Photo by myself near the West Side Highway, near 14th Street. Out of frame to the right is a giant building called the Chelsea Piers, which houses tennis courts, a bowling alley, and all sorts of sports arenas.
There are numerous piers along the edges of Manhattan, where boats can dock. Here, you can see New Jersey along the opposite bank of the Hudson River.
Maybe this is an urban myth, but I heard that if you lived on a boat in New York, you were exempt from paying certain taxes.
City tax, perhaps? I'm not sure. I guess the rationale was that you weren't taking up land.
Whatever the case, there are intrepid folks who live on these boats, which are docked along the perimeter of Manhattan. There's a dock near 79th Street on the west side, near where I used to live. From what I could tell, the same houseboats stay there year after year, winters included.
The contractor I'm working with lives on a boat, and used to have a boat-building company. After finishing an intense project, he sets sail on a several month trip.
I'll have to ask him about his taxes.
Related posts: It's That Time of Year Again, Urban Legends and The Cost of Living Here.
15 comments:
kitty, for a moment I thought I was looking at a picture from the 1950-ies. I don't know if it's the boat, that it's black and white...I can't really put my finger on it, but it's really a picture from another period of time. I love it. It's an amazing scene!
A beautiful pic. I like the woods sticking out from the water in the background. They give it a frame and depth. It sure is dauntless to live one these puppies. Humid with no doubt.
Ah, living aboard. Now that's the lifestyle... Something I've always wanted to do.
Great shots kitty. I've always been a fan of b&w...takes me back to my old days when I spent hours hand developing film and print.
I felt the same as Eva, as though the picture was from another era - very nice.
Hi Eva
Thanks! It was a foggy day too, which made it extra-atmospheric.
Thanks Susu
it's definitely a funny lifestyle to life there. I cannot imagine in the winter!
Welcome Bill
You have to have an independent streak to live on a boat. Not much room for furniture, I'd imagine.
Thanks JD!
I'd love to have the time to learn how to use a darkroom. That must be so fun and rewarding.
Thanks Islipian!
Looks great in b&w! What is that to the left? The remainder of a landing-stage?
encore une belle photo en b&w. j'aimerais pas vivre dans un bateau, il doit faire très frais en hiver à NYC dans un bateau.
still a beautiful photo in b & w. I live in a boat, it must be very cool in winter in NYC in a boat.
I love the picture!!! It looks so old fashioned!
I think there is something about the tax. Wasn't there a Target set up on a barge one holiday season before Atlantic Center came into being and part of the draw was a tax break?
I live where you used to live - those boathouses always fascinate me. One of them has a spiral staircase, an outdoor garden and seems roomier and better designed than many New York appartments.
this is beautiful, so peaceful to look at. I want to hang this picture on my wall.
A really, really nice shot Kitty! It looks vintage!
Thanks everyone!
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