Visit the Bay Ridge / Dyker Heights Area for a Taste of "suburbia"

I am a very lucky person. I was born and brought up in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, and now live right near it in the area called Dyker Park. Between Bay Ridge and Dyker Park, is Dyker Heights. The borders of Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights run roughly from Shore Parkway on the west, 60th Street to the North, up to 14th Avenue to the East, and to the Shore Parkway on the South, from 69th Street to just beyond the Verazzano Bridge. The neighborhood is known for mostly quiet streets and houses of various sizes, types and prices. Only 10 miles from Manhattan, it has some of the best restaurants, a Century 21, antique shops, numerous churches, and countless bars. I call it a little oasis in NYC because it has many neat, tree-linedstreets, with well-kept houses and gardens, and in some areas, a view of the Verazzano Bridge and the Narrows. It also has a golf course, The Dyker Heights Golf Course, that will soon be home to the first and only golf course in the city for young people,ages 5 to 18.

Originally an area of many Irish, Norwegian and Italian immigrants, it is now home to many Asians, Arabs, Greeks, Indians, Mexicans. The immigrant population has resulted in an interesting mix of restaurants and stores. Visit Third Avenue and stroll along the avenue from 69th Street to 100th Street to take in the many great restaurants and shops. Fifith avenue is another great shopping avenue, with a recently widened street to make it easier for both car, bus and truck traffic.

Eighty-sixth street boasts the famous Century 21 Department Store. The main store which takes up about 20% of the block has great buys in clothing and accessories for men and women. Walk through Century 21 to the 87th Street side and visit their housewares department.

There are so many great restaurants of different levels that it would be unfair to recommend just a few. There are
all types of fare, including nouvelle cuisine, American, Asian, Indian, Italian, and everything in between including
the famous Tiffany Diner which has been around almost 40 years. Everyone who lives in Bay Ridge has their favorites. Check out Zagat's, or the Bay Ridge webpage for more information.

Housing is expensive in Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights. However, it might be a bit less expensive than some areas of Park Slope or Brooklyn Heights. On Shore Road, just east of the Belt Parkway near the Verazzano Bridge, there are beautiful apartment buildings that offer both rentals and co-ops. In recent years, developers began taking down some of the older homes and put up condominiums. This has been a mixed blessing. Condos have given some people the option of owning without having to pay the cost of a house. On the other hand, this development has crowded some streets. Recently, the zoning in Bay Ridge was changed to prevent further development on property that houses one or two family homes.

The Dyker Heights area has less in the way of retail stores, and is generally more residential. It is heavily Italian and is a great place to view Holiday decorations. Visit this area at night from mid-December to the New Year and you will be treated to a wonderland. 13th Avenue in Dyker Heights is known for its Italian bakeries and delis. If you want Italian delicacies / imports visit 13th Avenue's C-Town near 79th Street.

Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights have many schools, both elementary and high schools, both private and public. One of the top private schools is Poly Prep Country Day School. The elementary school is located in Park Slope, but the high school is located near Ft. Hamilton on 7th Avenue just off 92nd Street. Fontbonne Hall and Xaverian high schools are the two popular Catholic high schools. There is also Adelphi Academy, a popular private school, and Ft. Hamilton public high school to name a few.

Transportation is great in both Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights. The city bus service runs well, and there is the R and N subway. Probably one of the greatest perks of living in these neighborhoods is the Express Bus service into Manhattan. There is the 27X and 37X for the Bay Ridgites, and the 28X and 38X for those in Dyker Heights and Dyker Park. If there is no traffic, you are in lower Manhattan in 20 minutes.

The neighborhood has several local papers: the Home Reporter / Sunset News, the Spectator, and the Bay Ridge
Courier. There is also the free Bay Ridge Paper. Overall, the neighborhood is generally close-knit. Most of the
residents are interested in the community and speak up if they do not like proposed changes. We have old fashioned parades on July 4th along 4th avenue, and a very popular "Ragamuffin Parade" and street fare in early October.

Overall, we are proud of our neighborhood and invite others to visit with us, check us out, and stay with us if you like it.