sparkleandfade

Yet another in the contenders for 'avoiding paying Manhattan rents while still being close to Manhattan'. Linden and the Royal Oak areas were the two streets that made me consider moving to the island. For one reason: Green.

Sure, the neighbors are friendly, the rents are cheap, the transit's good, the houses are well built and sport impressive paint (or wood panelling) jobs. But all that pales in comparison to the local parks. Linden is right next to Snug Harbor- baseball diamonds and trails galore. There are *horses*. And the houses themselves are adorable- small, but they don't resemble row houses. Almost cottage like.

A really beautiful place to live if you're in the mood to settle down.

Clark is similar to most of the streets in its neighborhood- in its borough even! It walks the line of trying to give a big suburban feel in an area with small lots, small houses. But there are some nice aspects that make it stand out- there's a great little baseball diamond nearby, and usually street parking (hallelujah!). Unfortunately, it also is next to a HUGE shopping center which leads to more noise than you might expect from the neighborhood. You win some, you lose some...

I went through a phase- maybe a lot of NY residents have them- a while back where in desperation I went *everywhere* seeing if there were cheap rents to be found in an area that wouldn't get me killed. Normally I'd just confine the search to Queens/Brooklyn, but on this occasion I checked out some areas of Staten Island as well, and I feel a little in love with Royal Oak- or more specifically, the streets it borders on-- Rice Ave, Potter Ave, Lakeland Ave. First of all, it's GREEN. So very, very green, being right next to Clove Lakes. That was perhaps the biggest temptation- just disappearing into the Park for hours on end-- maybe I wouldn't even need a house, if I could hide there! Kidding. Mostly.

And while it wasn't meant to be, I still point friends-with-babies-in-need-of-more-space to the area, because it really is lovely, and pretty affordable.

Continuing the example of 'you get what you pay for', there are many 'cheap' apartments in the Bank St/Jersey St area. Close to the ferry, they boast! Near to St. George's! Well, yes. They are. But the area is also very high in crime. I didn't feel particularly safe getting out of the car after dark- I can't imagine living there. So if you're being lured by the low, low rent, take my advice: use the same cash and find a better neighborhood elsewhere in the borough, or in Queens. Works better all around.

Most of Staten Island has a very suburban, generic feel. You time your day to the ferry and escape into the city for the day before retreating 'home' to sleep in the evening. But there are a few neighborhoods on the North Side that are just incredible, including St George's.

I love Fort Hill Park in all of its guises- yes, it's a street, but it's also the street leading through the park as well-- a beautiful 'wild' area that has been preserved. Lots of trees, lots of shade. Worth a visit.

There's no doubt that this area is fairly safe. I had friends living here for years who never hesitated going out alone after a 'certain hour', who were fairly comfortable just hanging out in the neighbourhood. Unfortunately, as Victory Blvd has become more and more congested, the noise level has raised tremendously. There are just too many people near to a street not meant to handle the traffic. Try a little more remote if you really have come to Staten Island to get away from that 'city' feeling.

I will schlep up and over from Queens to get to W. 238th St. No joke. At first glance, it seems something special- just your typical Bronx street, with its assortment of bodegas and corner stores. But look again-- and then again. Concealed in its depths- a little hole in the wall- is perhaps the best cheesecake New York- or anywhere- has to offer: S&S Cheesecake.

In a way, that's typical of the area in general. It looks like just another street, but there's a real community feel here- infrequently visited by tourists, you get the sense this is a place the locals know and love, but don't broadcast. Definitely worth a trip.

I adore this section of Long Beach! Love love love. A quiet, residential area close to the great shops and eateries of 2nd street, this place is always a treat. Parking can be a little bit of a problem at times as people tend to take the spots in front of houses as their own personal parking lots so they can go to the aforementioned nearby shops- Fingerprints, for example, or any of the local coffee houses. But other than that, it's a nice place to stay.

East Shoreline runs into the same problem as East Seaside- nice for cutting across the city, but the name is more inspiring than the scenery. If you want a nice view, or to see some of the magnificent harbor, check out West Shoreline (which East Shoreline turns into). A truly nice way to get a look at the water.

Another little cache of stores close to the Convention Center, this place feels fairly commercial. There's some nice architecture- a bridge masquerading as a roller coaster, for one, but mostly you're just going to run into a lot of chain stores. Be sure to check out the nice Borders for a caffeine fix, though, and there are some nice places to get a quick bite.

Pine is conveniently close to Long Beach Blvd, without succumbing to the extra traffic and sheer mass of people that sometimes descend on that street. A great section of town for restaurants and pubs. Avoid the Dueling Piano Bar and try out the Auld Dubliner. A great place to wander with friends when you're looking for a good evening.

With a name like that, you'd expect some great scenery, but in the middle of town, what you'll get is a lot of uninspiring office buildings leading to parking lots. A little sketchy after dark, make sure you're with friends, or at least a crowd of strangers letting out from Long Beach arena. Also, make sure you pay attention to parking. Often the streets are closed because of events and you'll have difficulty explaining your way out of that kind of ticket.

Atlantic is big. Atlantic is busy. Atlantic is fairly noisy and always in motion. While I quite like the array of choices offered- you have every kind of restaurant you could want, as well as a decent array of nightlife options, I can't help but feeling that Long Beach itself is better represented in the smaller, off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods. Try some of the smaller streets if you want a real feel for the city. If you're new to the area though, and just need a place where you're guaranteed to be able to find what you need, Atlantic will be able to offer whatever you're looking for.

If you want to get around the city fairly quickly, but aren't much for braving traffic, Orange is a great alternative. It manages to keep the essence of Long Beach- the things that make the city really enjoyable- without getting clogged with tourists wanting to see the beach. Nice vibe throughout, very homey and quite like a small city despite the size of Long Beach itself (not to mention its huge neighbors!)

All right, if you're coming to Long Beach, and you don't live here, there's a pretty good chance you'll hit the Boulevard at some point or another. Not beause it's necessarily the most attractive piece of real estate, but at the end of the day, it features the Convention Center, which is where a lot of out of towners are headed. Not a bad thoroughfare by any means, but it is a little indistinct compared to the main streets of other cities. Still, traffic's usually pretty good, and you can grab a bite to eat nearby. A decent place to spend the day if you have to.

This place is a disaster area, ecologically speaking. Familiar probably only to those who have to use the Belt Parkway, and that's a plus, because you don't want to be exposed to this landfill any other way. Supposedly there are talks to rehabilitate the area into a natural preserve of some sort, but so far it's just been talk. Stay clear of this place.

With most of Brooklyn, you feel like you're fighting the effects of gentrification every time you try a new neighbourhood. Somehow, despite its length, the area around Kings Highway seems to maintain an 'old world' feel in the midst of the development all around it. If you're lucky enough to live near the west end, you'll find hundreds of shops, most local to the area to pick and choose from. A great way to get your fill of retail therapy without having to venture into Manhattan.

Most people still use Stillwell to get to Coney Island, and that's just fine. Though the park hardly retains the spark of its glory years, but it's still great for a day of kitschy fun that's a throwback to times long past. Get a hot dog, take a ride on the roller coaster, and pray that the always promised 'revitalization efforts' actually come through in the next century.

So, full disclosure, I lived in Queens. But occasionally I'd sneak across borough borders with my bike and head for Bedford Avenue. It's ten miles long, and the best part is, it has a designated bike lane on each side, so you can get a workout while taking in just about every style of architecture Brooklyn has to offer. While there's been a lot of gentrification here, there are still little cafes hiding here and there if you keep your eyes peeled.

A lot of Eastern Parkway is pretty utilitarian, acting as a thoroughfare through the Borough, but it also features some of the 'must-sees' if you're a tourist in the area. Hang out at Prospect Park for a few hours, of if you're in the mood for something a little more flower-y, take in the Botanical Gardens. If culture is more your thing the Brooklyn Museum and Brooklyn Public Library are both here as well.

Kent Avenue has everything most people are looking for when they consider moving to Williamsburg- a nice location (on the water, even!), trendy stores, great restaurants, expensive property... but it's definitely a bit quieter, so if you're someone trying to balance your desire to live in a great, vital neighborhood with the necessity of getting up and going to the dayjob, this is probably a good choice for you.

It'll probably never reach it's Navy Yard heyday, but there's no denying that Myrtle Avenue is finally on an upswing. In some parts, it's positively charming, though it doesn't quite match the vitality of its Queens counterpart. The area around the Pratt Institute in particular is a nice place to spend some time, with plenty of boutiques and cafes to pass the day. Still, when getting into less savory parts of the Avenue, exercise caution- it's still not totally up to form yet.

This is THE thoroughfare for Brooklyn, so if you live in the area it's pretty much impossible to miss. It's an entity unto itself, and if you ever need a jolt of energy, just step out into the bustle. Grab some food from a street vendor, try to ignore the knock off purses and bootleg DVDs all around you- windowshop, hang out with friends. It's all good here. Streets like this are why people come to the City in the first place.

Yeah, it's got its own freeway exit, but Valley Circle is mostly residential, with barely a break for even a gas station. However, it is a *lovely* residential area, quiet and mostly serene, with streets that lead up into the lovely Victory Trail park. A great place for late night and early morning walks before the rest of the world wakes up and starts heading to the schools, which are mere streets away.

While most on Canoga Ave will be using it to go North/South within the Valley itself, it offers an attractive option to connect to North Hollywood and Hollywood proper in the form of a newly added Orange Line stop, which joins the station with the Red Line in NoHo. For those who wish to stay around the street itself though, there are several stores around for passing time- a Borders and a few other retailers, as well as a few fast food options for the hungry- not least among these Flooky's, serving cheap diner food in the Valley for far too many years now.

This part of Victory Boulevard makes up a major roadway for those traveling east/west. As such, it is lined with grocery stores, banks, restaurants, and box stores to appeal to commuters making their way to and from work. Not much in the way of character, but it does offer a quick and easy way to pick up a bite or grab the dog food your forgot to bring home the night before.

Erwin is a decent enough mix of properties. Condominiums line one side of the street and the surrounding area, while other spots are filled with nondescript, but professional looking office buildings. There are a few healthcare facilities quite nearby, making it an attractive option for people for whom this is a necessity. There are a few good restaurants on nearby Ventura Boulevard, and transit is easily accessible via Warner Center Transit Hub.

Despite being fairly close to a decent stretch of Sherman Way, Keswick manages to maintain an industrial park vibe through out- and not just that of any industrial park- this is a particularly dirty industrial park where you'll be subjected to catcalls just for walking to your car. There are a few office buildings, but even those seem to blend into a grey background. Not recommended.

Fallbrook in West Hills is mostly known for Fallbrook Centre, a nice grouping of shops and restaurants that stretches from Fallbrook to Royer, Victory Blvd to Van Owen. There are some good sit down places- though mostly of the chain variety (think IHOP, Red Lobster) as well as a Subway, various coffee eateries and the like. Trader Joe's makes an appearance, a gem in the otherwise overpriced Woodland Hills/West Hills market. Perhaps the most unique draw is one of the few independent movie theaters in the area- a Laemelle owned cinema that shows movies you won't find down the street at the AMC.

While Topanga will eventually become the canyon that gives the street its name, here it's a mostly retail area. There are plenty of fast food joints, as well as big box stores- Best Buy, Borders, a movie theater and the like- but the big draw is the Topanga Westfield Mall, one of the largest malls in the state, featuring some stores you might have to venture to Beverley Hills for normally (Tiffany's, etc).

Platt is one of the major avenues that runs through the mostly residential areas of Woodland Hills and the surrounding area. While there are some houses that face the street, it is most useful as route to the freeway, as well as for the businesses it offers- grocery stores, banks, post offices, fast food restaurants- they're all on Platt, and usually the quickest option for those in a rush.

Calvert itself is a fairly quiet street, aside from teenagers who occasionally drive a little too fast a little too late at night after they've been let out of school. While there's nothing much to see/do/eat on the street itself, it benefits from being close to enough major streets that finding any of these is not terribly difficult. It is very close to the Westfield Topanga Mall, the largest mall in the Valley, and indeed in Southern California, so there's definitely plenty on offer if shopping is your thing.

Cost of living is fairly high- the supermarkets are inflated to Woodland Hills prices- but a stop at Trader Joe's may save you.

I'm not sure how commong a visit to the Japanese Garden is in a city with so many other artistic and historical landmarks, but if you want a destination slightly off the beaten path, States Drive hosts this wonderful getaway in the middle of the city. Featuring a reconstructed house in the Japanese style, the whole place is serene, and a perfect escape from the normal frantic visiting pace.

Chestnut Street benefits from being set back a little from Walnut St. While there are still a few shops and restaurants, its real attraction is not retail- rather, most people come here to take in Independence Hall. The area is well kept up and just lovely to visit. As a bonus, the University of Pennsylvania campus is fairly close (nearer to Walnut, though) and its buildings should be tourist attractions in and of themselves.

If you're in town for shopping, head to Walnut. Just about everything you could ever want to buy is on offer here (though usually at a bit of a cost!) along with plenty of places to relax, eat, drink, and just spend time with friends (or shopping partners). For the historically minded, there's also Rittenhouse Square, a park planned by none other than William Penn himself.

Broad is one of the busiest streets in Philly, with no small thanks going to the subway that runs beneath it. However, it's also one of the most vibrant streets in the city. Start at Spruce and go up to market, and look at all the little lit 'AA' signs, for Avenue of the Arts. If you're an artist seeking inspiration, or just a visitor wanting to take in a little culture, this is the place to be.

Despite its size (it runs all the way from Market to Fisher) and its location next to several landmarks (the Gallery, Hunting Park) 9th street is a fairly rundown street. A lot of housing for college students who need cheap rents, but not much in the way of ambience. The Gallery, which is probably the reason most people are in the area, is a large, indoor mall- again, despite its size, it doesn't have so much to offer, having become pretty rundown in recent years.

This is the history buff's answer to the art student's Benjamin Franklin Parkway. If you're here to explore the role Philadelphia played in the Revolutionary War, this is your best place to start. You can see all sorts of historical landmarks, from the place where Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence, to the house where both George Washington and John Adams lived while they were in town. There are a number of metro/SEPTA stops near by, making it pretty easy to access.

Oh, South Street. You give us cheesesteaks. You give us great venues like the TLA. But you also give us crazy kids who think cruising is cool. It's an interesting area, but slowly being overwhelmed by people with lowriders and not much else to do on a weekend. Tourists are also catching on, and it seems to be getting more and more crowded lately.

Okay, so chances are you're not going to be going to Poplar St. unless you have a reason. Maybe this is because, for being so close to so many attractions, it's strangely difficult to turn onto. Maps will try to tell you to turn on Chang Street... which would be great, if that street was around these days. Anyway, most will be coming for the North Star Bar, a mighty local music institution. It's a bit of a blank space inside, but the acts are usually pretty good, and it's certainly laid back enough to discover new music. If you can find it, a great place to spend a weekend night.

Compared to a lot of the east coast cities, Philadelphia can come up a little short. But this stretch of road totally makes up for it. It's a wide, well-kept street, that almost represents the European parkways many are familiar with. And you will never run out of things to do- the Rodin Museum, the Museum of Art, the Franklin Institute, the Cathedral... it's all right here. If you only had one day to spend in Philadelphia, this would be where you wanted the cab to drop you off.