I am sorry to hear this but unfortunatley not all companies have great lending practices. Your bank is probably taking the fees to protect its self incase of a short sale or foreclosure on the taxes. If you stop paying, they still have to pay your taxes. Unless they have an official updated tax statement they can not increase this. Give them a call and let them know that you want to keep your payment the same, and will deal with the escrow issues at year end. Certain mortgages let you deal with taxes outside of your mortgage, since your taxes are in your mortgage, see if you can have them stick soley to the amounts published by city hall.

I would say stay downtown, great convenience to manhattan and a lot of stores/restaurants. You can get a great place in a high rise around 2400 and around 2000 in a non doorman building!

As I read these posts, I often wonder if anyone goes to the source and asks for answers or details on the issues discussed or if this is just a forum to vent. Truthfully, I e-mailed PATH with no hope of getting a response to my request on when or if trains will run on two lines (JSQ and HOB), instead of one on weekends. Less than 24 hours later, I recieved the below answer:

"We are currently installing a new signal system througout PATH that will allow us to reduce the space that is necessary between trains. THis would mean that we can run more frequent trains. Regarding four lines of service on weekends, we cannot consider this until construction at World Trade Center is complete. The signal system is scheduled to be compelete is 2016 and the WTC in 2015."

Not the answer I was hoping for but it is a public agency. At least they did answer!

I love Asian food more than most people, but there are five upscale Asian restaurants within a five block radius and various other ones in delivery range. What would be great is some variety, local ingredients, seasonal menu. Marco and Pepe has a similar concept and does very well for many years now. Of course, just a suggestion.