The Market

Upper West Side vs Park Slope: One couple’s dilemma

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By Teri Karush Rogers  |
January 20, 2010 - 5:24AM
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So here’s the situation:   Double-income, no-kids Upper West Side couple—living in a posh one-bedroom co-op on Central Park—are considering giving it all up for a townhouse in Park Slope.

They like the idea of buying an entire brownstone for the price of their one-bedroom, and crave neighborhoodliness over the increasingly “Big Box” West 60s.  But they’re worried about the commute, fewer services, and the prospect of joining the kidless minority in the famously family-style burgh of Park Slope.

What to do? Ask Brooklyn's Brownstoner crowd for advice, of course:   

On the bright side…

  • Brownstones in Park Slope are more affordable.
  • The commute isn’t so bad because you have time to read
  • The expense of taking taxis home late at night is offset by the fact that you can’t hail taxis in Brooklyn
  • The lower level of services is offset by “delightful” neighborhoods and a plethora of inexpensive & available handymen
  • Stroller traffic jams aren’t bad if you live in the north instead of Center Slope
  • You'll enjoy the smaller scale, better independent shopping, and cool indigo evening sky at season changes
  • Prospect Park is incredible and relatively tourist-free compared to Central Park
  • 5th Avenue restaurants are some of the best reviewed in the city

On the dark side…
  • Living in a brownstone means you have to shovel the walk, sort trash, and journey to the basement to read the electric meter for ConEd
  • You will never see your UWS friends, because the commute is horrible especially on the weekends
  • Prospect Park doesn't really compare to Central Park
  • There are fewer services and amenities
  • You can’t hail a taxi
  • There are too many kids in possession of parents with a sense of entitlement
    • Your commute will be longer and you’ll probably have to stand during rush hour
    • The commute to your weekend house may be longer

    Whatever their decision, we agree they've got the right approach: Fall for the neighborhood first, the house second. 

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    Teri Rogers Headshot - Floral

    Teri Karush Rogers

    Founder & Publisher

    Founder and publisher Teri Karush Rogers launched Brick Underground in 2009. As a freelance journalist, she had previously covered New York City real estate for The New York Times. Teri has been featured as an expert on New York City residential real estate by The New York Times, New York Daily News, amNew York, NBC Nightly News, The Real Deal, Business Insider, the Huffington Post, and NY1 News, among others. Teri earned a BA in journalism and a law degree from New York University.

    Brick Underground articles occasionally include the expertise of, or information about, advertising partners when relevant to the story. We will never promote an advertiser's product without making the relationship clear to our readers.

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