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  • long shot - anyone on who lives in north park slope or prospect heights? considering moving there and wondering where dcs would go to elementary. insideschools says the publics aren't great.

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    07.24.08, 09:09 AM [ Flag ]
    • we lived in Prospect Heights for 8 years, and moved into Manhattan because the publics aren't good. North Slope is zoned for 321, which is good but crowded.

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      07.24.08, 09:12 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]
      • ^^^I should add that parts of the North Slope, closer to Flatbush Ave, are zoned for a different elementary school which isn't good. Your best private option in the neighborhood is Berkeley Carroll, other privates are in BH.

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        07.24.08, 09:15 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]
        • 38 and 282 are the NoSlope schools (depending on location), neither is bad.

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          07.24.08, 09:19 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]
          • when we lived there neither of those were even considered possibilities, so it's good to hear they're improving a bit.

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            07.24.08, 09:20 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]
            • yes, they are. I know kids who attend both, and they have improved greatly in recent years. Not a ton of diversity, but with the increase in gentrification in the areas there are more involved parents and better curricula. Good G&T too

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              07.24.08, 09:21 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]
              • so I guess in response to OP's question, there are a few options in the No Slope, but none in Prospect Heights.

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                07.24.08, 09:42 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]
                • I wouldn't move to Prospect Heights, but that's just me... not nearly the neighborhood of PS or Boerum Hill

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                  07.24.08, 09:46 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]
                  • we lived there about 8 years ago before dc, and right before people started to move there. it was dirt cheap and we had a beautiful apt, but it wasn't so safe.

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                    07.24.08, 09:50 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]
                    • Now it isn't as cheap but much more expensive... I'd look to Clinton Hill or Ft Greene if you want to be above Flatbush.

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                      07.24.08, 09:51 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]
                      • funny, because before Pros Heights I lived in Clinton Hill, and I would chose the Heights over that area because of the park and proximity to the Slope and Carroll Gardens.

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                        07.24.08, 09:53 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]
                        • I guess I'm thinking the "close in" parts of CH...but then again, I'm in Boerum hill and only ever go to PS, FG, Cobble Hill and CG!

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                          07.24.08, 09:55 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]
                        • yeah, when we were in CH we spent most of our time walking to PS and CG (this is going back 20 years now) because CH and FG weren't so great/safe.

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                          07.24.08, 09:59 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]
                      • op here - we are open to CH or FG but the transit options are much, much better in prospect heights. we like the proximity to the park, library, museum and it seems like having park slope close by is useful for variety of restaurants and shops.

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                        07.24.08, 12:33 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
                        • if you're near Atlantic Ave then you're set (which is pretty much FG and southern CH)

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                          07.24.08, 12:35 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
                        • except then you're near atlantic! not that flatbush is much better aesthetically, i just find it better from an urban landscape perspective.

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                          07.24.08, 12:41 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
                        • sorry - did you mean from the transit perspective or what?

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                          07.24.08, 12:42 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
                        • yes, from transit of course (I don't care for either as a street!)

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                          07.24.08, 12:43 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
                        • gotcha. i think we could do FG condo or maybe CH house if we got lucky (something close to the C or G) but still schools not much better and farther away from the privates.

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                          07.24.08, 12:47 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
                        • are you absolutely sold on moving out of BH? I posted a condo link below that is on the BH/PS border

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                          07.24.08, 12:48 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
                  • op here - actually, we'd be moving from Boerum Hill. too expensive in BH for what you get, schools not much better from what i hear, and i find PH more interesting.

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                    07.24.08, 12:31 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
        • The school for this part of the Slope is PS282, which is not a bad school, but considered to be more traditional and much more diverse (which is a big turn-off to some).

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          07.24.08, 09:21 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]
    • We live there, and are zoned for a not great but not awful public (38). DC's will likely be doing private, but there is also 321 in NoSlope, 282 in NoSlope which are both good (321 is considered VERY good but is overcrowded). There is also a charter school "The Children's School" entered by lottery

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      07.24.08, 09:18 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]
    • I would move to NoSlope, anywhere between Union & Flatbush, 4th Ave & PPW, in a hearbeat. Such a fantastic area to live!

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      07.24.08, 09:47 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]
    • how old are your dcs? Are they school-aged already? PS 9 might be an option if your dcs are very young and you have a few more years to keep an eye on it as it is turning around. There is a strong principal and the parents are very active in supporting the school and bringing in great enrichment programs. Many UMC folks started sending their dc to PS 9 a few years ago for Pre-K; there is greater diversity therefore in the younger years and it is making its way up the grades. I know parents who have kids there and they are happy and think the principal is doing all the right things. So, if your dcs are young, in a few more years, it will be even stronger and I would suggest visiting the school yourself to see for yourself. I toured and it exceeded my expectations.

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      07.24.08, 10:50 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]
      • but that is not in PS or PH, right?

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        07.24.08, 10:51 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]
      • ^^^ oh, and forgot to mention, there is also a very popular charter school in Fort Green that is available by lottery and District 13 (which includes Prospect Heights) has a priority for it. I think it's called Community Roots, also diverse--they have a website I believe. Obviously, it's a lottery, so it's no guarantee.

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        07.24.08, 11:26 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]
        • FWIW, middle schools in D13 really suck. Just went through this process w/ dc. I would like to say that things will turn around by the time your dcs are in 5th, but it didn't look good this year.

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          07.24.08, 11:51 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]
        • op here (sorry, posted and then had to run!). but this is very helpful. we are calculating the cost of private school in and if we move to PH we can still afford a modest single-family brownstone...other side of flatbush it would be condo/coop. really want the house and yard...but not at any cost. dh and i are both public school grads and are really in favor of that direction, for lots of reasons...but, again, not at any cost. i have heard that PS 9 is improving, but i walked by the other day and it was depressing. DC is still really just DB (~10 mos) but as non-native NYers we only slowly realized how unrealistic private school is even if we wanted to make the sacrifices to afford it.

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          07.24.08, 12:27 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
          • just curious - what is your budget?

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            07.24.08, 12:28 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
            • around 1.4, including any renovation costs, etc. we'd save a lot with a condo (since we don't need anything luxurious) but of course be giving up some things too. have thought about going condo/coop with a buying-up plan. seems the smarter thing to do. but at the same time, hard to give up the dream of a yard, etc.

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              07.24.08, 12:38 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
              • I know a condo in my building in your range (less) that has a yard... interested? I LOVE my building. We're in ps 38

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                07.24.08, 12:39 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
                • Link: http://www.prudentialelliman.com:80/994331

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                  07.24.08, 12:42 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
                  • ^^ and no, I'm not a broker... just someone who is very happy in my condo and would like to share

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                    07.24.08, 12:42 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
                    • i've walked by that place so many times! was always curious about the inside. the outside is nms, but the interior looks nice and well-thought-out. and the little yard is so cute! thanks for the link.

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                      07.24.08, 12:52 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
                      • sure. The apartments are actually very nice, and for a new building its much nicer than many (outside, I think). I'll be jealous of your yard for sure (im upstairs)!

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                        07.24.08, 12:53 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
                        • ^^ oh, and the yard is actually a lot larger than it looks in the picture. 2 levels as well, so you can have a grill/deck below and garden above.

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                          07.24.08, 12:54 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
                        • what's it like living so close the 3d/4th? always seems kind of like a depressing transition between BH and PS. no offense - PH is also a bit depressing in parts, too.

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                          07.24.08, 12:57 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
                        • It is totally fine. (no offense taken, we were really torn about moving there) So close to 5th and all the trains, easy walk to Smith/Court. Our block is actually really good - great block assoc, and our building is almost 100% young couples and families, everyone is incredibly nice, TONS of kids. Plus, there are 3 new residential buildings going up on the block wchih will significantly improve it. Also, very quiet!

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                          07.24.08, 01:00 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
                        • sounds interesting. maybe we will check it out. dh is very picky about looking at condos/coops. thanks!

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                          07.24.08, 01:01 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
                        • sure, no problem. I was very worried about the block, but we've had NO problems (been here over a year). The building is super-nice (great fixtures, etc) much better than most other new construction I looked at. Good luck!

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                          07.24.08, 01:03 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
                        • ^^ oh, and we might get re-zoned for 282, fwiw

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                          07.24.08, 01:03 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
                        • really? i thought BH was district 15?

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                          07.24.08, 01:11 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
                        • it is, but they're possibly mixing up districts because of the increase in children in the area - not enough schools in BH

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                          07.24.08, 01:12 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
                        • it's such a moving target! but it sounds like things are good and possibly getting better for you!

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                          07.24.08, 01:18 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
                        • I know, its crazy. DH and I are SO happy we moved here, actually... the building is great (we're very close with our neighbors now, never had that before) and the location couldn't be better in most regards. Good luck to you!

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                          07.24.08, 01:20 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
                        • and to you as well. thanks!

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                          07.24.08, 01:58 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
          • yes, ps 9 is not appealing from the outside! Inside is much, much better though. And apparently there is a parent led-capital campaign for a new playground; they had a planning event for it this spring. PS 9 still may not be the place for you in a few years, but just be aware that private school, aside from the price is a challenge too in terms of getting admitted (not nearly as bad as manhattan, but not a guarantee and certainly less options than manhattan.

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            07.24.08, 12:36 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
            • yes, i think we were a bit naive about that. we are interesting people with an interesting DC, but with boring jobs, no connections and no family $$$.

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              07.24.08, 12:45 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
            • oh, and as for PS 9, if the parents are the same ones who got the underhill playground going, then i have reason to be optimistic!

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              07.24.08, 12:48 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
              • excuse me but the PARENTS did not get the underhill playground going. i lived in that neighborhood for 10 yrs and actually lived in the building right next to that playground. i love how folk move into the neighborhood and take credit for everything good and new!

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                07.24.08, 01:53 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
                • Who did?

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                  07.24.08, 08:35 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
                  • A group of dedicated parents keep Underhill playground looking and running great. They do everything from weeding, getting the city to bring mulch, holding events at the playground to foster community, and ensuring the playground is open sufficient hours. Agreed: if this is the same group of parents who are trying to jump start PS 9, you do have reason to be optimistic.

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                    07.25.08, 06:04 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
                • you are excused - for your idiotic, non-informative, oversensitive and paranoid response to my comment.

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                  07.26.08, 01:36 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
            • My friend's 3BR Coop is for sale in 321 school district -

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              07.24.08, 12:48 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
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