single mom w/ toddler on Dean Kingston?

anonymous

Hi, I actually just read the Pacific St./Kingston thread below and got some nice general information from there. But here's the thing I'm hoping anyone who's online now can help me with by morning: I need to make a rental decision by Sept. 1, yes, tomorrow -- yikes! can you say high anxiety? -- on whether to take this sublet on Dean St. off Kingston for myself, my 18-month-old and my dog. I'm being priced out of Carroll Gardens (surprise, surprise), and I've looked high and low for six months. This seems the only area in my price range. But at what price really? Being near the Children's Museum seems like a plus for my daughter, but it seems there are some negatives regarding Brower Park, day or night. I'm a woman of color, so I don't know if that makes a difference.

TIA

alafairnadia

well ... my advice would be to pay the $20 (or whatever) it would cost to take a round-trip car ride to that area RIGHT NOW. check it out at night. drive around for a bit - who is out and about? who is hanging out on stoops? how dirty and f'd up are the streets?

also, have you talked to other residents in the building? I'd do that asap. and ... have you talked to the folks at the museum? they may know ppl in the area, too, and know something about how it is living there.

good luck!!

anonymous

Thanks for your reply. I guess I should have mentioned I did do the block walk... the actual block itself come nighttime is ok, but go one or two blocks in either direction, and it seemed sketchy. Folks on the stoop with their kids at 9pm, and I didn't realize the projects (Albany Houses) were that close by either. Kids were still in the playground @ Brower Park, but it didn't feel safe at all. (not that I'd be out with my kid would be out that late, but still...) And other than a couple bodegas and a greasy Chinese take-out place on Kingston, there are no nearby ameneties.

I did talk to the Children's Museum people (their offices are in the same bldg as mine), and they seem to think it's on the up-and-up. As does my would-be landlord, who bought the brownstone, and will be moving back in a year's time (hence, the sublet).

So it's a leap of faith, but I don't know if the savings vs. safety equation applies in my case--mainly, for my daughter's sake. Then the whole first/last/security/broker/mover fees... you gotta spend money to save money. Doesn't add up. {{{SIGH}}}

Thanks again.

violet

I think if you go north towards Fulton you'll see a lot more stuff than just the few bodegas and the greasy Chinese food. The block you're talking about is just one block away from the one I described in the Pacific & Kingston post. And it's a just a bit nicer than Pacific & Kingston, I think. So the grocery store would be just 4-5 blocks away, you'd have pizza and Chinese (pretty greasy) that deliver... We think that as you go towards Brooklyn Avenue (just one block away) it gets nicer (in terms of well-kept brownstones with rose bushes outside). As I said in the other post, I haven't had any real problems in the neighborhood (though I walk through the part that's north of where you'd be, not south towards the museum) in four years.
What did you decide to do? It sounds like you were leaning towards NOT taking the place...

edited because I mixed up north and south - duh.

anonymous

Well, after much consternation and painstakingly crunching #s and thinking through every permutation imagineable, I decided that a sudden sublet would be a logistical nightmare. (I think the stress of this week has left me open to a stomach bug). I absolutely loved the apt., but I just couldn't justify ponying up all that dough at once, only to have to rethink a move almost as soon as I unpacked. (I have amassed a house full of furniture, including a piano. And with a baby, traveling light is no longer a possibility. I'm a maternal sherpa!) However, once I recover from this, I will revamp my apt. search in the area, and hopefully the universe will open up again, now that I have a better sense of what's where.

Thanks for your help! I'm so glad I stumbled across this forum!

solamami

Subject: what a difference 24 days makes

Bumping this post just to let y'all know that after further review and even more vacillation, I took the plunge: As of Friday, my daughter, dog and I became official Dean St. residents! Still bleary-eyed and a little shellshocked, and still trying to find all the nearby amenities (as well as my toothbrush) and still need to sign up for the necessary utilities (What? No Time Warner? That's a good/bad shocker)...

butI'm here! (and registered).

Looking forward to being part of the community. TIA

homeowner

Let me be the first to say welcome to the neighborhood!!

violet

If you'd like to take a walk some evening before dark, my sister and I would be happy to stroll around with you. We're familiar mostly with the area closer to Fulton.
I hope you have a good, safe, fun time in the neighborhood. Welcome!

margie

Welcome to the neighborhood.

klang

solamami,

solamami,

we are in a similar situation you were in when you posted here a few months back. my wife and I are close to signing a deal that would move us to Dean Street & Kingston. While the house is beautiful we are uncertain about the quality of the neighborhood. How has it worked out for you? Can you share your thoughts on the area?

solamami

Wow, I'm on a hot block all the sudden! This is the second request this week for my opinion! And now, Brownstoner assured me he was going to write about it, and sure enough, the man keeps his word!

http://brownstoner.com/brownstoner/archives/2007/02/house_of_the_da_262.html?

Are you per chance buying this place on 1441?

What specifically do you want to know? The word "quality" is subjective, so without knowing your point of reference, and I would be reticent to make sweeping generalizations in a public forum. This tends to be a touchy subject on this board. Generally speaking, it has "worked out" for me, but I realize it's not for everyone. But I'm happy to help if I can.

crownheightsproud

Solamami and Klang,

Another welcome to the nabe! I'm always willing to share any info about making CHN a better place for everyone, and only live a few blocks from you both. When you get settled, might I suggest - and this goes for everyone - please attend a Crown Heights North Association meeting. (CHNA) It's an easy way to get all of your neighbors in one place at one time, and puts you in touch with a group of people who are very nice (always good), and eager to help out. We are old timers, new arrivals, youngish, oldish, multi racial, homeowners and renters. We always have a bit of refreshment after the meetings, and you could meet and greet. We have a meeting this Wed - tomorrow! 7PM at St Gregory the Great RC Church Hall, on the corner of St. John's and Brooklyn Aves. Many of this board's regulars such as Greg, Hal and others are members, as well as people who often post on Brownstoner, like myself. I look forward to seeing you, and anyone else who would like to be a part of a growing group of active, concerned and really nice people who all live in Crown Heights North.

solamami

Hey CHP, Thanks for the warm welcome. I recognize your screenname from Brownstoner. I've been here for almost 7 months now, feel connected to the nabe, and have always been meaning to attend these meetings (as well as the recently reconvened Revere St. Block Association). Thing is, I'm always hard-pressed to get home from work before 7pm. Then i have to feed the baby, walk the dog, blah-blah. How long do the meetings generally last? Are there specific agendas or is it free-form? Thanks again.