***New York*** (2 Viewers)

[Fat Nick]

Downtown was pretty desperate for renters when I was looking last summer (like 3-4 months free), worth a shot.

I lived in 71 Broadway for a summer a few years back. It's basically at the intersection of Wall St. and Broadway. I'd highly recommend it. It's very easy to get around as most subway lines are within a few blocks of there, and the 4/5 actually stops in the basement of the building. My only negative comment about the area is that it can be tough to find stuff after 6:00 or so as everythign closes except a few restaurants (but again, easy subway access negates that), and the tourists going to Ground Zero and Trinity Church/Wall Street make you want to shoot yourself on the weekends.

 

[El Floppo]

2. Ippudo - Japanese ramen shop with some great looking cooked dishes. Lines get long quick but it's am inexpensove meal and lived up to it's billing as the closest thing to tokyo outside of japan. One secret? Pork based ramen broth. Down in village st 4th between 9th an 10th or thereabouts.

Insanely good...line moves relatively quickly. If Japanese is your thing, there's good yakitori in the city now too.Norwood>>>3rd floor walkups get old quickly. I have to believe in this environment that there are other reasonable rentals on the UES.

this - I would think especially true with a newborn

and pregnant, and toddler.seems like now's a good time to be looking, but do yourselves a favor and get an elevator or lower floor pad.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Downtown was pretty desperate for renters when I was looking last summer (like 3-4 months free), worth a shot.

I lived in 71 Broadway for a summer a few years back. It's basically at the intersection of Wall St. and Broadway. I'd highly recommend it. It's very easy to get around as most subway lines are within a few blocks of there, and the 4/5 actually stops in the basement of the building. My only negative comment about the area is that it can be tough to find stuff after 6:00 or so as everythign closes except a few restaurants (but again, easy subway access negates that), and the tourists going to Ground Zero and Trinity Church/Wall Street make you want to shoot yourself on the weekends.

Yeah, I lived in that building back in 2000 (6th FL - B'way side, with the mini-balcony to watch to Yankees parade from). FiDi totally shuts down after 6 pm, its gotten better but still pretty sparse for services.StreetEasy is great when you are buying...but rentals move so quickly - especially 2 bedrooms, and/or well-priced 2 bedrooms never get uploaded. So its great to use to get a feel for the market, but tough to act upon.Assuming you are willing to do the legwork, and don't want to pay a broker fee...I would keep looking. Lot of projects went rental or partial rental post-Lehman. The RE market has come back a little but still a ton of deals out there (1 month free). Do some selected screening on CL (no-fee, owner only adds, etc). Walk around...lot of big buildings don't advertise online or use in house agents...just grab their number off the side of the building or walk in. Never have to pay a fee in NYC if you don't want to, but it does take enough effort that it feels like a second job.This is gonna make your head hurt...but you have to think ahead for the baby. Due date is around 4/1, correct? So that means 17 months old fall 2011 - prime time to enroll in a preschool program a few days a week. Its nutso around here, but you get into the right preschool/learning co-op, sets them up to get into a good K-5 school. I know, insane...but anyway...Fall 2011 enrollment means you will be scouting fall/winter at the end of this year, and applying in January. So there's that to think about.GL gb.

 

[El Floppo]

Downtown was pretty desperate for renters when I was looking last summer (like 3-4 months free), worth a shot.

I lived in 71 Broadway for a summer a few years back. It's basically at the intersection of Wall St. and Broadway. I'd highly recommend it. It's very easy to get around as most subway lines are within a few blocks of there, and the 4/5 actually stops in the basement of the building. My only negative comment about the area is that it can be tough to find stuff after 6:00 or so as everythign closes except a few restaurants (but again, easy subway access negates that), and the tourists going to Ground Zero and Trinity Church/Wall Street make you want to shoot yourself on the weekends.

Yeah, I lived in that building back in 2000 (6th FL - B'way side, with the mini-balcony to watch to Yankees parade from). FiDi totally shuts down after 6 pm, its gotten better but still pretty sparse for services.StreetEasy is great when you are buying...but rentals move so quickly - especially 2 bedrooms, and/or well-priced 2 bedrooms never get uploaded. So its great to use to get a feel for the market, but tough to act upon.Assuming you are willing to do the legwork, and don't want to pay a broker fee...I would keep looking. Lot of projects went rental or partial rental post-Lehman. The RE market has come back a little but still a ton of deals out there (1 month free). Do some selected screening on CL (no-fee, owner only adds, etc). Walk around...lot of big buildings don't advertise online or use in house agents...just grab their number off the side of the building or walk in. Never have to pay a fee in NYC if you don't want to, but it does take enough effort that it feels like a second job.This is gonna make your head hurt...but you have to think ahead for the baby. Due date is around 4/1, correct? So that means 17 months old fall 2011 - prime time to enroll in a preschool program a few days a week. Its nutso around here, but you get into the right preschool/learning co-op, sets them up to get into a good K-5 school. I know, insane...but anyway...Fall 2011 enrollment means you will be scouting fall/winter at the end of this year, and applying in January. So there's that to think about.GL gb.

Downtown is flush with great day-care/pre-schools. District 2 has some great public schools- check online to see where District 2 is (most of downtown-west all the way to uptown excluding my LES/Evil which is Distrcit 1). Given the house-hunting, I'm guessing the expensive (ie: 30k/year for freaking Kindergarden) school route isn't something you're looking at... but forgive me if I'm making assumptions.It probably doesn't seem to matter now- but you're going to want to be close to a good playground, grocery and down-the-not-so-distant-road- pre-school/day-care.eta: I'm the proud father of a 2 1/2 yo, and also kinda-sorta looking around to move into a new 2/3 BR if we find the right spot.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Good pt, El Floppo...we had only touched on FiDi (less than optimal IMO), and Norwood had ruled out much of the rest - BPC is dreck, Tribeca/SoHo/GV-WV flat out ridiculous. But LES is an up and comer, East Village is just about the only authentic nabe left. I know you're right on the border of those two, and I have friends raising kids there...def more of a kid friendly nabe now than when you or I rolled into town.

Also, FWIW, it's $15K and $24K for freaking pre-k and friggin Kindergarden. You don't have to start paying $30K until first grade.



ETA: Chelseas/Flatiron seems a bit too expensive for the budget we're discussing, but there are plenty of blocks around the edge of Gramercy and MSP that would fit the range. But I'm biased, love downtown, can't wait to get out of midtown.

 

[El Floppo]

Good pt, El Floppo...we had only touched on FiDi (less than optimal IMO), and Norwood had ruled out much of the rest - BPC is dreck, Tribeca/SoHo/GV-WV flat out ridiculous. But LES is an up and comer, East Village is just about the only authentic nabe left. I know you're right on the border of those two, and I have friends raising kids there...def more of a kid friendly nabe now than when you or I rolled into town.

Also, FWIW, it's $15K and $24K for freaking pre-k and friggin Kindergarden. You don't have to start paying $30K until first grade.



ETA: Chelseas/Flatiron seems a bit too expensive for the budget we're discussing, but there are plenty of blocks around the edge of Gramercy and MSP that would fit the range. But I'm biased, love downtown, can't wait to get out of midtown.

Good stuff.I definitely like our hood for the kids- and yeah, it's changed big-time since ye ol' knife-in-the-gut days.

Seems to me that the whole city had kids in the last 3 years (or I'm just more aware since having my own). every where I go has kid-friendly stuff happening, so it'll probalby boil down to the OP finding the right apt, rather than the right hood. And fwiw- some good friends of ours just left the EVil for BPC- no hood vibe to speak of, but right next to Tribeca (and wholefoods) and great playgrounds/schools, plus a better deal than where we are.

How much did the OP want to spend?

Gotta say- having a W/D in the apartment has been huge for us since the kid (seems like it's a load a day). Elevator also big... can't imagine having to schlep the kid and gear up down 3 flights of stairs all the time.

oh- I stand a little corrected on the pre/k costs- except ours is still 28.5k for freaking kindergarten on up (ie: it's either financial aid, or public school when the kid turns 5).

 

[ScottNorwood]

Thanks for all your thoughts guys. We're trying to keep it under 2K per month right now. Looking at a duplex in Clinton Hill tonight. I've heard good things about the neighborhood but have never been there.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Thanks for all your thoughts guys. We're trying to keep it under 2K per month right now. Looking at a duplex in Clinton Hill tonight. I've heard good things about the neighborhood but have never been there.

Sweet hood, great row houses. The north end around Pratt Institute is cool.I lived in Boerum Hill and Brooklyn Heights for 8 years. If you work in FiDi its a shorter commute than many/most Manhattan nabes.

 

[ScottNorwood]

Thanks for all your thoughts guys. We're trying to keep it under 2K per month right now. Looking at a duplex in Clinton Hill tonight. I've heard good things about the neighborhood but have never been there.

Sweet hood, great row houses. The north end around Pratt Institute is cool.I lived in Boerum Hill and Brooklyn Heights for 8 years. If you work in FiDi its a shorter commute than many/most Manhattan nabes.

Only thing that scares me is the commute. I work in midtown and the wife works on the UWS (for now). G train.. blech

 

[BobbyLayne]

Thanks for all your thoughts guys. We're trying to keep it under 2K per month right now. Looking at a duplex in Clinton Hill tonight. I've heard good things about the neighborhood but have never been there.

Sweet hood, great row houses. The north end around Pratt Institute is cool.I lived in Boerum Hill and Brooklyn Heights for 8 years. If you work in FiDi its a shorter commute than many/most Manhattan nabes.

Only thing that scares me is the commute. I work in midtown and the wife works on the UWS (for now). G train.. blech

Hoyt-Schermerhorn is 2 stops away, xfer A/C - 50 minutes tops door-to-doorJeebus! Can't believe how friggin' whiny dads get in the third trimester...

 

[Major]

Thanks for all your thoughts guys. We're trying to keep it under 2K per month right now. Looking at a duplex in Clinton Hill tonight. I've heard good things about the neighborhood but have never been there.

Sweet hood, great row houses. The north end around Pratt Institute is cool.I lived in Boerum Hill and Brooklyn Heights for 8 years. If you work in FiDi its a shorter commute than many/most Manhattan nabes.

Only thing that scares me is the commute. I work in midtown and the wife works on the UWS (for now). G train.. blech

You're going to hate your life. Don't do it.

 

[El Floppo]

g-train to upper west is el suck. 50 minutes is very, very hopeful... I did the reverse commute years ago. guh.

sub 2k for a 2br? those places you listed earlier were in that range? I know prices have dipped- but I'm still kinda suprised the kind of places you listed earlier are available at that price. great time to be looking.

 

[Major]

g-train to upper west is el suck. 50 minutes is very, very hopeful... I did the reverse commute years ago. guh.sub 2k for a 2br? those places you listed earlier were in that range? I know prices have dipped- but I'm still kinda suprised the kind of places you listed earlier are available at that price. great time to be looking.

That's a damn good deal but I assume one of the bedrooms is the size of a closet. The last 2 bed/2 bath I had was in 2004 and I paid $3,200 on 6th st btw 2/3 ave. Now it goes for north of $4k. Prices have dipped recently but not that much.

 

[BobbyLayne]

EF - go to hopstop.com

plug in Lafayette Ave & Clinton Ave on the Brooklyn end

plug in 50th & 8th Ave on the Manhattan side

walking time to Sixth Ave

= 49 minutes

FWIW, babies and toddlers don't care if their bedroom is 9x6. You can make a lot of layouts work: barlely legal 2 bedroom, mezzanine sleeping loft, home/office with no window.

Beats going to Jersey.

 

[Major]

EF - go to hopstop.com plug in Lafayette Ave & Clinton Ave on the Brooklyn endplug in 50th & 8th Ave on the Manhattan sidewalking time to Sixth Ave= 49 minutesFWIW, babies and toddlers don't care if their bedroom is 9x6. You can make a lot of layouts work: barlely legal 2 bedroom, mezzanine sleeping loft, home/office with no window.Beats going to Jersey.

If everything works out perfectly (i.e. subway magically appears when you get to the platform), I'd say maybe 50 minutes. When I've been in Brooklyn (ex lived near F on Bergen) catching the train was a nightmare on nights and weekends.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Yeah, my bad I was assuming he commuted during weekday rush hours.



Yeah, I did the Bergen Street F for years...FRIGGIN NIGHTMARE on weekends. Especially since back then I was usually coming home from LES hell square (Houston/Allen/Delancey...eastern boundary depends on how drunk you are).

When you live on the F Line, you quickly learn to just say screw it and cough up the $15 to get home.

 

[Major]

Yeah, my bad I was assuming he commuted during weekday rush hours. Yeah, I did the Bergen Street F for years...FRIGGIN NIGHTMARE on weekends. Especially since back then I was usually coming home from LES hell square (Houston/Allen/Delancey...eastern boundary depends on how drunk you are).When you live on the F Line, you quickly learn to just say screw it and cough up the $15 to get home.

I was assuming that he'll be working past 7pm. Hell of a cost to front for a cab i.e. $40-50 from midtown west.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Major, I was joking...but now you're being silly.

F trains are fine during the week up until 10-11 pm.

Weekends, fuhgetaboutit.

WTF am I defending the F train?

:MartyMarkowitz:

ETA - He's looking in Clinton Hill, which is effectively the A/C, then two stops on the G (horrible train, prolly worst in the whole system).

 

[Major]

Major, I was joking...but now you're being silly.F trains are fine during the week up until 10-11 pm.Weekends, fuhgetaboutit.WTF am I defending the F train for?:MartyMarkowitz:

Sorry, i've heard the BK schtick about how it takes 40-50 minutes door to door to midtown west and rarely does it come to fruition in my experience. The only way it makes sense to me is if you're working downtown. Most of the times the walk to subway in BK will take you at least 10-15 minutes. I do love the Orange train lines though. Living on Grand St. near Chinatown it was golden for my office in the Film Center on 44th/9th ave.Note: I am enjoying the heated discussion on train lines

 

[BobbyLayne]

hehe

I just realized that except for a few months in the fall of 2001 when we had to relocate for a few months temporarily after 9/11, I never commuted using the F. I would actually go up to the Hoyt 2/3 or even Borough Hall 4/5, 1 stop into Wall Street. When we had the midtown place (around 39th & Madison) it seems like I split between the F and 4/5 - Bryant Park or Grand Central were about the same walk.

 

[cowboysin07]

Downtown was pretty desperate for renters when I was looking last summer (like 3-4 months free), worth a shot.

I lived in 71 Broadway for a summer a few years back. It's basically at the intersection of Wall St. and Broadway. I'd highly recommend it. It's very easy to get around as most subway lines are within a few blocks of there, and the 4/5 actually stops in the basement of the building. My only negative comment about the area is that it can be tough to find stuff after 6:00 or so as everythign closes except a few restaurants (but again, easy subway access negates that), and the tourists going to Ground Zero and Trinity Church/Wall Street make you want to shoot yourself on the weekends.

Yeah, I lived in that building back in 2000 (6th FL - B'way side, with the mini-balcony to watch to Yankees parade from). FiDi totally shuts down after 6 pm, its gotten better but still pretty sparse for services.StreetEasy is great when you are buying...but rentals move so quickly - especially 2 bedrooms, and/or well-priced 2 bedrooms never get uploaded. So its great to use to get a feel for the market, but tough to act upon.Assuming you are willing to do the legwork, and don't want to pay a broker fee...I would keep looking. Lot of projects went rental or partial rental post-Lehman. The RE market has come back a little but still a ton of deals out there (1 month free). Do some selected screening on CL (no-fee, owner only adds, etc). Walk around...lot of big buildings don't advertise online or use in house agents...just grab their number off the side of the building or walk in. Never have to pay a fee in NYC if you don't want to, but it does take enough effort that it feels like a second job.This is gonna make your head hurt...but you have to think ahead for the baby. Due date is around 4/1, correct? So that means 17 months old fall 2011 - prime time to enroll in a preschool program a few days a week. Its nutso around here, but you get into the right preschool/learning co-op, sets them up to get into a good K-5 school. I know, insane...but anyway...Fall 2011 enrollment means you will be scouting fall/winter at the end of this year, and applying in January. So there's that to think about.GL gb.

Downtown is flush with great day-care/pre-schools. District 2 has some great public schools- check online to see where District 2 is (most of downtown-west all the way to uptown excluding my LES/Evil which is Distrcit 1). Given the house-hunting, I'm guessing the expensive (ie: 30k/year for freaking Kindergarden) school route isn't something you're looking at... but forgive me if I'm making assumptions.It probably doesn't seem to matter now- but you're going to want to be close to a good playground, grocery and down-the-not-so-distant-road- pre-school/day-care.eta: I'm the proud father of a 2 1/2 yo, and also kinda-sorta looking around to move into a new 2/3 BR if we find the right spot.

If downtown is desperate, look at 50 Murray. I lived there for 3 years and it might be the best building I've found in the city.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Sorry, i've heard the BK schtick about how it takes 40-50 minutes door to door to midtown west and rarely does it come to fruition in my experience.

Note: I am enjoying the heated discussion on train lines

True enuf...actually this reminds me of all our friends who have dispersed to Jersey and Westchester. "I'm only XX minutes from the city"

BFS

You are XX minutes from the moment your crappy regional train pulls up until you get to Grand Central/Penn Station, and then your commute starts. And don't gimme this I can go into the city anytime I want routine; you're gonna do that twice a year tops, and one of those will be for shopping or taking your hick relatives to a cheesy musical.

 

[Major]

Sorry, i've heard the BK schtick about how it takes 40-50 minutes door to door to midtown west and rarely does it come to fruition in my experience.

Note: I am enjoying the heated discussion on train lines

True enuf...actually this reminds me of all our friends who have dispersed to Jersey and Westchester. "I'm only XX minutes from the city"

BFS

You are XX minutes from the moment your crappy regional train pulls up until you get to Grand Central/Penn Station, and then your commute starts. And don't gimme this I can go into the city anytime I want routine; you're gonna do that twice a year tops, and one of those will be for shopping or taking your hick relatives to a cheesy musical.

true dat

 

[El Floppo]

Sorry, i've heard the BK schtick about how it takes 40-50 minutes door to door to midtown west and rarely does it come to fruition in my experience.

Note: I am enjoying the heated discussion on train lines

True enuf...actually this reminds me of all our friends who have dispersed to Jersey and Westchester. "I'm only XX minutes from the city"

BFS

You are XX minutes from the moment your crappy regional train pulls up until you get to Grand Central/Penn Station, and then your commute starts. And don't gimme this I can go into the city anytime I want routine; you're gonna do that twice a year tops, and one of those will be for shopping or taking your hick relatives to a cheesy musical.

true dat

We've been out to see our friends in the sticks more than they've been back to see us.

Although, IME, the same holds true for BK (minus the us going out to see them part).

Oh- F-train on weekends can kiss my grits.

 

[Major]

Sorry, i've heard the BK schtick about how it takes 40-50 minutes door to door to midtown west and rarely does it come to fruition in my experience.

Note: I am enjoying the heated discussion on train lines

True enuf...actually this reminds me of all our friends who have dispersed to Jersey and Westchester. "I'm only XX minutes from the city"

BFS

You are XX minutes from the moment your crappy regional train pulls up until you get to Grand Central/Penn Station, and then your commute starts. And don't gimme this I can go into the city anytime I want routine; you're gonna do that twice a year tops, and one of those will be for shopping or taking your hick relatives to a cheesy musical.

true dat

We've been out to see our friends in the sticks more than they've been back to see us.

Although, IME, the same holds true for BK (minus the us going out to see them part).

Oh- F-train on weekends can kiss my grits.

The sticks to me is the UWS. I sometimes forget it even exists.

 

[ScottNorwood]

g-train to upper west is el suck. 50 minutes is very, very hopeful... I did the reverse commute years ago. guh.sub 2k for a 2br? those places you listed earlier were in that range? I know prices have dipped- but I'm still kinda suprised the kind of places you listed earlier are available at that price. great time to be looking.

That's a damn good deal but I assume one of the bedrooms is the size of a closet. The last 2 bed/2 bath I had was in 2004 and I paid $3,200 on 6th st btw 2/3 ave. Now it goes for north of $4k. Prices have dipped recently but not that much.

The railroad apt on the UES is gigantic. We're definitely leaning that way.

 

[ScottNorwood]

The Clinton Hill apartment didn't do much for us. It was a duplex, but the bedrooms were tiny and both basically had room for a queen size and not much else. Living room area wasn't that big either. It would've been good for us before the baby but not now.

It also seems like commuting would be a killer, especially for the wife. I've heard bad things about the G on weekends.

 

[BobbyLayne]

The sticks to me is the UWS. I sometimes forget it even exists.

I've lived in FiDi (71 B'way), Chelsea, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn Heights, and for last 17 months, midtown west. Oh, and an illegal UES (86th & Madison) sublet for a couple months.This is my pergatory. 9th Ave or 46th St are restaurant rows. Sure...as long as you Thai or Italian every night. Hate it up here, its the longest commute I have ever had. Few months ago Straphangers was on NY1 with their best/worst line ratings, and the C/E took dead last. I concur.

 

[Major]

The Clinton Hill apartment didn't do much for us. It was a duplex, but the bedrooms were tiny and both basically had room for a queen size and not much else. Living room area wasn't that big either. It would've been good for us before the baby but not now.It also seems like commuting would be a killer, especially for the wife. I've heard bad things about the G on weekends.

Scott , where on the UES is it? I really think this is your best option. Get a 1 year lease and see how you like it. The only bad/good thing about NYC is that I was constantly moving. Never stayed in an apt longer than 2 years b/c great deals would always pop up (normally rent stabilized deals via friends).

 

[Major]

The sticks to me is the UWS. I sometimes forget it even exists.

I've lived in FiDi (71 B'way), Chelsea, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn Heights, and for last 17 months, midtown west. Oh, and an illegal UES (86th & Madison) sublet for a couple months.This is my pergatory. 9th Ave or 46th St are restaurant rows. Sure...as long as you Thai or Italian every night. Hate it up here, its the longest commute I have ever had. Few months ago Straphangers was on NY1 with their best/worst line ratings, and the C/E took dead last. I concur.

I can't hate on Amy's Bread though. Best damn coffee and great bread/pastry. There's also an good sushi place on 45th just east of 9th. There's like 2 tables to eat at but the price is so cheap for the sushi and it's pretty damn good. There is a really good French/Thai place on 9th btw 45/46 (west side of street). Very light compared to most thai. Go for lunch as they have great specials. I'd hit that place at least twice a week. IIRC, it's called Breeze. Other than that, I pretty much hate everything else about Hell's Kitchen.

 

[ScottNorwood]

The Clinton Hill apartment didn't do much for us. It was a duplex, but the bedrooms were tiny and both basically had room for a queen size and not much else. Living room area wasn't that big either. It would've been good for us before the baby but not now.It also seems like commuting would be a killer, especially for the wife. I've heard bad things about the G on weekends.

Scott , where on the UES is it? I really think this is your best option. Get a 1 year lease and see how you like it. The only bad/good thing about NYC is that I was constantly moving. Never stayed in an apt longer than 2 years b/c great deals would always pop up (normally rent stabilized deals via friends).

It's on 88th st. It's 2 blocks from where we live now, and owned by the same landlord. I actually scheduled a meeting with the super next monday to discuss some of the building's shortcomings (small kitchen sink, no bedroom doors!!). The super is great and seemed flexible about installing the things we needed. The only drawbacks to this one are the 2 flights of stairs and the fact that it's railroad-style. But we're probably not going to ever find something that's 'perfect' in that price range anyway.

 

[Major]

The Clinton Hill apartment didn't do much for us. It was a duplex, but the bedrooms were tiny and both basically had room for a queen size and not much else. Living room area wasn't that big either. It would've been good for us before the baby but not now.It also seems like commuting would be a killer, especially for the wife. I've heard bad things about the G on weekends.

Scott , where on the UES is it? I really think this is your best option. Get a 1 year lease and see how you like it. The only bad/good thing about NYC is that I was constantly moving. Never stayed in an apt longer than 2 years b/c great deals would always pop up (normally rent stabilized deals via friends).

It's on 88th st. It's 2 blocks from where we live now, and owned by the same landlord. I actually scheduled a meeting with the super next monday to discuss some of the building's shortcomings (small kitchen sink, no bedroom doors!!). The super is great and seemed flexible about installing the things we needed. The only drawbacks to this one are the 2 flights of stairs and the fact that it's railroad-style. But we're probably not going to ever find something that's 'perfect' in that price range anyway.

For 2k, you're not going to find many apts like that in Manhattan. I'd say jump on it especially since you won't have to pay a broker. Also remember, rent is always negotiable. You've been a paying tenant/low risk client, so ask for $1800 just for the hell of it. They'll either come back with 1900 or call your bluff but it's worth to try in this market.

 

[BobbyLayne]

The sticks to me is the UWS. I sometimes forget it even exists.

I've lived in FiDi (71 B'way), Chelsea, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn Heights, and for last 17 months, midtown west. Oh, and an illegal UES (86th & Madison) sublet for a couple months.This is my pergatory. 9th Ave or 46th St are restaurant rows. Sure...as long as you Thai or Italian every night. Hate it up here, its the longest commute I have ever had. Few months ago Straphangers was on NY1 with their best/worst line ratings, and the C/E took dead last. I concur.

I can't hate on Amy's Bread though. Best damn coffee and great bread/pastry. There's also an good sushi place on 45th just east of 9th. There's like 2 tables to eat at but the price is so cheap for the sushi and it's pretty damn good. There is a really good French/Thai place on 9th btw 45/46 (west side of street). Very light compared to most thai. Go for lunch as they have great specials. I'd hit that place at least twice a week. IIRC, it's called Breeze. Other than that, I pretty much hate everything else about Hell's Kitchen.

Amy's is a treasure; she is a friend of ours, and has just about the best thing going.I'm more of a neighborhood bistro kind of guy, ya know, the reliable-nothing-flashy place you can hit a few times a month and never get bored. Found a lot of places like that in Chelsea and Boerum Hill (the Heights is an epicurean wasteland, but easy enough to escape from).Breeze is decent. I do like Real Pam Thai as well, but jeebus, we have enough thai joints within 8 blocks to feed the whole island.

 

[BobbyLayne]

So I presume the issue with a railroad would be the back bedroom is at the mercy of the sleep schedule of the front bedroom.

Dude, you're having a baby.

The next year or two is the only time in your life that layout will make sense.

 

[Reaper]

Any opinions on Buddah Bar or Ajna bar whatever they call it now.

I'm usually a fan of the Tao-like food/experience.

 

[Major]

Any opinions on Buddah Bar or Ajna bar whatever they call it now.I'm usually a fan of the Tao-like food/experience.

Buddakhan is pretty good for that Tao like food/experience. Go to the Boom Boom Room after.

 

[ScottNorwood]

Just to update everyone who was helping me out on the apt search. We did end up going with the large railroad apt on the UES. it's a 3rd floor walkup, but we'll be able to keep the stroller on the ground floor and with the money we save we can put towards things like fresh direct and laundry delivery which should make the stairs more bearable. They have to do some work on the apt, but we should be moving in towards the end of the month.

Really excited for the new place and especially for the new addition to our family.

 

[Major]

Just to update everyone who was helping me out on the apt search. We did end up going with the large railroad apt on the UES. it's a 3rd floor walkup, but we'll be able to keep the stroller on the ground floor and with the money we save we can put towards things like fresh direct and laundry delivery which should make the stairs more bearable. They have to do some work on the apt, but we should be moving in towards the end of the month.Really excited for the new place and especially for the new addition to our family.

After revisiting this thread, I was curious what you ended up with. Seems like a great choice. As for the walkups, anything 4 floors and under is fine with me. I think of it as good exercise. Anything more than that can be a situation. I don't know about strollers but lugging my mountain bike back and forth 4 floors was the suck. That's great you can park it down stairs.

 

[Jojo the circus boy]

pretty cool

Brilliant short film done as a stop motion / selective focus "miniaturization" of a day in the life of NYC ...

 

[higgins]

Just to update everyone who was helping me out on the apt search. We did end up going with the large railroad apt on the UES. it's a 3rd floor walkup, but we'll be able to keep the stroller on the ground floor and with the money we save we can put towards things like fresh direct and laundry delivery which should make the stairs more bearable. They have to do some work on the apt, but we should be moving in towards the end of the month.

Really excited for the new place and especially for the new addition to our family.

Congrats!

 

[jamny]

Hey Long Islanders, what can you tell me about Steve Levy. Switching party to run for Gov.

 

[Tremendous Upside]

Just to update everyone who was helping me out on the apt search. We did end up going with the large railroad apt on the UES. it's a 3rd floor walkup, but we'll be able to keep the stroller on the ground floor and with the money we save we can put towards things like fresh direct and laundry delivery which should make the stairs more bearable. They have to do some work on the apt, but we should be moving in towards the end of the month.Really excited for the new place and especially for the new addition to our family.

GB

 

[jamny]

Just to update everyone who was helping me out on the apt search. We did end up going with the large railroad apt on the UES. it's a 3rd floor walkup, but we'll be able to keep the stroller on the ground floor and with the money we save we can put towards things like fresh direct and laundry delivery which should make the stairs more bearable. They have to do some work on the apt, but we should be moving in towards the end of the month.Really excited for the new place and especially for the new addition to our family.

where abouts on the UES?

 

[Koya]

Hey Long Islanders, what can you tell me about Steve Levy. Switching party to run for Gov.

Meh. Has some issues with his handling of illegal immigration ( he takes a hardline stance but has ruffled feathers with poor use of terminology that's has come off as flat racist) and more importantly had no chance against cuomo.

 

[Redwes25]

Yeah, my bad I was assuming he commuted during weekday rush hours. Yeah, I did the Bergen Street F for years...FRIGGIN NIGHTMARE on weekends. Especially since back then I was usually coming home from LES hell square (Houston/Allen/Delancey...eastern boundary depends on how drunk you are).When you live on the F Line, you quickly learn to just say screw it and cough up the $15 to get home.

There is no truer statement in this thread. The F sucks.

 

[jamny]

When did we start handing out the retro orange and blue licence plates?

Love 'em!

 

[Koya]

When did we start handing out the retro orange and blue licence plates?Love 'em!

That's the new plate. Was announced a few months back - IIRC, there was a thread here on the change. Starting seeing them a week or so ago. Love them too - want to replace my lame two tone blue's.

 

[El Floppo]

All of you guys are fine, I'm sure, but MAN do I hate people. Warm weather weekends in NYC brings the stoopit out.

 

[Nick Vermeil]

Won't work, but I like it.

 

[El Floppo]

Won't work, but I like it.

I'm going to need an express lane also.