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Safety? — Brooklynian

Safety?

newtobklyn
newtobklyn
edited November -1 in Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Bed-Stuy
My husband and I are moving back to NYC and are thinking of moving to the Park Slope/Prospect Height/Fort Greene areas. We are looking to live relatively close (walking distance) to the LIRR at Atlantic Blvd because we will need to commute to Queens for work.

I've read that there may be safety concerns in Fort Greene. We have a 10 month old so we are especially sensitive to the issue. We have also heard that the LIRR stop at Atlantic is "sketchy."

I'm interested in hearing your opinions on this. Is Fort Greene safe? Is safety an issue when using the LIRR in the early morning and late nights?

Thanks in advance for your input!

Comments

  • kevin_on_putnam
    kevin_on_putnam
    I would be careful with 10 month old kids, they sometimes have sharp little teeth.

    The LIRR is very dark in the early morning and late at night.
  • vidro3
    vidro3
    After a few months you won't even notice all spent shell casings and chalk outlines on the sidewalk
  • newtobklyn
    newtobklyn
    Sharp teeth, shell casings, and assholes, we can handle just fine...
  • brokechick
    brokechick
    park slope/ft. greene/prospect heights are sketch city. you probably want to find a place closer to the east new york lirr station.

    seriously, live anywhere and take the subway to atlantic, every line in the city stops there or a block from there. and lirr isn't necessarily the fastest way into queens from atlantic ave., depending on what part of queens you're heading to.
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    newtobklyn wrote: Sharp teeth, shell casings, and assholes, we can handle just fine...
    A skill you will likely need most on the internet, but not in real life.

    I take LIRR everyday.

    ...the place is completely secure as a result of the anti-terror patrols.

    Your reverse commute will be expensive, but wonderful. Tons of seats. Quiet. Space to read the NYT. See you on the 8:15.

    ...after 8 years of construction, they have finally finished the Atlantic Terminal entrance.

    Fort Greene is almost completely gentrified, lots of nice places to eat and drink on Fulton.
  • newtobklyn
    newtobklyn
    brokechick,

    thanks for a real answer.

    the commute to queens (cuny) will already require one long subway ride/train ride and then another 15min bus commute so we'd like to avoid adding another subway connection into the mix. being within walking distance to the lirr is a good option, or at least that's what we are hoping for.

    however, we are definitely open to other suggestions. are the G or the 7 reliable lines?
  • newtobklyn
    newtobklyn
    whynot_31, I am sending you internet kisses...
  • boygabriel
    boygabriel
    welcome newtobklyn!

    I suggest looking back through the posts on the BS/FG/CH page as well as the other neighborhoods. There have been many great discussions over the years, especially regarding the G Train, qualify of life, safety, etc.

    -Gabriel
  • d_luxx
    d_luxx
    Maybe not your cup of tea, but there are a few neighborhoods in Queens where you can get more "bang for your buck", be safe, and have a shorter commute. The area around the Woodside stop ( LIRR and 7 train ) is pretty nice, though not exactly "hip"- lots of families and older people. There are also some nice sections of Jackson Heights.
    These areas seem really kid-friendly, lots of parks and playgrounds. Its also really fast to get into midtown manhattan.
  • discofluteplayer
    discofluteplayer
    I have to 2nd dluxx-- I'd also look into Queens. Sunnyside is right on the 7 train and is quickly becoming an interesting and family-friendly area to live. (In fact, it was ranked # 3 in the admittedly controversial "Best Neighborhoods" issue of NY Magazine.) If you're looking for more culture, restaurants, stores, etc., Astoria would also be a great choice with a very easy transfer-- you'd take the N to Queensborough Plaze, walk downstairs, and catch the 7.

    I currently live in Prospect Heights but spent several years in Astoria. From a safety point of view, I found Astoria to have a much safer feel (as well as lower crime rates). Due to the nature of the neighborhood (lots of 24-hour bodegas and Greek grandmas who sit on the stoop until late in the night), I was never alone while walking down the street. If I had a 10 mo. old I'd probably prefer those sections of Queens over areas of Bklyn near Atlantic Terminal.
  • shortcake
    shortcake
    From the perspective of someone who lives in the Slope and tends to have a realistic view of "safety," I'd say that Ft. Greene and Prospect heights streets tend to get a bit more isolated as it gets darker than Park Slope. Blocks are also longer, so its easy to be the lone person on a street at night. I also don't think that's the only factor that determines whether you're safe or not. I wouldn't walk anywhere after dark with headphones on in 2010, for example.

    All three neighborhoods are relatively safe, but not free of incident. If you're a reasonable person who doesn't take dumb risks and remains alert of their surroundings, barring it just not being your lucky day, you'll be fine in any of these neighborhoods.
  • youbetcha
    youbetcha
    newtobklyn wrote: brokechick,

    thanks for a real answer.

    the commute to queens (cuny) will already require one long subway ride/train ride and then another 15min bus commute so we'd like to avoid adding another subway connection into the mix. being within walking distance to the lirr is a good option, or at least that's what we are hoping for.

    however, we are definitely open to other suggestions. are the G or the 7 reliable lines?
    The 7 is reliable though during mornings rush it's only local to Flushing and vice versa at evening rush. , You can change for the 7 via the G train, but it's a lot of outside walking, a good 5 minutes or more. And even with the transfer it's a long ride on the #7 no matter how you get to it. (The 4 to the 7 at Grand Central, say) I think next month the MTA starts its doomsday schedule and I don't know what the impact will be on the G train or the buses. You need an hour and a half minimum either way, I think.

    Honestly to get to QC (I'm guessing) you're better off driving there if you're going from anywhere in Brooklyn. . . or (horrors) moving to that area . . .
  • muffinear
    muffinear
    you'll be fine
  • pm
    pm
    Greenpoint, or anwhere on the 7 (LIC, Sunnyside, Woodside). Some of those neighborhoods you're considering don't make sense if it's all about a Queens commute.
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