BrickUnderground

I lived in Gravesend, Brooklyn (a highly residential neighborhood just north of Coney Island) for 12 years. The upside? The rent was $850 a month for a big one-bedroom. The downside? There was not much to do in the way of nightlife. 

The apartment was relatively convenient, though. I was about two blocks from the F and 10 blocks from the N.

When I decided to move, my girlfriend and I looked mostly in Brooklyn -- Prospect Heights, Carroll Gardens, and Park Slope. But we found that those neighborhoods were just too expensive, especially since we were looking for a two-bedroom and wanted to spend about $1,800.

Bay Ridge was a little bit more affordable (though we went over $1,800 anyway), but the big difference was that it offers more space. We found a large three-bedroom, two-bathroom in a third-floor walk-up, and moved in about a month ago.

I'm still getting to know the neighborhood, but it's great so far. There are so many things to do right around the corner -- bars and restaurants, you name it, it’s there. I've already tried My Thai and Olla Wine Bar, both of which were nice. There are a couple of good dive bars, too, which I like.

It also feels really safe. At night you see a lot of young people walking around, going out.

The only downside is that the closest train, the R, takes forever, about 50-60 minutes to my office in midtown. That's actually a little bit worse than my subway commute from Gravesend. 

I paid a little bit extra for a spot in the driveway of my building, but Bay Ridge is known to be awful in terms of parking.

The neighborhood is a total mix -- young and old, families and single people. There are mom-and-pop shops and restaurants, but there are also convenient chain stores like Dunkin' Donuts, Chock Full of Nuts and Rite Aid. 

In Gravesend you didn't have that variety, a lot of the storefronts were medical centers and dentists.

Bay Ridge has that charming Brooklyn feel, but it also feels like it’s kept its neighborhood feel -- it still feels authentic. It's kept its character.

Transitions highlights New Yorkers’ first impressions as they transition from one neighborhood to another. Want to tell us your transition story? Drop us an email.

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