Need info on moving to NYC (New York, Victor: mortgage, houses, private school)

[analyticalkeys]

Originally Posted by tonrob

This can happen in a any large city. There was a thread on the UK forum a while back about how this happens in London.

Yes, it can happen in any large city, but it doesn't always, and it does tend to happen more often in NYC than in the other large cities I've seen around the U.S., so this is why we get this bad rap for it.

[puppi]

best area to live in New York is Park Slope Brooklyn, but it is a bit too expensive for families with children.

[Viralmd]

Originally Posted by puppi

best area to live in New York is Park Slope Brooklyn, but it is a bit too expensive for families with children.

This is quite untrue. There are many, MANY nice areas in which to live in NYC. And there are more families in Park Slope than most other places in Brooklyn.

Where are you getting your information?

[getupandgo]

yeah there is def. a lot of good places to live!

[Blackheart]

My advice to anyone moving to NYC, DON'T DO IT. I have lived in a number of cities (Chicago, L.A. Seattle, Las Vegas) and New York is by far the worst. Its an ugly city (skyscrapers and dirt), the people are the most miserable you will encounter (rude and cruel for no reason). The weather is awful (either very cold or very hot and humid). I will say one thing for NYC, they have more bugs and rodents (roaches, bed bugs, rats, etc) then any place I have ever seen. As soon as I have enough money, I'm gone.

[Viralmd]

Originally Posted by blackheart

my advice to anyone moving to nyc, don't do it. I have lived in a number of cities (chicago, l.a. Seattle, las vegas) and new york is by far the worst. Its an ugly city (skyscrapers and dirt), the people are the most miserable you will encounter (rude and cruel for no reason). The weather is awful (either very cold or very hot and humid). I will say one thing for nyc, they have more bugs and rodents (roaches, bed bugs, rats, etc) then any place i have ever seen. As soon as i have enough money, i'm gone.

bye!!!!

[nyc_sport]

Blackheart -- I have begun taking a collection to assist in your departure, but it turns out no one cares.

[I2MISSNY]

I couldn't have said it better!

[Greeneyed Grad]

That depends on 2 things: whether you have jobs lined up already (highly recommend) and whether you are planning to rent or buy.

85K lands you as an avg middle class family in NYC. That means Manhattan will be unaffordable unless you're rich so you're better off in Queens or Brooklyn.

QUEENS is the most diverse, multi-ethnic, multicultural borough, ranging from working to upper middle class family neighborhoods. Forest Hills, Astoria and Jackson Heights are the top three most popular Queens neighborhoods for home seekers in New York City. All of them are mostly safe day or night (unless you plan to walk the streets at 3am in the morning. Even then, nothing much happens).

Astoria is closest to Manhattan and formerly a Greek and Italian neighborhood, but now it is mixed. It is generally quiet with some good restaurants.

Jackson Heights which is a vibrant (i.e. busy) community of mostly Indian/Asian/Hispanic working class families, with some mix from East Europe and just about everyone else in the world. Walking in downtown Jackson Heights feels like you're in Bombay. Turn two streets and it feels you're in China or Korea. Walk further and you're in Colombia, etc. Good if you're into other cultures. A culture shock if you prefer a more "traditional" American feel. Some of the best, affordable family restaurants are in JH, with food from India, Korea, Argentina, Colombia, Thai, etc. Transportation is excellent, as there are about 5 subways, 2 express to Manhattan (about 15 min to Midtown).

Go for Forest Hills, which is just east of JH (about 20 min to Midtown) and mostly upscale but still more affordable than Manhattan. That also means that the neighborhood is prettier (although JH has some historic buildings as well) and will have better schools and day care. You might be able to find something here depending on how much you're willing to pay. Some parts of Kew Gardens are nice too. Same 2 express subways that are in JH pass through Forest Hills as well. Another is Bayside, but it is further into Long Island and the commute is longer. However, the schools and neighborhoods are excellent and still affordable.

In contrast to the Queens cultural soup, BROOKLYN is a study in ethnically distinct neighborhoods. Brooklyn Heights and Park Slope are upscale and beautiful and almost as expensive as Manhattan, if you can even find a place. Cobble Hill/Carroll Gardens or Prospect Heights are more affordable and still nice, but they are rapidly moving up in price.

[Greeneyed Grad]

Bodega is the Spanish term for the convenience store. I agree there's still plenty of culture here. The buildings and architecture here are also older, historic and more resilient, and give the city character. You can't compare it to the type of stuff that is pt up in say, California or Florida.

By the way, I've survived NY on less than 2,000. Survived, not enjoyed.