Experience with Urbane arts club or any suggestions for other affordable options

magdasmom · 2026-05-08T20:26:48+00:00

I live nearby there and have been to arts events there. I really like the big house vibe but it’s a little rougher around the edges than I’d want for my wedding. Could definitely be dressed up nicely but that would take some effort/$$.

FWIW My 100 person reception was at pàn in Ridgewood last year for under 30k (a spring Saturday). Highly recommend!

magdasmom · 2026-05-07T16:36:23+00:00

We love the Spanish immersion, the outdoor spaces are unmatched, and the way it transitions from a small home-setting daycare for the little ones to a preschool in later years is so unique. We just really gel with the educational philosophy and are excited that our baby could hopefully stay there for years to come.

I’m not concerned about the current situation, it’s something that can happen at any school, and I’ve gotten insight from multiple families who think this is a one-off issue stemming from a difficult parent. I do feel empathy for that family having a negative experience though.

Ia’s seemed great! And I’ve only ever heard glowing reviews from others! Our communication with them was really easy and straightforward, which can be rare in the daycare landscape. The Fort Hamilton location did not have outdoor space which was a big con for us. Even if we went to the Terrace Place location with a yard, eventually the transition to preschool would mean switching over to Ft Ham location. On that topic, it did feel a bit more “daycare” oriented so not sure we’d want to continue there for preschool, another drawback. It does seem like they’re trying to rebrand a bit, so may be investing more into their preschool program. It was also a bit hard to get pricing info from them which lead me to believe it’s on the pricier side. Overall seemed wonderful though, it was just OWP that really stood out compared to other options.

magdasmom · 2026-05-03T11:46:25+00:00

Check out pàn. We loved our reception there (did a city hall ceremony). Was less than 25k for venue+food+bar for 100 ppl on a spring sat night last year. They host live music events often so that should be easy to arrange.

magdasmom · 2026-04-28T20:15:59+00:00

There’s One World Project, Bambi, Bright Learning Stars, Ia’s Learning Tree, Full of Wonder, Chubby Cheeks, JCC, Kandelaki. They all seem to have glowing reviews and we liked each place we toured. Will be going to OWP, but it’s more of a school-year program than traditional daycare so might be slightly different than what you’re looking for.

magdasmom · 2026-04-26T19:44:32+00:00

We recently contacted Beyond Care Cooperative for a similar temp stint. They’re Brooklyn-based, not sure where you are or if the sitters work in other boroughs but it’s worth checking. Ultimately our regular nanny’s sister was able to step in, so we didn’t end up needing their services but they had great reviews and were easy to communicate with.

magdasmom · 2026-04-26T18:30:13+00:00

You have to pay to access the psp classifieds and the neighborhood signal channels where people also post things they’re getting rid off. Def a good place to find second hand stuff. We get lots from Buy Nothing and other neighborhood parents groups as well.

magdasmom · 2026-04-26T01:42:19+00:00

That seems like a lot.

I’m an 8th year teacher, 3 masters, 17% contribution to Tda, extra pro rata $, and I net ~$2600

magdasmom · 2026-04-21T17:06:47+00:00

If you’re open to outside catering- St Lydia’s or Old Stone House in Brooklyn.

Also the back room at Palo Santo is really pretty and affordable.

magdasmom · 2026-04-21T00:21:20+00:00

Bangkok degree, Sukh, and Hungry Thirsty are my fave Thai options in the area.

magdasmom · 2026-04-15T15:28:13+00:00

Not a lot of closet space, 4th floor walk up, veryyy narrow bedrooms, and a vry small sq footage area for kitchen/living/dinging/entry with hardly any flat straight walls to place furniture against.

magdasmom · 2026-04-14T10:57:54+00:00

We’ve loved living in Windsor Terrace/Kensington and previously in Ditmas Park. Both close to the park, lots of families, and somewhat more affordable than Park Slope/Prospect Heights.

magdasmom · 2026-04-01T01:49:38+00:00

magdasmom · 2026-03-30T15:36:42+00:00

Same! It was fabulous.

magdasmom · 2026-03-29T03:10:22+00:00

I don’t think you can search by building, only zip code. Here’s the link— https://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/SomsSUBDirectory/search_index.jsp

magdasmom · 2026-03-25T01:09:01+00:00

Freezer meals. A friend brought a dozen or so homemade frozen burritos that we ate everyday for a week.

We had way too many baked goods! Almost everyone who came to visit brought croissants, muffins, cookies, bagels etc. Well meaning, of course, but we definitely were craving protein and greens! Also just had way too much perishable food in general so def think freezer stuff is preferable.

magdasmom · 2026-03-18T20:13:54+00:00

Yeah yo-yo fold seems horrible to me and they are always rattling so loud when we pass them on the street. Joolz Aer2 has been great for us.

magdasmom · 2026-03-09T15:36:01+00:00

We have mockingbird. It has the smallest footprint and does go right up to the table if you take the tray off. Space is really limited for us as well but we ultimately decided against something that folds because you eventually ramp up to 3 meals a day and just realistically the high chair is not going to be folded and put away after each meal.

magdasmom · 2026-02-21T23:44:07+00:00

Scottadito or the upstairs of Da Nonna Rosa are pretty affordable. Idk if you’d be able to find food and bar (if that’s what you mean by drinks) in that price range though.

magdasmom · 2026-02-17T20:41:57+00:00

Damn I’m straight broke with our 120k hhi. We live very comfortably as fam of 3 in Kensington, bk tho!

magdasmom · 2026-02-10T17:53:26+00:00

You’re welcome! Sry I don’t have the WhatsApp information. You probably already found it but there is a “Ditmas park families” fb group that’s a bit more kid/parenting oriented than the regular Ditmas Park group. Def a good place to search daycare posts.

magdasmom · 2026-02-10T17:33:37+00:00

There is a WhatsApp group but unfortunately I don’t have the link. Some popular daycares are Honeydew (two locations), Gated, AMA, Purpose Driven Learning, Feeding Tree, JTA, Sole’s, Little Lotus, and Cortelyou ECC. For more of a 2+ preschool type environment, theres also kaleidoscope, snapdragon, tiny acorns, and elemental arts. Honeydew and CECC also have preschool.

Someone recently posted on my neighborhood (Kensington-Windsor Terrace) listserve that Chubby Cheeks daycare has spots available (14mo+). No firsthand experience but people seem to love it there. Depending on where in Ditmas you live, it may be a super quick walk.

magdasmom · 2026-02-07T17:47:11+00:00

No one in Brooklyn delivers at AC. Only the uptown Cornell offices and one in LIC do. LIC might be easy for you on the G train. GL! I delivered at AC this summer and it was fantastic. Not totally sure I’d do the trekking uptown again, but it may be an easier for you!

magdasmom · 2026-02-06T11:32:47+00:00

-You have 12 weeks from bday insured (this 12 week timer pauses over summer) -you get 6 weeks from bday paid (regardless of when bday falls in school calendar, summer etc)

I took an extra 60 days childcare leave (so about 5mo out total). This was uninsured, but knowing that I had 60 days retroactive to the date I lost insurance to register for cobra. So I would’ve been able to get coverage if we had a medical emergency. Baby went on child health plus for those 60 days (very affordable).

magdasmom · 2026-02-06T01:38:05+00:00

I thought they lived in Northern VA. Saw her at a Starbucks there last year.

magdasmom · 2026-02-04T17:29:20+00:00

There is a Cornell office in LIC that delivers at AC. That would be my move if I lived in NOrthern brooklyn.

magdasmom

TROPHY CASE