been utilized as a smoking section for visitors or a place to put plants and a bicycle, that's about it.

See that's the difference in DC and most of the country.

I like being outside.

It feels nice to be out int the air, not trapped in a rabbit hutch.

It was the same when I lived in San Francisco as well, so I don't think it's a regional thing.

whizkid3
MVM
join:2002-02-21
Queens, NY

whizkid3 to sk1939

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to sk1939
said by sk1939:

every apartment that I've had that has one has either been utilized as a smoking section for visitors or a place to put plants and a bicycle, that's about it.

Funny. I lived in Europe. My wife is from Europe. We have an apartment in Europe with a balcony. In my experience, all the balconies in Europe are pretty much used the same as in the US - for smoking, plants & bicycle storage; not to mention hanging laundry, satellite TV antenna, and the occasional BBQ. Yes, they do have pretty different cultures; but not when it comes to apartment balconies.

Juggernaut
Irreverent or irrelevant?
Premium Member
join:2006-09-05
Kelowna, BC

Juggernaut to AVD

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said by AVD:

how many of the non-tourist apartments have any form of Air-Conditioning.

I don't get the connection with this question. One factor does not equate with the other, nor vise versa.
kubus
join:2000-12-22
Irwin, PA

kubus to inGearX

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There is the balcony... and then you have sidewalks, courtyards with play area for kids. But one of the biggest difference that irritates me is the missing wind trap. Mud room with two entry doors i guess is the best way to describe it. Last thing I want is to walk straight into living room letting the cold/hot in. Simple yet efficient.
Bob4
Account deleted
join:2012-07-22
New Jersey

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Bob4 to inGearX

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A photo would help those of us who have never been to Italy to understand what you are saying. Please post a photo of you standing on a balcony in Italy.

ropeguru
Premium Member
join:2001-01-25
Mechanicsville, VA

ropeguru to Coma

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to Coma
said by Coma:



Edit: forget about the balconies and get into the wines & food.

And a balcony is great for that...

cableties
Premium Member
join:2005-01-27

cableties to whizkid3

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to whizkid3
Do you rent it out?

Yeah, I noticed small balconies in Paris, some had clothes drying. Others were small patios with café table. But most were too small for anything but a smoke.

alkizmo
join:2007-06-25
Pierrefonds, QC

alkizmo to ropeguru

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said by ropeguru:

said by Coma:



Edit: forget about the balconies and get into the wines & food.

And a balcony is great for that...

But the #1 cause of balcony related deaths is alcohol intoxication!
MaynardKrebs
We did it. We heaved Steve. Yipee.
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join:2009-06-17

MaynardKrebs

Premium Member

said by alkizmo:

said by ropeguru:

said by Coma:



Edit: forget about the balconies and get into the wines & food.

And a balcony is great for that...

But the #1 cause of balcony related deaths is alcohol intoxication!

Darwin rules!!!

MagMan
Life is simpler when you tell the truth.
Premium Member
join:2003-10-01
Westlake, OH

MagMan to Bob4

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to Bob4
said by Bob4:

A photo would help those of us who have never been to Italy to understand what you are saying. Please post a photo of you standing on a balcony in Italy.

I think he's camera shy.

hitachi369
Embrace Your Rights
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Cincinnati, OH
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hitachi369 to inGearX

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It could also be that people in Metro New York where space is limited value interior floor space verse limited use exterior space. If you are going to put a balcony in that space needs to come from somewhere, and it would likely be at the cost of interior space.

whizkid3
MVM
join:2002-02-21
Queens, NY

whizkid3

MVM

Except that buildings with balconies exist and are being built all over NYC.

inGearX probably lives in an older building with fire escapes and no room for balconies. (These are the balconies.)

inGearX
3.1415 9265
join:2000-06-11
New York

inGearX to hitachi369

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to hitachi369
said by hitachi369:

It could also be that people in Metro New York where space is limited value interior floor space verse limited use exterior space. If you are going to put a balcony in that space needs to come from somewhere, and it would likely be at the cost of interior space.

ohhhhhh I think we've hit the jackpot

really

most apartment space is sold per sq. ft.

and it is the interior space that counts for most people ...

and on paper and etc...

I would be OK - actually happy paying same for outdoor sq. ft. space - like a mini backyard I can always walk out onto ...

but sq. ft. = $$$ for builders ... for buyers ... for sellers :/

so sad...

===============================

unfortunately this is true :/
said by mityfowl:

said by sk1939:

Few here in DC for better or worse. I've never seen the use of a balcony for the most part, every apartment that I've had that has one has either been utilized as a smoking section for visitors or a place to put plants and a bicycle, that's about it.

See that's the difference in DC and most of the country.

I like being outside.

It feels nice to be out int the air, not trapped in a rabbit hutch.

said by mityfowl:

Most of those animals don't know they are in a hutch. They just accept it.

inGearX

inGearX to whizkid3

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to whizkid3
said by whizkid3:

Except that buildings with balconies exist and are being built all over NYC.

inGearX probably lives in an older building with fire escapes and no room for balconies. (These are the balconies.)

no mate I am in new...

one of »www.related.com/

and look at this

90% if not 95% of things they made do not have balconies :/

so sad...

whizkid3
MVM
join:2002-02-21
Queens, NY

whizkid3

MVM

Interesting. I am in the industry and meet with developers every week. I will talk with them and find out what is behind whether balconies are included or not.