Relocating to NYC -- Best areas for young families? (New York: best neighborhoods, for rent)

[mommamichele]

Hi. My husband and I may be relocating to NYC from upper Fairfield Co., CT. We have 2 young children (1 and 3 1/2) and we want to know the best neighborhoods in NYC for young families. Our income would be 100k. Any info on public schools, best playgrounds, safe neighborhoods, relatively affordable rent, etc?

I have no idea where to start! Thanks!

[snifferer]

use this "nyc neighborhood calculator" and read accompanying article. should be perfect info for you

The Best Places to Live in NYC - The Livability Calculator -- New York Magazine
The Neighborhoods Issue 2010 -- New York Magazine

[nycistheplace]

How much can you pay for rent?
I would recommend Bayside,Woodside,Forest Hills
Most of the family-oriented neighborhoods would be in Queens.
Staten Island is always an option.
Good areas in Brooklyn and Manhattan will cost you a fortune. Even the bad areas of Manhattan will cost you a fortune.

[Henna]

Time Out Kids NYC also does some features on the best neighborhoods for families. Some blogs like Queens Mamas and Mommy Poppins might be interesting reads as well.

[mommamichele]

We will be able to afford around 3k a month.

[Woozle]

Any reason you're moving to NYC with so little money? The schools in NYC are generally far worse than they are in Fairfield county, the commute to Manhattan by subway (if that's where you will work) won't be much faster than from Greenwich by train from the affordable parts of Brooklyn and Queens..

[nycistheplace]

The schools in NYC depend on the neighborhood.
Harlem may have bad schools, while Park Slope has good ones.
BTW are you looking for an urban or suburban atmosphere?
I still recommend sunnyside,woodside, and forest hills.