We were a little surprised to hear that Brooklyn moms are choosing Manhattan hospitals for their deliveries. According to Gothamist, most of Brooklyn’s ritzy hospitals (Fort Greene, Park Slope, Cobble Hill) are seeing fewer patients than usual, while four in Manhattan have had almost a third more deliveries than usual.

On first glance, this news might seem outrageous, and further proof that those brownstone belt moms are really Manhattanites in Brooklyners’ clothing.

But maybe it’s not that bad. These Brooklyn moms aren’t choosing their doctors by borough alone. They’re looking at experience, reputation, etc. etc., and if those facts point to Manhattan, so be it.

It got us thinking, though — Which activities rightfully warrant a trip to Manhattan?

Shopping? For chain stores, definitely, though our borough can satisfy cravings for Brooklyn Outfitters (obviously) or economical Target expeditions.

Dining? Not at all necessary, but we don’t consider it a treachery to grab a bite on the other side of the bridge.

Finding a job? Either. For Brooklyn residents, staying in-borough might sound convenient, but it really depends on where. Many Brooklyners are closer to Wall St. than Bushwick.

Entertainment? There’s lots to do everywhere, thank god. Gotta love New York.

In an interesting form of protest, Marty Markowitz, Brooklyn’s Borough Prez, is threatening to — gasp — appear in a bathing suit in public unless Mayor Bloomberg reverses his decision to close the Gowanus “Double-D” public pool. Markowitz won’t be alone in his exhibitionism, as various city council members and other pro-poolers will be likewise suited.

The “Double-D” pool will take $200,000 to open, apparently. Is it worth it?

We’re just looking forward to all feeling better about our bathing-suit bods — seeing Markowitz in trunks is probably just as therapeutic as eating ice cream and watching The Biggest Loser.

Looking for a better way to cool down? We recommend Blue Marble, a purely Brooklyn ice-creamery with locations in Boerum Hill, Prospect Heights, and (newly) Cobble Hill. Plus, they added soft serve to their menu, at lease in some locations.

New York Magazine recently published a ranked list of the 50 most liveable neighborhoods in the city, and Brooklyn fared very well — not that we’re surprised. Of the top five neighborhoods, three were in Brooklyn: Park Slope (first place!), Cobble Hill & Boerum Hill, and Greenpoint (#5).

What makes a city liveable? NYMag relied on a complicated formula involving everything from cost of housing to the quality of public schools. Fortunately, they also created a Livability Calculator, allowing you to find the perfect neighborhood based on your own specific priorities — as well as certain handy presets for empty-nesters, childless couples, etc.

Photo via ms.flux on Flickr.

Brooklyn just happens to be one of those cities split up into several different sections or boroughs. In fact, Brooklyn alone has something like 30 different boroughs where you can choose to live, and there is a place for just about everyone. This includes elderly couples, couples with children, young couples, and gay and lesbian couples—as well as singles! Different neighborhoods in Brooklyn also offer different styles of homes, such as brownstones, Victorians, lofts, and apartments.

For younger couples, I recommend shopping around in Park Slope and Brooklyn Heights. Both of these are ideal if you’re looking for restaurants, cultural activities, and convenience. Young singles can thrive here as well, in addition to Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill, which are already populated with people right out of college.

These areas are all fairly close to Manhattan’s lower tip, which means you’ve got some of the city’s hippest attractions only a short Subway ride away—only you get to go home to a significantly lower rent. For example, you can check out the East Village for a whole selection of restaurants, café, and coffeehouses.