Upper West Side or Brooklyn with kids?

I start a new job in NYC in less than a month. I've been searching forums for 2-3 BR apartments, but I am honestly torn about the best neighborhoods for my kids - two girls, ages 8 and 4. I've been looking at Upper West Side (which I love), but I'm not sure about commute to my new job, which is near Union Square. But the public elementary schools seem decent enough there. Also looking at Battery... [more]

I start a new job in NYC in less than a month. I've been searching forums for 2-3 BR apartments, but I am honestly torn about the best neighborhoods for my kids - two girls, ages 8 and 4. I've been looking at Upper West Side (which I love), but I'm not sure about commute to my new job, which is near Union Square. But the public elementary schools seem decent enough there. Also looking at Battery Park City for the K-8 school, but I'm not sure BPC has the neighborhood vibe. I've also been looking at Brooklyn - Cobble Hill, Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope, Carroll Gardens, Windsor Terrace. My husband loves DUMBO. Schools seem to be more hit or miss here, and I've heard from my friends with small children that live in Manhattan that I will hate the commute in to work. Any advice/experience appreciated. [less]