Park Place btwn Classon and Franklin

barndorfer · May 2006

Hi everyone.

THis is my first post here. I found this place while searching got CH info. Some friends and I have the opportunity to purchase a brownstone across from the S-train on Park Place. I've walked the neighborhood a few times at different hours of the day, but was hoping to get a locals opinion on the neighborhood. I've read a number of posts and it seems that safety may be a minor issue. What about restaurants/bars? Are there interesting ones nearby? How are the grocery stores? How's the S-train? Anything else you recommend we know before going ahead with the purchase?

Thanks for any help/advice.

Barndorfer

whyfi · May 2006

Welcome!
I live a block over and a block up from you, so I can give you a little bit of an idea about the area.
Safety- yeah, minor. Ive never had a problem, but others have. Just keep your head about you when out and about.
Restaurants- to be honest, I haven't done too much looking around on your side of Classon for 2 reasons... 1) before I moved to my present location, I used to live closer to Vanderbilt, so I'm used to hangin' around there...

I haven't had much of an opportunity to explore - I moved here in the fall, it took a while to settle in to the new home, and then winter came... I've been meaning to try that fish and chips place on your block, though... and Gen (Washington and St Marks) is pretty highly thought of... other than that, I'm in the same boat as you- waiting to discover.
Grocery stores... ick. Fresh Direct. I hear that C-Town is getting a little better, but I haven't brought myself to walk back in there after my first experience 8 months ago... I also walked through a Met Foods on Nostrand - it seemed decent. Oh, also, the bodega at Park and Classon is my favorite bodega around.
The shuttle is really handy - it gives you so many options, which is really nice right about now, with all of the service changes. I've ridden at all times of the day and night without issue.
In all, I'm excited about the area, I look forward to exploring more (east, that is...) and I don't have any regrets about our purchase...

jack krohn · May 2006

While safety is still an issue, that area has improved significantly since the early 90s. Much safer and will most likely continue that route. Bars are non-existent, but there are some Caribbean restaurants in the area and you're not that far from famed Nostrand Avenue, which has many culinary delights. As WhyFi mentioned, Vanderbilt is not far, either. My guess is that this area will have more yuppie amenities with time, probably over the next 5-6 years. Several large apartment buildings are being renovated and there's a condo project slated for the SE corner of Classon and St. John's. A poster from this board in the past commented on landlords paying old-time tenants to vacate buildings so that the apartments could be rented to newcomers at higher rates.

barndorfer · May 2006

I appreciate the responses. My wife and I are renting in Park Slope right now, and will definitely miss the restaurants, etc if we move. It's good to know about Nostrand Ave. I haven't been on that street before, so I look forward to checking it out.

Surprising to hear about landlords paying their tenants to leave. Is there animosity towards new people moving into the neighborhood?

Barndorfer

whyfi · May 2006

Barndorfer wrote: Is there animosity towards new people moving into the neighborhood?

I haven't experienced anything blatant, but of course it's possible that you may encounter some... oh well.

anonymous · May 2006

Oh, shit! I hope it's not my building! I've lived on this block about three and a half years. It can be loud as all get out at certain times of the night, or quiet as a lamb. Lots of kids hanging around at times, and an equal amount of old men. Eat on Nostrand; Franklin and Classon eats suck my digestive tract. The 24-hour bodega on the corner of Classon and Park is swell, though.

There's been a huge demographic change on the block, going from African-American families to post-college kids in short order.

Which building are you looking at? I know 564 is for sale.

ar · May 2006

WhyFi wrote: [quote=Barndorfer]Is there animosity towards new people moving into the neighborhood?

I haven't experienced anything blatant, but of course it's possible that you may encounter some... oh well.

The people here are really nice, but watch out for the 15 - 23 year old crowd. They are not so happy to have "new" people in the area. As far as the longer term residents, it seems they just want good neighbors like we all do.

barndorfer · May 2006

JoshieB wrote:
Which building are you looking at? I know 564 is for sale.

The landlord hasn't broken it to his tenants yet, but I think he plans to this week or next. I hope it isn't your place, but I also hope there's no hard feelings if it is. We actually just had our fourth person drop out of our purchasing group, so, if it is your building, maybe we can work something out...

Do any of you have experience buying buildings as a group? We just plan on doing a Tenancy-In-Common for a year and then trying to convert to condos. Any other options we should consider?

THanks again for the responses.

Barndorfer

basketball fan · May 2006

welcome, I have a 21 year old daughter how lives with me on park pl
nostrand/ newyork that you don't have to beware of. I have to say again I resent the remark made by AR generalizing every 15-23 year old in crown heights the statement is absolutly negative and incorrect.
Wonderful restaurants on Nostrand, I prefer to shop on Fulton st Superfoodtown, I drive but love the walk, oh yeah there is a wonderful laundry called Laundry Queen.

barndorfer · May 2006

Which building are you looking at? I know 564 is for sale.

The building is at 586 Park Place (the landlord finally told the tenants).

Barndorfer

Park Place btwn Classon and Franklin

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