The past decade has seen New York City become a luxury product, with the most expensive apartments approaching $10,000 per square foot, a previously incomprehensible price point. These dramatic increases in property prices similarly impact rentals, making New York City living a far more challenging reality for most people. The rise of markets such as Hoboken, Brooklyn Heights, and Harlem, have been similarly spectacular.

There are no marginal parts of Manhattan any longer, and high-end surrounding markets like Hoboken and many parts of Brooklyn have rents, and properties, comparable to New York City. Secondary markets in Brooklyn have been on the rise in the past few years, as well as Long Island City in Queens, and incredible growth in Flushing, Queens.

The New Jersey real estate markets, in which ProudLiving operates, are experiencing many of the early growth signs seen in these previously underdeveloped areas.

ProudLiving purchases properties throughout New Jersey, with a particular focus on East Orange, Montclair, Bloomfield, Newark, Irvington and the surrounding markets. Some of the dynamics in these markets are:

• East Orange
• Irvington
• Newark
• South Orange

ProudLiving Foundation is focused on developing strong ties with the communities in which ProudLiving operates. Distinctly different than traditional absentee landlords, ProudLiving Companies is committed to being a part of its communities. From giving away turkeys on Thanksgiving to those families in need to our scholarship with Bloomfield College, the ProudLiving Foundation is always looking to expand its efforts. The Foundation’s contributions are focused on education, children and the elderly, and include such organizations as Meals on Wheels and The Grayson School.

The ProudLiving Pay-It-Forward annual scholarship with Bloomfield College is awarded to full-time, undergraduate students based on financial need and academic merit. Qualifying students will also have a minimum of 100 hours of past community service, and will have submitted an essay on how the scholarship will be paid forward by them in the future.

Few holidays bring the joyous feelings of Thanksgiving, so contributing turkeys to members of the communities in which we own and manage properties is a true labor of love for the ProudLiving Foundation. Contributing 100s of turkeys each year, please feel free to contact us if you know anyone whom you believe could use a bit of help providing for their Thanksgiving meal this year.

A strong community of tenants is core to being able to deliver a quality housing experience. ProudLiving Companies places all of its tenants into its properties through its wholly-owned subsidiary, ProudLiving Realty. Our onsite property managers seek to develop substantive relationships with all of our tenants, and we ensure that everyone is able to enjoy their living environment to the utmost.

ProudLiving Realty’s Rent-To-Own Program is available to qualifying tenants. If interested, a significant portion of the rent paid by a given tenant can be accumulated towards a down payment to be used towards the purchase of a single to 4-family home. Assisting our tenants on the path to home ownership is something we are proud to offer, when appropriate. Working with our tenants, we can counsel them on the requirements of becoming a landlord, assist with the ongoing management of the property, and help them own their first home rather than merely paying rent.