Pretty NYC neighborhoods (New York, Windsor, Carroll: rentals, lofts, broker) - Page 4 - City-Data Forum

brooklynborndad · 03-03-2011, 01:41 PM

. Another guy who is a Transplant I know used to live near Fort Green. He used to be verbally assaulted by youth gangs and thugs by the housing projects almost everyday until one day it almost got violent. He moved out of Fort Green for his safety.

Mott Haven has some nice decent Brownstones with nice backyards and gardens at the back. The problem these Brownstones are near housing projects. generic white Americans from the middle of no where dont wanna live near housing projects like if they never saw poverty before.

so let me get this straight. in brownstone brooklyn, the transplants leave neighborhoods near the projects cause of real issues with crime and threats of crime. but in the bronx transplants avoid neighborhoods near projects cause of their ignorance about seeing poverty. Is that correct?

ladybuggb2 · 03-03-2011, 03:05 PM

I appreciate the apology Bronxguy. If it's any consolation, my Mom grew up in the Bronx and I have not ruled it out completely. The more I look at rental cost, the more I'm beginning to believe I may have to rethink things. Perhaps it's just the uncertainty and lack of job talking.

Can I ask your humble opinion about Riverdale? It looks pretty green to me, but not ever having lived there, I really have no clue how the quality of life or safety situation is.

Not that it really matters, but I am an Italian American gal, originally from Long Island and my hubby is practically fresh off the boat from Sicily and SUPER excited about the access to Italian culture here ;-) That being said, we would happily live in a mixed neighborhood, as long as it's safe, green, well taken care of, and family friendly.

HAC NY · 03-03-2011, 03:17 PM

Flatiron District in Manhattan is stunning as well! Not sure it's green, but Madison Square Park is beautiful.

ladybuggb2 · 03-03-2011, 03:51 PM

I was actually playing with my daughter in Madison Square Park yesterday, while hubby had a job interview. Loved it there. Even met a nice dad who lives in the hood. Didn't get around to asking about his cost of living. I did see quite a few nannys though so that is prolly a clue. Not sure Manhattan is going to be affordable enough. I'm hearing from a lot of people that you have to be either rich or have roomates in order to live anywhere decent or in anything larger than a studio. Is this true or are there some Manhattan finds for a middle class family of 3 if you look hard enough? Even a 1 bed plus office, den or loft would work for us.

bmwguydc · 03-03-2011, 04:19 PM

Riverdale is very safe, on par with the UES. There are many families who live in the area, as well, so you would not have a shortage of play dates. The problem with Riverdale is the subway access requirement. If you can live with express bus to the Eastside/Weststide/Lower Manhattan, or Metro-North to Grand Central, then it should not pose a problem. The subway will require a bus/long walk from most of the neighborhood, save for the area that touches Broadway near Van Cortlandt Park at the terminus of the 1 line. With respect to MNRR access, there are also connector buses, the Hudson Railink, that run between Riverdale and Spuyten Duyvil stations to multiple stops in the neighborhood.

Riverdale is in the 50th police precinct, which also serves Kingsbridge and Marble Hill, in case you want to view statistics on the police department's site. Once you're up the hill in Riverdale, it's a very leafy area, with many parks, single-family homes, and some great river and Palisades views. Even the more built-up areas of Riverdale are not, IMO, too overwhelming and confining as some other city neighborhoods.

I would definitely look in Riverdale with a family, but you should check The New York Times for real estate ads as well as the Riverdale Press as there are many broker-controlled properties for rent in the area that may not be found on other sources.

Doobage · 03-03-2011, 04:28 PM

Make sure you that when you look at an apartment, check out the neighborhood to see it for yourself. Don't just go by what people on a forum are saying. What someone thinks is undesirable might be perfect for you, and vice versa. That's my advice.

brinkofsunshine · 03-03-2011, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladybuggb2

I was actually playing with my daughter in Madison Square Park yesterday, while hubby had a job interview. Loved it there. Even met a nice dad who lives in the hood. Didn't get around to asking about his cost of living. I did see quite a few nannys though so that is prolly a clue. Not sure Manhattan is going to be affordable enough. I'm hearing from a lot of people that you have to be either rich or have roomates in order to live anywhere decent or in anything larger than a studio. Is this true or are there some Manhattan finds for a middle class family of 3 if you look hard enough? Even a 1 bed plus office, den or loft would work for us.

You should look on the UES, from 2nd Ave. to the river. The further east you go, generally the cheaper the apartments will be.

ladybuggb2 · 06-17-2011, 12:14 PM

UPDATE: Hubby found a job in Park Slope so it looks like Brooklyn is where we will be house hunting. We still need convenient sunway access to NYC since my career requires I be there on a regular basis. As far as budget goes, we are looking at about $2,000/month max for at LEAST a one bedroom.

That being said, I am familiar with very few nabes in Brooklyn, aside from Park Slope, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill and Brooklyn Heights which unfortunately seem to be the most expensive areas in the borough. Is there ANYTHING else family-friendly and comparable to those areas? I'd like to keep the subway ride to Manhattan down to 30 minutes, if possible.

Side note: Brownstones and tree-lined streets are a MAJOR plus. Also loving the Victorians in the Flatbush/Ditmas Park area. Is anyone familiar with the boundaries in those neighborhoods? I have heard mixed reviews about the safety of that area.

Again, ANY help is much appreciated :-)

LegalDiva · 06-17-2011, 12:50 PM

Queens: Forest Hills Gardens; Malba (section of Whitestone), Astoria (by the water), Howard Beach (before it goes into Far Rockaway, by 161st Street and up).

mc33433 · 06-17-2011, 01:21 PM

You mention your husband was at a job interview. I would definitely consider where he ultimately gets the job to be a factor. You want to make sure his commute doesn't have to involve multiple train transfers and whatnot since there are many wonderful options. Although your child is young, if you are planning to stay longer term, you should also check out the elementary and high schools in the respective areas unless you plan to pay for private school.