Bay Ridge

Bay Ridge is bordered on two sides by the Upper New York Bay, which made it an ideal vacation home location for early 1900’s New Yorkers looking to escape the sweltering Manhattan summer. Though most architectural evidence from that time disappeared during the ensuing urbanization of the neighborhood, current residents can still appreciate views of the bay and proximity to the water. The middle-class Scandinavians who replaced the summertime residents have stayed in the neighborhood for decades, resisting up-scale interlopers and high-rise development – though some has slipped in. The community recently put zoning limits on condo developers who they felt were changing the nature of the neighborhood. The Verrazano bridge connects Staten Island to Bay Ridge, making an easy commute back and forth for people with families, friends, or jobs on Staten Island. The many freeways that border Bay Ridge (Gowanus Expressway, Belt Parkway, Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, Shore Parkway, Pow/Mia Memorial Parkway) help car owners navigate in and out of the area. For access to the rest of Brooklyn and Manhattan, the R train stops multiple times in Bay Ridge and connects to N & D express lines slightly north of the neighborhood. Currently, there is interest in creating ferry service to Manhattan as well. The median sales price is about $700K and includes a variety of both condos and townhouses. Renting is a deal, with median rental prices for both studios and 1Br’s in the $1000-1200/mo range. Bay Ridge is especially ideal for people who are Brooklyn-based, and want take advantage of a laid back, family-oriented neighborhood – just watch out for those tornadoes.