Townhouse for $600k?
My husband and I are looking to buy a 3+ BR place so we can start a family (we currently live in a little 700 sq ft Boerum Hill condo). We’re open minded about neighborhoods in Brooklyn (preferred) or Queens but want a commute to mid-town that will be less than an hour. We could…
My husband and I are looking to buy a 3+ BR place so we can start a family (we currently live in a little 700 sq ft Boerum Hill condo). We’re open minded about neighborhoods in Brooklyn (preferred) or Queens but want a commute to mid-town that will be less than an hour. We could swing $600k and it would be a dream to have a townhouse but from what we’ve seen that puts us in Bed Stuy or Bay Ridge. Would anyone have advice on what it’s like to live in either community today? Safety is a question, and value for the money. We’d also love recommendations for other neighborhoods we haven’t discovered.
I’m a big Bay Ridge fan. Parts of it are charming, I do really like the restaurants. It can be too conservative for me but the new residents are less conservative. However, as one who chose PLG, I agree with Stuymom. An hour commute from Bay Ridge or anywhere was a dealbreaker for my husband. It’s 15-20 minutes to Midtown from PLG on the B/Q. That’s a big difference when somebody is thinking about whether they get home early enough at night to see their children before bedtime. It’s also 1.5 to 2 more hours a day you have to pay the nanny in a household with two working parents. That’s $150 extra a week, $600 more a month. I’m not bashing Bay Ridge or anywhere else that’s a longer commute, but just saying a long commute is not such a small thing to consider.
I appreciate the concern which is been rose. The things need to be sorted out because it’s not about the individual but it can be with everyone.Estate Planning
Sorry, bkoriginal, but I have to give a dissenting opinion here. We’ve been raising our family in Bed-Stuy for the past 5 years and we love it here. We never considered looking in Bay Ridge… an hour long commute to Midtown would be a dealbreaker for us. Here we are right by the Nostrand Ave. stop on the A train, which is about a 30 minute ride to 42nd St. There are some lovely blocks around here comparable to the ones around the Utica Ave. stop.
I will give Bay Ridge its props though: I love the Century 21 they have out there! Same stock as Manhattan but so much less crowded.
Many people have an outdated view of Bed-Stuy. It’s a huge neighborhood. There are certainly some sketchy parts in the northern end, but the southern end is mostly quiet and safe, with gorgeous housing stock and good subway access. As with many Brooklyn neighborhoods (dare I say most Brooklyn neighborhoods?), you do have to be willing to spend some time researching school options. In addition to the local schools that others have mentioned, there are several public charter schools that either serve all of District 13 or all of Brooklyn. We ended up in one of these.
I’m surprised that some people would even consider neighborhoods like Bed Stuy, Crown Heights, PLG, etc. (OR QUEENS, FOR HEAVENSAKE!) before going to Bay Ridge. There’s honestly no comparison. As someone who has lived in Brooklyn her entire life — trust me — you do not want to be in any of those neighborhoods instead of Bay Ridge.
Bay Ridge is really on the rise. It’s always been a safe, family friendly neighborhood with great schools and AMAZING restaurants. It’s just a further commute into midtown (about an hour) than Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens. But Bay Ridge is totally affordable and those neighborhoods just aren’t anymore. Since the neighborhoods closer to the city are becoming insanely expensive, there’s definitely a flight deeper into Brooklyn. For the quality of life (without sacrificing being in walking distance of a million restaurants and parks and the water), Bay Ridge is the way to go.
I’m surprised that some people would even consider neighborhoods like Bed Stuy, Crown Heights, PLG, etc. (OR QUEENS, FOR HEAVENSAKE!) before going to Bay Ridge. There’s honestly no comparison. As someone who has lived in Brooklyn her entire life — trust me — you do not want to be in any of those neighborhoods instead of Bay Ridge.
Bay Ridge is really on the rise. It’s always been a safe, family friendly neighborhood with great schools and AMAZING restaurants. It’s just a further commute into midtown (about an hour) than Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens. But Bay Ridge is totally affordable and those neighborhoods just aren’t anymore. Since the neighborhoods closer to the city are becoming insanely expensive, there’s definitely a flight deeper into Brooklyn. For the quality of life (without sacrificing being in walking distance of a million restaurants and parks and the water), Bay Ridge is the way to go.
I totally agree that you have to consider schools. As a parent who has spent the past 2 years trying to get her kids into a “good” school it is a PITA. It is much harder now as the DOE is trying to be stricter about keeping kids in their own districts. The baby boom doesn’t help either. One strategy that has worked historically is moving to a good zone, enrolling first born for Prek or K & then moving as younger kids will be grandfathered (or siblinged in). Might also think about nabes/schools in transition as you have 5 yrs, like PS 9/Prospect Heights, but you aren’t going to get anything for 600K there, but you could “commute” as the district border is quite close.
I am not clear how you can compare these two neiboughhood. Bayridge one of the safest places in Brooklyn. Bedsty – the oposite. I once walked down the Myrtle ave. The shop had bars so homeless will not steal the shopping carts. And some teens thew rocks and bottles at me (I am white). Or just check the murder map bellow.
Bayridge established itself for long time. Has decent schools, etc. Bedstay – the opposite.
I agree with the other Bay Ridge posts. We’ve been renting here for a while, and now with two young children decided to buy in the neighborhood. We’re in contract on a 3BR house west of 3rd Ave with outdoor space and a garage and paid just under $600k. Needs a little work, but very livable. I work in midtown and the commute is not that bad, restaurants are great and lots of parks for the kids. Good Luck!
Glendale or Middle Village, in Queens. Transport is kinda tough, as its a bus-subway connection to midtown, but the M goes downtown.
Safe, and Trader Joe’s!