Desparately Wanting Brooklyn (not NJ)

jenniemojo · December 2009

First, forgive me b/c this is my first post and I don't know that I'm posting in the correct area, but here goes....

I am a married, 30 something, with a toddler and another baby on the way. My husband and I both work in Lower Manhattan and currently live on the Upper West Side and paying 3600 for a pre-war elevator bldg 2 bedrm apt on a prime block. We love the location but because of increasing day care costs and the need for more space (our 2 bedrm is small), we will be moving when our lease is up in the Spring and we are at a crossroads of where to go.

I'm a big fan of Brooklyn and my husband is leaning toward Jersey City. To me, it feels like Brooklyn just has more character and charm than JC (sorry, I hope I am not offending anyone) and I'm on a mission to prove that we can find what we are looking for in Brooklyn. He also loves Brooklyn but doesn't think it's possible to get what we need (he's picturing all walk up chopped up brownstones with tiny kitchens).

We are looking for -
A decent size true 2 bedrm - 1000 sq ft +, elevator (or minimal steps) in a well kept bldg
Kid and dog friendly bldg and hood
Near some green space
We don't get out much, but still like to stroll and would love some nice cafe/restaurants/shops in walking distance
Under $3,000 per month

My husband and I are really torn because we have seen some properties in Jersey City which definitely fit the bill. There are tons of affordable, spacious, shiny, new apartments with washer/dryers, huge open floor plans, and short commute to work - and it's hard for me to argue with those features. While we both prefer Brooklyn to JC, JC has some selling points which are very good right now from a practicality standpoint. He's getting sick of hearing me complain about not wanting to move to JC, but not knowing where to go in Brooklyn. A friend told us to consider Prospect Heights b/c there are some newish buildings which might have the space and conveniences for which we are searching, but I don't know where to start.

Does anyone have any ideas on 'hoods or even buildings which may fit the bill?
THANK YOU!

modsquad · December 2009

Repost this word for word on

http://www.brownstoner.com/forum/

You might even get offers of apartments there.

opossumqueen · December 2009

what s/he said ^^^

I'm not current on prices there, but Prospect Heights probably meets your other criteria. Great area, some good train options. Besides some small neighborhood playgrounds/community gardens, Prospect Park is near and so much better than Central Park, imo.

If you dig through this section (the Prospect Heights forum) you'll find some similar posts to yours that will have lots of advice.

If you're hunting on Craigslist, a few hints.

If it says near the B/Q and/or 2/3 trains it's probably the correct nabe. If it says the 4/5, the place is probably either farther east in Crown Heights (also worth looking into) or that train is far from the place.

There are lots of big buildings on Eastern Parkway, many with elevators so that might be a good way to narrow your search or a good place to start.

Make some appointments for an evening and come over and look at a few places! If you see a few in your price range that def. aren't up to par, you can feel better about JC.

nykittyny · December 2009

Just be prepared as you look at Brooklyn apartments that the JC apartments are going to be FAR nicer in terms of what you get for your $$. In Brooklyn you will be paying more for the charm of where you live.

I suspect that Brownstone neighborhoods like Park Slope and Brooklyn Heights would have many duplex apartments that you guys would love, but the price on those would be about what you are paying now, if not higher, unless you were willing to live in something a little run-down, which it doesn't sound like you are.

Good luck.

opossumqueen · December 2009

Duplex's in Park Slope are definitely more than what they are paying, especially if they want bedrooms and not kind of open floors. I know someone paying 5K for a nice duplex with 2 real BR, amazing location, and a little deck. Plus it's on the 3rd or 4th floor. I'm sure a slight move away from their spot and big decrease in niceness of the place could lower the price but not by that much from what I've seen on craigslist.

jcnycarch · December 2009

My wife and I were in the same situation. We had a newborn and needed a bigger place for less money. We were in the UWS as well. Though we had a slightly smaller budget than you, we had a hard time finding anything decent in the Park Slope area. (This was this summer.) We ended up in Windsor Terrace. I recommend checking this neighborhood out. It's on the south side of Prospect Park. I think you'll have a hard time getting what you want in Park Slope for the simple fact that there are not a lot of elevator buildings in the area. Like the previous posts state, Prospect Hghts might be a good bet for larger, elevator bldgs. In WT, you might be able to get a pretty big place. But like all of Brooklyn, there might be stairs. Good luck!

whatchuwant · December 2009

Personally, I loved living in Fort Greene, and it also has what your looking for.

nykittyny · December 2009

OpossumQueen wrote: Duplex's in Park Slope are definitely more than what they are paying, especially if they want bedrooms and not kind of open floors. I know someone paying 5K for a nice duplex with 2 real BR, amazing location, and a little deck. Plus it's on the 3rd or 4th floor. I'm sure a slight move away from their spot and big decrease in niceness of the place could lower the price but not by that much from what I've seen on craigslist.

While there are certainly pricey duplexes like you describe to choose from, there are definitely those in a lower price range. I myself live in one that is in the price range the OP is looking for....it just needed some work on our end that we were willing to do. I am also a former PS broker, and can tell you for sure that if one is willing to do the legwork, they will find something under 4K, its just not going to be super high-end. The OP should look out for garden floors combined with finished basement floor "rec rooms" which can offer lots of square footage, usually with a yard, at a lower price than a traditional duplex.

The poster who suggested Windsor Terrace is also on to something. Ditmas Park isn't a bad idea either, especially if they plan to own a car.

smokin joe · December 2009

sounds like the pre-war buildings on eastern parkway in prospect heights would fit the bill.

whatchuwant · December 2009

Smokin' Joe wrote: sounds like the pre-war buildings on eastern parkway in prospect heights would fit the bill.

As someone who lives on EP, I actually don't recommend it for starting/raising a family. The exhaust from all the traffic right outside is NOT something I think a baby should be exposed to. Maybe an apartment that doesn't face the parkway...

Also, you have to generally go out of your way for places to eat. Of course that's getting better as the years go on, but it's still a walk if your craving certain things like sushi. Good sushi, anyway. :roll:

ben · December 2009

There's a ton of new construction out there that fits the bill. Many of the bigger projects are offering free rent as well, I think the Avalon is offering 3 months free right now.

Search the brokerage sites and nytimes.com and you'll find plenty of options.

neo-social · January 2010

Please take the time to explore crown Heights, Clinton hill or even Bed Stuy. If you can afford the Prospect heights or lefforts gardens then you should go for what fits your family. You are going to trade some travel time, but the parks, children’s museum, and etc are all around.

armchair_warrior · January 2010

as a landlord i can you can get what you want easily in the prime neighborhoods for price but maybe not the elevator.

http://www.rentometer.com/ your friend when renting

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Desparately Wanting Brooklyn (not NJ)

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