Where should we live?

Sounds like you should just stay put - your rent is reasonable and your space adequate. While there are a lack of amenities, I think you'd be hard put to get more space for your money and be close to the park UNLESS you are willing to relocate to Sunset Park or Bay Ridge for the food possibilities.

Posted by: guest at January 11, 2008 8:08 AM

Oh, I wish I had your problems. I think you can afford a large Park Slope or Fort Greene or Cobble Hill condo.

Posted by: guest at January 11, 2008 8:11 AM

How does one make 200K by working from home? I'd love to know the secret!

Anyway, sounds like you can definitely afford a neighborhood with more amenities, if you're looking to buy, or rent even. I've seen lots of co-ops and/or condos for sale on the 8th Ave side of the park (since you mentioned liking the park).

Posted by: guest at January 11, 2008 9:15 AM

Try the NYTimes calculator for gauging financially whether renting or owning is better.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/10/business/2007_BUYRENT_GRAPHIC.html

Prospect Heights is a great neighborhood near Prospect Park and other amenities both in the Heights and Park Slope, without the Park Slope prices. School districts need researching as I'm not familiar with them.

Posted by: guest at January 11, 2008 9:30 AM

Jackson Heights!

Posted by: guest at January 11, 2008 9:34 AM

If you want the park, a good school district, a good amount of amentities, and more reasonable prices, then look at Windsor Terrace.

Posted by: guest at January 11, 2008 9:37 AM

a well to do named "slick" is looking for advice on the internet...

make your own conclusions

Posted by: guest at January 11, 2008 10:00 AM

whatever you do, make sure you are in a good school district. I have been going throught school hell for a while now, but of course, with your salary you could afford private

Posted by: guest at January 11, 2008 10:07 AM

you can find a lovely 2 bedroom in park slope for around 700-800K or so.

this neighborhood will fare best if a recession really does set in.

which is looking more and more likely.

Posted by: guest at January 11, 2008 10:53 AM

Normally I'd offer a rational, well-considered answer to a post like this. But you sound like a troll. On the off-chance that you're not, I say: Figure it out for yourself.

What kind of idiot goes to a forum like this for advice on such an important decision like where to live?

If I were in your shoes, I'd move to Santa Cruz, or Charleston, or anywhere with better weather.

Why live on the "wrong" side of PP if you can make that much money working from home? I'd be on the first plane to Provence, if it were me.

Posted by: guest at January 11, 2008 11:14 AM

You'd like living in Park Slope or Prospect Heights much better. But your 2-bdrm there would be closer to 1000 sq ft. than 1500. For that kind of space in an apartment, you'd have to pay well over a million. Which in my mind, since I don't think the high prices on large apartments are worth it unless you are an apartment dweller by nature with no desire to maintain a house, then you are into spending the kind of money where you should consider buying a house instead, which puts you far out of Park Slope or Prospect Heights - unless you've got really unlimited cash - and the house hunt will send you to Crown Heights, BedStuy, Sunset Park, or Bay Ridge for better prices. You have to decide what you want in order to know where you can find it. Do you want to own, or do you like renting? You have a really sweet deal now - apartment that size in the Slope would cost you way more - like close to 1500 more - than you are paying now.

Posted by: guest at January 11, 2008 11:34 AM

It's not idiotic to ask this question.

There are so many pockets and neighborhoods in Brooklyn, and hearing people's direct personal experience helps make this important decision about where to buy. It's exactly because it's such a big investment that someone SHOULD be askig for feedback and opinions. That doesn't mean the OP is going to believe everything he's told! Silly.

We live in Lefferts Manor and love it. But I hear you about lack of amenities. We don't miss the fancy restaurants, as we're so close to Park Slope it's quick to get there on the subway or by car, and honestly we're happy to have an excuse to cook at home finally. We cook at home way way more often now which has been nice. PLG needs a better grocery, for sure. As for schools, we're not going the public school route regardless of where we live (just based on our personal experiences not on snobbery) so choosing an affordable house so we could afford private schools was the right choice for us. And we appreciate the great subway options here; that was as important as anything else in selecting a neighborhood.

But my story doesn't say anything about what's best for you. It only illustrates that everybody's priorities and needs are different. If you outline your "must-haves" in more detail, it would help everyone here with making recommendations. Like if subways are not as important, there are more options to choose from located further out in Brooklyn.

Posted by: guest at January 11, 2008 11:56 AM

"We appreciate arugula and other high end grocery items"

Posted by: guest at January 11, 2008 12:21 PM

Yeah but there are several neighborhoods that offer a good grocery. So the post basically asks nearly every neighborhood in Brooklyn to report in what it's like to live there. It would be more productive (and self-responsible) for the OP to do a search for each neighborhood name in archives, and review comments.

Posted by: guest at January 11, 2008 12:37 PM

People, $200k just isn't enough or unusual. 2 professional adults in NYC do make this much and still can't afford 1500 sq ft in park slope (certainly not the part with the coveted public school). You won't have the same deductions for a home office when you own although you'll have other deductions. I don't know how much you have for a downpayment, but it seems you already know you can't get a large enough loan for 1500 sq ft with that kind of park access with that income.

If the park is so important, stay where you are for now. Put away more to buy in a few years in the area with the school you want. You can give up the park then.

Given your age, is your business and the income going to grow over the next few years? If it does, will you need to expand to add support staff and then need to pay for outside office space? Will you add another kid or several to the mix? In other words, you've told us some about you now, but a purchase is not a financially static event. What can you expect to change in your near future other than having a school age kid?

Also, fresh direct will bring the arugula to you. If you can walk through the park once a week, the grand army plaza farmers market does have decent produce.

Posted by: guest at January 11, 2008 12:43 PM

Even if you can afford it, there are so few condos or coops in Park Slope that are 1500 square feet. We looked and never found one. The bigger family size 3BR's we saw were still small and with tiny bedrooms. For that kind of space in Park Slope, people buy a house and make part of the house a rental apartment, and maintain an owner's duplex for themselves.

You have to stick with that big prewar type of building to find that kind of space. The prewar coop buildings are found in PLG where you are, Brooklyn Heights & PPW (very pricey), Eastern Parkway, Windsor Terrace, Kensington, and Bay Ridge.

Posted by: guest at January 11, 2008 12:53 PM

try upstate.

Posted by: guest at January 11, 2008 1:28 PM

Can you get 1500 sq ft for under $1M in prospect heights? Why are people suggesting it? Does it actually have better schools than plg? Why move around the corner of the park just to get a few blocks closer to the amenities of park slope arugula and restaurants.

Posted by: guest at January 11, 2008 1:59 PM

www.vermeilcondominiums.com

Posted by: guest at January 11, 2008 2:11 PM

Bay Ridge is defnitely your best bang for the buck if you don't have to commute.

Instead of being across from Prospect Park, I think it would be rather nice to be across from Shore Road. Make sure your in the PS 185 zone, which rivals 321.

Heck, you could probably find a nice townhouse with parking! Drive to Fairway! But you wouldn't have to because the food choices are really great in the neighborhood.

Posted by: guest at January 11, 2008 3:43 PM

I'd stay put until school becomes issue.
That is quite a bit of space for the rent - and hard to achieve anywhere for buying. So stash away more for down payment in 2-3years.
Easily drive a few minutes for arugala or restaurants.
I live near plenty of restaurants - and become lazy and rarely venture more than few blocks. Probably much more fun to visit variety of neighborhoods with car.

Posted by: guest at January 11, 2008 3:45 PM

i would look in Clinton Hill. You can find a reasonable priced home, be close to amenities and Fort Greene park, and get rental income to bring your total monthly payout close to what you currently pay. It's THE best bargain per the parameters you set. The other nabes often referenced on the site are not bad either, but generally demand higher prices overall, but not dramatically different quality of living. Given that you have a little one you may need a car/wagon soon. With a Clinton Hill move, you could certainly fit this into the budget. Just my three cents.

Posted by: guest at January 11, 2008 4:13 PM

TRY RIKERS ISLAND THEY HAVE 24 HR SECURITY OCEAN VIEWS AND THE RENT IS VERY REASONABLE

Posted by: guest at January 11, 2008 5:08 PM

Try Forest Hills. Yes I know its Queens. You can get a 3BR/2BA 1700 sq ft renovated coop for $700-$800K. PS 196 is an excellent school. Lots of amenities on our main strip, Austin Street, e.g. Natural ( our organic supermarket), Barnes & Noble, Sephora, Gap, Banana Republic, movies theater, etc. Trader Joes is a 5 minute car ride.

Posted by: guest at January 11, 2008 5:27 PM

4:13 Where in Clinton hill can you now buy a house with room for a rental and money left over for a car when you don't even have $1M? Didn't anyone see that the OP wants to buy for under 1 Mill and still quick park access and a good public school?

Posted by: guest at January 11, 2008 5:31 PM

Here's what you do. You buy a two-bedroom condo in Long Island City. Forget the Williamsburg poseurs and the Park Slope liberals. You get into one of the new condos right on the East river with THE best views of Manhattan bar none. Not even the promenade in the Heights compares with the views from accross the East river directly into midtown Manhattan. There are loads of cultural things there like the Isamu Noguchi museum, PS1, Socrates Sculpture park, Silver Cup studios and the place is rising fast. It ain't overcrowded, there is a water taxi to Manhattan and here's the kicker, it's one (1) stop on the 7 train to Manhattan. Good luck.

Posted by: guest at January 11, 2008 6:04 PM

You can buy an old wood-frame 1-3 family in East Williamsburg (actually East Williamsburg, not Bushwick). I'm talking about the area around the Graham and Lorimer stops. It's safe, has tons of bars, good new and old restaurants, groceries and other amenities abound. There are McCarren, McGolrick and Cooper parks all nearby.

You can find houses for under $1 million (smaller ones, two or three story 20 X 40 ones for around $800K). The house will almost certainly need extensive renovation/updating. Don't expect any original details or brownstone charm--these were worker houses when they were built in the 1920s. Also, aesthetically the neighborhood is not that inspired--lots of vinyl and asphalt siding, tons of questionable new construction mini-condo developments.

Posted by: guest at January 11, 2008 6:05 PM

I posted at 11:14. The op just sounded like a troll. I think it was the arugula. Or maybe "Slick."

Posted by: guest at January 11, 2008 6:38 PM

Prospect Heights is still significantly less expensive than Park Slope. Amenities, proximity to the park and public transportation are all excellent. You could also try the 2-3 blocks of Eastern Parkway east of Washington Ave. There are some pretty big family apts in those buildings. The schools are another story. But of course a lot of parents somehow manage to send their kids to public schools outside their immediate neighborhood.

Posted by: guest at January 11, 2008 6:47 PM

Rikers Island also has ten messhalls to choose from and depending on how the bloods and crips are getting along, you may get live entertainment. No arugula though. I counldn't resist that one. But seriously, sounds like you might want to buy in the neighborhood that you are in or perhaps a condo in Prospect Park South or vicinity. Windsor Terrace or Kensington which is a little further from the park but still within walking distance, may be good options too. All of these neighborhoods are so close to Park Slope and the city and are also near public transportation - F, Q & B trains and numerous bus routes. As far a schools are concerned, your child is only 18 months. Many of the public schools in the neighborhoods mentioned are really improving and by the time your child is ready for kindergarten they will probably be excellent schools as some are already. As other posters stated, private or parochial school is always an option. Good Luck

Posted by: guest at January 11, 2008 9:29 PM

Bay Ridge are you kidding? You'd be better off moving to St. George in Staten Island. Bay Ridge may have a few nice limestone blocks but other than that no diversity, too many Republicans and too far from the city and the popular Brooklyn neighborhoods. I rented in Bay Ridge and couldn't take it. My neighbors talked about Arabs, Blacks, Asians and Latinos like they were roaches. I would not want my kids exposed to that. You can have a car and arugula in Ditmas Park, Kensington, Windsor Terrace. You could even have a car in PLG, Prospect Heights,etc... where you may not have a driveway but you will find a parking space near your home.

Posted by: guest at January 12, 2008 12:31 PM

If you plan to have another child, chances are you will find private school unaffordable, if you are considering it. Private school tuition is moving towards $30,000 per year in Brooklyn. With your income and because you are self-employed (which negatively affects "need" calculations), you are unlikely candidates for financial aid.

So, if you are planning to enlarge your family, the quality of the local school where you live is critical. Research www.insideschools.org to find the best ones and limit your search accordingly.

--Parent of Two

Posted by: guest at January 12, 2008 2:26 PM

Rent in the school district that you desire (the one that has the demographic that you feel your kids and yourself will gel with best)and which has the academic standards that you can live with. Once your kids are in school, move (rent or buy) to the nearest afforable area. It's all the city so if you can't walk to restaurant, no big deal. How often do we all go out these days anyway. Your kids and you will have made friends and that's your anchor for MS and HS and for happiness (one would hope).

Posted by: guest at January 12, 2008 9:13 PM

Republicans grow arugula in Ditmas Park?

Posted by: guest at January 12, 2008 10:13 PM

200k is not a lot of money at all. I'm single and make over 400k annually - live in Bed Stuy and still struggling to make ends meet.....true story!

Posted by: guest at January 13, 2008 10:36 AM

Ditmas Park is far from a Republican stronghold. Good place to raise a family.

Posted by: guest at January 13, 2008 1:44 PM

"Honestly, I dont know much about school options where I currently live. For the people who responded from Lefferts Gardens, which schools do they send their kids to? I've got an application in at Maple St., but not sure where to go after that."

Have you tried posting any questions about the neighborhood to the Lefferts Yahoo Group?

I live on the block and, IMO, I think you should stay put! Despite unfounded/outdated claims to the contrary, greater PLG is currently undergoing a major transition. Recently, in talking with friend who is an agent at a major RE agency, I predicted that PLG would be hugely different in 10 years. His counter prediction was that "the change" is less than 5 years away. That's based on a bunch of change factors alreay in play including the several new development projects in the works, e.g. the 20 story condo building which will be going up on Lincoln Road between Flatbush and Ocean; notable exterior and interior renovations and upgrades which are occuring in most of the large apartment buildings on Ocean; the coming of the Lake Side Center in Prospect Park (projected costs now at $60M); and increased demographic diversity caused by steady migrations of those who want to live on or near the park but are being pushed out of more gentrified/more expensive park-bordering nabes, etc.

So, while it may be hard to imagine, once you leave, you may kick yourself for not being able to get back here in a few years from now. As others have suggested, if you stay, you could use the next few years to save your money for a move if that's still your desire when your kids are school age. Then, should you grow to like the nabe during that same time, of course, you'll be the winner. OTOH, if you're truly that unhappy here, then you should trust your gut and go now. It makes no sense to stay in a place that isn't working for you today and in which you have no optimistic vision of tomorrow.

Good luck!

Posted by: guest at January 13, 2008 2:48 PM

BTW, I didn't answer your question about schools in PLG because my kids are grown and gone now. When we first moved here, they were old enough to commute to a great magnet public school in Manhattan, so we never had to figure out the education thing.

Posted by: guest at January 13, 2008 3:52 PM

Bay Ridge has a Republican city councilperson and Republican representative, and is the only part of Brooklyn you can say that about.

I agree with the person who said they didn't want to raise their children around people who use a certain tone in talking about non-whites, gays or Democrats. You can teach by example in your own home yes, but who your kids' friends are and what they hear in their friends' homes is a huge influence. It's hard to unlearn that. Imagine the experience they have going away to an ivy league college and arriving with that kind of attitude which would be very looked down upon by the more sophisticated people there. And what does the angry BayRidge-defender, dssguy99 mean when he says Ditmas is changing that's what there are so many houses for sale - doesn't that prove there is racism in Bay Ridge, if even little ole Ditmas freaks them out? I don't live in Ditmas, but Ditmas has more white people than most other Brooklyn neighborhoods. Guess it's not white enough for Bay Ridge people.

Posted by: guest at January 13, 2008 4:46 PM

'nuff said about Bay Ridge people! Thank you, 5:13.

Posted by: guest at January 13, 2008 5:20 PM

Ditto 5:20.

Posted by: guest at January 13, 2008 6:04 PM

I hope that dssguy99 did not go to one of the great schools in Bay Ridge. You'd hope that he'd have learned to spell. It's "Pakistani's" not "Pakastanies." That comment was in extremely poor taste and points to exactly why Bay Ridge will remain a Republican district with not much diversity. I can see your point about Ditmas Park which money not withstanding I prefer over Park Slope. Riverdale is nice but kind of Bay Ridgy if you know what I meanand no where near as diverse as our Brooklyn neighborhoods. The commute to the city is not easy and it's also not so affordable. Since you don't appear to be in a hurry, I bet you could find something affordable in your present neighborhood or the surrounding area with a little diligence. Would you go for a fixer upper?

Posted by: guest at January 13, 2008 7:46 PM

Good god almighty, what a load you are. Do you know how ridiculous you sound?

Why don't you bundle up your trunks and move back to whatever second-rate hamlet you came from.

People have real problems out here. Idiot.

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 8:17 AM

Check out Forest Hills. there are two blogs that will give you a sense of the neighborhood---www.queenscentral.com and www.foresthills72.com. With a two good public schools (PS 196 and PS 101), a 25 minute commute to Midtown, decent shopping, it seems to fit your criteria.

Posted by: guest at January 14, 2008 11:25 AM

OP: The houses in Ditmas are actually more than $1.2 million. Because when they're listed as little as $1.2 million they need a ton of work. We were interested in that area too, until we went to open houses for $1.2 million houses and saw they needed at least $300,000 work just for basics, like new roof and shingles, new mechanics, gutting the kitchen, and gutting a bad wood paneled basement and adding a much needed bathroom on the 2nd floor. You could easily spend $400,000-$500,000 on that actually.

Posted by: guest at January 15, 2008 12:15 PM