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First off, I just wanted to say how much I love this forum. For someone who is planning on moving to NYC and was completely lost up until a month ago, this website has answered a tone of my questions.
Anyways I start law school in Manhattan next month, and will be hitting up the city next week to find myself an apartment. After doing a lot of research and reading, I think I've settled upon the idea of living in Astoria. It seems to be the best bet in terms of affordability (my range is preferably $1100-$1400 a month), safety, and location. The only down side for me would be the commute to school. I'm attending NYLS, which is in lower Manhattan. But I'm willing to deal with the 1-hour subway ride if need be.
My question has 2 parts:
1) What areas of Astoria should I be weary of? I've read a couple of places that anything too close to the water, towards the end of 30th ave should be avoided. Any other areas I shouldn't look at? Any particular area that I *should* focus on?
2) A buddy of mine who grew up in Brooklyn is pushing hard for me to consider his old borough; specifically Williamsburg and Park Slope. He said it would be far more convenient for me. But I haven't seen much in my price range for those areas. Any thoughts on their pro's and con's, compared to Astoria?
The area close to the river in Astoria is mainly industrial. In Astoria, you should finding a place near a subway station. You have either the N/W lines or R/V/G lines along Queens Blvd. which connect to the E train conveniently.
Park Slope is a very nice area for young people in Brooklyn and not too far from Lower Manhattan. I spent a summer there some years ago and found it to be quite nice.
Some other suggestions:
have you considered Jersey City? You could take the PATH train and walk 10 blocks to school.
Another suggestion is the parts of Brooklyn that are serviced by the Q train, specifically Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Prospect Park South and Ditmas Park. There are parts of these areas that are somewhat sketchy, particularly near the Church Ave Q train stop, but the rest is decent place to live and the commute on the Q train would be only 20-25 minutes to Canal St. (once on the train).
The stops on the Q that I am thinking of are Prospect Park, Parkside Ave, then Church Ave (which I would recommend skipping), then Beverly and then Cortelyou. Cortelyou is in the Victorian Flatbush area - huge homes and some apartment buildings -- a pretty but mostly quiet area, whereas Prospect Park and Parkside have more urban feel.
Also, if your friend is in Williamsburg, I think the B61 bus runs from Williamsburg to Prospect Lefferts Gardens.
You could try reading up on these neighborhoods and see what you think. They do not have the kinds of amenities that Astoria has in terms of the breadth of restaurants, bars, markets, etc. but you will probably be spending most of your time in Manhattan anyway, so maybe you don't need these things right near where you live?
Some other suggestions:
have you considered Jersey City? You could take the PATH train and walk 10 blocks to school.
Another suggestion is the parts of Brooklyn that are serviced by the Q train, specifically Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Prospect Park South and Ditmas Park. There are parts of these areas that are somewhat sketchy, particularly near the Church Ave Q train stop, but the rest is decent place to live and the commute on the Q train would be only 20-25 minutes to Canal St. (once on the train).
The stops on the Q that I am thinking of are Prospect Park, Parkside Ave, then Church Ave (which I would recommend skipping), then Beverly and then Cortelyou. Cortelyou is in the Victorian Flatbush area - huge homes and some apartment buildings -- a pretty but mostly quiet area, whereas Prospect Park and Parkside have more urban feel.
Also, if your friend is in Williamsburg, I think the B61 bus runs from Williamsburg to Prospect Lefferts Gardens.
You could try reading up on these neighborhoods and see what you think. They do not have the kinds of amenities that Astoria has in terms of the breadth of restaurants, bars, markets, etc. but you will probably be spending most of your time in Manhattan anyway, so maybe you don't need these things right near where you live?
the B61 runs from queens plaza, thru greenpoint, wmsburg, clinton hill, fort greene and downtown bklyn to red hook. and i would just as easily skip parkside avenue on the Q as well.
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