By Joe Catalano
When Robert and Edna Erikson moved into their West Babylon rental apartment, it was planned as s short stay. That was in January, 1969. This January, the couple signed their 30th one-year leave.

But the Eriksons aren't alone. Six other original tenants still live at The Harbour Club, the 330-unit complex celebrating it's 30th anniversary this fall. In fact, 21 tenants have lived in the same apartment for 20 or more years with over 15 percent of the tennancy here a decade or longer.

The number of long time tenents surprises even Susan Barbash, president of Barbash Associates in Babylon, which built the complex and operates it. "It's not typical of Long Island housing. Most people aspire for ownership," she said. Apartments usually attend a transient population waiting to buy their first home or stopping off between homes, she said.

That was the Eriksons' original intention. "We had just sold our nine-room house in West Islip," said Robbert Erikson. The plan was to find a condo and move on. "But we didn't see anything we liked. Before we knew it, one turned into 10 and 10 into 30."

When Ann Blackman and her late husband gave up their Queens apartment to move into The Harbour Club, "the place wasn't even completed," Blackman said. "We had to stay in a nearby motel." They moved into their second floor one-bedroom apartment September 1, 1968. "We ended up liking it so much that we never really thought about buying a house," said Blackman.

In the mid 80s, Barbash Associates considered converting the complex to a co-op, like a number of other garden apartment complex landlords did. "But we couldn't part with it," Barbash said.

Barbash credits tenant loyalty to the complex' waterfront location and amenities including a marina, swimming pool and clubhouse. "It is also well-maintained and very quiet here, "Erikson said. Good shopping is within walking distance, he added.

Complaints?
There could be more parking, Blackman said. And rents have risen over the years, leaving some senior residents hoping they won't be priced out someday. A one bedroom unit with terrace on the second floor that went for $220 a month in 1968 is now $1,105.

But neither the Eriksons nor Blackman plan to move anytime soon. "I pray to God they carry me out of here." Blackman said.

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