Considering a move to Bay Ridge

testiculon · November 2009

Have lived in Park Slope for decades, but looking for more space, same money. Figure moving further out will get me that. How's the neighborhood? How's the parking? How's the commute?

Any advice would be appreciated.

gross · November 2009

http://www.sheepsheadbites.com/

username · November 2009

I moved to Bay Ridge for the same reason a couple of years ago and I was able to find a nice place for about 2/3 what it would have cost in PS. The commute is around 15-20 minutes longer, depending on what train you take (maybe a bit longer if you have to transfer). I'm almost always able to get a seat so I hardly notice the extra time. There are plenty of good restaurants but the bar scene is a little lacking..a lot of places feel too much like LI or SI on the weekends. There are cheap green grocers on almost every block of 5th ave but a serious lack of actual supermarkets. The parking stinks, just like in Park Slope. There are tradeoffs but all in all I like it and since it's on the R line it's easy to visit friends who are still in PS.

testiculon · November 2009

Thanks username and Gross. Is there a hot spot for parking or is it difficult every where in the nabe? I am currently in the South Slope and parking is OK. Would not want to move to an area where it is very hard.

Otherwise, I think the commute would be manageable and the food definitely looks good.

username · November 2009

I know it's pretty bad in the upper 70s between 3rd and 6th. I'm not really sure beyond that but I think it might be better closer to or on 7th ave due to the BQE and the lack of retail. Some blocks are worse than others due to an insane number of curb cuts for driveways (maybe you can get lucky and find an apartment in one of those buildings). I'm not really sure what the situation is between 3rd ave and Shore road since I'm rarely over there with my car.

One good thing if you tend to go a few days at a time without using the car: west of 5th ave is Thurs/Fri alternate side, east of 5th ave is Mon/Tues.

You'll probably want to drive through the neighborhood a couple times to see how it compares to where you are now. Overall I'd say the parking situation is better than center slope but worse than it is south of the Prospect Expressway or down by the Gowanus.

bookistan · December 2009

The parking is also crazy anywhere walking distance to Century 21, at least on the weekends.

testiculon · December 2009

So 5th Avenue is the "main drag"? I know it gets pretty crazy on 86th Street as well (I've tried to park at that PC Richards before and it was not so great). I just Google street viewed a couple of random streets and it looks pretty nice and quiet. I saw a lot of free standing houses. I'm assuming there are apartment buildings as well?

Planning on a drive around soon, just haven't had the time yet.

ansky · December 2009

I moved to Bay Ridge from Park Slope in 2008. There are many "ex-pats" here, who moved for the same reason - twice the apartment for half the price. I love my apartment but I miss some things from Park Slope: the liveliness, the diversity of the people, the restaurants (there are some good ones here but also a lot of bad ones), the park, and the decent bars. I really miss the park - I used to live right on PPW and spent a lot of time in the park, and there's no comparison here. I now live near Owl's Head Park and there are times when I'm the only person there! That's just strange to me. There are many days when I walk around Bay Ridge and might only pass one or two people in a half hour. In Park Slope, I could come home on the train at 2am and know I wouldn't be alone.

5th Avenue has plenty of bars, stores and restaurants, but 3rd avenue does, too, so that might be another option for you. I live on Ridge in the 60s and I don't think the parking is so bad around here - it's far better than Park Slope. I don't have people tailing me or cutting me off when I go looking for a parking spot. However, it's pretty nightmarish in the 70s and 80s.

As for commuting, the R can be pretty rough at times as it only comes about every 8 minutes during rush hour. You can switch to the D or the N but they're both pretty bad - standing room only every day. I started taking the express bus to midtown - it took as long as it took me on the F from Park Slope (about 45 minutes) and it was way more comfortable than the D train.

Most of the other former Park Slopers that I speak to miss the same things as I do. My husband, however, loves the quiet down here. We had a baby recently and I've found people are friendlier now because of him (everyone stops to talk to us) and there are plenty of family-oriented things to do down here.

So, to sum up: Bay Ridge is nice but I miss Park Slope! Thankfully, it's just a quick drive or subway ride away.

supercilious · December 2009

Subject: Re: Considering a move to Bay Ridge

Commute is fine if you work in Manhattan (express buses run early a.m. to late p.m.) Parking Sucks Eggs Big Time! I live in the 90's on Shore and have gotten more tickets than I care to think about. I've found out most big apt buildings have parking for tenants; however, you have to be put on a list that's about 5 years long and wait. I generally find something in the 70's and have to commute home on the bus from there. It's ridiculous and getting worse. I plan to move out as soon as possible; your life is dictated by parking -- you don't go out at night, you try to get home on weekends before 3:00 in the afternoon, you can't invite people over (where are they going to park) -- need I go on!?

Considering a move to Bay Ridge

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