Dyker Heights Bound!

Today I found out I'll be spending a majority of time in Dyker Heights (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyker_Heights,_Brooklyn), in the south part of Brooklyn! Turns out, Brooklyn is a big place :) as I realized I had been looking at places predominantly in the northern part of the borough, which looks days away from the southern portion on google maps. I've never seen the ocean and now I get to be just blocks away every day! Another fabulous part of Dyker Heights? The predominantly Italian American neighborhood means carbs for blocks! :) A part of me feels like I will not get the full NYC experience because I'll be there during the winter months, but as luck would have it, Dyker Heights is at its best during that time: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/13/realestate/13livi.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 and http://gonyc.about.com/od/christmassights/ig/Dyker-Heights-Christmas-Lights/ I might have to forego my original thoughts/hopes of living in Brooklyn Heights (a greener part of the city) because of the nearly 1 hour commute to the school I will be at. Park Slope looks pretty cool at first glance, and it's only about half an hour away, which in comparison to my 12 minute bike ride to work now, is much more my style. (i.e. I have no patience for commuting.) I am EXTREMELY excited to learn more about the school I will be at. It is a self-proclaimed "small" K-5 school with an emphasis on the arts. The foundations and values of the school really align with my personal beliefs about education. I think it will be a good fit!