New York Information (Greene: apartments, rent, neighborhoods)

[it-idaho]

I am currently being recruited for a position with a Company in the Financial District. I am curious about good safe places to live since neither my wife nor I have been to NYC and currently living in Boise, ID. We have two small children and two dogs so being close to parks and shopping is our goal. I would like to stay at below $2600 per month for a two bedroom apt. Also, any additional information that will be useful to us will be appreciated. The thing I have been told is that the Alphabet train lines are safer. Finally, is it better to be in the boroughs or outside the city?

[Colokev]

Well, $2600 will not get a whole lot in NYC. I was living in a 2 bedroom, 5th floor walk-up on the UES, about a 10-15 minute walk from the subway and the rent was $2700 a month. I would suggest checking out some neighborhoods in Brooklyn. Park Slope, Fort Greene, Brooklyn Heights are all wonderful neighborhoods for families. They will not be cheap but may a better fit for you.

Also, I've never heard that the alphabet subway lines are better. In fact, the 4,5,6 line, albeit crowded, runs down the East side of the city into Brooklyn. It goes through some great neighborhoods and it's also has much nicer trains than some other lines. If you're ever on an old, graffiti filled N, Q or R train you know what I mean.

Good luck!

[UpstaterInBklyn]

Hi There,

It can be quite an adjustment, especially if you have never even visited here. If you are used to having big rooms, lots of outdoor space, and quiet, NYC is just the opposite. It is urban living to the extreme.

Plus with children you really need to be careful of the schools. From the other threads I've read on this board, schools are the trickiest of all. I'm sure others will post here with more info on that.

The dogs might narrow your options too. Lots of apartment buildings don't allow them or impose weight restrictions.

You might want to consider the suburbs or the further reaches of Queens or Brooklyn, or Staten Island, which has pretty easy access to downtown from the Ferry. You'll get a lot more space for $2,600, a more family-friendly environment and probably better schools. The price you pay is in the commute (1 hour +). You always need to consider the commute because getting to certain areas from certain areas is not always practical.

Do your homework. It's big move and a huge lifestyle change.

I've never heard that thing about alphabet trains either. Almost all of the trains pass through good areas and bad. The subways are actually very safe. Actually the letters and numbers are left over from when two different private companies ran the subways.

@ Colokev: I ride one of those ugly Q trains every day. The Q ain't pretty, but it's safe and runs pretty reliably. I'd love to have one of those shiny new trains that run on the 6 and the N line now, but I'd miss some of the conductors. Don't the 6 riders get sick of that cheerful recorded voice, "Stand clear of the closing doors please" over and over and over? He never gets angry!

[UpperWestSide1]

I suggest you visit this city first before you make the move.

As fabulous as New York is, it's very different from Idaho so it's safe you come prepared and check out apartments/neighborhoods for yourself.

With your price range, I would suggest somewhere in Brooklyn.

[Colokev]

I agree..the conductors do make the ride sometimes! When you're crammed into a crowded car on your way to work and a conductor will crack a joke..it's great!
I rode the 6 for years, and honestly, I would rather ride in an 'ugly' train that was empty than ride the 6 again!

[holden125]

Originally Posted by Colokev

I agree..the conductors do make the ride sometimes! When you're crammed into a crowded car on your way to work and a conductor will crack a joke..it's great!
I rode the 6 for years, and honestly, I would rather ride in an 'ugly' train that was empty than ride the 6 again!

The "number" lines are the old IRT lines from the days before the late 30's when the subways were operated by three separate private companies. The cars are only 9 feet wide on those, while the "letter" trains are 10 feet wide, so the IRT cars are more cramped. Especially when there is only one line on the whole east side and everyone is in that 9-foot car.