Reply #4: If you are considering Brooklyn,

[Lavender Brown]

the Cobble Hill/Brooklyn Heights/Carroll Gardens area is really nice, is great for walking, and (I would think) for dogs. You should be able to find a decent place in your price range. The commute to midtown is not bad at all and there are lots of different subway lines. I lived there for three years. It's a very homey neighborhood with nice restaurants, parks (esp. the Promenade), and shopping. If your friends are primarily in another part of the city, it might get annoying, but like I said the commute is not bad at all.