Moving from London to New York, neighbourhood advice (top, town)

[geniojen]

Park Slope is a good choice and is more urban than Riverdale. Riverdale has a more suburban feel to it but it is more affordable and laid back, which is why we get a lot families moving here from Park Slope. Both neighborhoods offer very good public elementary schools. For $5000 in Riverdale you could could easily rent a 3 bedroom apartment with beautiful river views in a full service luxury building. There are also single family houses in Fieldston ( a very exclusive neighborhood with big old homes) but they might be more than $5000 . However, Park Slope is more convenient to NYU.

[Viralmd]

Originally Posted by josephcake

Thanks that is exactly what I wanted to hear. My wife will be studying at NYU for two years but once she back at work we should be ok for private school.

You also need to plan for this...the ERB tests and interviews occur the year prior to admission. And plan carefully, because there are more applicants than free places.

[bmwguydc]

Originally Posted by dixiecupdrinking

I can't believe that Park Slope isn't being brought up. It's a beautiful, safe, urban neighborhood with tons of amenities and an easy commute. It's basically a mecca for young professionals and their families, and people are so crazy about the local elementary school (PS 321) it's practically a cult. It is expensive but I have no doubt you can rent a 3 bedroom apartment for $5000.

The downside to PS321 (William Penn School) is that it's a large school, and overcrowded from what I have heard from people I know who use it. It still has a good reputation, but larger class sizes.

Now, PS234 (Independence School) is also a little overcrowded, but it appears to be at the upper grades where one encounters the larger classes.

And, I always thought Park Slope itself was the cult, not the school...LOL I see why people would like the neighborhood, but some people over there, especially those to whom I am related, tend to take the civic/neighborhood pride a little too far, to the point where they have to educate everyone about the greatness that comes with living in the Slope.

Riverdale is definitely a more low-key area. Realistically you would be looking at a townhouse or apartment renatal with a $5k budget, although you might find a smaller single family home at that price point. Larger houses in Fieldston and west of the parkway in the estate area (many on large lots of an acre or more) are going to be more expensive. However, some of the best views actually come from the apartment towers as some have panoramas of the river and the Palidsades to the bridges and Manhattan beyond.

[Moderate Guy]

Originally Posted by Joe Bama!

Cycling to work is the best way to travel. 75,000 NYers ride to work everyday and I'm one of em'. I save about $80 a month too not taking the train

Guess I'm a little apprehensive of bicyclists on the streets of NYC from personal experience and observation. I see delivery guys zip past at 40 m.p.h. on busy streets and sidewalks hitting or almost hitting hapless pedestrians and their kids. I see bicyclists zip in, behind, ahead, around cars, taxicabs, trucks, police vehicles with no regard to traffic rules or to etiquette or their own safety or that of other users.

I believe that in Manhattan especially, riding a bicycle on the streets is a hazard to all parties concerned and should be restricted to designated areas in parks.

Of course, to top off my personal experience on this touchy subject, I was a almost run over downtown by a bicyclist as I was handing out McCain flyers a few weeks ago. Was that you, Joe Bama?

[dixiecupdrinking]

Originally Posted by bmwguydc

The downside to PS321 (William Penn School) is that it's a large school, and overcrowded from what I have heard from people I know who use it. It still has a good reputation, but larger class sizes.

Now, PS234 (Independence School) is also a little overcrowded, but it appears to be at the upper grades where one encounters the larger classes.

And, I always thought Park Slope itself was the cult, not the school...LOL I see why people would like the neighborhood, but some people over there, especially those to whom I am related, tend to take the civic/neighborhood pride a little too far, to the point where they have to educate everyone about the greatness that comes with living in the Slope.

That's good to know. I live in the south Slope but I'm single in my twenties, so, I only know what I've heard about the schools. And I completely agree about the "Park Slope or Bust" crowd.. it is a little overwhelming and at times super self-righteous. Still, with a decent-to-very good elementary school, the park right nearby, tons of restaurants, and being way more accessible to Manhattan than Riverdale is, I can see why so many people think it's a great place to live, esp. with young kids. And for a question like the one the OP posed.. Park Slope is really the first place that pops into my head as fitting the bill.

[geniojen]

Park Slope is great, especially when your single and in your twenties. I moved to Riverdale as a married 30 something expecting a child. Riverdale is not as accessible as Park Slope but it is a great option when you have kids, want a nice walking community,not totally suburban and you are priced out of Brooklyn ( or if easy access to upstate and New England is important to you). You get much more space for the money in Riverdale which is important for some with kids.

[Wherewillitland]

Hoboken NJ!

[josephcake]

So Park Slope and Riverdale are on the list to check out.

Originally Posted by Wherewillitland

Hoboken NJ!

Sorry I have no idea about Hoboken. The only time I've spent in NJ is in a cab from Newark.

[bmwguydc]

Originally Posted by josephcake

Sorry I have no idea about Hoboken. The only time I've spent in NJ is in a cab from Newark.

You don't want Hoboken public schools as they are not in the same league as the better NYC schools at all.

[Morningside_gal]

You may want to check out Astoria. It's 30 minutes to Times Square by train. It's possible to bike in too (over the Queensborough Bridge).
PS 122 is an excellent school.