North Park Slope vs. Cobble Hill

Hi, I am from a city in Eastern Europe and moved to NY only three years ago and am thinking of moving to (either rent or buy later this year) to North Park Slope or to Cobble Hill. I have a one year old daughter. I work in downtown Manhattan and my husband works in Midtown. When I first moved to NY, I lived in South Park Slope (16th street and 4th avenue) and did not like it because I did not feel safe and because there were cockroaches in our apartment and because our car got broken into and did not bother to investigate even though our neighbor saw who did it-- another neighbor!-- and gave us a ticket instead :).
That said, Park Slope is a good neighborhood for kids. I also heard great things about Cobble Hill.
Can anyone please help me decide between the two neighborhoods?

I think you should post your question in the forum on Brownstoner--I'm sure you'll get a better response there. It's a blog that covers Brooklyn and there's always lots of information and opinions on different neighborhoods.

http://www.brownstoner.com/forum/

Personally, I think CH kicks PS ass. PS has the reputation for being stroller-nazi, and, while CH has its share, there is MUCH more of a mix of types. The food is also better (more highly rated stuff on Smith than anywhere else) and you are closer to more neighborhoods.

I think the pretty blocks in Brooklyn are the short blocks just off court (tompkins, etc.). But, overall, I just like the feel better. Just much more of what goes into "neighborhood".

I can't comment on the kid part, but I think CH is much more desirable than any part of PS. You could say I'm biased because I live in CH, but I chose to live there (actually, finding apts in CH is tough... supply is pretty limited). I like the extended neighborhood (surrounding areas) way better than PS. CH has Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn Heights, & Boerum Hill nearby. Personally, I think those are some of the best neighborhoods in BK. But, it costs more (which makes sense).

I lived in Cobble Hill for years, up till about 2001.

I loved it then, but that was before it got completely gentrified. There were real mom and pop stores in CH then, and great old food stores on Court St., and a lot of old-timers in the houses.

A little of that still exists but much of it is gone.

Personally, I think the Slope is better. It's true that it's a longer commute, but if you're within walking distance of Prospect Park, that park is a tremendous perk. It's extremely beautiful, and less "manicured" than Central Park, which is admirable. There are great free entertainment events in PP all summer long, there's a great dog-off-leash policy in the mornings, the biking is great....on and on.

Also, Park Slope is a bigger neighborhood than Cobble Hill and so you get a better feel for the old Brooklyn "vibe" there, which is the thing that made Brooklyn fun and desirable, in the pre-gentrification days.

As for the restaurants being better in CH -- maybe, I don't know. I only eat out in Brooklyn a few times a year now, when I visit friends. But don't move on that basis b/c restaurants go out of business all the time. What's there today won't be there tomorrow.

Prime CH is not bad, you're not going to be unhappy there. I just think the true old Slope is sort of irreplaceable and unique. A one-of-a kind neighborhood that even gentrification cannot fully erase...

Thank you for your help

"Personally, I think the Slope is better. It's true that it's a longer commute, but if you're within walking distance of Prospect Park, that park is a tremendous perk. It's extremely beautiful, and less "manicured" than Central Park, which is admirable. "

CH will have BBP. And much of it is near promenade.

AND, the mini parks WITHIN CH are like the nicest I've ever seen. That one off Henry not too far from Atlantic, with the halloween parade? Maybe my favorite park in the city.

"Also, Park Slope is a bigger neighborhood than Cobble Hill and so you get a better feel for the old Brooklyn "vibe" there, which is the thing that made Brooklyn fun and desirable, in the pre-gentrification days"

Premise true, conclusion is not. Carroll Gardens is a HELL of a lot more "old brooklyn" than the strollerfest that is PS. Or, hell, Gowanus. Or Red Hook.

PS isn't even close in this manner.

> As for the restaurants being better in CH -- maybe, I don't know.

I trust Michelin, the fooodies, etc, etc. Most of the universally high ranked spots are in or near CH. PS has some, but you are talking SUCH a bigger area that many of them aren't relevant. You just have much more access to good food in CH.

> I just think the true old Slope is sort of irreplaceable and unique.

Except it got replaced and isn't unique anymore.

"CH will have BBP. And much of it is near promenade."

nyc10022, I find that kind of funny in light of what you posted earlier today:
http://www.streeteasy.com/nyc/talk/discussion/8093-how-screwed-is-1-brooklyn-bridge-uh-empty-lot

I guess you think it will actually happen then?

I actually prefer Cobble Hill quite a bit to Park Slope, though I understand why people would gravitate towards PS. It is ridiculous to put forth the "mini parks" in Cobble Hill as somehow adding up to rival Prospect Park though. currenttime, I think your best bet is to really spend a good amount of time in each neighborhood and decide what's best for you. Everyone has different tastes, and the fact of the matter is, these are two safe and pretty affluent neighborhoods. You won't be making a huge mistake picking one over the other.