Need Neighbourhood Suggestions
Friends who are considering moving back to New York were asking me about places to live in Brooklyn. They have three large dogs (all over 50 pounds) and, as such, need to have outdoor space. They would also like to find a place with decent access to subways. They are looking to spend anywhere from…
Friends who are considering moving back to New York were asking me about places to live in Brooklyn. They have three large dogs (all over 50 pounds) and, as such, need to have outdoor space. They would also like to find a place with decent access to subways. They are looking to spend anywhere from $500k to $900k and would like at least two bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Can anyone suggest a nice (preferably brownstone filled) neighbourhood where they can get at least a garden level apartment with access to the backyard that is also relatively close to subways?
If they decide they want a full home, what are other nice neighbourhoods where they would have subway access and be able to purchase something without spending what they would in Brooklyn Heights or Park Slope?
Thanks!
Thanks BlueHills…very helpful!
CGar, I also get daily updates from StreetEasy based on certain search criteria and I don’t pay for it. I think it’s the pricing info, as you said, that is what you get with the subscription, although I think that info is usually available through ACRIS and other means. But if the subscription isn’t exorbitant, it’s probably worth the ease and convenience of getting it from StreetEasy.
“What does the paid subscription give you that just logging on doesn’t?”
I know it gives you a lot of insider pricing information, such as what the sellers paid and what other units in the building (for co-ops/condos) sold for, which is not otherwise available. I’ve had a paid subscription for the last year, and I can’t recall if the free subscription allows you to save your searches and get the email updates I mentioned above, which, to me, is the best feature.
I also recommend Sunset Park. Beautiful brownstones are to be had in the $700k range, transportation is excellent, there are no public housing projects at all, and if you are in the northern end (40’s) you are near the fine Sunset Park, and if you are in the southern end (high 50’s/low 60’s) you are near Owls Head Park in Bay Ridge. Unpretentious, low rise area, lots of comes in the form of Mexican and Chinese, many long time “old Brooklyn” residents, many new residents priced out of other brownstone neighborhoods. Most beautiful blocks IMO are 48th, 55th, 59th and 63rd. Most lots are 20×100 and almost every brownstone or limestone has a yard.
Thanks CGar. First thing I suggested was to check out Streeteasy. What does the paid subscription give you that just logging on doesn’t?
Biff, one last thought is that your friends should get a paid subscription to StreetEasy for $10/month. It’s not perfect, but it encompasses most Brooklyn listings now that all the smaller brokerages have signed on. StreetEasy also gives you a lot of options for setting search parameters, emails you when new listings come out within your search parameters or when the status of any of your saved listings changes, and lets you link directly to the listing on the brokers’ websites.
Biff, the house posted by 11217 is exactly what I’m referring to in the South Slope-Gowanus-Greenwood Heights.
There have also been a few recent in HOTDs in the neighborhoods people have mentioned:
125 Cortelyou Road, Kensington
http://bstoner.wpengine.com/brownstoner/archives/2010/01/house_of_the_da_827.php#comments
2101 Albemarle Terrace, Prospect Lefferts Gardens
http://bstoner.wpengine.com/brownstoner/archives/2010/01/house_of_the_da_826.php#comments
207 Lincoln Road, Prospect Lefferts Gardens
http://bstoner.wpengine.com/brownstoner/archives/2010/01/house_of_the_da_821.php#comments
Thanks CGar for the extensive advice and suggestions. That will be very useful to them.
11217, that looks like a very solid option and seems to fit their requirements. I’ll let them know.
http://www.bhsbrooklyn.com/detail.asp?id=1083432
President Champion:
It sounds a lot like what I’m looking for, though I only have to look out for the CDog (and she’s considerably smaller than Mr. Ed and Marmaduke ^^^). As you know, I prefer to stay in Brooklyn Heights-Cobble Hill-Carroll Gardens, but you really have to spend $1.1-$1.5 million for a garden apartment (which is typically a duplex with a “rec room”, i.e., converted cellar with no windows). I’ve seen a few garden apartments around $1 million, but in these neighborhoods they are very hard to come by. (No homo)
In looking this weekend, I saw some nice garden apartments (condos and co-ops) in your friends’ price range in both Clinton Hill and Boerum Hill. Clinton Hill is a beautiful neighborhood, but, as I understand it from DeLepp, you’re limited to the G and C trains.
Boerum Hill has more subway options in all directions, and I saw some beautiful houses and apartments in your friends’ price range, but they tended to be on the blocks sandwiched by the large public housing projects (e.g., Wyckoff and especially Warren), which is a big turn-off to some people and will be a re-sale issue for a lot of people. I also saw some garden apartments in new condos along the 4th Avenue corridor, which is variously referred to as Boerum Hill, Park Slope, and Gowanus.
As for houses, if I decide to buy a house and convert (or keep) it as a single family (i.e., no more tenants for me, as will again be necessary if I buy another house in Brooklyn Heights-Cobble Hill-Carroll Gardens, though apparently more4less and his family are moving in with me if I do), I’m considering the South Slope-Gowanus-Greenwood Heights neighborhoods, 11th Street to 19th Street or thereabouts (in the vicinity of Snappy, Slopey, Denton and, hard as it is to believe, a couple of NON-blog friends too). Much like a Brownstone neighborhood, but the housing stock is mostly wood frame houses, which are particularly beautiful once they’ve been restored. I’ve also seen some beautiful houses in your friends’ price range in Clinton Hill (harder to come by) and Windsor Terrace (great for access to Prospect Park).
Finally, I believe you can find some beautiful houses in Ditmas Park for under $1 million, but these tend to be Victorians or Colonials. To me it has a very suburban feel, like parts of New Haven, Connecticut, near Yale. Subway service on the B and Q trains, I believe, is pretty good. From what I’ve seen, and from what our friends who live nearby (Kens, chicken, winthropst, Snarky) tell us and post, there are ever-increasing amenities these days, particularly with new restaurants opening.
I hope that helps. Great picture above, BTW. And, no, I won’t hold it against them that they’re your friends, lol.
**I serve at the pleasure of the President** (No homo)