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July 20, 2008
Anyone cool living in Bay Ridge??
Hi,
I live in P.Slope and I am considering a move. I have looked allll over brooklyn and I like B. Ridge but I am a little nervous that there no cool people down there. Does anyone know what the people are like??
THanks!!
Comments
Bay Ridge isn't easy to label. It's a mixed bag of money (old and new), blue collar apartments, young families, extended families that have been here since the glaciers, old Irish/Norwegian/Italian, rich punks with Dad's Benz, professionals, upscale Arabs/Asians/Russians, lots of cops/judges/capos.
North Bay Ridge is a pretty stable and sedate bedroom community. South Bay Ridge (south of 80th St) has lots of bars, restaurants and a 20-something street hang.
I've lived in cool neighborhoods since my late teens: Mercer St in Soho and Broadway & Bleecker in Noho. I moved to Bay Ridge nine years ago because I got tired of the inevitable baggage that comes from living in a cool neighborhood. I miss some of the convenience and liveliness of the old 'hood but I like the people here a lot better. More "salt of the earth" types. Everybody knows and hangs with their neighbors. It feels more like its own small town than a suburb of Manhattan.
Posted by: Steve at July 20, 2008 9:26 PM
bay ridge is a mix for sure. i guess you are looking to save on rent and stay by the R train. It is definatly not the slope.
Posted by: dbo1995 at July 20, 2008 10:26 PM
That's a bit snarky. A lot of people move to Bay Ridge because they prefer it here.
Posted by: Steve at July 20, 2008 11:23 PM
For the most part it's one very small step up from Staten Island. If you're looking for "cool" people, you're probably moving to the wrong neighborhood.
Posted by: zinka at July 21, 2008 12:50 AM
If you're looking for hipsters-on-a-budget, I would look at Bed Stuy near the Myrtle ave J train. Close to Bushwick and its attendant scene, good grocery store on Broadway, also close to the Bed Stuy wave of gentrification coming east from Clinton Hill.
There are plenty of hipsters here.
Places for them to hang out and be hip together? Not yet.
Posted by: vanburenproud at July 21, 2008 8:40 AM
I agree with Zinka. Its a small step up from staten island. There are many old people living from their social security in the area and the median income is one of the lowest in Brooklyn.
Stay in Park Slope. If you move to Bay Ridge expect a culture shock.
Posted by: troll at July 21, 2008 8:51 AM
Bay Ridge is a nice area that has many more amenities than people realize. Some good restaurants and shopping, etc.. Relatively safe and with "cheaper" homes. Its more family (multi-generational, not preschool set with hipster parents) orientated. Its very hard to park if you don't have a driveway. Its a bit of long train ride to Manhattan on the R train.
No clue how you judge the coolness factor of the residents. Im sure there are nice people and asshats just like every other area. Bay Ridge has zero hipster appeal though - so that may be a big positive or negative depending upon the type of person you are.
Posted by: Mrs. Limestone at July 21, 2008 9:35 AM
I live there, and I'm definitely not cool. However, Bay Ridge is cool. It's not staten island, but the proximity does rub off a bit. I left park slope in '05 and have never regretted it (though I really did like the slope too).
Posted by: cornetor at July 21, 2008 10:17 AM
Huh? Bay Ridge has nothing in common with Staten Island. Anyone who's spent ten minutes in both knows that. That's about as intelligent a statement as Manhattan folk who refer to Brooklyn as Injun Territory or (my personal favorite) where people who can't cut it in the city go, never to be heard from again.
A couple of these comments illuminate what I said about the baggage of living in a cool neighborhood. It attracts condescending camp followers who think living in a cool and trendy neighborhood makes them cool and trendy as well.
Culture vultures destroyed Soho and Noho for me. I love my neighborhood just the way it is and the last thing I want is to see it go the way of other "cool" Brooklyn neighborhoods. It's friendly, affordable, relaxed and not a cellphone store or $40/plate cheese bar in sight. So... I agree! Stay away from Bay Ridge. Nothing to see here. It's all poor people, high hair and strip malls. And you'll probably get beat up by gangs of Tony Maneros.
Posted by: Steve at July 21, 2008 10:41 AM
Steve, the OP didn't ask whether Bay Ridge is nice or a good place to live. She asked whether cool people are there. That's going to guide the conversation.
Point taken, it's going to guide the conversation into a place you find stupid. But the people you're accusing of stupidness are just answering the question as asked.
You say yourself that you moved to get away from the "cool people." It makes no sense to take offense that people are thusly calling your neighborhood uncool.
Posted by: vanburenproud at July 21, 2008 11:47 AM
What are 'Cool' People? People who never get hot.
Obviously, by my sign-in name, I live in Bay Ridge. I grew up and have lived here for many years. As Steve said, there is a mix of people and nationalities. The housing stock is just as mixed. There are streets of rowhouses (brownstones, limestones and brick). There are streets of attached, semi-attached bricks, and there are streets of detached victorians. I wish more was done to preserve the old houses. There are some mansions still left from it's days as a summer community for the rich.
Houses are definately more affordable compared to 'brownstone' brooklyn.
For more history go to:
http://www.forgotten-ny.com/STREET%20SCENES/bayridge/bayridge.html
There are some great restaurants (3rd Ave is lined with restaurants, cafes and bars) and shops (some chains, trendy boutiques and mom and pops).
So what makes a neighborhood cool? Hip? Trendy? Some think Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights, Williamsburg, etc. are cool. I'm sure there are many people that don't think so. Coolness is how you preceive it.
I personally can't stand when a neighborhood gets too 'trendy'. I liked Williamsburg before all the 'hipster's moved in. When artists were squatters (not saying all of them were). When it was still gritty. know there are some streets still like that - but I rarely go there, cause I can't stand all the phony...I mean cool people.
If you really want to know what a neighborhood is like. GO to it, it's only a train or bus ride away. Walk the streets, talk to the people, grab a bite to eat. Hang around.
Posted by: bayridgegirl at July 21, 2008 12:44 PM
Judging by the OP post of "cool people", I don't think Bay Ridge quite fits the bill. Don't fall for the "value trap".
Posted by: newbie12222 at July 21, 2008 12:59 PM
Bay Ridge is losing its Starbucks in the company-wide shut down of 600 stores nationwide.
In my book, that's pretty cool.
I wish they'd all close down, personally.
Posted by: 11217 at July 21, 2008 1:15 PM
There was a 'Crack' house in the neighborhood that got raided two weeks ago...that was cool.
Posted by: bayridgegirl at July 21, 2008 1:30 PM
Actually 11217, Bay Ridge had 2 Starbucks 9 blocks apart from each other and the less popular one is getting the boot. So by your definition, slightly more cool, but still not very cool.
Posted by: setancre at July 21, 2008 1:33 PM
Out of curiosity I checked the Starbucks website and there were actually 4(!) in Bay Ridge in a 15-block perimeter, now 3 after this closure... I think that still leaves Bay Ridge as the Starbucks capital of Brooklyn, certainly outperforming the Slope with its measly 1 store on 7th Ave... Making Bay Ridge exceptionally uncool.
Posted by: setancre at July 21, 2008 1:45 PM
VanBurenProud, I took offense to the snarky stereotyping. As I said, the last thing I want is for Bay Ridge to be considered a "cool" neighborhood.
Posted by: Steve at July 21, 2008 2:10 PM
If you want to find all the cool people they sit at the table next to jocks and cheerleaders over by the vending machines. I could pass them a note in homeroom to let them know your interested in them.
How old are the people here? I feel like I had this very conversation in high school.
Check the nabes out for yourself, only you'll know if its cool for you or not.
I have lived in Staten Island, Manhattan, Park Slope and finally Bay Ridge. I found very cool things about each of these nabes. That is the beauty of NY. Each nabe is different and if they were all alike the city would suck. I like that there is a different feel to each of the hoods.
I would never have thought of leaving Park Slope, I owned a very large apartment there, 1/2 a block from Prospect Park. I visited Bay Ridge and my mind was made up and never looked back.
So good luck in your search.
Posted by: italiana71 at July 21, 2008 2:35 PM
To the OP. I meant no offense with my high school comment. Its just that this whole cool thing that is a constant discussion on this website is to me, as a native New Yorker so ridiculous. I guess your post just made me explode and have to say something. I appologize if I have offended you.
And to Cornetor, I think you are the epitomy of cool!
Posted by: italiana71 at July 21, 2008 3:07 PM
Steve,
I understand... I see snarky stereotyping as of a piece with asking where the cool people are in Bay Ridge.
Does that make me snarky in the other direction? Probably.
I guess I was just saying that it's best not to get all worked up over stereotypes if the question origniates in asking about a stereotype.
Posted by: vanburenproud at July 21, 2008 3:22 PM
if you're looking for "cool people" then you are not cool.
Posted by: Santa at July 21, 2008 3:32 PM
guess that getting rid of anonymous comments hasn't gotten rid of the vitriol...
Posted by: windsor terrace guy at July 21, 2008 3:37 PM
Bay Ridge is huge. There are several mini-neighborhoods within the neighborhood. There are sections of the neighborhood where homes take up half a city block and the only noise you will hear is foghorns in the Harbor. There are sections where you wont see a single store sign in English. Check it out for yourself and walk around.
New Yorkers live in Bay Ridge. Generation upon generation of natives. Looking for the cool dude from your high school in Minnesota? He lives in Park Slope.
Posted by: eastriver at July 21, 2008 3:58 PM
I've been in Bay Ridge my whole life. I don't worry about cool. I worry about working out. In the last decade or so, the number of good gyms in Bay Ridge has plummeted. This really bugs me. I built a gym in my apartment, but I can't get enough members to join. If you're looking to get pumped up, you might want to look somewhere other than Bay Ridge. Also, if you're rich and important, move to Garden City.
Posted by: P Crew at July 21, 2008 4:37 PM
ok 4:37 post was hilarious, and I'm not sure if it was serious or not.
In my opinion Bay Ridge is a very livable neighborhood for families, etc. It has great shopping and comparable amenities to Brooklyn's most expensive neighborhoods.
If I ever start considering moving to the 'burbs, Bay Ridge is on my short list. Its certainly a better option than Long Island or Jersey.
Posted by: slick at July 21, 2008 4:51 PM
I'm on Shore Road over looking the harbor. I open my windows and get cool breezes...am I 'cool'?
In hindsight, this is such a ridiculous topic. I can't believe some one, 'ED', posted this. And then not to follow up on his OP. It leads me to believe that 'ED' is a troll, or that he headed to Bay Ridge and died of 'uncoolness'
Posted by: bayridgegirl at July 21, 2008 4:58 PM
Recognizing that places like Park Slope are pretty sweet, pretty and are bustling with many great restaurants, shops (even though I don't buy anything from there), and beautiful tree lined blocks and a sweet park, I've been a Bay Ridger for probably 25 years+ and purchased a building in Park Slope over a year ago. Although many foreigners to Bay Ridge like to poo poo it for coolness factors and distance to city and the ass-train, it's one of my favorite neighborhoods in Brooklyn, bar none. It really kind of is like a small town, the people are *real*...mixed like no other place i've ever seen in NYC, beautiful streets, walkable, quiet one block, nice and noisy on the next...As far as people go, there are no shortage of guidos (generally nice/secretly-bright/exposed-chain/slick haired Italians), arabs (stealthy/lebanese/palestinian/middle-eastern families and kids who are hard to distinguish from Puerto Ricans/et al, and being Lebanese, I know!), Greeks (see: Arabs), and tons of Irish and Norwegians (there's actually a Norwegian parade every year). People are nice, hospitable, maybe *slightly* on the older side (29-45)...and the hood is above all points I can think of: safe. "New Yorkers live in Bay Ridge" is very true. And remarkably affordable, all things compared.
Posted by: xxbobbyzxx at July 21, 2008 4:59 PM
The Century 21 in Bay Ridge is WAY nicer than the one in Lower Manhattan.
Need I say more?
Posted by: 11217 at July 21, 2008 5:20 PM
Century 21 rules!!
And 'ED' if you decide to 'troll' the neighborhood. Karam on 86th Street and 4th Avenue (around the corner from Century) has the best Mid East food. It's smalll, tight, and the Chicken Kabab is soooo good. The place is so uncool, it's packed! I love it so much, I once went there 10 days in a row. I am so cool.
Posted by: bayridgegirl at July 21, 2008 5:38 PM
I wouldnt really call park slope "cool"
its pretty dorky.
most "cool" kids avoid park slope unless they're married.
Posted by: Santa at July 21, 2008 5:42 PM
Didn't you hear, Santa...dorky IS cool these days!
I finally fit in!!!
Posted by: 11217 at July 21, 2008 5:55 PM
Exactly who are the cool people, ED? If living around cool people is your only concern, go were ever it is the cool people tell you they live.
That said, I think anyone who recognizes what Bay Ridge has to offer is pretty cool.
Posted by: EGJ at July 21, 2008 7:42 PM
So is she packed and ready to move there yet?
Posted by: Iknow at July 21, 2008 8:43 PM
Aah, a subject I can sink my teeth into...
I used to live in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn but am now in suburban hell. We moved to this suburb for my husband's job, but now that he works from home, there is absolutely no reason for us to be here.
Would I love to move Park Slope? Yes, of course, but I have a family now and I need space, so I will likely go back to the neighborhood I know best.
My friends who are still there discuss with me the influence of new immigrants in the neighborhood, good and bad. The best of it I think is that they report that anyone who was stereotypically 'Bay Ridge' has already left and gone to Staten Island, Jersey or beyond. But the 'cool' ones have stayed, so it's now and interesting complex mix.
Do you have a family? I belong to a Bay Ridge Parents yahoo group and at least once a week, there is someone saying they just sold their brownstone or Manhattan co-op and bought a place in Bay Ridge and they think the new neighborhood is great. They might have made a decision also based on schools which are pretty good (maybe even better than 321) which you may not need to make.
I think that Bay Ridge's culture is food. Nothing high end, but a great variety of good down home eats of every ethnicity. Years ago, Time Out NY had Bay Ridge Restaurants as the COVER story.
Check out Three Jolly Pigeons. It reminds me of the Brooklyn Inn on Hoy & Bergen. Definitely cool people there of all ages and types. Admittedly it might be the exception to the nightlife.
Like the previous poster said, check it out! Make your own cool.
Posted by: HmmWhichNeighborhood at July 21, 2008 9:24 PM
Ok I have no patience to read posts about what people THINK of Bay Ridge. I've lived here for 25 years and just bought my first home here 2 weeks ago. I love it and can't imagine living anywhere else in Brooklyn. Its spacious, friendly, safe and family oriented. If you wanted to, you would never have to leave to find anything you want to buy or any kind of food you want to eat. I'm 47 now so I really don't care if where I live is "COOL" anymore. But there are great schools here if you want to raise kids. If you can afford to send your kid to Poly Prep (92nd and 7th Ave)I know Meryl Streep's daughter was there a few years back with my dentist's daughter and John Tuttorro sends his kids there too.
It hasn't had a "cool" vibe since the disco days when there were 2 on every block. Thankfully they have all closed and gone away, but there are plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from. There is a 5 mile long park along Shore Road and the Narrows Bay. There are huge grass ball fields, fishing piers, bike and running paths, dog runs and playgrounds. All safe, clean and with lots of room.
In the past year there has been a noticable increase of 20 and 30-something young couples with and without children who look remarkably the same as all those living in Park Slope and Billyburg. There are lots of lone young men with infants shopping in the Food City on 75th Street and many gay couples too. The Starbucks directly across the street in NOT closing, neither is the oragnic restaurant next to it, and a few blocks down an Artist's Coop just opened a storefront. (The Starbucks on 82nd
Posted by: premadas at July 22, 2008 12:00 AM
Move to Lapland and santa will greet you at the entrance.
Now that's cool!
Posted by: madamlee at July 22, 2008 12:29 AM
i live in park slope now, but visit bay ridge often as friends live there, and i often think of moving there. "cool" is such a vague term, but i personally really like bay ridge for its diversity of food, more laid back pace, views of the water, diversity of housing stock, and actually being able to chat with people who arent overly stressed. the train ride really isnt all that bad, but i mainly hang out in the lower end of manhattan, not uws or ues.
Posted by: goldie at July 22, 2008 9:12 AM
I grew up across the overpass from Bay Ridge. It's a solid, middle-class neighborhood. Lots of bars, restaurants, good shopping. A decidedly low-key vibe. Safe area, whre you'll get more for your money than Park Slope. Cool? I don't know about that: it's still got the neighbor-hoody vibe with old ladies & their wheeled carts out on the avenue during the day, and younger people out at night, especially on the weekend. Lots of parks, too.
Posted by: Dyker Blights at July 22, 2008 10:36 AM
It seems the Bay Ridge people are taking mere observations here as insults. We chose another neighborhood which we are happy with, but I think Bay Ridge is great. Decent groceries, excellent restaurants, good doctors and clinics, beautiful park along the water. I don't think residents should be offended if people say it's a more suburban choice than some other Brooklyn neighborhoods. Not all neighborhoods offer all things for all types of people. That's what's great about Brooklyn. Each area has its own vibe and identity and offer different things.
The suburban aspects of Bay Ridge are a positive thing for those who buy a house there: They get some of the upsides of the suburbs but get to stay in the city. (Ditmas is in that category too, but with fewer amenities than Bay Ridge). Celebrate it. I personally think one of the coolest things about Bay Ridge is it's like a small town. There's even a New England thing going on when you get lower in Bay Ridge in the 90's, and on the blocks with all freestanding houses between 3rd Ave and the water. But I wonder if in saying that it will be taken as an insult instead of the big compliment it's meant to be.
Posted by: traditionalmod at July 22, 2008 11:26 AM
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