Sense 'o the neighborhoods
Hello there, I have lived on the upper upper west side since moving to NYC 3 years ago for nursing school. All of my friends have now moved away, I’m feeling lonesome up here and am ready for a change. I am in my mid-thirties, single, and live alone. I’m considering Brooklyn but can’t really…
Hello there,
I have lived on the upper upper west side since moving to NYC 3 years ago for nursing school. All of my friends have now moved away, I’m feeling lonesome up here and am ready for a change.
I am in my mid-thirties, single, and live alone. I’m considering Brooklyn but can’t really get a good handle on the neighborhoods and would love any tips.
I want somewhere I feel safe coming & going from and also somewhere that I feel community (I don’t want to feel isolated). I am progressive, vegetarian and love being close to a good drink, cup of coffee, meal, breakfast, pizza, bookstore, what have you…
Any thoughts on where to start my search for a rental that could make a great home?
Thanks! I appreciate the insight!
I’m back at the BK apartment hunt and I think I’ve fallen in love with Fort Greene, and that as the last poster mentioned, it may be a much better vibe for me socially. Though I would love to be one of the families with strollers soon, being the only one who isn’t right now is not awesome…
Any thoughts on Fort Greene? I do love multiculturalism and diversity and that’s a big part of the pull. It also seems beautiful and like there are things to do there, but tell me if I’m missing something. Thanks! I love Brownstoner!
I would normally say Park Slope for the amenities, but I question how social it is for a mid-30’s single woman. When we lived in Park Slope our entire building was comprised of all young families and they prefer to socialize with other families. I have a single friend in her mid-30’s in Park Slope and she’s planning to move because of that reason.
Some neighborhoods may seem less “safe” to some (I find anywhere in Brookly more safe than other major cities I’ve visited) but let’s face it, those places are where the singles are flocking. Therefore my vote would be for Prospect Heights. More of a scene growing there and it’s less family-focused and attracting lots of singles whether to rent or to buy a first apartment. If you want a social life you need to be where the other singles are, and lots of bars and places where they gather. Simple logic. (P.S. I don’t live in PH so I’m not a booster; this is an objective opinion).
I agree with 8:57 I would go with Carroll Gardens/ Cobble Hill , Park Slope . You will feel very safe in the first 2. All 3 are great.
I say check out Greenpoint
– very safe place
– a walker’s neighborhood
– families
– lots of Polish ethnic eats (bakeries, butcher stores, health)
– nice people
– more of a mix now of old timers and new comers
– best looking Starbucks in a former movie theatre
– more renovating going on to pretty-up the exteriors of many of the frame houses
– many owner-occupied houses
– excellent pizza parlors
– a lot of sky light here as you walk around
– a waterfront that is being built
– hub-proximity to Long Island City and Astoria, the LIE, the Queensboro Bridge, BQE, and Manhattan
– usually quiet (except for the typical loud motorcycles and Friday/Saturday drunken revelers that are isolated in certain spots: good news is that the 94th precinct meets with the community monthly and is very responsive in addressing qualilty of life issues
– and finally, the Newtown Waste Treatment Plant was upgraded, so the poops smell of yesteryear is gone!
I’ve lived in an apartment and now own a house here. I like it a lot.
Agree with the poster who wrote anywhere in Brownstone Brooklyn. Personal bias is Prospect Heights (because that’s where I live), but you would be happy in many neighborhoods. Which train line(s) do you need to be near? That might influence your choices.
we are thinking of renting out our apt in prospect heights. it is a nice neighborhood
Only one place to go, really, if you can afford it – Park Slope.
Go out some weekend afternoon and walk around – take the 2 or 3 to Grand Army Plaza, walk down to 7th Ave., walk down 7th Ave, at least as far as 9th St, then go down to 5th Ave. and walk back, past Union St. (walk some on 6th and 8th Aves. as well) and you will fall in love with the neighborhood. Check out the bookstores, and the flyers for stuff going on the neighbhorhood. And don’t forget to check out the park and the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens.
Prospect Heights is a close second to Park Slope, as it is still near the Park and the trains and Park Slope. (But don’t live anywhere near the ongoing construction nightmare that will be Atlantic Yards.) You might like Carroll Gardens (Cobble Hill is even more expensive.)
Prospect Park is not a decent subsitute for Central Park, as stated by one poster above -it is differently laid out, and was considered by Olmstead to be his far better achievement than Central Park was.
Connecticut.
You would probably be happy anywhere within Brownstone Brooklyn. Cobble Hill/Carroll Gardens are fantastic neighborhoods with tons of amenities and are very close to Manhattan. Park Slope is a bit further out, but the North Slope has some amazingly beautiful architecture, and will probably remind you of the UWS, especially because Prospect Park is a decent substitute for Central Park. All the neighborhoods I mentioned (as well as others in the area) are safe, and have a strong sense of community (Park Slope probably more so). There are also tons of vegeterian options and organic markets (if you’re into that) every 3 feet in Park Slope.
Having been born and raised in Brooklyn, I may have a slightly different definition of a safe neighborhood, but you should walk around and see what feels right.
Good luck!