Spotlight on Bay Ridge
This weekend’s “Living In…[X Neighborhood]” feature in The Times was about Bay Ridge, and it had a few interesting details about the neighborhood’s real estate scene, like the mention of a woman who owns a “three-bedroom limestone row house that cost $46,800 in 1969 but that she estimates might bring $850,000 today.” The article also…
This weekend’s “Living In…[X Neighborhood]” feature in The Times was about Bay Ridge, and it had a few interesting details about the neighborhood’s real estate scene, like the mention of a woman who owns a “three-bedroom limestone row house that cost $46,800 in 1969 but that she estimates might bring $850,000 today.” The article also says real estate values in the neighborhood have weathered the downturn relatively well: “demand has remained strong through the slump of the last few years. Last year, 76 single-family homes sold, at an average of $812,000; at the peak, in 2007, 99 sold, at an average of $841,000, city data show.” Possible reasons for this include that there wasn’t a glut of condo development during the boom years because of zoning restrictions and because “Bay Ridge never really had a fallow period in the 1970s, like other parts of Brooklyn, brokers say, because there was never an exodus of families.”
You’ll Notice There’s a Bridge [NY Times]
Photo by Violette79.
I’m not saying it is the best commute in the world, but it is not as bad as some people think. I walk 3 blocks and an avenue and a half to the 86th St. station and work in midtown – Rockefeller Center. It took me 45 minutes from the time I left my house until the time I walked into my building this morning. I transfer to the N at 59th St if it is there, or wait for the D at 36th St. It could take a few minutes longer if I have to wait for the trains, but once you get into your routine you know when the R train will pull in (yes – it really is on a schedule) and try to time it. As far as the neighborhood, we love it. We looked in Park Slope, Cobble Hill, etc., but decided to come out here primarily for the space & the decent schools, and the extra few minutes on the train lets me catch up on some reading.
I lived after after 2004 when the N express could be picked up at 59th street. But I endured long waits at that stop at all times other than non-peak commuting times, either waiting for the N to Manhattan after getting off the R, or waiting for the R to go home after getting off the N. As for skipping the R and just getting on the express, if one’s prospective apt or house is close to 59th street it’s not the nicest part of Bay Ridge.
I also live on a a street with very few curb cuts. Its no worse than the parking in Park Slope. And actually I found parking in PS worse than in Bay Ridge. It depends on your block. And the commute again depends on where you live.
If you lived here before 2004 when the N did not go express to 59th st. your commute was probably hell. But now we have express so to me its not that bad.
We live on a street of limetones and there are no curb cuts. I do not know of any on the next block either. There are many uniform beautful blocks without those cuts. Actually, if you enjoy walking you really don’t need a car. Fifth Avenue and Third Avenue have rows of all sorts of stores. And there are four supermarkets at different points in the neighborhood. I think that owning a car anywhere in the city can be an issue unless you’re in a place like Ditmas Park. But even there once you leave your driveway, driving and parking is not easy.
The R train is slow-there is no getting around that. There are express trains at 36th Street etc.
For “commute time”, I count from the moment I walk out of my apt, to the time I walk into my office building. So, that includes walk-time and wait-time. Seeing as how my office is 1/2 mile from the closest R train (downtown Manhattan), I bet my real commute would be at least an hour from even the best spots in Bay Ridge.
But, that’s me. I guess if you lived right next to the R and worked very close to it, you could do it in 45 minutes or so.
I rented in Bay Ridge. I so enjoyed the old-timers there. There’s a breezy, seaside aspect to parts of it I love. Feels like you’re not in NYC. I loved being able to see the Verrazano bridge from some vantage points; it’s such a beautiful structure. Great restaurants. But be nice to people thinking about going there — please don’t downplay the commute. The wait for the train is so long, especially after 9pm or on weekends. I was left in tears on a few occasions waiting for that freaking train, desperate to just get home. (Can you tell I hate the R?) For those saying it’s 40 minutes to Manhattan, you do have to count how long you walk to the subway (stops are spread out) then how long you wait on the platform, sorry folks. Secondly, everybody there owns a car. It’s far enough out and the stores and amenities are spread apart enough that families need a car. But the parking is horrible. See the recent articles on the attempt to ban the illegal curb cuts and you’ll get the real scoop on parking in Bay Ridge. Hope they succeed in banning the curb cuts btw. I always noted how much less street parking there was because every house seemed to have a driveway even if it was an attached house. Pretty ridiculous. (And ugly).
The New York Times mentioned all the bars. I don’t anyone who lives here for the bars. There is so much more. Great restaurants and shops. Three (not one) excellent public schools, 102, 127, and 185. There are also parks, a running/biking path and botanical garden along Shore Road. And enough with “Tony Manero”.
The New York Times article failed to mention the great restaurants and the small shops. In addition to P.S. 185, P.S. 102 and 127 have excellent reputations as well. He also brought up “Tony Manero” again. Enough already!
Bay Ridge is worth consideration (even if one chooses another hood) when one is looking for an affordable hood with good schools, good retail density, safe, diversity,…