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07.15.08, 10:51 AM General Topics
39 replies
looking for advice from moms with older kids, i used to live on UWS with newborn-18monthDC. loved it. we were in central park constantly, i ran in the park, truly enjoyed it. however, in many ways i like the downtown vibe much more. here's my question, we're moving back to the city with older DC and now a younger sibling and wondering would i really use central park as much as i think ? would i miss not having all of the green space in other neighorhoods in the city? or does life change so much as DC [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
General Topics 07.15.08, 10:51 AM Flag
 

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i think you will constantly be in the park [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 10:53 AM Flag
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do you live on UWS? if so, do you have any advice on which would be the best public school zone to live in? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 10:56 AM Flag
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UWS, the best elem schools are 199 and 87 [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 10:59 AM Flag
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thanks. any one more or less crowded than the other? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 11:12 AM Flag
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People complain about crowding in 199, but they have kept class size smaller than the avg NYC public. K classes this yr were about 22 kids, in NYC they can have as many as 28 kids in a K and the class size grows as they get older. People love and 87 and they rave about the principal. The school is larger. I think there were 7 K classes this yr with 25-26 kids. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 11:21 AM Flag
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thanks. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 11:24 AM Flag
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87 is better than 199. 199 pretty mediocre. 87 more creative, better spirit and the new principal is very good; better than 199 principal. Neither school is good for academically gifted, however. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 08:14 PM Flag
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DC's get older that i wouldn't really use it so much as long as we have access to playgrounds and lot of families near us? TIA [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 10:53 AM Flag
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My oldest is 6, we are definitely at playgrounds less frequently, but we still try and go to CP as much as possible. I need to see green. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 10:58 AM Flag
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i'm with you on seeing green. that's my issue. i truly love and appreciate the park. never took it for granted. was always very happy there. BUT, i also value the low key vibe downtown, the restaurants and it seems i might be able to find some less crowded public schools. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 11:00 AM Flag
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I think there are very few good uncrowded schools in NYC. The only one I can think of is 158. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 11:02 AM Flag
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Do not move to the UWS if restaurants are important to you. I have never understand why there aren't more good one on the UWS [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 11:05 AM Flag
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i do love restaurants A LOT!....BUT, i have to put the kids first so i want that to be the priority. but i like my food!!! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 11:11 AM Flag
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the greenery and parks on uws is a life-saver. truly. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 11:01 AM Flag
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The think I love most about UWS vs. other areas - 2 parks and 2 subway lines. CP is my favorite. How old are your kids? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 11:03 AM Flag
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5 and 1 [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 11:09 AM Flag
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my kids are 6 and 2. We spend tons of time in the park. With the younger one, every day. With both kids on the weekends. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 11:12 AM Flag
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okay, good to know, i wasn't sure if as kids get older they get so busy doing other things that you're not in the park as often. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 11:13 AM Flag
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we probably use it differently than you did when you had a baby/toddler. We go to the Met, the Central Park Zoo, and a lot of playgrounds that may not be the closest ones to our apt (Hecksher playground at the south end of the park is great for older kids). We go skating in the winter at Wollman Rink, and my older child has little league and soccer games in the park. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 02:43 PM Flag
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also, do you do public school? if so, are you happy? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 11:14 AM Flag
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We do private. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 11:20 AM Flag
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unfortunately, not an option. way too late in the game to get in for K this year! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 11:22 AM Flag
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we are downtown (east village) raising 2 kids (3 soon I'm pg). I love the vibe down here. Lots of kids and the hudson river parks are nice too [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 11:08 AM Flag
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what are the hudson river parks like? sorry to ask so many questions but we're out of state right now and when i lived there inthe past, i LOVED the east village, however, parks were the last thing on my mind. are they pretty? safe? is there a place to take a run or walk the kids int eh stroller? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 11:11 AM Flag
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UWSer here, I don't love the Hudson River Parks, you have the Westside highway in the background, as you do in Riverside park, but Riverside Park seems a little further removed or have more trees in between park and highway [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 11:18 AM Flag
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are there any parks on the east side? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 11:21 AM Flag
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There is John Jay Park around 76th and East End, which is HUGE, it is a little too big for my taste. That area is zoned for PS 158, which has a mandate for small classes. I like that school. there is Carl Schurz Park in E80s on the river near Gracie mansion, but I strongly prefer the Westside Parks. This from a Westsider who is considering a move East for school. You get a little more apt for your $ on the Eastside, particularly if you are willing to live far East. There are more good schools including 6, 158, 290, 59 and some would include 183. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 11:24 AM Flag
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any nice parks further south on east side? more towards the 20's - 30's [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 11:27 AM Flag
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I don't know that area well, but if you are willing to live in Stuyvesant Town they supposed have nice green area/playspace/playgrounds [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 11:29 AM Flag
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np: madison square park has a nice playground. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 01:22 PM Flag
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do you do private or public school? i dont' know the school situation in the east village. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 06:57 PM Flag
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The East Village proper is in District 1 which has lousy public schools, really bad. Only option is NEST which is a city wide testing program you are too late for (& if you do a search for NEST on UB you will see how strongly people fell for & against it) To be in District 2 you have to be West of 4th Ave and then you have great schools - PS 41, 40, 116, 11, 3 - all very good both gen ed & G&T. But if you are going to look at Styvesant Town or Peter Cooper be VERY careful since one apartment tower can be in one school zone and the one right next to it can be in another (not good) one. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 07:13 PM Flag
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thanks!!! i'll make sure i check with the schools before i commit to an apartment building. thanks again for your help. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 09:15 PM Flag
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What is your budget? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 11:19 AM Flag
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6K or less for a rental [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 11:20 AM Flag
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check out streeteasy.com. you can search for rentals and purchases by school zone. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 11:26 AM Flag
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awesome! thanks! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 11:27 AM Flag
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My DD is two, but it's DH that needs the park! I also wanted to say that the BPC area looks pretty green to me. PS89 and 234 are good but FULL. There was talk of turning people away. The East Village school situation is an issue if you are in D1, but Gramercy Park has what looks online to be a really nice great school - maybe it's called ps40 - and I would really look into that. I live on the UES, have lived UWS, W. Village, Soho and also prefer the restaurants and vibe downtown. I think I would find it landlocked now though. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 12:35 PM Flag
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i was definitely considering ps 40 b/c it sounds great, but yeah, it's the park issue that has me concerned. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.15.08, 01:18 PM Flag
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