Possible move from Texas soon with grown kids, help

i say go prospect heights near flatbush or vanderbilt about the same as ps but cheaper on your budget and you could get a larger place .

kensingtonmom wrote: I think you might be shocked at the prices here now (unless you have been doing some research). I say also try windsor Terrace/Kensington. You can get a half house, yard, and possibly even garage for 2k. maybe less--but you will be stuck on the F train.

i gotta say f train sucks . kengsington is nice and cheap .

Subject: Re: Homework on moveback to New York

Bellaja wrote: Thank you, great quick replies. Yes I have been following message boards and making copious notes. Have 2 chihuahuaas and 2 kitties, maybe cats can be given up (boo hoo) Hvae been to half-price books and collected maps. Am thinking of the idea of a walk-up: how much cheaper is it the higher you go? Can't remember where I saw comments on that. Also have a scooter, 50 CC and after reading about the problem of keeping bikes from being stolen, wonder what will become of my little Suzuki. My daughter is only 15 and will have to be in school. So I would appreciate comments on that as well. Thanks again. B

you are going to have more trouble finding a place with dogs than cats. Most landlords accept cats, and most people don't take dogs.

Is 15 still middle school (my kids are still young)? I know I sound really negative but I think things are going to be a lot harder here then they were when you left. Middle school is a serious problem in NY and most people either move out at that point, or pop their kids in private school until they can test and get into one of the really great public high schools. There aren't many good middle schools and the few that there are, don't have enough slots for the students who qualify. Since I don't think we can afford private schools for two, we will probably leave at that point unfortunately unless things turn around (which they could). But high school will take research because there are quite a few depending on your daughter's interests and abilities but can involve 1.5 hour commutes. On the positive side, they are some of the best high schools in the country.

oh there are a few good art schools dont remember their names .

Rose wrote: [quote=armchair_warrior]try to get them tested and see if they can get into brooklyn tech hs, stuyvesant hs, bronx sci hs or get zone into murrow hs. other than that other schools suck .

See, that might have been true ten years ago, but things have changed. I would rather send my kid to Bard or Beacon than to any of the schools you name. Of the half-dozen kids I know who've gotten into Stuy, Tech, or Science in the past couple of years, all chose to go to other schools. Lots of smart kids don't see the appeal of a huge, impersonal, highly competitive high school. I've heard that Tech has actually had trouble filling all its seats in recent years. they probably cant handle the competition, its almost like the ivy league of hs. some folks work better in low competivtive schools. i have some young friends who recently grad from some of those schools. they seem to love it there still. oh if youre kids arent asian its easier to get in lol.

Subject: Re: Possible move from Texas soon with grown kids, help

Bellaja wrote: I lived in New York as a young hippie and now want to return to live, more likely to Brooklyn. Three kids, two will be working like myself, so rent can be shared Question is:do I take a cheap(?) smaller apt. until we find where we really want to be? I do bodywork, is there a suggestion on where and the poss. of work out of home massage therapy? So need a bigger place, natch.

First off welcome back to Brooklyn. I think you will find that it might be hard to find a large apartment for under 1500. I would definitely try Prospect Heights or Prospect/Lefferts. I think what you should do is find an apartment that you can live in for a year (i.e., enough space and one year lease) and then check out the different neighborhoods and see what fits you and your lifestyle.

As far as schools go - there are many options for you and your daughter to chose from. There are zone schools (the school that the children from your neighborhood are automatically accepted into), there are specialized schools (i.e., Automotive, Transit, Business, etc.) and there are also newer schools (I forget the term now) which are run by the parents as well as teachers - matter of fact there is one that just opened in Ft. Greene and I think there is also the Brooklyn Free School. These tend to be small informal classes centering on community, culture and education. I know you also mentioned that your children are "artsy". There are many, many high schools for your daughter to chose from. If I am not mistaken the old Sarah J. Hale on Pacific and 4th is now some type of specialized artistic trade-type high school, as well as the high schools in Manhattan (Graphics, Fashion, etc.).

Good luck!!

Carnivore wrote: Midwood is also a good Brooklyn High School, depending on which track you're in. Of course, the best is Hunter, but they don't accept anyone after 7th grade. Right, Candicissima?

Yup, the Hunter test is in the 6th grade. If her kid is 15, Stuy is probably out also. They only test 6th and 8th graders I believe.

Candicissima wrote: [quote=Carnivore]Midwood is also a good Brooklyn High School, depending on which track you're in. Of course, the best is Hunter, but they don't accept anyone after 7th grade. Right, Candicissima?

Yup, the Hunter test is in the 6th grade. If her kid is 15, Stuy is probably out also. They only test 6th and 8th graders I believe.

9th graders get one more shot.. if i remember correctly. a few are excepted for the 10th grade after taking the exam agian - but i think they usually come from brooklyn tech or more likely, bronx science. however, my freshmen students were often 16+.

Carnivore wrote: From the NYT today:
In Elite N.Y. Schools, a Dip in Blacks and Hispanics
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/18/education/18schools.html?hp&ex=1155960000&en=7cb5073a872e47ac&ei=5094&partner=homepage

i hate it when schools try to make it fairer for everyone they discriminate against asian(perticullary girls).