The New York Time's Hunt Column Asks "So Where Are They Now"

A few years ago Joyce Cohen, from The New York Times, interviewed us (Cynthia von Buhler and Russell Farhang) about our house hunt and move to Staten Island. That article launched Prodigal Borough as she listed the blog url in the paper. We have been writing about Staten Island ever since. Cohen's Hunt column is celebrating its 5th year anniversary, so they called to ask us "where are you now?" We are living in both CT and Staten Island now, both places are lovely in their own way.

The original article can be found HERE.
There is also a multimedia slideshow.

Excerpt: And then, one day, they noticed Staten Island. "It was like we opened up a present we had forgotten about," Mr. Farhang said. So off they went.

They saw a few houses with Tina Sirico, an agent at Sari Kingsley Real Estate in New Dorp. The houses in Staten Island seemed beautiful and well-kept, and much cheaper than houses elsewhere. They were surprised and thrilled, especially when they visited a four-story, 2,500-square-foot Mediterranean-style villa, with a curved staircase inside and a lush garden outside. It looked like a castle. The house, in the St. George section, was listed at $659,000.

Trying to contain their excitement, they waited until that evening to place their bid. They bought the house for $655,000.

According to the sellers, Laura Drew Kelly and Michael Kelly, who moved to Dover, Del., the house was built around 1929 by a Spanish teacher from Spain, who wanted a home reminiscent of his country.

The new article can be found HERE
and a slideshow is HERE.

Excerpt: Three years ago, Russell Farhang and Cynthia von Buhler were married in the lush backyard of Fort Hill Castle, their turreted Staten Island home.

“I thought we would live there forever,” Mr. Farhang said, never imagining that he would come to think of the castle as a starter house.

Ms. von Buhler became active in the local arts scene. Mr. Farhang enjoyed the ferry commute with coffee, newspaper and friends...

Ms. von Buhler, who has an art studio in the house, has just finished her most recent children’s book, “But Who Will Bell the Cats?” (Houghton Mifflin). Not coincidentally, the setting for the book is a castle. Back in Staten Island, Fort Hill Castle is currently occupied by Ms. von Buhler’s sister.

Joyce Cohen is also a blogger. Visit her blog at: http://huntgrunt.blogspot.com