Annie Chen and her husband, Tim, know how tough and time-consuming it is to maintain a home from watching their parents. The busy millennials wanted none of that when they were planning to move from Queens — but they did want a place large enough to start a family.
So, they decided on a $629,000 condo at the Meadowbrook Pointe Gardens in East Meadow.
“It’s a whole different generation,” said Chen, 31, a corporate executive, who with her husband, Tim, a wedding photographer, look forward to the no-hassle lifestyle.
“We work hard, and on the weekdays, our brains are fried. At the end of the day, we don’t want to worry about the plumbing… We don’t want to be in Home Depot.”
Another plus for the Chens is the sleek and modern look of the condos. “We want those white cabinets, the minimal look,” she said. “Everything is brand-new. That’s the vibe we want, without the problems of a house.”
The design and function of condominiums have changed dramatically. No longer just glorified apartments, many have the same number of rooms and square footage of a home, and often have more land — although common space — with walking trails and preserves.
The newest generation of condos and townhouses are more modern and minimalistic, a different aesthetic from the Center Hall Colonials and split levels that dot Long Island. These condos are light and airy, with high ceilings, lots of windows, and many high-end options. Some have fireplaces, while others feature full basements and attics.