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April 13, 2009

where would you live

-within reasonable commuting distance to the city- if you were to leave NYC?
I'm starting to investigate "brooklyn alternatives" & am looking for a town w a liberal vibe, great historic homes, green space, MORE AFFORDABLE, etc. Does such a place exist w/o having to spend half your life commuting?

Comments

queens!

Posted by: slick at April 13, 2009 10:01 PM

Actually, Queens is awesome! In 5 yrs I may be there. Nice homes, great schools, easy commute. I can afford bklyn now with one child, with another I am Queens bound.

Posted by: bqe1970 at April 13, 2009 11:04 PM

I'm a big Brooklyn supporter - and feel that there are plenty of neighborhoods in Brooklyn which are up and coming that aren't completely priced out of the market yet. But if you are intent on leaving the city altogether - check out Montclair, NJ - or the towns just around it like Glen Ridge or Bloomfield.

Montclair has the great liberal vibe you're looking for (they have hired the Lesbian and Gay Big Apple Corps Band which I play in - to be part of their July 4th celebrations in the past). They have great restaurants and shops, and the commute to midtown is about the same as from Brooklyn. Montclair itself may have gotten too expensive, but there are less desirable parts of Montclair which would be more affordable, or the towns around it which may be a bit less desirable - but close enough - (but then you would need a car to manage)

Posted by: rickintheridge at April 13, 2009 11:47 PM

I second rickinridge when it comes to Montclair - it's a really great town with a diverse community and a very liberal/artsy vibe, plus great homes. The only caveat are the land taxes which could be like $6-$9K a year. You could try Vernon NJ which has a small housing stock(not as large/grand as the homes in Montcalir) but it's the town right next door (like Park Slope is to Carrol Gardens) in proximity - that might be a bit cheaper

Posted by: gemini10 at April 14, 2009 8:34 AM

Check out Nyack. The commute might not be the best, but the town has everything you're looking for.

Posted by: pjsubway at April 14, 2009 8:37 AM

Second for Nyack, but the commute really is hideous (I used to live there, trust me).

Posted by: curiositykilledthecat at April 14, 2009 9:44 AM

I also used to live in Nyack too. Nice vibe, a little small and the commute hell-ish. I don't think the schools are as good in Nyack as they are in Montclair/Verona/Glen Ridge.

I think we're Montclair bound as well. I keep saying it and it hasn't happened yet though.
The schools are the tipping point for us. We like a lot of the public options here in NYC but the K cut off date in NJ is same day as my boys birthday and the suburbs allow you to hold back before starting K.

Posted by: HmmWhichNeighborhood at April 14, 2009 11:03 AM

I know finances and schools are more important factors but I can't help it -- a very important question for me would be which town is most social, tightknit and easy to make new friends. The suburbs are known for being lonely. To think of moving out of the city when all our friends live in Brooklyn or Manhattan, none in the suburbs, it's depressing. But just to file it away possibly for the future, I'd be curious to know if there are towns in NY or CT (not NJ or LI) where people like their neighbors and made friends pretty quickly after moving there.

Posted by: traditionalmod at April 14, 2009 1:27 PM

traditionalmod: Beacon, NY is a very lovely place. The commute is rather long, however.

I am also a huge fan of New Paltz, NY, but it is not really within commuting distance.

Posted by: _oa_ at April 14, 2009 2:40 PM

I hear Beacon is a neat town, but too far for a reasonable commute. To the Queens supporters: what neighborhoods? Forest Hills?
I love living in Park Slope- I'm in the park all the time & love the restaurants/green market/etc. but hate the prices. And prices for homes near the park are also too high (PH & WT). We looked in Lefferts Manor, but am not into the lack of diversity of restaurants, amenities, etc, although I LOVE the homes there...

Posted by: be2bk at April 14, 2009 9:39 PM

What do people think about Bay Ridge? It keeps you in Brooklyn, but, much cheaper. And still a vibrant community with great restaurants and close to PS, CG and Manhattan.

Posted by: anon1111 at April 15, 2009 2:24 PM

Absolutely love living in Bay Ridge! One of the safest neighborhoods in the city and a great mix of city life with suburban convenience, great restaurants, and with the diverse ethnic background here its great for foodies like us - you can get virtually any ingredient from any ethnic store within walking distance. I don't work in Manhattan - the commute to midtown is close to an hour. Acceptable for some - way too far for others.

Posted by: rickintheridge at April 15, 2009 11:26 PM

"Outside of NYC" means NJ. Probubly Haboken or Fort Lee. There are a few nice towns in Rockland county, but I cannot stand suburban life.

Posted by: bobjohn at April 15, 2009 11:58 PM

Park slope and Bay Ridge for your needs... But if you have friends in Brooklyn and you can afford it PARK SLOPE is it. Cheaper options are North-east of Grand Army Plaza. Take the train to Grand Army Plaza this week-end, turn towards Manhattan and pick left or right, walk around. You will not be disappointed. Have a nice week-end.

Posted by: myrnett at April 16, 2009 3:01 PM

You could also check out Maplewood, NJ. It too is liberal, artsy, historic homes and a pretty easy commute. High taxes, and schools are not as good as Montclair, maybe on par with Nyack.

Posted by: HmmWhichNeighborhood at April 16, 2009 9:13 PM