Manhattan to Brooklyn: has anyone made the switch?

[ursulawrite]

What do you most miss about living in Manhattan, if anything?

My husband and I currently deliberating this very question, and I''m feeling rather Miranda-like in my angst

 

[elle_chris]

Date: 6/4/2008 6:49:57 PM
Author:ursulawrite
What do you most miss about living in Manhattan, if anything?

My husband and I currently deliberating this very question, and I'm feeling rather Miranda-like in my angst

Hi Ursula,

I did. Moved back a year later though

.

We originally started looking at the areas closest to the city. Williamsburg, Brooklyn Heights. Brooklyn Heights while gorgeous, is dead after 10. I couldn't take that. Too used to going downstairs even at 2am if i wanted and knowing people are out and places are open. Williamsburg was overpriced and too trendy for me. Seemed like everyone from the LES and East Vill moved out their to save on rent only to bring up prices. Parts of it are still run down and I didn't feel safe.
We then decided to look further out. Cobble Hill, Park slope and the surrounding areas. Same thing with places closing early and the neighborhoods feeling dead after 10.
I also didn't think the savings would be worth it in those neighborhoods since the renting/buying wasn't THAT much cheaper than the city - but i'd be giving up alot of amenities i'm used to.

We then looked even further out. Like Bayridge far. The rents there was pretty low. We could of rented or even bought a house for what we were paying here. Decided the commute to work wasn't too bad and did it.
Signed a one year lease thinking we'd get used to it and eventually buy in brooklyn.
We were wrong. If you're not used to a 45 minute rush hour commute, it's painful. By the time we both got home, we were always too exhausted to do anything. Our routine became work, home, eat, sleep. Rinse and repeat.
Wasn't worth it for us and moved back when the lease was up.

I know quite a few people that did it and love it though. One couple moved to Carroll Gardens, another just bought a place by the courthouses in downtown brooklyn (around Jay st.). Downtown Brooklyn is changing, but unless you're adventurous and in it for the long hall, i wouldn't recommend it. Still grubby and not exactly safe after dark.
What areas are you looking in?

edited to add: what i missed most was the people, diversity and options options options. Where to eat, shop, go out. Just the fact that you can always find something to do here without spending time commuting. When we moved out to brooklyn, we always found a reason why not to come into the city (tired, late, etc), it got depressing fast. Didn't feel like we we had a life anymore.

 

[ursulawrite]

Thanks for the great feedback. Lots to mull over.

We''re going to try for a baby next year, and with that in mind, we''re looking at three-bed apartments in Tribeca/Chelsea/Union Sq./Gramercy or townhouses in Park Slope/Carroll Gardens and Brooklyn Heights. I''m so torn about the situation, though. We currently live in a loft in the heart of Soho, and I adore the vibrancy of our ''hood. But it can get old. For one, the tourists/shoppers at the weekend can get a little much. And I can''t much imagine raising kids in this area (I do see the odd Bugaboo, but for the most part, this is wannabe central).

Did you honestly feel that the area you lived in was unsafe? I''m shocked that everything out there closes at 10pm; I had visions of Fifth Ave, Brooklyn, be open late, what with all those supposedly great restaurants and bars they have there.

Hmm...

 

[Bia]

Have you considered Queens? Astoria, which is right over the Queensboro bridge is a quick commute and it is pretty upbeat and safe. LIC, which is REALLY up and coming is buidling some nice co-ops that are probably affordable considering the market right now (also a very close commute). I don''t live in Queens but my BF did and its pretty safe, well most areas anyway. He and I live in Westchester and that is pretty dead wherever you go LOL...

There are a lot of great places outside of the city, just keeping asking around and do your research. You''re sure to find a great area for you and your family!

Good luck!

 

[ursulawrite]

Date: 6/4/2008 10:50:42 PM
Author: Bia
Have you considered Queens? Astoria, which is right over the Queensboro bridge is a quick commute and it is pretty upbeat and safe. LIC, which is REALLY up and coming is buidling some nice co-ops that are probably affordable considering the market right now (also a very close commute). I don''t live in Queens but my BF did and its pretty safe, well most areas anyway. He and I live in Westchester and that is pretty dead wherever you go LOL...

There are a lot of great places outside of the city, just keeping asking around and do your research. You''re sure to find a great area for you and your family!

Good luck!

Not really considered Queens. Aside from a couple of visits to MoMa/PS1, I know very little about the area. One of my friends recently moved to Forest Hills, and loves it, so perhaps I ought to grill her some more.

In the end, I honestly think it will come down to Tribeca versus Park Slope, as both areas seem to offer a lot for families (while catering to the needs of their somewhat "cool"

parents).

 

[elle_chris]

Date: 6/4/2008 10:41:43 PM
Author: ursulawrite

Did you honestly feel that the area you lived in was unsafe? I''m shocked that everything out there closes at 10pm; I had visions of Fifth Ave, Brooklyn, be open late, what with all those supposedly great restaurants and bars they have there.

Hmm...

In Bayridge i felt safe but it there''s not much going on in the neigborhood.
Downtown Brooklyn and Williamsburg, even with all the gentrification is NOT however. I guess you get used to it if living there though.

Park Slope is great for families but even the places that have opened on 5th ave didn''t stay open late enough (for me at least). May have changed these last couple of years. Haven''t been out there in awhile. I do remember being there around 12 on a weekday though and the streets were pretty dead. You''d see a few people here and there but nothing like the city.

I''m across the street from Tribeca (Battery Park City) and I can totally understand the Park Slopa vs Tribeca decision for families. Both places I guess have their pluses and minuses and either would be a great place to raise a family. The question really is, can you find an area that you''d love enough NOT to miss all the city has to offer.

 

[elle_chris]

Date: 6/4/2008 10:50:42 PM
Author: Bia
Have you considered Queens? Astoria, which is right over the Queensboro bridge is a quick commute and it is pretty upbeat and safe. LIC, which is REALLY up and coming is buidling some nice co-ops that are probably affordable considering the market right now (also a very close commute). I don''t live in Queens but my BF did and its pretty safe, well most areas anyway. He and I live in Westchester and that is pretty dead wherever you go LOL...

There are a lot of great places outside of the city, just keeping asking around and do your research. You''re sure to find a great area for you and your family!

Good luck!

There are some great buildings going up in LIC and we took a look last year with a couple that eventually bought in Downtown Brooklyn. Only thing I didn''t like about the area was it''s lack of shopping. There just weren''t enough choices even for the basics.

 

[ursulawrite]

I agree with you about Williamsburg. We almost bought a condo there before our SoHo place, and in answer to my question about evening dog walking, the developer said, "Not after dark, and not along the water," which put me off somewhat.

I would love to be able to stay in Soho, but there''s no way we can afford three bedrooms around here. I think Tribeca would make me exceedingly happy as a Manhattan fallback, though.

Thanks for letting me hear about the other side of the Brooklyn coin. My friends who''ve moved there are so blindly head-over-heels, that it''s hard to get any sort of objective opinion from them.

 

[blushingbride]

Ursulawrite - have you thought of moving to Battery Park/Financial District? I currently live in the area now and absolutely love it there (I used to live on the UES and believe me, it''s like a whole new world - sometimes I don''t even feel like I''m in NYC).

First, all the major subway lines run down there and within blocks of each other so, it''s so easy to get around town! Not to mention, you have access to ferries and buses which also makes it nice.

Second, all the "wall-streeters" go home at night which makes it quiet and peaceful (for NY standards).

Third, not only is there Battery Park, but it has the Robert F. Wagner Park and the Battery Park City Promenade - this extends into the Hudson River Park, which is a system of greenspaces, bikeways and promenades that run along the Hudson river. This is probably one of my favorite things about downtown - we walk our dog along the promende and watch the sunset over the Statue of Liberty - it''s heavenly!

Finally, the area has so many new stores/restaurants/hotels which openned up down there such as Hermes, Thomas Pink, Tiffany''s, Canali, Whole Foods, Sephora, Bed, Bath and Beyond, Cipriani''s, the Palm, W Hotel, the Ritz Carlton and broke ground for a Mandarin Hotel.

In addition, there a lots of new condo/apartments going up which are offering deals - including tax abatement - most are affordable luxuary apts. with the granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and hardwood floors.

BTW - my old roommate moved from downtown to Brooklyn and likes it there. She''s in Carol Gardens and enjoys her neighborhood very much. Does she miss the city? Sometimes. But, I know she is perfectly happy where she is.

Good luck!

 

[ursulawrite]

I think it might be a struggle to get my husband down there. He used to work near Wall St., and has vowed never to venture down to Fidi if he can help it (his old firm definitely did a number on him). I do like Battery Park, though, and can often be found running along the West Side Highway with my pooch

Speaking of dogs, it''s funny how much we are taking our dog''s needs into consideration. She is an active breed, and so proximity to a spacious dog run is a must. That''s one of the things putting me off about Tribeca, and turning me on about Brooklyn, particularly Park Slope.

 

[curlygirl]

ursula, we are in the same boat as you except we already have the baby and a second one on the way! I LOVE living in the city and am freaked out about leaving so we''re going to tough it out in our one bedroom apartment in Murray Hill for as long as we can. We own and bought under market value so even with the real estate crunch, I think we''ll do ok when we do decide to sell (probably within the next year). DH has mentioned Brooklyn more than once and we have lots of friends that have made the move to places like Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens and Boerum Hill and they all LOVE it. I think when you have children, you worry much less about places being open after 10 pm so that''s not really an issue for us!

But before we consider Brooklyn, we are probably going to do our research on the areas blushingbride mentioned--Battery Park and Financial District. DH lived down there before we got married and we have friends in BPC and they love it. We just took our daughter to a playdate with one her daycare friends at Hudson River Park and it was amazing--so many kids and families and dogs! We have that strange feeling about leaving Manhattan so I think this would be a good step for us rather than Brooklyn but I guess only time will tell!

Let us know what you decide. I''m very curious about this topic!

 

[ursulawrite]

Shall do. Have you been to any open houses yet? Do you have any friends with kids that live in Tribeca?

Being that we have a dog--and intend to get a second, in addition to having a child (crazy, I know)--our current apartment just doesn''t cut the mustard. I also have a huge bee in my bonnet about outdoor space, which is undoubtedly the countrified part of my upbringing battling its way through.

That new Richard Meier building, On Prospect Park, looks interesting, but the apartments don''t seem to be selling well at all. Are your Brooklyn friends in townhouses or condos?

 

[elle_chris]

Date: 6/5/2008 9:36:43 AM
Author: blushingbride

Ursulawrite - have you thought of moving to Battery Park/Financial District? I currently live in the area now and absolutely love it there (I used to live on the UES and believe me, it''s like a whole new world - sometimes I don''t even feel like I''m in NYC).

First, all the major subway lines run down there and within blocks of each other so, it''s so easy to get around town! Not to mention, you have access to ferries and buses which also makes it nice.

Second, all the ''wall-streeters'' go home at night which makes it quiet and peaceful (for NY standards).

Third, not only is there Battery Park, but it has the Robert F. Wagner Park and the Battery Park City Promenade - this extends into the Hudson River Park, which is a system of greenspaces, bikeways and promenades that run along the Hudson river. This is probably one of my favorite things about downtown - we walk our dog along the promende and watch the sunset over the Statue of Liberty - it''s heavenly!

Finally, the area has so many new stores/restaurants/hotels which openned up down there such as Hermes, Thomas Pink, Tiffany''s, Canali, Whole Foods, Sephora, Bed, Bath and Beyond, Cipriani''s, the Palm, W Hotel, the Ritz Carlton and broke ground for a Mandarin Hotel.

In addition, there a lots of new condo/apartments going up which are offering deals - including tax abatement - most are affordable luxuary apts. with the granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and hardwood floors.

BTW - my old roommate moved from downtown to Brooklyn and likes it there. She''s in Carol Gardens and enjoys her neighborhood very much. Does she miss the city? Sometimes. But, I know she is perfectly happy where she is.

Good luck!

Not sure what you mean by the "wall streeters go home at night". My husband''s one of those wall streeters and we chose to live in BPC because of his short walk to work as did many others.

Yes, new buildings being built and we looked to buy. Found that the CC charges here are higher many other parts of the city and there''s something called a Pilot tax (Payment in lieu of taxes) because the land is owned by the battery park city authority and gets leased out to developers. Not sure if it''s included in the common charges or not. Each building is different and some of it is tax deducatble depending on where you buy.

We''re still considering buying though. Is there anyone here that owns and can shed some light on this Pilot tax in BPC?

 

[decodelighted]

*Sigh* I moved to Cobble Hill from Chelsea in 1993 and stayed til 2002. Loved every minute of it. Saw the neighborhood change into "hip" right before my eyes. Unfortunately "hip" meant I was priced out of buying there. So I moved to the country. Brooklyn is kind of a state of mind - more laid back. If you can adjust to "more laid back" than it would be a great place to raise kids -- minutes from all the city treats but, um, breathable. I loved walking home from the subways in the fall with the sidewalks covered in leaves. Where in Manhattan do you get that?

FWIW, I also lived in BPC (albeit about 1990) -- but I found it cold & remote & kinda sterile. The only plus for me was hanging out by the water everyday -- sitting on a bench reading & drinking my coffee. The Promenade in Brooklyn Heights would work just as well for that!

 

[ursulawrite]

Good to know. I work from home, anyway, so it would be up to my husband as to whether or not he could deal with a commute to Midtown. And some days--today, for instance--I''d gladly do without the "Bird Man of Soho" cawing right outside my window. Gotta love NYC!

 

[elle_chris]

Date: 6/5/2008 11:19:42 AM
Author: decodelighted
*Sigh* I moved to Cobble Hill from Chelsea in 1993 and stayed til 2002. Loved every minute of it. Saw the neighborhood change into ''hip'' right before my eyes. Unfortunately ''hip'' meant I was priced out of buying there. So I moved to the country. Brooklyn is kind of a state of mind - more laid back. If you can adjust to ''more laid back'' than it would be a great place to raise kids -- minutes from all the city treats but, um, breathable. I loved walking home from the subways in the fall with the sidewalks covered in leaves. Where in Manhattan do you get that?

FWIW, I also lived in BPC (albeit about 1990) -- but I found it cold & remote & kinda sterile. The only plus for me was hanging out by the water everyday -- sitting on a bench reading & drinking my coffee. The Promenade in Brooklyn Heights would work just as well for that!

I think you pretty much summed it up with "Brooklyn is a state of mind-more laid back".

I totally understand what you mean by "sterile look" but it''s changed. So many parks, dog runs and people now it feels way more residential.
In the spring, summer and fall it''s one of my favorite places in the city to just relax. Winter however is a nightmare. The wind here, OMG!!

 

[ursulawrite]

Date: 6/5/2008 11:32:07 AM
Author: elle_chris

Date: 6/5/2008 11:19:42 AM
Author: decodelighted
*Sigh* I moved to Cobble Hill from Chelsea in 1993 and stayed til 2002. Loved every minute of it. Saw the neighborhood change into ''hip'' right before my eyes. Unfortunately ''hip'' meant I was priced out of buying there. So I moved to the country. Brooklyn is kind of a state of mind - more laid back. If you can adjust to ''more laid back'' than it would be a great place to raise kids -- minutes from all the city treats but, um, breathable. I loved walking home from the subways in the fall with the sidewalks covered in leaves. Where in Manhattan do you get that?

FWIW, I also lived in BPC (albeit about 1990) -- but I found it cold & remote & kinda sterile. The only plus for me was hanging out by the water everyday -- sitting on a bench reading & drinking my coffee. The Promenade in Brooklyn Heights would work just as well for that!

I think you pretty much summed it up with ''Brooklyn is a state of mind-more laid back''.

I totally understand what you mean by ''sterile look'' but it''s changed. So many parks, dog runs and people now it feels way more residential.
In the spring, summer and fall it''s one of my favorite places in the city to just relax. Winter however is a nightmare. The wind here, OMG!!

I can well imagine. I used to live in a rental on West End Ave, and it was a serious core workout every time I wandered over to Balducci''s and back.

 

[blushingbride]

Date: 6/5/2008 11:08:11 AM
Author: elle_chris

Date: 6/5/2008 9:36:43 AM
Author: blushingbride


Ursulawrite - have you thought of moving to Battery Park/Financial District? I currently live in the area now and absolutely love it there (I used to live on the UES and believe me, it''s like a whole new world - sometimes I don''t even feel like I''m in NYC).

First, all the major subway lines run down there and within blocks of each other so, it''s so easy to get around town! Not to mention, you have access to ferries and buses which also makes it nice.

Second, all the ''wall-streeters'' go home at night which makes it quiet and peaceful (for NY standards).

Third, not only is there Battery Park, but it has the Robert F. Wagner Park and the Battery Park City Promenade - this extends into the Hudson River Park, which is a system of greenspaces, bikeways and promenades that run along the Hudson river. This is probably one of my favorite things about downtown - we walk our dog along the promende and watch the sunset over the Statue of Liberty - it''s heavenly!

Finally, the area has so many new stores/restaurants/hotels which openned up down there such as Hermes, Thomas Pink, Tiffany''s, Canali, Whole Foods, Sephora, Bed, Bath and Beyond, Cipriani''s, the Palm, W Hotel, the Ritz Carlton and broke ground for a Mandarin Hotel.

In addition, there a lots of new condo/apartments going up which are offering deals - including tax abatement - most are affordable luxuary apts. with the granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and hardwood floors.

BTW - my old roommate moved from downtown to Brooklyn and likes it there. She''s in Carol Gardens and enjoys her neighborhood very much. Does she miss the city? Sometimes. But, I know she is perfectly happy where she is.

Good luck!

Not sure what you mean by the ''wall streeters go home at night''. My husband''s one of those wall streeters and we chose to live in BPC because of his short walk to work as did many others.

Yes, new buildings being built and we looked to buy. Found that the CC charges here are higher many other parts of the city and there''s something called a Pilot tax (Payment in lieu of taxes) because the land is owned by the battery park city authority and gets leased out to developers. Not sure if it''s included in the common charges or not. Each building is different and some of it is tax deducatble depending on where you buy.

We''re still considering buying though. Is there anyone here that owns and can shed some light on this Pilot tax in BPC?

What I meant was that the streets empty out, a lot of the stores close and it''s like a ghostown in comparison to other neighborhoods in the city. Don''t you agree? That''s one of the main reasons I love living downtown, it''s a lot less hectic at night and definitely more quiet.

I''m not sure if the taxes are included in the common charges...will try and find out and let you. DH is a property manager and probably knows...

 

[blushingbride]

Date: 6/5/2008 11:32:07 AM
Author: elle_chris

Date: 6/5/2008 11:19:42 AM
Author: decodelighted
*Sigh* I moved to Cobble Hill from Chelsea in 1993 and stayed til 2002. Loved every minute of it. Saw the neighborhood change into ''hip'' right before my eyes. Unfortunately ''hip'' meant I was priced out of buying there. So I moved to the country. Brooklyn is kind of a state of mind - more laid back. If you can adjust to ''more laid back'' than it would be a great place to raise kids -- minutes from all the city treats but, um, breathable. I loved walking home from the subways in the fall with the sidewalks covered in leaves. Where in Manhattan do you get that?

FWIW, I also lived in BPC (albeit about 1990) -- but I found it cold & remote & kinda sterile. The only plus for me was hanging out by the water everyday -- sitting on a bench reading & drinking my coffee. The Promenade in Brooklyn Heights would work just as well for that!

I think you pretty much summed it up with ''Brooklyn is a state of mind-more laid back''.

I totally understand what you mean by ''sterile look'' but it''s changed. So many parks, dog runs and people now it feels way more residential.
In the spring, summer and fall it''s one of my favorite places in the city to just relax. Winter however is a nightmare. The wind here, OMG!!

I hear you on that - the wind is brutal in the winter or during a storm. We had some scaffolding fall down in front of our building back in March during a storm and thank god nobody was injured.

 

[elle_chris]

Date: 6/5/2008 11:44:52 AM
Author: blushingbride

Date: 6/5/2008 11:32:07 AM
Author: elle_chris

Date: 6/5/2008 11:19:42 AM
Author: decodelighted
*Sigh* I moved to Cobble Hill from Chelsea in 1993 and stayed til 2002. Loved every minute of it. Saw the neighborhood change into ''hip'' right before my eyes. Unfortunately ''hip'' meant I was priced out of buying there. So I moved to the country. Brooklyn is kind of a state of mind - more laid back. If you can adjust to ''more laid back'' than it would be a great place to raise kids -- minutes from all the city treats but, um, breathable. I loved walking home from the subways in the fall with the sidewalks covered in leaves. Where in Manhattan do you get that?

FWIW, I also lived in BPC (albeit about 1990) -- but I found it cold & remote & kinda sterile. The only plus for me was hanging out by the water everyday -- sitting on a bench reading & drinking my coffee. The Promenade in Brooklyn Heights would work just as well for that!

I think you pretty much summed it up with ''Brooklyn is a state of mind-more laid back''.

I totally understand what you mean by ''sterile look'' but it''s changed. So many parks, dog runs and people now it feels way more residential.
In the spring, summer and fall it''s one of my favorite places in the city to just relax. Winter however is a nightmare. The wind here, OMG!!

I hear you on that - the wind is brutal in the winter or during a storm. We had some scaffolding fall down in front of our building back in March during a storm and thank god nobody was injured.

hmm.. so did we in March. Are you in Gateway? lol