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July 13, 2009
Move to Stuyvesant Heights?
My husband and I are considering a move to Stuyvesant Heights from South Slope. We have a three month old daughter and are interested in learning more about resources (i.e. playgroups, etc.) for children--can anyone share their experience?
Thanks...
Comments
There is definitely a Stuy Heights Parents/Kids listserv type thing (Stuyvesant Heights Parents Association). I was considering a move there last year and did some research. There is also a cool little bookstore called Brownstone Books on Lewis that has story time for kids etc.
Posted by: wasder at July 13, 2009 10:55 AM
It really depends where in the heights. The really is only about 5 blocks of beautiful well kept brownstones. The downside is that outside of those 5 blocks there is not a lot commerce or anything else for that matter. You definitely will have less eating out and shopping options than in the slope.
As for the kids not too sure but there's not a lot of playgrounds for small kids. But then again this is just from my own observation of living in the neighborhood without kids.
Posted by: 7andfive at July 13, 2009 11:14 AM
Oh and FYI- despite what the agent told you Stuy Heights IS Bed Stuy!! Right in the middle of all the glory of the 'hood.
Posted by: 7andfive at July 13, 2009 11:18 AM
There is certainly more than 5 blocks of nice well-kept brownstones. (Boy do I tire of people putting this area down.) There are tons of families, lots of kids, lots of head start programs. There are several playgrounds, one near the train at Utica, one in the Church grounds on Lewis, another across the street from the bookstore on Lewis near Macdonough, to mention a few. Let's not forget if your are buying or renting and planning to be on the ground floor you will have a backyard that can certainly be made into a lovely garden/play area. This is a community very devoted to children and there are lots of programs for them.
As for amenities, more are coming all the time, maybe not as fast as one would like, but there is a great grocery store on Fulton walking distance from the area, a brand-new, lovely pizza restaurant that just opened on Halsey and Lewis, Peaches on Lewis that does a great brunch, dinner business, Bread Stuy which is very popular for wi-fi and delicious baked goods, a soul-food restaurant on Malcolm X that opened recently, a new market coming to Stuyvesant Avenue, etc. No, there is not as much as there is in Sunset Park, but there is easier parking, less crowds and an overall nicer calmer feel to the area because it isn't super crowded and has more homes than apartment buildings.
Posted by: jeffersonavenue at July 13, 2009 11:29 AM
There are lots of young families in Stuy Heights, and there is quite a bit going on. There is story time at the book store (mentioned above), Music for Aardvarks classes, the public library on Lewis recently renovated and has great spaces for kids. The Stuy Heights parents' association is also getting more active and planning events. But it's not the kind of place where everything will be readymade for you. There's a lot of room for participation and new ideas and energy.
Posted by: belleville at July 13, 2009 11:33 AM
The OP asked specifically about children's resources, 7and5, not about restaurants or shopping, or the "glory of the hood". Since countless generations of kids have grown up there, many of whom still own homes, and are raising their own kids there, in all parts of Bed Stuy, I would imagine that it is indeed possible to raise children well in Stuyvesant Heights. I think the bookstore on Lewis is a neighborhood nexus, and can connect any new homeowner with kids' programs and activities in the area.
Posted by: Montrose Morris at July 13, 2009 11:46 AM
Montose, I just wanted to make the posters aware of the realities of the neighborhood.
I love Bed Stuy (on most days) and I choose happily to live here. But I can't tell you how many times I hear complaints from people that just moved to area about a lack of amenities, lack of play space for kids, or lack of mailboxes-you name it, I've heard it.
I just wanted to give the poster a heads up. Who knows maybe they're moving into the duplex that just opened up below me and then I'll be real close to the possible complaints! But if they move here knowing it's not the Slope and have measured expectations then I think they will love the area and the fact that people in Bed Stuy are the nicest and most friendly in all the city.
Posted by: 7andfive at July 13, 2009 12:37 PM
Fair enough, 7andfive.
Posted by: Montrose Morris at July 13, 2009 12:49 PM
Thanks for all of your comments--always stressful to consider a move, especially when you're a new parent. We are hoping to move to the neighborhood as renters with the objective of buying over the next couple of years.
Posted by: 20thstreet at July 13, 2009 3:15 PM
I live in another part of Bed Stuy and I'm a transplant from Park Slope. I don't have kids, but what struck me when I moved to the neighborhood is that kids actually play on the sidewalk! I grew up in Brooklyn and I forgot what it was like to hear children playing.
Posted by: rh at July 13, 2009 5:03 PM
7andfive Stuyvesant Heights is not only the landmarked section which is only about 12 blocks. But it is everything east of Tompkins Ave all the way to Howard and south of Monroe until you hit Fulton. There are way more than 5 beautiful blocks. Even on the Bedford side there are blocks that are just as beautiful.
Posted by: Amzi Hill at July 13, 2009 5:22 PM
Bedford Stuyvesant I think is rare today because like rh says kids do play on the sidewalks which you really don't see anymore in NYC brownstones neighborhoods.
Posted by: Amzi Hill at July 13, 2009 5:25 PM
Unless you're sure you're going the private school route, be sure to check out the zoned school and make your peace with whether you're happy with it or prepared to travel outside the neighborhood for school.
Posted by: since 2000 at July 13, 2009 10:00 PM
Well I can't answer on the kid stuff per se but I lived on Bainbridge st for several years before buying in Crown heights and loved it....and the Lewis bookstore wasn't even there yet.
I do remember kiddie films being shown at Fulton st park and lots of festivals taking place in the park....but on a day to day not sure what that is like for child rearing.
Grew up in Bklyn and after being out of NYC for over 10 years came back...it's the best.
Posted by: argentina at July 14, 2009 9:23 AM
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