Thank you so much - those are very helpful points of reference. Yeah after the remnants of Hurricane Ida last year here in NYC, flooding got so bad in some areas that people drowned in their basement apartments, and lots of garden apartments flooded. Tons of sewage back flow issues, etc, so we're definitely mindful of that.

This is extremely helpful context and makes a ton of sense based on what we’ve seen. Thank you for giving me that history. I think as much as it’s nice to fantasize about having pretty tile and ornate wood carved interiors, our values are much more aligned with public education and living in an urban environment than a cute spooky house.

Bolton Hill is looking really great! How residential is it? Ideally we'd love to be a mixed residential and commercial area where we can walk to most things we need.

Yeah we thought Federal Hill might be a good option for the reasons you mentioned (also being on a higher elevation was a bonus for me after looking at topographical maps). I was concerned after hearing from a few people that it has a bro-y vibe like Murray Hill/Hoboken. Is that your experience?

Yeah, this is what our friends say, too re the kid friendly vibe there - we've been roped into Halloween celebrations during our visit so I'm sure we'll get a really good sense of the vibe. We're definitely open to it - but the Under Armor campus nearby makes me think it might be a tech-like corporate bubble (and the houses I've seen are more expensive and look a bit more like generic flips or newer builds).

To add more context to what we're looking for, if we had millions and could comfortably stay in Brooklyn forever, our dream would be to buy a brownstone or limestone in Prospect Heights or Prospect Lefferts Gardens (if you have familiarity with NYC)-- ideally one with original wood details, built in mirrors, original tiling or stained glass etc. Bonus points if a little old lady lived there for 50 years. We want to get in before the flippers convert everything into monotone gray. Space is obviously a premium (something we will appreciate even more once we have kids) but after years and years in a 1.5 bedroom rent stabilized apartment in a 90 unit building, we are likely to feel spoiled quite easily. One thing I do like about Locust Point is it sounds like a ton of walking, and I love that the houses are close together (alleys kind of creep me out).

I read this to my husband and he goes “YES THAT IS WHAT I WANT”

Omg amazing haunted house find! Thank you for your suggestions - this is so helpful!

Could not have said it better myself. Real estate lobby working overtime to remove any remaining sense of community here.

I am excited but also sad to leave NYC - we'd planned/hoped to raise our kids here and be little old people sitting on the subway and walking together in the park. We will definitely check out Charles Village! (especially hearing you're from the city!). My jaw dropped at 135k