“you will also not find the growth you are looking for in terms of that wanting to grow in keeping halacha”
I completely challenge that; I know many people who have become fully observant in Modern Orthodox communities.
There is actually a shul in Brooklyn Heights, a short walk to downtown Brooklyn. It is modern orthodox with a Chabad rabbi. There is even an eruv. Check out B’nai Avraham on 117 Remsen Street — they have a web site.
I’d recommend my own community of Riverdale but the commute is very hard — I know personally because I make that very commute 2x/week. I have to give it 1 1/2 hours each way. OTOH, I do get to learn a lot of Torah on the subway!