Entry:

Their stairs have super cheap commercial tile on the treads:

They have been in this house for 3 years and have 2 little boys. I'll bet there's lead and asbestos galore at their house.

Anna

This part of brownstone Brooklyn is an anomaly as far as housing prices go - it's very desirable especially for families because it is close to lots of subway lines, has a world-class park nearby and the public primary schools are excellent. Two mil, even for a fixer-upper, is not out of line. Many of the 'fixer-uppers' were bought in the 1960s or 1970s when the neighborhood wasn't so desirable, and those owners did enough work to make the places habitable for them, but not anything like Real Housewives standards with one bath per bedroom, steam shower this, walk in pantry that, etc. etc. Believe me, layers and layers of paint (old enough that some will be lead-based) and asbestos-covered pipes in the basement are the norm if the building hasn't been reno'd in the last twenty years.

I might have to watch this episode when it's re-run, because lots of buyers, my husband and myself included, buy the fixer-uppers for what's under all the paint and shoddy renovation: original marble mantles, tin ceilings, hardwood moldings, wide-plank pine subfloors, 10'+ ceilings on the grandest/parlor floor...some of these houses are really diamonds in the rough. A single-family that's been renovated with updated elec and plumbing, central air and a modicum of taste goes for $2.5 to $3 mil and up, depending on size and block. Would love to know what the usually tacky Real Housewife sort will do with the house...

2M is not high end in NYC, it's more low end.

I love how one of the steps doesn't even have the tacky brass stair nose. We went to so much work sanding and painting our staircase - who knew that slapping down vinyl composition tile with brass trim was all the rage in NYC!

I was surprised at the interior shots of condo the Countess lives in. I guess I expected more.

I was shocked when I saw the house that Alex and Simon live in. Especially after they made a big deal of going to the opening night at the Met, plunking down $10k for tickets and about that much for her dress (that she cannot wear in NY again because she was photographed on the society page, albeit from the rear ;D ) These people are raising babies in that house with all that chippy paint and no flooring, etc. If they want to painstakingly restore it to original, more power to them, would be a good move it would seem. Kind of makes me wonder where there priorities are since they have small children living there and spend the kind of $ they do to further themselves up that social ladder.

I watch these women and often muse "What would Jackie have done?". Now she had class. Fascinating look into how some people live, that's for sure. ;)

I love all the stuff on bravo for the most part - except supermodel something or other. But Project Runway, Split Ends, Housewives, Flipping Out, etc. are guilty pleasures of mine that I just cannot resist when I'm lucky enough to catch'm.

I was floored by their home. My mouth literally hung open. It was exactly like Brittany said - not because of what it was, but because of what you would've expected it to be.

Odd priorities IMHO - not in regards to schooling but instead to the $ spent on clothing when your kids are living in a dump. Bizarre. Just a handful of her opera dresses would go a long way to atleast doing the floors.

Ramona makes me uncomfortable through the television, sitting on my couch. I love the Countess and think I would have a blast hanging out with her.

Jill's house looked really nice, as did the Countess' - just to keep in on topic, lol!

What is the premise of this show? I don't understand, does it show rich people's lives, or just people who want to be rich?

From the first couple posts, I thought is was about remodeling. LOL

I fully understand; my husband and I bought an 1890's Victorian four years ago and we're rehabbing it. The thing is that I don't see much along the lines of what you describe in the pics above. Heck, the baseboards in my house are more substantial than what that place apparently has. Perhaps location is important, but it seems a little surreal to me that we can pay $65,000. for our New Mexican diamond in the rough, and we have 'The City Different' just an hour's drive away if we want/need some civilization. You don't need to pay a couple million to get a neglected but unique historic property in a location with a lot to offer culturally, historically socially, etc.

From what I've heard in the past, $2M won't get you much in NYC. Have heard people paying something like half that for an efficiency or tiny one bedroom flat (rats included).

BTW, speaking of those Hampton houses (beautiful!), what the heck do they do with them when they're not summering there? Close them up for 3/4 of the year?

paint_chips: premise of the show is how you pegged it. Rich people's lives or wannabes. Started out with housewives in Calif, but that seemed like more of soap than anything else. The NYC wives supposedly are part of the social elite, but with some of the behaviors and living quarters, etc. it's hard to imagine them rubbing elbows with the Kennedys, Rockefellers, Carnegies and the like ;)

If you've ever been housing hunting in the NYC, LI area you'd soon realize that standard of living from a housing stand point is not a priority. Hard to believe Americans live like that, but they do. LI is primarily half million dollar half century tiny old dumps. Awful doesn't quite sum it up. You have bright spots here and there, but not many. It's almost as if it's expected that one has to live that way "because it's NY". It's bizarre-o-world. Will be interesting to see how it all shakes out come about 1Q 2010.

Here's a website link - if you scroll to the very bottom, you'll see links to each Housewives own website. There, you can click on each person in the family to find out more about them (childhood, schooling, family, work, etc). I've only read some of Alex's and I'm rolling my eyes.......a lot!

But Ramona......??????

Yup. Definitely social register.

Must be low on capital since that's what's used for "construction".

Ack! I'm getting too engrossed in this. (Can't help it, boggles the mind ;D )

One question- Other than Simon do the others ever see their husbands? Where are the men in the evenings? What a life!

Getting closer to ditching cable, lol. I actually bought the tv antenna last week! I can do it!

THANK YOU!

A true "socialite" (gawd, such a pretentious word) would never expose herself to ridicule on reality television.

I really do like Bethany though. I can see why she is on the show - to make herself well-known as a "top chef." The others - I have no idea. Alex seriously makes me gag though. So does her husband.

Did you all notice that when she and Bethany were sitting on the floor at the birthday party that they were leaning up against the socialite's faaabulous futon?

Now I think this is very interesting. Not all that "Countess" nonsense. She should talk more about the things people will respect her for.

When we saw the shot of their backyard and that knee-high grass, again, I "got" it. Our backyard is currently an absolute tip (although the grass just doesn't grow, so it's not high) because we had a finite budget for landscaping and we chose to spend it in the front yard first. (Hopefully this year is when we'll be able to tackle the back!)

When I saw the pedestrian invitations she was using for her child's birthday party again, I understood. It's clearly not a priority for them. For me, I'd rather spend money on the invitations than on having lots of fancy purses (for example). But that's me -- I love stationery and invitations and it gives me terrific pleasure to design them.

I'd assume that this couple would never entertain their peers (or their desired peers) in their home: they'd take them out to a restau. And I LOVED that they didn't seem to care how their house looked, that they didn't apologize for it, that they were happy (or however they felt) to have their child's friends and their parents over.

Before I became a parent I hated having people over: I was so embarrassed about the unfinished state of our house. I guess I thought people would judge me because I hadn't yet tackled that room or put up crown moulding over there or whatever. Then I had my first child and I was desperate for companionship and I just didn't care anymore. It didn't matter that there was cat fluff in the corner or that toys were all over the place or that I had some spit-up on my shoulder. I was just doing the best I could.

As we've been doing this large remodel of our house we've had many people over -- not to eat as we don't have a kitchen! -- but kiddos to play and their parents. And I've never been embarrassed about the state of our home. When I had a birthday party for my children last summer (in the dead-and-dying backyard) I wasn't embarrassed. When two of the b**chy mothers were being catty about "we LOVE your xeriscaping -- aren't you clever?" in a super-snotty and rude tone, I answered them appropriately: I smiled and said "you two are so silly!" But inside I wanted to kick them in their bleached teeth.

Okay, so I digress. This couple clearly wants to spend their money where it can be seen by others, and since not enough people are going to see their house it doesn't really matter. I do admire them for their forthrightness of purpose (moving "up" in society), even if I don't understand it, as well as letting people and cameras in their home.

And about Ramona: I just feel so sorry for her. It must be hard to have such low self-esteem (and mask it by being so outre) and to have such fear about becoming invisible (as our society tends to treat women as they age). Her behavior at the dinner party was peculiar, to say the least, but she's proven herself to really only care about herself (given the way she treats / acts around her daughter). She spoke about her mother's own lack of self-worth, so I hope the cycle stops with Ramona's daughter ....

While I find for the most part, these women are shallow and pathetic, the comments about their homes are interesting. At least there's one aspect of their lives that they sort of shrug off and that's obsessing about a perfect home!!

I live close to the OC version of this show and I find it nauseating how OC women are obsessed with their homes--there's like an inverse correlation between how fancy their kitchen is and how much they know about cooking (hint: usually nothing.)

But RE is an interesting phenom--I visited my niece in Slope Park last fall and was blown over by how much they paid for this cramped row house --but she told me about how socially progressive the area is and I probably would really enjoy living there.

NOw that being said, being from coastal OC, our Real Estate prices are obscene--when I see how well some of you on this thread can live in terms of housing and acreage in other parts of the country well I can get a bit envious - not for myself - but for my kids who won't be able to afford anything decent even though they are well educated and work hard. This housing bubble here has hurt all, those who bought and those who can't buy due to price inflation.

Well I have some other comments about these women and their relationships but probably best kept to myself--but I am hooked on this show!

One of the forum members looked up Alex & Simon's townhouse on Propertyshark.com. She found they seem to be beyond their eyeballs in debt. They purchased the unimpressive townhouse for 1.2 mill and took out three or four mortgages totalling over 2 million. Check it out. Seems they are funding their lifestyle with borrowed cash. It will bite them you-know-where someday.

I can't stand Alex or her pretentious husband. I cringe watching them, as they are so clearly "have nots" aspiring and angling desperately to become "haves". I agree that it looks they must be living outside their means.

However, I too "get" the state of their house, for 2 reasons. First, I would venture a guess that home decor/renovation is just not "the thing to do" with money in NYC. (Or Brooklyn.) Look at the Countess' house. She truly does have the money, but their condo is not as nice as some houses I've seen posted here. And Ramona's house is pretty, but her kitchen was just "blah" to me. In the Hamptons, as Bethenny said, all is much more on display. In the Hamptons, it's probably far more expected to have a lovely home.

Secondly, having lived through remodels, I can say that the state of their townhouse is pretty normal for someone who has a limited budget or who is doing things in phases. Alex says on the Bravo blogs that they've completely redone the lower level of their home, but no footage was shot from there. I understand that. I look back on photos of my last house, and behind shots of family get togethers, there were open walls and exposed studs, various building materials scattered around, etc. I didn't hesitate to invite people over because like it or not, life goes on whether everything is pretty or not. I don't like Alex, but I say kudos to her for focusing on what's important to her, and not giving a rat's patootie what her house looked like.

I'm sure folks on this site would be appalled to see some of my rooms. After all, I'm here posting photos of finished rooms, most know my love for decor/design, etc. But there are projects that just have to wait. (At my last house that was a construction zone almost the entire time we lived there, I remember *several* people having a Bethenny reaction when they came over. All I could see was the vision of the end result, and I didn't notice so much that it looked to be a completely lost cause to most people.)

No, I don't like Alex, but I'd rather hang out with her in her crappy half-done house than with that pill Ramona!

I also get people having different priorities. I myself would rather spend my money on trying to expand my antique blue and white Chinese porcelain collection from the Qing and Ming dynasties (b/c these are the things that make ME HAPPY) and buy my clothes from Target or Marshall's or Steinmart rather than some expensive trendy wendy boutique. I don't however tell people what I paid for a certain piece or even mention them at all b/c those who know, know.

What I don't get and CANNOT stand are when people brag about what they paid for this or that and go on and on about their extravagant shopping sprees and such. It screams volumes about their own insecurities and in many ways I feel sorry for them.

I also totally understand how expensive it is to live in New York. I actually don't know how anybody lives there. I know that in Manhattan you could pay 2 mil for 800 sq. feet and still have to go the basement to do your laundry!!

I think what people are saying is that when you hear someone constantly talking about the money they are dropping on these shoes, or that gown, and the expensive Brooklyn neighborhood and brownstone that they live in you are expecting the Cosby's home. They don't even live in what I have always understood to be a brownstone.

I would rather spend my money on remediating the asbestos and lead issues than Jimmy Choo or Manolo Blahnik shoes (but that is just me!). It is not going to matter what school little Francois gets into when his brain is fried b/c of lead based paint!!

For instance, I think that the Countess' home is lovely. It is not extravagant by any means but just as precious as she is. It is classy yet understated. She doesn't have to run around screaming her financial and social status b/c people who get it...get it.

Anywho, that's all I have to say about that!!! (MAYBE)

Earth's Biggest Toolbag Discovered:
And it didn't require some kind of exhaustive worldwide search, either. This tool was visible from sofas nationwide: Simon from Real Housewives of New York.

1. Dude squirted cologne on his face eight f*** times.
2. Wore a gold bow tie, pocket square, and cumberbund; rode to Metropolitan Opera in Lincoln limo. The vulgarity!
3. Actually attaches value to wife appearing in Style section of New York Times.
4. Crashes wife's Girls' Night Out. And wears poor-man's fu-manchu moustache. Dude!
......................
Simon really creeps me out - if I was in the same room with him I don't think I could keep myself from laughing.

That's a little bit of hyperbole. You can get something nice for $1M, just not what $1M buys you elsewhere. You're not limited to efficiencies or rat infested one bedrooms. If you go into the "boroughs" (outside of manhattan) $1M gets you something pretty decent. I grew up in Brooklyn and my parents sold their 2 family house (occupied by my grandmother downstairs and our family upstairs) for $575k at the peak of the market, and it was a whole house. I had my own bedroom, it had a door on it, my sister had her own bedroom with a door on it and we even shared our own bathroom (my parents had theirs). And no rats ;). Of course in the most glamorous and trendy neighborhoods that's the case but there are tons of nice, vibrant, walkable, fun neighborhoods for a lot less money - they are just not as trendy.

If you've ever been housing hunting in the NYC, LI area you'd soon realize that standard of living from a housing stand point is not a priority. Hard to believe Americans live like that, but they do. LI is primarily half million dollar half century tiny old dumps. Awful doesn't quite sum it up. You have bright spots here and there, but not many. It's almost as if it's expected that one has to live that way "because it's NY".

I've never been househunting there but that's because I can't afford to. That's not my experience of LI at all - but then I am an old house fan to begin with and I'm sure there are people who would consider my old house to be a "tiny old dump." I found it full of charming, walkable neighborhoods. The traffic is horrendous, true, the lots are small, also true. Maybe I just don't hang out in the seedier parts of LI but we've got lots of family and friends there they all live in charming neighborhoods with kids playing in the street and neat rows of well kept older homes. The only reason I'd never live on LI is the traffic - we can spend hours going a few exits on the LIE. A good friend of mine just bought the most charming 4 bedroom, 2 bath home in a nice neighborhood for about $450k. I'm not sure what "live like that" means but her house doesn't look much different than most of the houses posted here.

Alex and Simon literally made my skin crawl. One can only hope that this show, like most other "reality" programs, is highly scripted and that there aren't truly people out there who are so indecently shallow and pretentious. One can only hope ...

That's what I was reading/hearing about too. That's a lot of cash for most people, when 'real' houses are available elsewhere without being crammed into a couple of rooms like a sardine, with little in the way of amenities or luxuries. They could've been discussing basic Manhattan or a similar area to wherever the real housewife is living (not much t'all for $1.2M in and of itself), don't recall. I sure wouldn't do it for an 'address' hoping to impress others. If I was real young, loved city life, and there was loads of fun right outside the door, maybe, 'cause it would be a blast. But I'm a homebody and happily a nobody : )

Was also watching something showing where a lot of those nice homes/apartments in the old NYC buildings have rats they just can't be rid of, and they are just accepted as a fact of life if you want to live there.

NYC is far too fast-paced and rude for me. I don't think anyone could pay me to live there.

What sorts of work do people like that perform daily to accomodate a $2mil. "house"?! Do they have 50 yr. mortgages? do you think they pay to principal every month and make a 13th. payment to principal to cut the term of loan? Do you think they're "do it yourselfers"?

I can understand wanting to choose a different lifestyle but please get off the "what idiots those NYers are" kick for living in their $2M rat infested efficiencies without really understanding either what your money actually buys you there OR some of the wonderful things about living there. It's fine that it's not your cup of tea but obviously some people see some value in it and they're not all morons.

I've never seen a rat anywhere but in the subway and there only maybe 2-3 times, and I spent a lot of time commuting to and working in Manhattan. NEVER saw a rat in my brooklyn neighborhood but seen plenty of mice up here in the country.

I have visited the "Big Apple" a couple of times in my life. And I can honestly say I didn't find the good citizens rude, at all. Life in a crowded metropolitan area rather requires one comport one's self with a cool, detached efficiency. But honestly? every single time I asked someone for directions or frequented a cafe I found the inhabitants uniformly friendly and warm. Maybe that's because I was polite to them. I don't know for sure. But MY experience with New Yorkers revealed them as anything but brusque or rude. I had a similar experience in Paris.

I'm not exactly sure who you were directing your comments towards, but I in no way am downing those who choose to live in New York. I LOVE New York and am one of those people who have always desired to live there, but I CAN'T AFFORD IT!

I have never said anything about rats and furthermore I said one "Could" pay 2 mil for 800 sq. ft. not "Would" pay. It was more of an exageration about how expensive it is to live in NYC (the point about the laundry was there to denote the sarcasm!).

What I don't find appetizing are Alex and Simon's continuous need for approval from the others b/c it seems as though that is what it is!! I think most other people from the city are down right delightful!!!

Shannon

I, for one, really don't care what lifestyle or place another chooses to live, long as they're not interfering with mine. It is a curiousity, however, why anyone would pay that kind of money for so little (in terms of real estate). And a whole lot of people are wondering where that kind of money is coming from -- esp when they are young couples, maybe even with kids. It does bug me, however, when someone talks to others like they are imperceptive, ignorant morons. No one said you couldn't find a decent place to live in all of NYC for less than the $2M place being discussed here or for much of the other outrageous pricing people boggle over in that area. It is mind-boggling -- to most people. Yes, I 'heard' the tiny efficiencies in the city were going for $500K quite a few years ago. Who cares. I rounded. Maybe that's a good deal to you. Whatever. I don't think people need to do a thorough research project before making such a simple, general comment on a casual forum thread.

NY salaries are quite a bit higher, though, than around here but I doubt it makes up for all that dough for the houses we're talking about -- which aren't showing as a whole lot to offer, but are somehow valued at those prices anyway. Sorry, 1600 sf and a 3bdr home is just not my idea of a $2M house, and this is a wealthy area. Whatever floats your boat.

I think you are taking things too literally, kwglisa, picking at the words rather than actually hearing what was said. The cost of living is out of control.

Long Island is one of my favorite places, although I haven't been there in years. I loved NYC my first few trips, don't remember why since I was there on business and lost most of the time. But I grew to not enjoy things there like, say, someone getting impatient if you don't know what you want to order as soon as you arrive and before even getting a chance to look at the menu. How hospitable is impatience. Or when a vehicle just swoops on by, care-lessly spashing a puddle all over those waiting on the corner. The taxi drivers can be real scarey (much screaming back and forth at each other madly last time I was there). Everyone under the Sun is in a hurry and wants your money -- tips, tips, and more tips, who knew. Then we were held at gunpoint in Benneton's. That probably clinched it for me. No doubt about it. Over-crowded, fast-paced city life is most definitely a different animal and not for everyone. People are usually kind of polite around here. Except where the city is creeping in. Downtown here, too, they'll just run you over if you're in their way. No time for people.

Why is this topic on the Decorating side and not on Conversations. These discussions that rip people up and down for who they are (or the posters who comment on something) never go well.

To get back to the decorating side of things - Perhaps there was never the intention to update and decorate the home. Maybe they thought they would just hang out for a year or so and walk away with a chunk of change, and then the market changed and now they're stuck there.

I have a friend who spent 10 years trying to decide what color to paint her living room. Some people are just unable to make decisions, and some people won't do anything unless they can do it 110 percent.

: )

STILL haven't watched the episode but I did some detective work and Alex is full of it if she's claiming that house is worth $2 million. It's one neighborhood over from mine, NOT near the park and she paid $1.275 mil for it three years ago, put down 20% and financed the balance. There's been some appreciation in brownstone Brooklyn but not that much, especially for a house in that condition. It's a three family and the city records show no work done (or at least permits pulled for construction) since purchase. They've also refinanced a couple of times since purchase.

That's an elusive mystery. I still can't figure out where they're going, so not sure how any of them determines when they 'arrived'. ;D

Guess there can be a steep price to pay on this journey. One of the "husbands" (technically boyfriend) just lost his job over the show.

I realize the concept is hard to understand but $2M does not go very far in Brooklyn real estate. Im not sure where this woman lives but there are many houses in Brooklyn that require a total gut renovation selling for that price. If the area she lives in is very desireable, then its very possible her house is worth that much.

But ultimately what kind of loser runs around talking about how rich they are when they live very ordinary lives? Its pathetic really.

We’re very lucky to have purchased a house that has only been owned by a handful of families over the century it’s been standing, and almost all of the detail is intact, though hiding under various bits of sheetrock, paint, etc. It takes time to care for it properly, and it also takes time spent living in the house to figure out exactly where it makes the most sense to put new bathrooms, etc. When we moved in I was 7 months pregnant so we didn’t start any work until early 2007. Since then quite a lot has been done, digging the foundation of the house down two feet, underpinning it and creating an additional basement level. Unfortunately not much footage has been used on that level – it’s beautiful. With the basement having been finished just before filming the show, we’re just now getting to other areas of the house, starting with rewiring the electrics and moving water and gas pipes around. We’re just now looking at cosmetics. It’s going to take time, and it’s not going to look particularly pretty while we’re in process."

I know that one of the husbands is an investment banker. That can represent a wide range of income, but a good, established one will be loaded.

A childhood friend of mine is a money manager in NYC, and his first purchased apartment was 1200 sf (fairly large by Manhattan standards for a first owned home) and well over $1M. He now owns a penthouse in a very desirable area, but I think that his life is also pretty stressful in a lot of ways. There are a lot of layoffs in the financial world during a downturn. He does love his life there.

DH and I were talking about (and have been) why we want to live in Duluth or Port Townsend. We could choose anywhere, and many people we know have chosen CA. I personally don't want to live in CA because I think the real estate is grossly overrated in value fo what you get (I refuse to pay $1MM for a ranch house) but for people who live in CA, it's life and they love it I guess.

I'd rather live in Duluth where a mill will get me a beautiful stone home, 6000 sq ft of gorgeous and historic. It's also not filled with social climbers, who are honestly the sludge of the earth. We have them here ;) They're actually everywhere, but the more metro you get, the more they conglomerate. While I might be able to financially "hang" with the climbers...I certainly can't mentally. LOL I have a hard time keeping my mouth shut when people say stupid things like "a little gold will raise my social standing" I'd probably suggest he paint his nose with gold leaf so that when it's lodged firmly up someones backside they'd know it was "quality" ;OP

In the old days (before we had a 2 year old) DH and I both would have chosen Boston, Chicago, Manhatten or Denver to live in. We like the lifestyle, we just don't do the climbing :) But with a small child...it's just not for me. That does not mean it's a bad thing...lovely children are raised in cities, but I'm going back to my upbringing in a small city, and I like that lifestyle...and want it for my child.

However, we do not travel and go shopping spending tens of thousands of dollars on clothing when half that could be spent refinishing floors or going towards a project.

I think they are social climbers and very fake. It's pretty funny because the show did nothing but show how they are not even close to who they are 'trying' to be.

She is from Ohio and works for Victoria's Secret. She is not making that much. He can't be either. Together combined I'd say maybe they make 250,000.00 That is not alot considering their lifestyle.

I am super uncomfortable watching this show. when you're acting like you're one thing but you're so clearly not, you're setting yourself up big time-- and these people reek of nouveau riche conspicuousness. I just can't imagine anyone in those circles willingly submitting to being on a reality TV show of this caliber. the shame of admitting the Bravo TV cameras were following you to the Met (hopefully this is why they were late). I hope they all turn out to be genuine, but I'm not holding my breath.

Hey, Squirrel, you know, I've had that happen to me a few times too and it ticks me off. People don't even read or pay attention to what you've said and they go off on you! they never even bother to go back and read who wrote what. How friggin sad is that? :-(

Show me someone worth caring about, who treats people with respect (and by people, I mean the help, too), and there's someone I'll stand up for.

Or somethin' like that : )

I must take a peek at that show -- before I set this antenna up and finally ditch cable, lol.

Their house doesn't surprise me, and I understand what a house can look like pre/during renovations. What is really disgusts me, are Alex and Simon's entitled attitudes about everything. They are two of the most materialistic people I've ever seen. So gross.

Ramona's apartment seems neutral and clean, if a bit overdone.

I like the Countess and Bethenny the best overall...

Second, when I posted above, I had not seen all of the episodes as they were Tivoed, and my opinions of LouAnn have changed a little. I will be the first to admit when I am wrong, so I am eating a little crow. However, I still don't think she compares to Alex and Ramona.

Third, I think the point of this post (although I could be wrong) is that when I and most everyone else heard Alex and Simon speaking of their lifestyle, I atleast, expected them to live in some palatial estate with a full wait staff. I was totally wrong to assume this as I have always been taught a particlar saying about assumptions and it has proven to be true in this case (I am just speaking of myself).

Someone posted above that Alex and Simon's home was a three family and after seeing more detailed episodes of their home it appears as if the worst part of the house is possibly a common area. Hopefully this is the case and it would take the co-op, or however they have it set up, to refurbish the area.

That whole paint and floor area really bothers me though with their kids. I know my house right now has lead-based paint and I am moving mountains (my DH) to get it remodeled or move altogther.

I always try (though it can sometimes be hard) not to judge people b/c I know that everyone is carrying some sort of baggage or dealing with issues that make them who they are. I, myself, have enough baggage to fill the entire cargo hold of an ocean liner. This is why I try my hardest not to watch shows like this, or atleast not post about them, but it is addictive. I just can't help myself.

I will refrain about making any comments towards the behavior of Alex and Simon's boys as everytime I say something, G&d always seems to bring me back to my place.

Now one more time, "That is all I have to say about that!" :)

Hahahahahaha! I'm not even sure I "believe" in spanking, but I had an almost overwhelming urge to paddle the hell outta that kid's butt anyway while watching his performance at dinner.

Inquiring minds also wanted to know if those girls on BRAVO, now known as "Real Housewives of New York City" are real socialites. Socialites, yes maybe; Society, no. But then, it could be argued successfully that there is no Society anymore. Socialites go out at night. Society stays home. One of the "Real" Housewives is a "real" countess – LuAnn de Lesseps whose husband’s great-grandfather Ferdinand de Lesseps, built the Suez Canal. (Tyrone Power played him in the American film version of his life.) The Countess de Lesseps, off-camera is a very nice woman, and is also a Native American.
Go to the link below to see what REAL NY Society is doing!

HOWEVER. Screaming. Then pounding on someones $30.00 burger or even a burger that was a $1 who cares. Horrible manners.

I had to laugh when he did so badly at the evaluation. I agree. He's going to grow up to be a jerk. His parents are setting him up for major failure.

You could hear the gerbils on their wheels in these people's heads. I wonder if they ever experience a moment of peace and contentment.

How exhausting it must be to live those lives.

Joanna

-From the posts, it doesn't seem to be manners, bank accounts, or taste.

It was LATE for a little guy, and even the best preschoolers have their bad days. I'm pretty sure there are definitely days when my sweet little girl is a total beast. In fact, I think it was yesterday...

Our home isn't "finished" yet. We moved in when it was sheetrocked and we've done every single bit of the "finish" work ourselves, so I am TOTALLY cool with how hard it can be to make the place "look good" when you are dealing with major work... bear in mind that we didn't have to deal with plumbing/heating/electrical "upgrades". That sort of "infrastructure" is DEVASTATING when it comes to making things look nice. But it's the smaHt way to go about a rehab.. Sucks while you're doin' it, but in the big picture it's the system upgrade that will make or break your "renovation". (agree Kitch.?).

Cranky, bratty kids=cranky, bratty dogs. It's about ROUTINE and LIMITS. Set 'em and live by 'em, or DIE by 'em. Pretty simple.

I can't really fathom their debt, if what has been speculated on this forum is true. I am very close to owning my home and being debt free...it's not easy, but at 30, I have to believe I will benefit from it in the future. Simon and Alex are going to be swimming in debt for years to come.

Now if you had no debt and didn't travel much, $250M would be a huge amount of money.

There is a huge difference between people like us and Bill Gates. Bill Gates had an idea. He risked his financial security time and time again to develop a product. Sometimes he won and sometimes he lost, but he didn't give up and in the end, he won big. I used to work with people like that all the time. My husband is like that. The ability to take the level of risk that they are comfortable with is pretty amazing. It's a unique talent and takes a very unique person. I personally didn't go into business myself because I'm not that type of person. I didn't feel comfortable taking that level of risk. That's the differnce between people like us and people like Bill. It's big!

Lest you think am anti-children I am not. I have 11 children ( between 3 & 25) and frequently take them to dinner out. We go casual and very formal. I don't think there is ever been a time when some group or couple hasn't come to us and said "it has been a pleasure dining with your children tonight".

I would never allow my children to ruin someone else's evening out.

I hadn't looked through the link you provided until today. Seems the Countess was photographed at the NOFA-NY (the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York) benefit luncheon. Not surprised to see her there and expect Jill and Bethany are included somewhere in the website as well.

Mr. Gates is no smarter than I am; his expertise is simply in a different field. If you stripped him and me naked and dropped us both into a remote location I'd bet dollars against doughnuts he'd fare not better that would I. He's successful and wealthy because he was shrewd and capitalized on a someone else's stupid oversight.

He ISN'T smarter than I am and there is no difference between our households, save the BILLS we pay monthly.

If you don't live with a guy like this...or know one well, you just won't understand. I clearly understand the difference because I have been around these types of people for a great deal of my career. I didn't say he was smarter, but his brain works differently, and he is wired differently which allows him to feel more comfortable taking risks than the average person.

What makes you think I don't know "a guy like this", or "know one well"? I contend you presuppose too many facts not in evidence, Igloo.. And you underestimate the thoughtfulness behind calculated "risk taking" and how one may buttress one's self against future downturns with some circumspection before the deal is done.

Just something to chew on...

There is a great deal of thoughtfulness behind risk taking, and I didn't say there wasn't, but it takes a special kind of person to make a Bill Gates...that's why there is only one of him. I have banked people like BG for years...and they're different, not always in a good way :) But different.

While BG may have his buttresses covered now, he didn't always. And if it was possible (it probably isn't) he's the type of guy to continue to "risk it all" for the reward of seeing his ideas come to fruition.

I've dealt with many high wealth personalities. Despite the fact that you want to say you and Bill are the same, the facts are...you're not :) If you spent a few days on the island together, you'd understand some of the differences. Something else to chew on.

And squirrel you are nuts dear :oP

As I said before, you are entitled to your opinion.

That would be Insula Gilliganis. ;^)

The thing about "reality" shows is that the people featured on them are *suppsed* to MOL act like pretentious boors and leave themselves ridiculiouly open to criticism. The desired audience response as the theme song plays and they roll the credits at the end, is to sit back and think to yourself "Man, I am sooooo glad we're not like that."

At the very least, he is a genius in his own field. Honestly, do give some credit where due.

Put him down all you want, I'm sure he cares. And he's laughing all the way to the bank. While having a blast : )

He may do what we like to say are "normal" things too :) Like puzzles with his wife, but he's a different kind of guy..in a world changing kind of way and there's nothing bad about that! I believe in a higher power...that does not make me Gahndi!

Any "bad" associated with the BG personality that I might have implied is just that while they're big risk takers, they're also incredibly intense people as well. DH risks millions at times. When all goes well it's great, when not so well...well he's grumpy times 20 LOL I'm not comparing him or his life to BG's...just that they have some similarities that I've seen in many business owners who are successful. It's all or nothing with these people, (men and women) and for those of us who like something in between...that's sometimes a challenge to work through! Add to that personality that everything you do is in the spotlight like BG...that's a lot to ask from a person and it takes a very strong person to deal with that type of life.

I just think it's silly for people to try to knock his intelligence down. Credit where due. And that is what I believe : )

Personality-wise, he's always been know to be one of the most polite people you could meet, from when he was a child. Looked like it, too, with that pie in his face!

When conversations put an increased emphasis on a particular set of skills or achievements, I worry that other people may begin to buy into the bull that their skill sets are worth less because they are not as easily quantifiable.

I agree that some people are smarter, some are more talented, and some are just plain lucky. But each of us has amazing potential in our own area. -Which I think was Chelone's point. What an awesome world we live in! We can enjoy the talents and advances of others, and even contribute a bit of ourselves.

I don't value one talent, or even a combination of talents, over another. While I admire BG's strengths as a person, the contribution of a global technological advancement and hefty bank account don't compare to some truly amazing people I have had the privilege of knowing.

But seriously, the only way that I would think Bill was "normal" for doing puzzles would be if he had to climb under the table looking for the last piece while wondering if the dog ate it.

But maybe that means the dog is normal.

And just to be clear, also, I'm not a BG groupie and am not placing more *value* on *his* own achievements, traits, skills, or know-how. But I do think being dismissive of, rather than being able to appreciate and acknowledge (like what PaintChips was saying) is in err. He is a truly amazing and interesting individual and life, in his own right, like him, what he does, or not.

And, hey, some of the finest individuals I know have four legs : )) And that's a fact, lol.

As an aside, and with all due respect to Bill Gates, he didn't create Microsoft all by his lonesome. It was an evolutionary process, composed of various talented and skilled contributors in their own right, including BG's partner Paul Allen, who convinced BG to drop out of Harvard and form the company now known as Microsoft. Gates and Allen had a contract with IBM, and in a time crunch purchased the rights to market an already functional operating system created by Seattle Computer Products called Q-DOS and then tweaked the Q-DOS code to suit IBM's needs. The SCP company that created Q-DOS included high school students. So there were multiple key players along that road, both before and after the company "Microsoft" was formed, and BG is no more solely Microsoft than Paul was the Beatles or Mick was the Stones. ;)

Saw most of the reunion episode last night Allison, it was a hoot ;D Missed the first part of the program that prompted this thread, will have to try to catch it again to see what I missed.

How did we get on to Bill Gates? One funny note...I grew up just outside of Seattle and many years ago saw BG at a couple of clubs (if you can believe it). He seems like a great guy but his dancing moves could use some work. I don't think he needs to worry about it too much though...he was still quite the hit with the ladies (this is before his wife of course) :-)

Bill is a smart guy. He was smart enough to capitalize on a really bonehead legal oversight, afterall!

The point I was trying to make is that, IN THE BIG PICTURE, the only thing that really differentiates workaday slobs (like me!) and Bill are the bills we pay. Stripped naked and forced to deal with having nothing... we'd be on equal ground and I'd fare just fine! why? because I, too, understand financial accounting and the importance of compounding interest. It's that simple.

Bill is a smart guy. I'm pretty smart, too! And for some banker to presume that because Bill is who he is, makes him "smarter" than I am is preposterous. Look at the banking industry carefully, my friends. NINJA loans? (no income, no job, no assets) but we'll loan you money for a HOUSE? What's up with that?

Bill and I live by the same "rules". Balance the checkbook to the penny and make smart choices, based on understanding COMPOUNDING interest and how it can work for you or destroy you.

Give me a break.

Anyhoo, Chelone I totally understand your point and generally agree, except for one thing. BG didn't start out rich. He worked at it (how he got there is a totally different topic -- some in my own household, ahem, DH, ahem, believe he stole his most successful computer programming ideas from Xerox and Apple and ran with it -- but then DH tends to be a fan of conspiracy theories). I think the point that others were trying to make is that his ability to launch and grow his business -- and amass an extreme fortune and even monopolize an industry that was already essentially monopolized when he arrived on the scene -- is not just about balancing the checkbook and understanding compounding interest. I understand compound interest and, when forced (LOL), can balance a checkbook. And I'm not too shabby on the career front, either. I have an artistic bent, am good with colors and enjoy music. But seriously, I'm no Mozart, no Lichtenstein, and certainly no Bill Gates. If I were in the same league as any of these individuals, you can bet I would not have spent the past year planning to reno a 1964 split level in the Orange County 'burbs piecemeal over the next 10 years. LOL.

Ramona acts very nervous whenever the cameras are on her, that may be part of why she is so hyper. Doesn't help that her Botox injections are making her eyebrows rise up so high on her forehead she always has this surprised look on her face. The other "housewives" seem more at ease with the camera.

Can anyone tell me why Bethenny is even on this show? I'm glad she is, she's my favorite...but she's not a housewife. Are they hoping she'll marry on the show so they can film the wedding like they did with the OC housewife?

(j/k -- just in case anyone can't tell!) ;-D

They mentioned Season 2 several times - does anyone besides me think if Alex and Simon are on the show again, they won't talk about moving up quite so much? Honestly, if they watch the reunion show, I don't think they'll be back. They obviously do not have anything in common with the other ladies and got dissed by them all last night.

It was the first I had heard about Alex's nude photos.....I so do NOT want to see those. She scares me enough with clothes on! lol

I fear Simon will be asked back for season 2 without Alex

--- JK

decorpas - I think Simon truly is the housewife in that family.

It sounds like they do really live beyond their means. CLASSIC.

Yes, they are that shallow and unsophisticated. He makes a living by torturing his employees and providing lousy service and dirty rooms in a semi-reputable hotel. He gets a lot of his travel perks for free. They’re leeches. Their travels to St. Bartholomew’s is free to him, not his boss. That titanium credit card he flashes? It’s corporate. The townhouse? two tenants, and has been under remodeling for the last two years. They are poseurs, and hardly in the same class as the others in the show. They make Donald Trump look like a poet laureate. At least his children are well-behaved at the dinner table.

If they're renting out to tenants, that's going to go a long way toward the mortgage. If they played their cards right it might come close to paying the entire mortgage payment. But then I don't see how they could have tenants there in the condition it's in. (Mine would be screaming, lol!) Someone else mentioned property records indicate deed is in his name and a female who shares his last name but not Alex - perhaps his mom?)

But real estate prices are all relative to the location. 2 million in Chicago will get you a new 3 br, 2 ba, 2500 sq ft condo in the elite Gold Coast area. That same amount of money in the 'burbs would get a really nice crib ;D In my hometown (small, remote and rural) it would buy thousands of acres easily. But then the income is relevant too. Higher in the city, less so in the 'burbs if employment is in the burbs and no commuting is done, much less so in the boonies.

Yes! I knew I liked her!

I totally missed the reunion show, as is the story of my life, and hope to catch a re-run STAT.

Okay, going back up to finish reading, lol.

No doubt about it. And he makes a great one! He loves to shop. I hope he can at least play tennis, so next season we can have the Romona versus Simon match.

Now that's a show:-)

I love this show and can't wait for next season.

decorpas - if Simon and Alex are back next season, I have a feeling good ol' Simon will get lots of airtime. I loved how Jill asked him why he was at the reunion show since it was supposed to be the housewives. I love my husband but both of us would be ready to throttle the other one if we were that glued to each other. We have some differing interests (he=sports...me=this website).

Chelone...We will have to agree to disagree, but please, when debating, don't stoop to insults. I'm not "some banker" who invented NINJA loans. I was a highly skilled private and commercial banker, and then moved into supervising mortgage lending. To correct your description though, that's no income, no job, and assets. It's a loan program that should be used for people with high net worths, significant assets, and no need to verify income due to substantial liquid assets. It's not a program designed to get poor smucks into debt using the little equity they have left in their homes so that you can then take their property. That would actually be called a predatory loan, and Chelone, I made a significant name for myself FIGHTING predatory lending. I taught other banks how to review their lending portfolios to ensure that their lenders weren't doing predatory lending, and how to design loan programs to help the poor that didn't end up getting them into debt that would destroy them.

When debating, stick to the subject please, and don't insult my work. I'm very very proud of the work I have done. Many are in homes that they wouldn't ever have had a chance to own specifically because of me Chelone...I don't push people into a life of ruin. And would never have banked the Alex's of this world.

The BG's of the world :) Yes I would and did, and that's why I can say I have a good understanding of how they tick. But we won't worry about that again.

Now back to naked Alex....bleh!!!

LOL!