Safety/Noise levels on St. John's Pl btwn Washington/Classon

This area is just over the much discussed border of PH, and is CH.

That said, my only comments about that corner (Classon and St. Johns) is that it contains a very loud church. ....the bodega/deli serves food that is edible.

The Washington Ave end of that block is far noisier.

That block is LOUD in the summertime. About one Saturday a month, someone sets up a massive DJ party in one of the backyards and plays obnoxiously loud music until 4am. Also on St. John's, last year there was a double murder at the block party between Washington and Underhill. It's definitely not the best block you'll come across.

hallie wrote: It's the stretch with the firehouse.

I looked at that apartment complex across the street. Nicely renovated, but just as I was about to agree to a lease that fire truck came speeding out of there.

Unless that station is closed, I say no way.

I've lived on that block for 13 years. It is loud, but not nearly as loud as it used to be! A lot of people hang out outside in the summer, and there is a bus route on St. Johns so a lot of buses going by, and the firetrucks do go in and out with sirens on quite a bit. I would not still be there if my apt faced the street.

Facing the back, it is usually very quiet... except when it's not. The backyard dj parties don't happen as much as they used to on this block, I think now they are more frequent on the other side of Washington. Depending on how close you are to Washington, and if you're on the north side of St. Johns, you may hear noise from the Prospect Pond bar on Washington (though they supposedly soundproofed the backdoor and it hasn't been too bad, but previous bars in that space opened the door and let people outside so if that starts to happen in warmer weather the noise will be awful). The building right next door to Prospect Pond on Washington used to be a party rental space, and it often had very loud parties that spilled out into the backyard. I see it has a for sale sign right now. If it is sold and the ground floor becomes a bar or restaurant with outdoor seating, the noise will be bad. Otherwise, it's very quiet in the back, not a lot of people use their yards, the activity is all out on the street.

If you're thinking of moving into one of the two big buildings that take up the entire south side of the block, I think you probably won't feel comfortable. If you move into a smaller building on the north side, well... depends on you. It is definitely not Park Slope. Washington and St. Johns has traditionally been a very active drug dealing corner. Recently not as much, but they move around so eventually they'll be back. Washington has a lot of foot traffic, so walking to/from the subway at Eastern Parkway is totally fine.

I've walked all over the neighborhood for years, at all hours of the day and night, and I have never felt unsafe or threatened in any way. But you can't be oblivious, walking around blabbing on an iPhone and not paying attention to your surroundings. I would think that's just common sense... but apparently it's not. If you're confident, have some street smarts, and are respectful, it's a great place to live. If you want a neighborhood like Park Slope or Carroll Gardens, this is not the block for you.

two tips to offer re: this block

1. Think twice and then rethink again if the rental is in a Martin building.
2. Firehouse has a fireplace structure in the back and smoke could be an issue for apartments in the backs of buildings, depending on wind conditions.

I am trying to get my deposit back from martin. He sucks and has forced me to take him to small claims court..

Don't rent from him, Anyone. This is a nightmare, and has been for over a year now.

Althea wrote: I am trying to get my deposit back from martin. He sucks and has forced me to take him to small claims court..

Don't rent from him, Anyone. This is a nightmare, and has been for over a year now.

I lived in a Martin building for 2 years -- it was DISGUSTING. more mice, roaches, and other lovely bugs than I could count. The water would go out for days at a time, no heat for weeks at a time...gross.

I helped a woman downstairs from me try to drop off her check once (a fun game he liked to play was "not be in the office and then call screaming that rent was late because he wasnt in his office to get it") and he CLOSED THE SECURITY GATE on her head. I called the police, but by the time they arrived he had driven off.

That said, sorry to hear about getting your $$ back -- I went to get my security deposit back and he handed me a check without asking for anything except my keys. Never went to look at the apartment, etc.

In regards to if other people show his apartments, I doubt it - but he lists on rent-direct.com which charges a fee to look at apartments.