Do Families Need to "Escape" From Brooklyn?
If your only source of information was the New York Times real estate section, you’d know that Brooklyn families are constantly thinking about one thing: should we leave? The latest article in The Gray Lady’s ongoing, informal series on leaving Brooklyn is a thoughtful essay by writer David Zweig on escaping from the horrors of annoying downstairs neighbors and the hardships…
If your only source of information was the New York Times real estate section, you’d know that Brooklyn families are constantly thinking about one thing: should we leave? The latest article in The Gray Lady’s ongoing, informal series on leaving Brooklyn is a thoughtful essay by writer David Zweig on escaping from the horrors of annoying downstairs neighbors and the hardships of finding an elementary school other than the “up-and-coming” one in their neighborhood.
The NYT’s previous story in their “leaving Brooklyn” series
After searching elsewhere in the city for a sub-million-dollar home, the Zweigs house-hunted in New Jersey and then upstate along the MetroNorth line. They finally settled on a home in Hastings, N.Y. that was more expensive than they’d planned.
But lo, their “grand prewar two-bedroom” in Prospect Heights sold for several hundred thousand dollars above ask — at exactly the same price as their new place, in fact.
Despite some misgivings, the Zweigs had no trouble settling in — the ice breaker at a school potluck was “what neighborhood of Brooklyn are you from?”
The Zweigs, it turns out, are not unusual — moving out of the city is an accepted migration pattern for families, one that Brownstoner has covered for years. Many families long for yards and other suburban amenities once their kids reach a certain age.
As a whole, Brooklyn has seen some ups and downs in overall population, according to a study from the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. Between 2006 and 2014, Brooklyn saw a 7.6 percent growth in population — outpacing the other boroughs and New York state as a whole. However, in 2014, more people moved out of Brooklyn than into it, resulting in a net negative migration.
That said, the forecasts for Brooklyn’s population growth predict that it could exceed Chicago’s population within the next five to 10 years.
Have you considered leaving? Why?
[Source: NYT | Photo: The Great Escape | Barbara Eldredge ]
Related Stories
Hipsturbia: Brooklyn Breeders Move North
Would You “Boomerang” Back to Brooklyn?
Can You Live Car-Free in the Hudson Valley and Catskills?
Boy, I guess I am the only one who thinks suburban guy came off as the ass, not bedstuy13. And this is coming from someone who appreciates the surburbs and is seriously considering moving there!!
P.S. I don’t know of any suburb that is 30 mins away except for JC and Hoboken and I’d hardly consider them suburbs as the parking there is probably worse than 99% of Brooklyn. Funnily enough, both Hoboken and JC consider themselves the “6th boro” so that basically cancels them out. I’m originally from NJ and there is nowhere in this state that is 30 mins from Manhattan now (every bridge and tunnel takes 30 mins to get over, get real) and LI is worse. So that’s a head scratcher right there.
So halvewit, I guess you also disagree with Suburbanguy as well….people don’t move to the suburbs by choice but rather a specific circumstances that forces them out. That’s exactly the point. The suburbs are horrible and the ones that move there would rather be living back in Brooklyn any time if they are able to do so.
Correct, boeringhill.
Please join Bedstuy13 in the Ignoramus corner
boring article but comments are even more boring.
Fine, I’ll bite, and am a data point of 1. I live in Brooklyn and worked in Westchester and Jersey for past 10 yrs. Never even crossed my mind to move to either despite long car commutes in past positions and subway/Path combo in current. There are many upsides to getting out of NYC as suburbanguy stated, but for now this is home.
Where are you seeing more violence/dirt, and what time period are you comparing it to? Also, I don’t know a single person wringing their hands over possible terrorism. You need a new circle of friends.
LOL
Also, in your rant you don’t mention schools which is a major deciding factor on where to live for many families with school aged children.
And there are more nabes in brooklyn with a longer that 30min commute into manhattan.
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you ‘Bedstuy13″:
Will never need a passport because he’s destined to spend the rest of his life in a 13 block radius.
Won’t visit a restaurant unless he’s checked it out on 5 foodie blogs first (and it’s in walking distance)
So proud of living in Bedstuy since 2013 he named his profile after it.
Has clearly never been in a car because he somehow thinks “the subway” is a decent form of transport.
Has instagramed a pic of every cup of coffee he’s ever had.
Went on vacation once – didn’t like it.
Doesn’t realize it but is actually a key reason why people tire of the city – being surrounded by narrow minded uptight whiners.