preliminary brooklyn reconnaissance

Lucille:

1. not that I'm a traditionalist or moralist, but your posting says nothing
about a significant or even marginally relevant "other"

2. also, because we remain in a capitalist society, price matters, which brings
to mind the delicate subjects of budget and down payment

3. your best bets probably include Clinton Hill-Ft Greene, where I own, which are up from BAM
4. I spent yesterday and will spend later today analyzing prices in both markets
5. I will be happy to share what I observed

sorry, i wasn't clear. i'm getting a divorce. the "other" will not be following me to brooklyn.

Price range and down payment size are must to be able to recommend something.

Ideally I would recommend renting and getting to know the area. It's really tough to give advice to an anonymous person, especially with young kids.

rb345
about 2 hours ago
ignore this person
report abuse Lucille:

1. not that I'm a traditionalist or moralist, but your posting says nothing
about a significant or even marginally relevant "other"

2. also, because we remain in a capitalist society, price matters, which brings
to mind the delicate subjects of budget and down payment

3. your best bets probably include Clinton Hill-Ft Greene, where I own, which are up from BAM
4. I spent yesterday and will spend later today analyzing prices in both markets
5. I will be happy to share what I observed

thank you for your normal and helpful response. im really just looking at the different neighborhoods at this point. like i'll find some kids activities in different neighborhoods throughout the week and come in check out the surroundings. i will of course rent at first, was just getting ahead of myself.

Hi Lucille,

sorry to hear about the divorce. That stinks.

No broker can talk about race/schools/demographics without violating Fair Housing laws. When we talk about neighborhoods, we can basically tell you what's cheap and has a dry cleaners, and you have to figure out the schools piece for yourself.

That said, a few months ago I put buyer clients in "Prospect Heights" -- I put that in quotes because I'm talking about a neighborhood being marketed as Prospect Heights that we oldies think of as Crown Heights -- and it has a variety of hip and happening retail.

You'll want to consider the impact of the new arena on traffic patterns of course.

ali r.
DG Neary Realty

thank you, ali. it happens. i like that area a lot, around the brooklyn museum and botanic garden. i hadn't thought about the arena, thanks for that too.

If you need a cheaper alternative, take a look at Ditmas, although by then you have a long commute.

Keep your mind open as well to the idea of 1 bathroom -- if you want to be near transport and have a doorman, the 2/2 condos you're going to see are going to be mostly downtown (which has some grim blocks) or pretty darned small. Whereas if you can stand one bath you open yourself up to the possibility of 3/1 co-ops that are going to have a slightly larger overall footprint for the $$.

ali

Bay Ridge.
Safe, quiet, clean, good schools, nice parks, good shopping, express bus into Manhattan takes 20 minutes to get you downtown (after it turns right off Sixth Ave. at 23rd St. it runs up Madison to E. 57th St.).

Nice co-op buildings on Shore Road, most around 6 floors,a few pre-wars; many with nice water/bridge views and a mix of beautiful private homes.

Good restaurants on Third Ave.
R train runs there.

Some doorman buildings in Bay Ridge. One on Shore Road is a rental. Terraces very nice.
I think it's 9102 Shore Road.
Express bus stops right out front going and across the street by Shore Road Park for the return.

Most of the co-ops allow renting after 2 years, so you can also find rentals in non-all rental buildings.

GL hon.

I don't do Brooklyn rentals but am always around for a cup of coffee if you need one.

Just send an email if you need me (put "streeteasy" in the subject line so I can find it.)

ali [at] dgneary [dot] com

thank you

>No broker can talk about race/schools/demographics without violating Fair Housing laws. When we talk about neighborhoods, we can basically tell you what's cheap and has a dry cleaners, and you have to figure out the schools piece for yourself.

My head hurts, two of my different personalities are arguing with each other.

But back to front_porch's point - what this proves is that the broker isn't representing you, but representing the seller. Why would someone YOU hire not be able to tell you demographic and school information? Someone YOU hire should have an obligation only to you.

Ok carry on my two devils.

But back to front_porch's point - what this proves is that the broker isn't representing you, but representing the seller. Why would someone YOU hire not be able to tell you demographic and school information? Someone YOU hire should have an obligation only to you.

Ok carry on my two devils.

Fair housing doesn't care what side of a transaction you are on. Some of the laws are stupid and antiquated, but it is what it is.

Wtf are people talking about... Must know stuff I don't. Anyway...

I don't know much about neighborhoods past prospect park and i'm not familiar with schools. But as far as areas that seem safe and may be more affordable:

Prospect Heights (west of Classon Ave.)
Fort Greene/Clinton Hill (only issue is no subways... Mostly buses unless you're near the A)
Non "prime" Carroll Gardens (though the F being the only train isn't the most ideal)

If you do nonpublic schools you should be ok in these areas I think because it's not about zoning.

lucille:

The nabes saiyar lists in his/her comment:
Maybe O.K. but nowhere near as nice, safe, clean, great schools, parks; all of my above as Bay Ridge.

And you know I wouldn't lie to you.
I'm Truth.

Not to negate Ali's input:
but she got testy on that Marco thread about paint finishes: "eggshell".
"I (she) never said it was a finish..."

It turned out that I was correct.
Primer came through with the exact paint color/finish.

Also lots of buses that go to BAM and downtown Bklyn. from Shore Road and Bay Ridge.

I didn't graduate from Harvard-- but I know what I'm talking/writing about here on se, when I suggest.

thank you, truth i will definitely check out bay ridge. thank you saiyar. all good stuff.

Realistically, to downtown manhattan, most of the places I recommended would take almost 30 min from your door to the end point station. Unless it's a very reliable express bus, places further than Prospect Park's north-ish border would be a bit far from Manhattan. Take some time a look diligently. The good news is apts for sale dont get nabbed up at the speed rentals do, so really get a feel for what you want.

there only about 40% chance i would have to commute to manhattan though, i would most likely work in brooklyn.

shut it, jim

Lucille:

1. you can buy 750-800 ft Sponsor 1.5 bd coop at 345-361 Clinton Avenue for under $350,000
2. maintenance includes all utilities
3. Coop provides 24-hr security and huge commercial laundry
4. maintenance staff of about 40
5. location is 1/2 block to large park loaded with young children - and nannies
6. also 1/2 block to G train, supermarket, Chinese take-out, deli, and bus up from downtown Bklyn
7. buildings have interior courtyard and benches you can take your kids to
8. numerous young couples with young children so parent-parent help and advice will be easy to get

nice prices in brooklyn

Why be sad about a divorce. I look upon divorce as new beginnings. Obviously, someone wasn't happy so someone should be happier after the divorce. So perhaps congratulations are in order for your divorce!

thanks tommy. that's a actually a real divide i've noticed. married people say i'm sorry, divorced people say congrats, let's celebrate! will take some getting used to.

huntersburg: Most unlikely. Thanks.

saiyar: True that the sales prices are good and the apartments don't get scooped up too quickly.
That Bay Ridge express bus is right on time. It gets hung up in traffic when it emerges from the tunnel into Manhattan. No surprise about that. There is another express bus (the x37 ) that skips lower Manhattan. That's even better than the x27 if you don't need the lower Manhattan stops.

The x27 made it to E. 57th St. one mid-afternoon in 50 minutes.
If it wasn't for an OWS protester who decided to do a noodle dance off the sidewalk as the bus was trying to pass the park, it might have been quicker.

sort out schools before you worry about neighborhood--privates are tougher than ever with bklyn's recent gentrification--and the good publics are few and far between

to be an easy walk to your kids' school, and also transport for your work will help reduce stress on you and them

location, location....of school

best privates are around the heights and park slope--rent, apply, then buy nearby where your kids will attend, or buy near best public if you arent pleased with private choices

thanks wbottom! i knew you cared. of course that's the right answer and that's exactly the advice i would give someone asking my question. the only school i know in brooklyn is st. anns. schools are the right place to start.

Not sure proximity helps with St. Ann's. I'm under the impression that about half the slots there are taken up by Manhattanites.

Is the ex staying in New Jersey?

Hmmm. That's a shame. If it's a Brooklyn school then Brooklym residents should get first dibs, then open up to others.

harvard "educated" real estate shill reads poorly

obviously residential proximity of applicant has zip to do with admissions to St Ann's--and no, >60% of current student body is from Brooklyn, remainder from other boroughs, mostly manhattan

the clear point was to not fall in love with the school, buy a place in the heights (as with st ann's), and have child rejected--reasonable advice, given the appx 5% admissions rate for non-legacy/siblings

lucille, see also packer, berkeley carroll, Brooklyn friends, Poly prep--i think you got the point: rent, look at schools, apply, live with the school for a bit, like it, then buy

thanks wbottom, will do.

"Is the ex staying in New Jersey?"

he's not sure. but he'll most likely stay in our ny/philly/dc comfort zone.

>but he'll most likely stay in our ny/philly/dc comfort zone.

Your kids will be with you in Brooklyn and he's going to Philly or DC??

he doesn't know what he wants to do. he doesn't like the new york area, he never did, he came here for work and never meant to stay permanently. we both have family in new york, philly and dc, philly is a non issue because it's so close. dc is tougher but we've both done that drive so many times it's also nothing. i've made it in 3 hours, btw (at 2am, but still), that's a personal best. he'll stay here for now while we're all adjusting but he won't be happy here if he's single just living here, he doesn't like it, and i won't make it too hard on him if he decides to leave because i want him to be happy. philly is nothing, and if he goes to dc, i agreed to meet him halfway until the girls are old enough to take the train alone. it's not a big deal.

Will your girls see him every week?

if he stays within 1hr of us then we'll keep doing what we've been doing - they're with him 3 days and me 4 days and we switch weekends. they are very young and they think it's fun. by the time they realize their family is maybe not the same as most other kids' it will be all they know, all the adults will be comfortable with it and it will just be our life. if he moves away we'll have to come up with a different plan. but these kids have an extended family that has always been around, they've never taken a vacation without at least one set of relatives and grandparens, we're not at eachother's throats, we aren't being spiteful, we will work out the challenges as they come up.

Hi Lucille,
I'd love to talk Brooklyn with you. I have two girls, now 8 and 10, who go to the aforementioned school in Brooklyn Heights. We live in Red Hook, and my husband does the commute to Midtown every day. We've lived all over Brooklyn (he was born here). My company covers most of Brooklyn (and can refer you to others if you are interested in, say, Marine Park), with a focus on Carroll Gardens/Cobble Hill/Red Hook.
As Ali says, there are Fair Housing laws that dictate what we can and can't represent. But I would be happy to sort through options with you.
Tina Fallon
Realty Collective, LLC

love red hook...bitch of a place to commute from, tho

maybe you drop your husband at the subway en route to dropping girls at school?

good fork, ft defiance

Yeah, a colleague lived in Red Hook for years and absolutely loved it but he DROVE to work in Midtown West every day because the public transport was too onerous.

thanks tina, i will keep in mind.

i wanted to tell you, you posted a link for green demolitions a while ago and a friend of mine was redoing her house around that time so i mentioned it to her and she got a lot of stuff from the honesdale store and she's really happy with the results.

i spent all day in brooklyn! and i saw jake gyllenhaal! and then i did a few hours of homework on schools. thanks guys, everyone who responded with helpful tips and advice. i got it from here.

It's funny - the commute from Red Hook to Manhattan is really easy in a car. I can be in Battery Park City in 8 minutes, Upper East Side in 25. But coming home late on the train/B61 bus at night can take an hour and a half. The best bet is a scooter/bike/car combo, with public transit as a fallback option. It's weirdly suburban in that way. That said, I find public transit to be the only bummer about Red Hook. And if it wasn't as crappy as it is, all the other fine qualities (the quiet, the otherworldliness of it) would disappear.

lucille: good to hear about Green Demolitions. That place makes me want to become a flipper just so I can use their resources!

Tina Fallon
Realty Collective, LLC

"and i saw jake gyllenhaal!"

Yum. maybe we should consider Brooklyn.

When I was hoping to buy a house about 8 years ago, I began to explore Brooklyn. I stumbled upon what I thought was a really nice neighborhood - Windsor Terrace. The local parochial school, Holy Name, is supposed to be really good. There are mostly houses there, but I think you can find some apartments as well. To me, the only problem was the F train, which was pretty slow back then (not sure about now). But it seemed much more affordable than Cobble Hill and even Carroll Gardens.

thanks, newapt25

hmmm, townhouse prices in brooklyn heights really have my wheels turnin'. lucille, hope you don't mind me asking the community on your thread...

are there other good catholic schools (private catholic or parochial) in brooklyn besides st. ann's?

go for it. i started with publics. i always start with publics. then take a breather and move on to the privates. but i uderstand there are many and they are widely utilized.

good point. hubby really wants catholic. he's also quoting capote so it's not looking good.