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

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

• 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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