Biting the Bullet in Brooklyn

Well, we finally did it.  Over 20 years living in Manhattan and contemplating the move to Brooklyn for at least 5 of them, we finally took the plunge.  Fort Greene, is a mere 3.2 miles from our regular stomping grounds in TriBeCa and it feels like a million miles away.  In my running days, a 3.2 mile run was a piece of cake. Now that 3.2 mile subway ride to work, sometimes twice a day, feels like a bit of a commitment.  For the past 2 years, we have lived in Chelsea, and the trip to Tribeca was a mere 2.2 miles, so why does 3.2 miles seem like at least twice the distance??

I’ve put together a few glaring differences between Manhattan and Brooklyn for those considering the move to Brooklyn.  Thanks also to my friends who have also recently moved to Brooklyn, for their input.

The Best of Moving to Brooklyn 

• Green…and Blue  I can actually see big open sky from my kitchen window. Also, it feels like there is park space within walking distance of every neighborhood.  We are very close to Fort Greene Park and a short bike ride from Prospect Park.
• Community – the neighborhoods feel very much like a community.  We see block parties all the time.  In addition, I love the way neighbors interact.   Having lived in many neighborhoods in Manhattan, I have only felt a similar community experience in Tribeca.  Some, however, may prefer the anonymity of going to the same coffee shop every day and never getting a smile of recognition.
• Secret Backyards – So many restaurants have big beautiful backyards that you would never know about unless you ambled in.  Some of our favorite Brooklyn spots are restaurants with a very average front space but a magical backyard.  
• Two way streets – a tough one to get used to for someone who has lived in Manhattan for 20 years.  I have stepped into oncoming traffic more than once because so many streets here are two-way and not one-way.  If you make the move to Brooklyn, keep your head up and look both ways!
• Sharing and Trading – Brooklyn residents are eager to share things they don’t need or want with others rather than toss them in the trash.  While, I never saw this happen in Manhattan, I always see people leave things they no longer need on their front stoop for other to take.  I have even done it myself and I love the feeling of both helping the environment and others.
• Brownstones – although we live on a pretty busy street, it still seems quieter, and less frenzied than Manhattan.  The tree lined streets brownstone streets make a big difference. In addition, some homes here actually have front lawns which our dog really likes! 

The Best of Staying in Manhattan:

• Location, location, location – traveling back and forth to Manhattan – sometimes two or three times a day – can get tiresome.  Don’t underestimate the amount of times you will just need to run into Manhattan for this or that during the transition process.  I do believe with a little organization and planning ahead, we will be able to reduce that to back and forth to once a day.   Also, with 2 kids in Manhattan schools and after-school activities still based near there, the commute can be a bit much. Update to a few years later:  We did much better for High School – one in a Manhattan HS and one in a BK HS.  We have also managed to move most of our doctors to Brooklyn.
• Convenience:   I never thought I would miss the Duane Reade, CVS and Rite Aid on every corner, but I realize now I actually used those stores quite a bit.  They are not as common in Brooklyn – requiring some planning ahead and a little more walking.  I also miss regular access to a Barnes and Noble and Bed, Bath and Beyond.  On the bright side, I have been shopping locally more often and supporting small business.
• Friends: If I had a nickel for every time I heard a Manhattanite say – “You’re  not going that far – we will visit all the time!”, I would be a very wealthy woman.  Alas, relationships dwindle in the East River.  I am guilty of that myself.  There is something about crossing that bridge into the unknown, that seems so arduous.  People would rather travel from one end of the island to the other than to take the subway a few stops into Brooklyn.    I sure hope my friends either follow suit and move here, or break tradition and come visit!

Planning to move to Brooklyn?  Learn more about the Brooklyn neighborhoods in the following posts:  DUMBO, Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Fort Greene, Bushwick, Prospect Park,  and Brooklyn Heights.