Neighborhood question: Franklin/Carroll

I nominate this thread for the most desperate attempt to hit on something that appears remotely female, e.g. WT asked MsKat13 out seemingly on the basis of the Ms in his/her screen name.

I also propose that the noob MsKat receive an award of some kind for her quick response.

Back on topic, Crown Heights is a completely livable nabe for anyone who has basic street sense. (which MsKat may have...) The Franklin Ave station is served by the 2/3/4/5 ...at least one of them is always running!

ah, but I believe Carroll Gardens costs more. ...and is discussed in a different section.

MsKat13, What a breath of fresh air compared to the other newbie Dexter.

I actually live close to there (Carroll between Franklin and Washington). I have back and forth feelings about the area. Love the grocery store at Carroll and Franklin.

I dig the hood for the most part but there are types of people in my hood that disgust the hell out of me. It's still kind of ghetto (ok, very ghetto) and that can be frustrating---but that's my experience, it may not be yours.

For example, I'm black and my girlfriend is white. We are not comfortable holding hands until we get to Washington---you'll be surprised the difference a block makes. Wheras other couples who visited me who were both girls, but white, never have a problem. So I don't know if its the gay thing or interacial thing---but sometimes we have to deal with obnoxious comments.

I like how close I am to places in Prospect Heights, but like I said, it's still kinda hood. I hate the lack of pride alot of people have in the hood about their home. Like, I always want to yell to people to pick their f-ing trash off the ground. But I'm getting off my soapbox. I think apartments are like the triagle----you can only get 2 sides---cheap, nice hood or big size. I chose size and price.

But, on a positive note, I work in morning news and walk to the train anywhere from midnight to 3 AM and have never had a problem.

All in all, it's not a bad hood. I'm probably just grumpy this morning.

Wow, this is long.

I grew up here and this is NYC anyway u slice it. People feel this area is loaded with crime and that area. But at least no ones slicing up thier wife and tryna hide it by crying on the 5 o'clock news!

I've lived a few blocks away from the for about 6 years (right on the other side of Eastern off Franklin), but some good friends of mine, a married couple in their early 30's moved to the corner of Franklin & Carroll about a year and a half ago and I know they love it over there. Very convenient to the subway at Eastern/Franklin, a nice walk down Eastern to the museum. Botanical Gardens and Prospect Park, and with a great grocery store right across the street.

As others have said, the area is still not Park Slope (nor should it be) or even Prospect Heights, and it does have its moments. But if you've lived in any urban setting for a decent amt. of time, you'd be fine.

A little late to be adding to the convo, but I've lived in the nabe sinc August 06. It's certainly not the prettiest neighborhood, and I agree with like.amy's comments about the garbage, but I feel that way about NYC, in general.

I'd also agree with her comment that it's hoodier than PH, and certainly PS, but all in all, I feel comfortable living here, and like being close to most services, i.e. subway, supermarket, laundromat and cleaners. Plus, with the location you're talking about, you're right between Medger Evers CC and the local police precinct house (on Carrol, on the other side of Franklin), which I think keeps most street crime to a relative minimum. Again, like like.amy said, I think it can depend on the street (and even the building), but a number of my neighbors went out of their way to make me feel welcome when I first moved here. Maybe I just lucked out.

I'd also echo Ronnlibra's comments about this being the real NYC, meaning that my first year in NYC, I lived in Stuy-Town, but it seemed like everyone was a transplant. In contrast, it seems like most of my neighbors have either grown up here or lived here for years, which has its pros and cons, but I like it for the most part.

I don't mean to paint too idealic a portrait of the nabe, though. Shit definitely goes on, i.e. a little girl got shot by a stray bullet outside my building a couple of months ago. It happened towards the end of our street's block party, and she lived, but I guess someone from outside the immediate neighborhood got into a fight w/someone else, and that's what happened. Then again, it was also the first shooting that's happened in years on our block.

Basically, unless you go looking for trouble, I think you should be fine.

Subject: Nice Nabe...

Ms Kat13:

I hope you find the living space you hope for. Carol and Franklin is a wonderful place. It can be thugish but that is a part of the appeal.

It also happens to be only one block from the intersection of Franklin and President Street and that is my favorite place on this earth.

H

Yes, how is thuggish appealing?

Is it the way they say "Yo, mami..." or the way I can see the cracks of their ass?

Now, I find the strong Caribbean culture appealing...

Well, outside of the homophobia...

Nonetheless, the thug look should be abandoned after you are 25. It is no longer acceptable to sound like an ass and look like an ass.

The hip-hop look is cool though...

Either I'm bitter or bored....

um, back on topic...

A lot of new places have opened (Homage, Indian, I-95, etc) along Franklin over the last year or so, and it should be interesting to see which ones survive.

I'd like them all to survive, but they likely won't unless some of the drug traffic is curbed. ...a BID that cleaned up some of the trash wouldn't hurt.

Like I said above, the area is affordable and certainly safer than many areas with the same apartment rent. ....but the 2/3/4/5 service may be its strongest point.

cafeaulait wrote: [quote=like.amy.with.an.f]Yes, how is thuggish appealing?

Is it the way they say "Yo, mami..." or the way I can see the cracks of their ass?

Now, I find the strong Caribbean culture appealing...

Well, outside of the homophobia...

Nonetheless, the thug look should be abandoned after you are 25. It is no longer acceptable to sound like an ass and look like an ass.

The hip-hop look is cool though...

Either I'm bitter or bored....

Who is "they"? Who are you to be the fashion police of the world? What do you wear? If you say it is no longer acceptable to sound like an ass then you need to heed your own "advice". Yes you sound bitter and bored. Don't move to Crown Heights nor Bed Stuy nor anywhere near. You sound more like the Park Slope type. You are beyond appalling and offensive and racist. Good night. You are clearly one of "THEM".

and further more...just to show how asanine your response is...who said anything about race? did i say black people dress this way or talk that way? in your zeal to defend minorities, you brought the issue of race up.

if you are so hell bent on defending minorities in the hood, when is the last time you volunteered at any of the schools in crown heights? when is the last time you helped out at one of the local after school programs or donated to one of the local churches?

right...but when you are ready to really care about the hood, rather than call a black person racist, let me know, and ill let you tag along when i volunteer at one of the local schools.

really? im not black? dude, then i have a serious skin condition...my skin is this weird brown color so i assumed im black. my parents are black so i assumed im black.

and my dear, the use of the word they refers to "thuggish"...read the top line in my post that you replied to.

again, when you are ready to embrace the hood, and defend minorities, come and volunteer with me.

hah---i get to prove im black. this is fun. thanks for giving me something to do right now.

my name...like.amy.with.an.f means femi, as in femi redwood, as in femiredwood.com. old website, but last time i checked, by virtue of the dark skin in those pictures...im black.

again, come volunteer with me at any of the local places when you are ready.

If you really want to know, I lived...not from...lived in Orleans parish until Katrina kicked my ass out. Any questions?