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March 2, 2009
Moving to Bay Ridge
Is anyone familiar with the Bay Ridge area? We went yesterday to an open house on 74th Street and 3rd Avenue -- yellowhookliving.com. The apartments actually seem pretty nice, but I'm worried they might be overpriced for the neighborhood. Does anyone know the market in the area and if $630K for a new construction condo is pricey? Does it make more sense to buy something near the water here? Also, any general thoughts on the nabe would be appreciated. I'm not from Brooklyn, so this area is totally unfamiliar to me. Thanks.
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I'm not good with real estate so I'll cover your questions about the neighborhood. But you could probably do a search of other listings in the area just so you can get an idea.
We bought here almost 4 years ago but we bought an old limestone buildging for about 100k more than the town home you are looking about. (just to give you an idea of the what the market might be like now.) The building needed a new kitchen and one new bath. The rest was just minor cosmetic changes we did ourselves
We moved here from Park Slope primaraly for more space and for the public schools. We have two children and the quality of schools was important to us. We visited Bay Ridge a few times before deciding that we wanted to live here. We liked that there are lots of resturaunts, mom and pop shops and plenty of parks. There are also lots of things to do for kids here. The commute to midtown is about an hour from here.
People will tell you that the people living in Bay Ridge are this, that and the other thing. But what I have found is that is is all of the above. It is mix of all kids of people, which is what a I really like about the nabe.
Posted by: italiana71 at March 2, 2009 3:46 PM
Thanks, Italiana. Are you from Brooklyn? I know that's an odd question -- but I just wanted to get an idea of whether the neighborhood has non-original Brooklynites moving there and if we'll feel out of place.
Posted by: anonymous83 at March 2, 2009 4:02 PM
I am not a born and raised brooklyner. But I have lived in NY my whole life. First Staten Island, then Manhattan, Park Slope and finally Bay Ridge.
You will definetely not feel out of place as the friends that I have made here have been from, San Fransisco, Italy, Boston, Seattle, NYC, Russia, Iran, Syria, Brazil, and born and raised Bay Ridge people.
If you're still not sure, visit the nabe a few times and see if it is what you are looking for.
Posted by: italiana71 at March 2, 2009 4:34 PM
BTW, I took a look at the floor plan of the condos that you are intersted in and having your own parking spot in Brooklyn is HUGE!!!! That is probably going to be a huge selling point for those places. We don't have our own parking space and while parking on our block is not terrible I still dream of having my own spot.
Posted by: italiana71 at March 2, 2009 4:49 PM
Definitely spend some time in Bay Ridge before deciding, I'd been visiting friends out here for years so it was an easy decision. Pricewise, I bought an 85yr old 1-fam brick townhouse for 50k more than the condo you mention a couple of years ago - at the beginning of the downturn. It just depends on what you want to deal with on a day to day basis. If you choose to live near the water you'll be further from the subway, but close to the express bus.
Posted by: eveningg at March 2, 2009 4:56 PM
I grew up in Bay Ridge. My dad still has his store on 3rd Avenue. The mom and pop stores are the best part of the area. A log of the stores have been in the area for years. The elementary schools are still highly regarded. In my opinion, you will not regret moving to the area. It is super convenient for shopping, restaurants, and has a great little town feel.
Third Avenue is almost like Main Street USA. Every parade in the neighborhood takes place on 3rd Avenue. There's a Memorial Day Parade, usually a 4th of July parade, Ragamuffin Parade, and the 3rd Avenue Festival.
The trip to Manhattan may take a little longer, but you can pick up the express train at 59th or 36th Street. Parking can be difficult as well.
Posted by: Bklyn born at March 2, 2009 8:19 PM
Never buy in a nabe that you are unfamiliar with. Even if you're not from Brooklyn. Hang out, or rent there first.
Posted by: denton at March 2, 2009 8:39 PM
I moved to Bay Ridge from Caroll Gardens about a month and a half ago. After looking at apartments (I wanted at least 2 BR and outdoor space), I bought a small, one family with a garage. I paid for less than your apt. So you could also look at homes in the area if you're open to it. I decided that outdoor space was important to me and this house also provides me with a basement and 3 bedrooms (one is pretty small and is going to be an office). So far, the conveniences are great and the commute has not really bothered me much. I am a Brooklynite in my 30's and my fiance is from Albany and has lived in several Brooklyn hoods. We're pretty happy.
Posted by: Cantaffordcarroll at March 3, 2009 12:34 PM
I moved to BayRidge and really happy with it. I lived in verious parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn before. In Brooklyn this is probubly the third most desirable area after ParkSlope and Brooklyn Hights.
3rd ave is very busy and nice place to be.
Owls head park proximity is important, but then you also will get smell of sewer plant.
Find out which schools this area belongs to. PS185 considered better then PS102.
You will be 6min away from R train. does it work for you?
Otherwise I cannot tell about condo price. A lot depends on size, layout, sun exposure, floor, etc.
On 3rd ave garage is important.
Posted by: bobjohn at March 3, 2009 4:01 PM
You have doubts that 630k for a new condo is pricey? Well I will not give you any of my ranting about over inflated real estate prices. But let me ask you will yo be okay if that price falls by 50-60 percent over the next couple of years? Can you live with that? If you can then it is not pricey at all.
Posted by: hannible at March 3, 2009 4:05 PM
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