Hi there, In September we are moving to NY from Amsterdam. I am hoping to get your 2cts on what would be the nicest neighbourhood to live, considering I have to commute to Rockefeller Plaza for work and my wife will be taking care of our 2 year old. The following things are important for us (although we realise that we cannot get it all): - park/playground nearby; - relatively family friendly,... [more]
Hi there,
In September we are moving to NY from Amsterdam. I am hoping to get your 2cts on what would be the nicest neighbourhood to live, considering I have to commute to Rockefeller Plaza for work and my wife will be taking care of our 2 year old. The following things are important for us (although we realise that we cannot get it all):
- park/playground nearby;
- relatively family friendly, plenty of things to do with a kid;
- but with nice bars/restaurants nearby;
- commute time <40 mins to Rockefeller Plaza.
- if possible a 1.5 bathroom;
Our budget is about 4k and we are considering UWS, Williamsburg or Cobble/Boerum Hill/Carrol Gardens.
Main questions I have atm are:
- Are UWS above 80th and NW Brooklyn lively enough (cannot seem to find anything acceptable below);
- Is Williamsburg (preferably north) also nice with a kid?
I would appreciate any input and tips you may have.
Best regards,
SBNL
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Response by RealEstateNY
over 9 years ago
Posts: 772
Member since: Aug 2009
If possible try to get something where you can walk to work, it makes all the difference and saves the commuting expense & Gym membership. Years ago, I worked on 42nd St and Madison and lived on 97th and CPW and walked most days. Rock Center to the UWS is no big deal regarding walking, particularly if you are living in the West 80's.
I don't really think of Williamsburg as kid-friendly and unless you are near the M line, the commute to Rock Center will be a pain. I recommend doing a google street view tour around the address of any apartment you're considering to get a feel for the neighborhood. It may be difficult to get something under $4k on UWS unless you are willing to have a 1 BR, which will be cramped for a couple plus child.
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Response by CCL3
over 9 years ago
Posts: 430
Member since: Jul 2014
You should also consider Brooklyn Heights--the prettiest and most family-friendly area of Brooklyn in my opinion. Also close to many subway lines. Here is a $4k/mo 2 BR 1.5 BA in Brooklyn Heights, close to many subway lines including the F, which goes to Rock Center. http://streeteasy.com/building/150-joralemon-street-brooklyn/10d
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Response by jelj13
over 9 years ago
Posts: 821
Member since: Sep 2011
I used to live on the Upper West SIde and worked across the street from Rockefeller Center. I used to bike down to work in the morning and found public transportation excellent, especially since there are 2 convenient subway lines and numerous bus line.
Brooklyn is a bit isolated and all these newly discovered neighborhoods in Brooklyn, with the exception of Brooklyn Heights, are still in transition. Having lived in Brooklyn for 30 years, I can't fathom why these neighborhoods are so trendy now. You also have to consider whether you'd be affected by one of the subway line closures during their multi-year renovations (mostly the L line). I expect it's real estate hype as the ran out of affordable land in Manhattan.
I raised 2 children above W 80th St. and found plenty of activities. There is a children's museum in the low 80's between Broadway and Amsterdam Ave. They have tons of activities for children of all ages. The Museum of Natural History is very child friendly, especially with young children. The have classes or activities also. The Museum is a great "hang out" in inclement weather. Central Park and Riverside Park have tons of upgraded playgrounds and there are "pocket" playgrounds and gardens scattered between CPW and Riverside Drive. Some of the pocket parks (W 89 St between Columbus and Amsterdam Aves., for example) have special shows for children scheduled. Central Park has the Swedish Cottage, a place that has puppet shows for young children. On the other side of the Park is the Children's Zoo and the Central Park Zoo, another place for young children. Barnes and Noble in the W 80s is child friendly also and often has special readings, etc. for young children.
Then you have to consider shopping. The UWS has every possible store you could need for a family: children's shoe stores (Harry's), toy stores, baby supplies (W 95th and Amsterdam), tons of great restaurants, specialty grocery stores (Zabar's and Fairway) along with chain supermarkets, fruit markets, appliance and linen stores, to name a few. There are very few places in the city that actually fit children's shoes; the UWS has one of the few in Manhattan.
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Response by RealEstateNY
over 9 years ago
Posts: 772
Member since: Aug 2009
Check out the buildings that used to be call Parkwest Village. It's 7 buildings between 97th and 100th streets on Central Park West down to almost Amsterdam. One bedrooms are large with dining alcoves (can be used as a child's room) and balconies. There are also children's play rooms and gyms in most of the buildings, outdoor play areas, and Central Park is right across the street.
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Response by snezanc
over 9 years ago
Posts: 121
Member since: Oct 2007
There are tons of children that live right on McCarren Park in Williamsburg. It's become very child friendly and new parents are moving into the neighborhood all the time. You'll see tons of strollers doing a walk on the running track. Carroll Gardens/Cobble Hill has been prime destination for parents for decades but things close down early and it's more a quiet neighborhood. The difference between the two neighborhoods is that Williamsburg parents will still get down to party and they take their kids to bars, Spritzenhaus, there are also a lot of expats there. Cobble Hill is more established...
UWS, if you want an area with the same amenities as Brooklyn, you're looking at $6k - $8k for a two bedroom. Flip side, your kid can walk to the Natural History museum and do a sleepover night, can't do that in BK. Your budget is okay for Wiliamsburg, you will get a new building with laundry in unit. Cobble Hill/Carroll Gardens is older buildings, walkups, etc.. you may have to forego laundry in building.
I've lived in both, feel free to email me if you'd like more info, snezan.cebic@elliman.com
Best
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Response by RE10023
over 9 years ago
Posts: 74
Member since: May 2011
Agree with everything said here. But can't stress enough the closure of the L train that is set to begin in 2019. This will make commuting to Rock Center difficult. UWS would be ideal (80s and 90s are very kid friendly, a lot going on, easy commute using the B train) but you need to set your parameters here on Streeteasy and get daily emails on what is coming available to find that needle in the haystack for your price point.
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Response by KAS61
over 9 years ago
Posts: 126
Member since: Mar 2012
Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village are worth considering as they are very family oriented with lots of open space:
Go with Cobble Hill. Not that the F train is great alternative, but it is there.
UWS too boring if you are coming from Amsterdam.
Williamsburg - people have to be kidding. Don't raise kids there. And the transportation will only get worse. And worse.
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Response by skrufi
over 9 years ago
Posts: 57
Member since: Oct 2013
I'm with Snezank - McCarren is actually in Greenpoint but still... I live up there myself and there's tons of kids around - it's a great mix with kid friendly activities but not being so child-centric that that becomes your whole world. It's also not confined to the L train - it's an easy commute from the G to the M through LIC to get to Rockefeller Center within 40 minutes. Also, it's much more affordable than Cobble Hill or Brooklyn Heights and you wouldn't feel locked into a neighborhood - you can walk to Williamsburg proper, walk to the water, picnic at the park and get to the city easily.
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Response by front_porch
over 9 years ago
Posts: 5319
Member since: Mar 2008
What are you doing for preschool? I would answer that question first, and then the neighborhood question second. Especially if you're not doing a 2s program but do plan to send your kid to preschool when he/she is 3, you will find that there are fewer slots (especially at "prestigious" preschools) than there are nice apartments. It would be a drag to settle in Brooklyn and then shlep the kid to the UWS, or the other way around.
ali r.
{downtown broker}
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Response by UES_Ida
over 9 years ago
Posts: 76
Member since: Oct 2015
Brooklyn Heights is a great idea, actually has a similar feel to Amsterdam. I wouldn't do Williamsburg and much of BK is really hard to get a feel for if you're not here to look at places - a lot of what's advertised as Prime Whatever is really not. I'd do the UWS and walk to/from work in good weather.
If possible try to get something where you can walk to work, it makes all the difference and saves the commuting expense & Gym membership. Years ago, I worked on 42nd St and Madison and lived on 97th and CPW and walked most days. Rock Center to the UWS is no big deal regarding walking, particularly if you are living in the West 80's.
I think Greenpoint would be an excellent choice - there's two wonderful parks - McCarren and McGorlick, playgrounds galore, a huge free outdoor swimming pool, great bars, restaurants, cafes and shops. http://www.amny.com/real-estate/city-living/brooklyn/city-living-greenpoint-has-charm-and-neighborliness-1.9216903
I don't really think of Williamsburg as kid-friendly and unless you are near the M line, the commute to Rock Center will be a pain. I recommend doing a google street view tour around the address of any apartment you're considering to get a feel for the neighborhood. It may be difficult to get something under $4k on UWS unless you are willing to have a 1 BR, which will be cramped for a couple plus child.
You should also consider Brooklyn Heights--the prettiest and most family-friendly area of Brooklyn in my opinion. Also close to many subway lines. Here is a $4k/mo 2 BR 1.5 BA in Brooklyn Heights, close to many subway lines including the F, which goes to Rock Center. http://streeteasy.com/building/150-joralemon-street-brooklyn/10d
I used to live on the Upper West SIde and worked across the street from Rockefeller Center. I used to bike down to work in the morning and found public transportation excellent, especially since there are 2 convenient subway lines and numerous bus line.
Brooklyn is a bit isolated and all these newly discovered neighborhoods in Brooklyn, with the exception of Brooklyn Heights, are still in transition. Having lived in Brooklyn for 30 years, I can't fathom why these neighborhoods are so trendy now. You also have to consider whether you'd be affected by one of the subway line closures during their multi-year renovations (mostly the L line). I expect it's real estate hype as the ran out of affordable land in Manhattan.
I raised 2 children above W 80th St. and found plenty of activities. There is a children's museum in the low 80's between Broadway and Amsterdam Ave. They have tons of activities for children of all ages. The Museum of Natural History is very child friendly, especially with young children. The have classes or activities also. The Museum is a great "hang out" in inclement weather. Central Park and Riverside Park have tons of upgraded playgrounds and there are "pocket" playgrounds and gardens scattered between CPW and Riverside Drive. Some of the pocket parks (W 89 St between Columbus and Amsterdam Aves., for example) have special shows for children scheduled. Central Park has the Swedish Cottage, a place that has puppet shows for young children. On the other side of the Park is the Children's Zoo and the Central Park Zoo, another place for young children. Barnes and Noble in the W 80s is child friendly also and often has special readings, etc. for young children.
Then you have to consider shopping. The UWS has every possible store you could need for a family: children's shoe stores (Harry's), toy stores, baby supplies (W 95th and Amsterdam), tons of great restaurants, specialty grocery stores (Zabar's and Fairway) along with chain supermarkets, fruit markets, appliance and linen stores, to name a few. There are very few places in the city that actually fit children's shoes; the UWS has one of the few in Manhattan.
Check out the buildings that used to be call Parkwest Village. It's 7 buildings between 97th and 100th streets on Central Park West down to almost Amsterdam. One bedrooms are large with dining alcoves (can be used as a child's room) and balconies. There are also children's play rooms and gyms in most of the buildings, outdoor play areas, and Central Park is right across the street.
There are tons of children that live right on McCarren Park in Williamsburg. It's become very child friendly and new parents are moving into the neighborhood all the time. You'll see tons of strollers doing a walk on the running track. Carroll Gardens/Cobble Hill has been prime destination for parents for decades but things close down early and it's more a quiet neighborhood. The difference between the two neighborhoods is that Williamsburg parents will still get down to party and they take their kids to bars, Spritzenhaus, there are also a lot of expats there. Cobble Hill is more established...
UWS, if you want an area with the same amenities as Brooklyn, you're looking at $6k - $8k for a two bedroom. Flip side, your kid can walk to the Natural History museum and do a sleepover night, can't do that in BK. Your budget is okay for Wiliamsburg, you will get a new building with laundry in unit. Cobble Hill/Carroll Gardens is older buildings, walkups, etc.. you may have to forego laundry in building.
I've lived in both, feel free to email me if you'd like more info, snezan.cebic@elliman.com
Best
Agree with everything said here. But can't stress enough the closure of the L train that is set to begin in 2019. This will make commuting to Rock Center difficult. UWS would be ideal (80s and 90s are very kid friendly, a lot going on, easy commute using the B train) but you need to set your parameters here on Streeteasy and get daily emails on what is coming available to find that needle in the haystack for your price point.
Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village are worth considering as they are very family oriented with lots of open space:
http://www.stuytown.com
Go with Cobble Hill. Not that the F train is great alternative, but it is there.
UWS too boring if you are coming from Amsterdam.
Williamsburg - people have to be kidding. Don't raise kids there. And the transportation will only get worse. And worse.
I'm with Snezank - McCarren is actually in Greenpoint but still... I live up there myself and there's tons of kids around - it's a great mix with kid friendly activities but not being so child-centric that that becomes your whole world. It's also not confined to the L train - it's an easy commute from the G to the M through LIC to get to Rockefeller Center within 40 minutes. Also, it's much more affordable than Cobble Hill or Brooklyn Heights and you wouldn't feel locked into a neighborhood - you can walk to Williamsburg proper, walk to the water, picnic at the park and get to the city easily.
What are you doing for preschool? I would answer that question first, and then the neighborhood question second. Especially if you're not doing a 2s program but do plan to send your kid to preschool when he/she is 3, you will find that there are fewer slots (especially at "prestigious" preschools) than there are nice apartments. It would be a drag to settle in Brooklyn and then shlep the kid to the UWS, or the other way around.
ali r.
{downtown broker}
Brooklyn Heights is a great idea, actually has a similar feel to Amsterdam. I wouldn't do Williamsburg and much of BK is really hard to get a feel for if you're not here to look at places - a lot of what's advertised as Prime Whatever is really not. I'd do the UWS and walk to/from work in good weather.
My vote is for Boerum Hill!