More advice on NYC please!

[UshaB]

Hi
This is my first time using mumsnet and I'd really appreciate some advice please! We live in Rickmansworth, Herts at the moment but are moving soon to New York, as DH has a new job in Manhattan. Our DS was 3 in July and our DD is 14 weeks. I've seen some of the threads already on this so apologies for going over old ground, but we are trying to decide whether to live in Manhattan or further out.
DH's colleagues have recommended Greenwich CT, but I'm so not a desperate housewife (and I'll be a stay at home mum for the 1st time) and am worried it will be a bit grand and snooty....is that a fair assumption?!? We'd like a bit of space as we'll be having family & friends over quite a bit so I was thinking this would rule out anywhere in Manhattan. I'm looking for family friendly and safe as priorities really, whilst keeping the commute for DH down to something reasonable. ANY help would be great - thanks!!

Probably not much help, but a friend of mine whose husband was working in Manhattan, rented a big roomy apartment in Brooklyn. It was right on the shore overlooking the big sky-scrapers at the south of Manhattan (all the banks and corporate stuff). We visited them and there were lots of kids playparks and child friendly restaurants etc. The view was great. It was a good mix of residential area, easy for her husband to get to work, and not cut off in suburbia for her. I think the area was called Brooklyn Heights. But I could be wrong.