How safe is Park Slope, Brooklyn?

What is it like to live in Park Slope, Brooklyn?

• My husband and I are looking to move to Park Slope, Brooklyn from London. We use to live on the UES a few years ago and paid $3k for a one bedroom. We are looking to find something for around that or a little more in Park Slope but we need a two bedroom. Do you need a car to live there? Is it dog friendly and kid friendly? Any advice would help.

• Answer:

  I have lived in Park Slope since 1981. It has changed a lot since then - mostly it's become more expensive! But for 3,000 a month, you will surely find a two bedroom apartment, possibly even an apartment zoned for PS 321 (considered the best school in the area, and one of the best in the City.) This is a lovely neighborhood, partilcularly for families with children. And many, many people own dogs, so that shouldn't be an obstacle. As for owning a car, it depends on you. Yes, you can get away without owning a car here, but if you have kids, it's easier to have a car sometimes. I have two kids of different ages, and they have different activities in different parts of the neighborhood, or in nearby neighborhoods. When my car has been in the shop I've gotten to see how time consuming it is to get the kids to their activities and remain sane. Of course, I work in a different part of Brooklyn, so it makes sense for me to drive to work. But I know people who live here and work in Manhattan, who also have kids, and they are glad to have a car for certain things. A friend of mine just moved here from California, and she sold her car because she thought she wouldn't need it. Now, with two kids, she's sorry she doesn't have it anymore. Of course there is Zipcar, which you can join, and then you can rent a car for as little as an hour (Zipcar has cars parked all over Park Slope, and you can just reserve a car for a certain time and just go get it.) A lot of people do this instead of owning a car themselves. Owning a car is an extreme hassle here, but I am torn about whether it is necessary or not. I find it useful. But as to whether this is a kid friendly neighborhood - it is KID CENTRAL! Most people have young children here, and it's a great place to raise children. There are great schools here, wonderful activities for kids, and a wonderful kid friendly atmosphere. It's also become very upscale in the past few years, with trendy restaurants and bars, boutiques and cafes - so it's adult friendly as well. Not to mention that Park Slope is a beautiful looking neighborhood, with tree lined streets and late 19th century architecture. Anyway, it's a great place to live if you can afford it.