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Possibly moving to Bay Ridge — Brooklynian

Possibly moving to Bay Ridge

monalissa
monalissa
edited November -1 in Bay Ridge/Bensonhurst

Hi All,

I'm new to the forum since my husband and I (and our kitties!) are probably moving to Brooklyn from the Bronx in 6 weeks. We're going to need a 2 bedroom apartment with a budget of $1,400-1,600. Of course the lower end would be best :))). Right now we're focusing on Bay Ridge. Does that sound like a realistic budget for this area?

Are there any other areas that you would suggest that would fit our budget and that have a train within walking distance? My husband works right in Sunset Park but I will have to commute to Grand Central. My biggest reservation is all the negative stuff I've read about the R train. Right now I take the 6 train all the way in, which takes me about 45-60 minutes. I take the Express Bus home but all that I've read about the Express Bus in Bay Ridge is that it's not very accessible to most people.

If anyone has some advice to offer I'd really appreciate it. I'm very nervous about the move!

Thank you!

Lisa

Comments

  • domino
    domino

    Welcome!!!! Bay Ridge is wonderful but the R train is not the speediest line. When I lived in the area I would take the express bus in and hop onto the train once I got into lower Manhattan.

    My stepson and DIL are vacating a two bedroom apartment at the end of this month (not sure if the landlord has found new tenants) and their rent was $1,300 (included heat). I know kitties are OK because they have two monsters. The best part of their location was ample parking.

    Their apartment was near the 86th Street and 7th Avenue stop of the X28 and it was normally a 15 minute ride to downtown. The hike to the R train stop at 95th Street was a bit much for me but the DIL had no problems.

    If you consider Dyker Heights and/or Bath Beach, these areas might be a bit less expensive and closer to the D train.

    Good luck and I think you will love it!

  • trumystic
    trumystic

    Thats a very broad question you posed Monalissa. There are lots of neighborhoods with a 2BR apartments that are close to the train and $1400 to 1600. This includes Sunset Park, Ditmas Park, Prospect Lefferts Garden, BedStuy, and Crown Heights. I would say all of those places could afford you a pretty speedy commute into Manhattan ( definitely less than an hour). And these are just the places I recently looked into on my most recent apartment search. The real question to help you narrow down your question is: what else are you looking for besides the price tag?

  • trumystic
    trumystic

    Thats a very broad question you posed Monalissa. There are lots of neighborhoods with a 2BR apartments that are close to the train and $1400 to 1600. This includes Sunset Park, Ditmas Park, Prospect Lefferts Garden, BedStuy, and Crown Heights. I would say all of those places could afford you a pretty speedy commute into Manhattan ( definitely less than an hour). And these are just the places I recently looked into on my most recent apartment search. The real question to help you narrow down your question is: what else are you looking for besides the price tag?

  • monalissa
    monalissa

    Thank you both for the replies! :mrgreen:

    Domino, that may be too much of a hike for me as well, especially when you add to the already long train ride. Plus, we are hoping to start a family once we are settled. Bay Ridge sounds lovely from everything I've read. If only there was a better train system! Still, I think it's our top choice at the moment.

    My husband is a Brooklyn native. He's not sure about Bath Beach, but there is no train in walking distance to Dyker Heights as far as he knows. That likely eliminates that area as an option. Btw, one of our kitties is named Domino. I smiled when I saw your post!

    Trumystic, safety is probably my biggest concern. Nightlife is not super high on our priority list since we are in family planning mode. Most of our socializing will probably continue in the Bronx anyway. I like to be in walking distance to fruit/veggie stores and drugstores.

    Is our budget realistic for Bay Ridge? Some realtors were telling me $1,700-$1,800 for two bedrooms!

    Thanks again to you both.

  • monalissa
    monalissa

    Thank you both for the replies! :mrgreen:

    Domino, that may be too much of a hike for me as well, especially when you add to the already long train ride. Plus, we are hoping to start a family once we are settled. Bay Ridge sounds lovely from everything I've read. If only there was a better train system! Still, I think it's our top choice at the moment.

    My husband is a Brooklyn native. He's not sure about Bath Beach, but there is no train in walking distance to Dyker Heights as far as he knows. That likely eliminates that area as an option. Btw, one of our kitties is named Domino. I smiled when I saw your post!

    Trumystic, safety is probably my biggest concern. Nightlife is not super high on our priority list since we are in family planning mode. Most of our socializing will probably continue in the Bronx anyway. I like to be in walking distance to fruit/veggie stores and drugstores.

    Is our budget realistic for Bay Ridge? Some realtors were telling me $1,700-$1,800 for two bedrooms!

    Thanks again to you both.

  • trumystic
    trumystic

    Ok then if perceived safety and the fact that you would like a place with pretty good schools I would say: Sunset Park and Bay Ridge ( based on what friends with kids say). By the time you really need to worry about schools (5-6 years from giving birth) the situation will likely have changed --so take it for what its worth. If you want to look in places that are perceived to be safe-- expand your search to Ditmas Park and historic Prospect Leffert Gardens.

    I think you should be able to find within your range in Bay Ridge but note the going rate for a 1 BR is from $1200-1400. But prepare to put alot of work into your search because lots of people are "discovering" Bay Ridge and thus prices are starting to get higher. Your best bet to find within your price range is to scour Craigslist for posting by individual owner/landlords ( and increase your chances of getting a deal). And for Bayridge you need to use small realtors and avoid the big ones like Corcoran who dont have longstanding relationships with oldtimers in the neighborhood. Also use sites like Padmapper.com and www.rentometer.com to get a sense of the market.

  • trumystic
    trumystic

    Ok then if perceived safety and the fact that you would like a place with pretty good schools I would say: Sunset Park and Bay Ridge ( based on what friends with kids say). By the time you really need to worry about schools (5-6 years from giving birth) the situation will likely have changed --so take it for what its worth. If you want to look in places that are perceived to be safe-- expand your search to Ditmas Park and historic Prospect Leffert Gardens.

    I think you should be able to find within your range in Bay Ridge but note the going rate for a 1 BR is from $1200-1400. But prepare to put alot of work into your search because lots of people are "discovering" Bay Ridge and thus prices are starting to get higher. Your best bet to find within your price range is to scour Craigslist for posting by individual owner/landlords ( and increase your chances of getting a deal). And for Bayridge you need to use small realtors and avoid the big ones like Corcoran who dont have longstanding relationships with oldtimers in the neighborhood. Also use sites like Padmapper.com and www.rentometer.com to get a sense of the market.

  • monalissa
    monalissa

    Thank you so much for the info, Trumystic! Schools aren't as much of a concern either, because we plan to buy a home outside of the boroughs. Hopefully, in the next few years. It's good to know that the schools are good in case that doesn't pan out for us. Thanks again! Off too read up on your suggestions.

  • monalissa
    monalissa

    Thank you so much for the info, Trumystic! Schools aren't as much of a concern either, because we plan to buy a home outside of the boroughs. Hopefully, in the next few years. It's good to know that the schools are good in case that doesn't pan out for us. Thanks again! Off too read up on your suggestions.

  • domino
    domino

    Actually I was a Dyker Hts landlord until last year and I always got my tenants thru word of mouth, the local parish and/or craigslist.

    Bath Beach (just on the other side of 86th street and 14th avenue) is safe and there are similar houses - closer to the train as well. Bensonhurst starts at 18th Avenue.

    The stepson and DIL swear by nofeerentalbyowner.com - being nosy, I looked and saw a $1200 / 2BR on 77th street. There were a few on 69th street 2BR for $1,300/$1,350. Most appear to be private homes (which when I rented I walways preferred).

  • monalissa
    monalissa

    It's funny you mention that site, Domino. I've been wondering if it's legit. Did they have to pay any fees to use it? It looks like you have to enter your email addy for the landlord to contact you. It almost seems to good to be true! Thank you.

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