Bay Ridge Ranks 12th?!
I finally got around to reading the NY Magazine article last night and was surprised to our lovely neighborhood ranked near the top 10. Who knew?
I finally got around to reading the NY Magazine article last night and was surprised to our lovely neighborhood ranked near the top 10. Who knew?
“bay ridge to me is dreary and depressing.”
I’ll give you that there are some treeless blocks with with fedders buildings, but I wouldn’t say anything closer to the water is dreary. In factI think the lighting is outstanding – it’s the same lighting those in Red Hook rave about also being close to the water.
Yes bar culture and car cultures do exist here, but this is a best bang for the buck as far as amenities/price.
When that Jane Jacobs exhibit went though the Municipal Arts Society, the press was saying that currently, Bay Ridge now resembles the type of neighborhood Jacobs said was ideal. They didn’t say Park Slope or even Ditmas Park. (It was a couple of years ago, I am having a hard time finding a link with what I am citing)
I’m ok with the “it’s too far rant”. It’s really only 10 mintues farther than Park Slope. But it means I get a cheap, huge apt across the street from a lovely park filled with cherry blossoms. A seat on the subway to and from work. The option of hitting a variety of bars – old man style being my favorite – for 5 dollar cocktails and no attitude. Great food – Tanoreen is just the tip of the iceberg. And I get to have a car. That I can park on the street and gives me the freedom to hit the too cool for school parts of Brooklyn for variety. And I agree with you Italiana – the Italian hits are below the belt and just dumb. In short I love Bay Ridge and while other places might be “cooler” I don’t want to be anywhere else. I guess this is my BR love song 🙂
It still amazes me that people find it ok to knock Italians but I know for a fact that if anyone here posted something to the tune of “don’t move to Green Point because its a bunch of cheesey Polish kids” or “Sunset Park is full of a bunch of loud hispanics and its just not for me” there would be outrage. But for some reaason when when there is a discussion involving Bay Ridge someone always says something to the tune of too many Italians, I couldn’t live there. Why is that okay?
It’s true, the nightlife scene is generally a SI/local crowd. The restaurant scene is generally the same. Sure some of the places are noteworthy (def Schnitzel Haus), but IMO none are destination spots except for Tanoreen. This said, BR is quite beautiful in the Spring; especially along Ridge / Colonial with their well kept properties. 5th Avenue in BR is a very nice retail strip – reminds me a lot of the Slope actually minus the strollers and elitist attitude. Definitely car culture down here, people will drive just to go 10 blocks.
Bay Ridge will always be tops in my heart, even if only for the home goods section/store of Century 21. It’s a sheet and blanket lover’s dream 🙂
Tybur,
Haven’t been to Bay Ridge in a while? I’ll just let the article speak for itself: Note the “better than you think food scene” – but that’s just their and our opinion.
The south Brooklyn standout is safe, quiet, and close to harborside jogging paths and parks. A diverse mix of blue-collar Italian, Irish, and Arab communities take advantage of good public schools, excellent housing stock, and a better-than-you-think food scene. The commute into Manhattan—about 40 minutes to Union Square without waiting or walking time—is pushing the limits of what most people will tolerate, but that’s why rents ($1,275 average for a two-bedroom) remain so affordable.
Seriously… it’s ‘effing far away. I guess if you work in Manhattan (or Bay Ridge) it makes sense. Otherwise, it’s just ‘effing far away. Did I say that already? Isn’t Queens cheaper for the same?
8 mins my car — MAYBE. Though, you know that’s not true. But more like 40+ mins by painfully slow trains.
My experience in Bay Ridge has been cheezy Italian Restaurants and older versions of the Jersey Shore people at bars with valet service. Such an odd place. Not for me.
bay ridge has a lot going for it. by far, it is the least expensive neighborhood with an equal number of amenities. shopping is well above average. the schools are very good.
However, when all is said and done, it’s barely Brooklyn. It’s more like an extension of Staten Island.
Schnitzel Haus ROCKS!