Breezy Point (Hampton: house, theatres, live in)

[Ogden Assassin]

Originally Posted by Guywithacause

That being said I am sure Breezy Point is a wonderful, idyllic, crime free, family oriented, let's all get along and be best friends, problem free place. =) Sign me up! Oh wait...I can't buy because I don't know the right people...hmm..

Guy, you're not missing much. During the mid-70's some guy at work suggested that my dad, an irish immigrant from Glasgow, "look out there".

Let's just say that when the right people found out that my very pale skinned mom was from Puerto Rico my dad's colleague suggested wasn't too forthcoming with any more details.

And in the years since then I've heard many similar stories.

[Guywithacause]

Yes in the Bronx there are a couple areas like that...one is called Silver Beach. It is at the very tip of Throgs Neck, and is essentially a beachside community with lots of bungalows, etc. It is a private community, and the only way for you to buy into the community is to have 3 "recommendations" from current residents. They work very hard at keeping everyone that does not look, act, and think like everyone else out..which of course is there perogative. Nontheless, it is painfully discriminatory, and they make no qualms about it....it is a very un-American thing to me.

[JSD]

I reside in Belle Harbor, and everyone must understand that you are living in Queens NY. Prices are high, but YOUR IN NY. 35 min. to Manhattan, belt to Gowanus, to BBT. Yes I drive it everyday. Everyone has something bad to say about every neighborhood in NY. But apples to apples, it is a private community in what is often thought of as an urban metropolis. Oh yea I also attended Xavier High school on W16th in Manhattan, and traveled for 1hr on the bus and train each way. It was dreadful when I was 15 but now I realize I would never have it any other way. Some of the best education in the world for your children in located in Manhattan. The travel is a small price to pay for a lifetime of connection with some of the most influential people in the city.

[baylovers]

I lived in Belle Harbor for nearly 20 years and the only time I made it to Manhattan in 35 minutes was in the middle of the night. Let's be realistic, 35 minutes to the Battery Tunnel on a good day then the rest is a big question mark.

I agree with you that to have such an oasis as Rockaway/Belle Harbor in NYC is very much overlooked. Everytime I drove over the Marine Pkwy Bridge or the Cross Bay bridge was like driving my stress into the sea. I miss the boardwalk but I don't miss the tolls & the traffic.

[holden125]

Originally Posted by baylovers

I lived in Belle Harbor for nearly 20 years and the only time I made it to Manhattan in 35 minutes was in the middle of the night. Let's be realistic, 35 minutes to the Battery Tunnel on a good day then the rest is a big question mark.

I agree with you that to have such an oasis as Rockaway/Belle Harbor in NYC is very much overlooked. Everytime I drove over the Marine Pkwy Bridge or the Cross Bay bridge was like driving my stress into the sea. I miss the boardwalk but I don't miss the tolls & the traffic.

My aunt and uncle lived in Belle Harbor until '96 and we went there frequently. Even under normal conditions, the drive from Belle Harbor to Bay Ridge was almost 35 minutes. In the morning rush there is no way you could even get from Belle Harbor to Bay Ridge in 35 minutes. You also couldn't get from Bay Ridge to the BBT in much under 35 mins either. I'd say that the 35 mins should be at least doubled in the morning rush. Too far for Manhattan, by car or train. But my uncle worked at JFK so that wasn't so bad.

[breezyrocks]

I drive to Bay Ridge several weekday mornings a week. 20 minutes to 4th Av/Shore Road when leaving at 7am.

I drive to Manhattan a few times a month--midtown west side. 40 minutes door to door if I leave home by 6:45am, which I do.

If someone works in lower Manhattan and leaves early the drive is definitly 30 minutes from Breezy.

Of course if you leave later you encounter much more traffic and the time expands considerably.

Small price to pay to live in Paradise!

Too bad we can't get truly express train service from Rockaway to NYC or even a Ferry from Rockaway/Ft. Tilden to even just lower Manhattan--would make the commute so much easier for thousands!!

I love the reference to going over the bridge and leaving ones troubles in the sea--this is exactly how I feel when I cross those bridges!!

[SeventhFloor]

late at night i can make it to coney island in 20 mins door to door and i live in far rockaway so 30 mins from belle harbor to manhattan in 30 is definitely doable with no traffic.

[baylovers]

I have always been surprised that they have been able to develop a ferry route from Fort Tilden to Lower Manhattan. With the speed of some of the boats it would be an ideal alternative for travel to the city. Throw in a stop at Bay Ridge and you shouldn't have a problem filling it up with commuters.

I remember there was a ferry to Manhattan from Rockaway several years ago but it was pretty expensive. I don't remember how much time it saved you. Is there currently a ferry from Bay Ridge or Brooklyn? I suppose the other down side would be the distance from the waterfront of NYC to the subways. The NJ ferries provide bus service once you arrive in Manhattan.

[hmmh]

I read there is a water taxi from Breezy Point to Manhattan now

nywatertaxi Commuter ferry from Breezy Point to Lower Manhattan with a stop in Bay RidgeRockaway Commuter Service

[Robin504]

As with many place in America, there are up sides and down sides depending upon who you are, what you are, your ethnicity, race, religion, etc.

Breezy Point is a beautiful place - quite relaxing with mostly white residents. This is casting no negative aspersions, simply answering the question.

If you happen to be a person "of color" -- your presence there will be most unappreciated, to put it mildly. And YES... this type of behaviour still exists and will continue to exist. You may not get a cross burning, but you may be looked upon with considerable "disdain".

Other than that, if you're of the "right description", then Breezy Point is the place for you!

Smooches

Robin504