This site is closed to new comments and posts.

Notice: This site uses cookies to function.
If you are not comfortable with cookies then please don't browse this website.

The HONEST TRUTH about South Bed-Stuy???? — Brooklynian

The HONEST TRUTH about South Bed-Stuy????

jerseyguy00
jerseyguy00
edited November -1 in Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Bed-Stuy
Hello Everyone,

I'm new to this forum and looking for some valuable information. Here's my situation: I'm a 21 year old African-American guy from Atlantic City, NJ looking to move to Brooklyn so that I can pursue my music. For some reason, Brooklyn just seems like the perfect place for me right now even though I have only been there once (Williamsburg area). After researching different neighborhoods, Fort Greene seems like the ideal place for me (diversity, lots of people interested in the arts, good transportation into the city, and cool shops & restuarants) but it's just too expensive for me right now. So I have been looking at South Bed-Stuy as another alternative because of the cheaper rents (recently seen a studio on hancock between lewis & stuyvesant being advertised for $800) and I want to get people's (who actually lives or has lived in the neighborhood) honest opinion on the neighborhood.

I have spoken to numerous people from Brooklyn and here is what has been said about Bed-Stuy: EVERYONE from the area has said it's a nice neighborhood and definitely not as bad people make it out to be, 2 black guys (1 from Flatbush and the other from Crown Heights) said that they wouldn't live there, and every white person has said that the area is terrible (one of them said they got robbed mostly every time he was in the area). I haven't come across anyone who lives there but isn't originally from there (like I would be) to get their opinion.

Now as you can see, I have mentioned race quite a few times and the reason for this is because it seems as though, from what I have read, that most of the victims of some kind of random crime (muggings) in the area are white people. This is just speculation so please correct me if I'm wrong. Would I perhaps be safer in the neighborhood because I'm black?? One concern that I have (which may be stupid) is that even though I'm 21, most people think I'm around 16. So do you think that would make me more susceptible to getting mugged or my apartment broken into?

Comments

  • nearnostrand
    nearnostrand
    will begin by saying that it's the city. You need to be careful no matter what the neighborhood.

    In regard to BedStuy:

    The area you are referring to is called Stuyvesant Heights. The "prime" Stuyvesant Heights blocks are Chauncey, Bainbridge, Decatur, and MacDonough, btwn Lewis and Stuyvesant. Hancock is just a few blocks over to the north.

    The benefit of that area is that it is loaded with young Black musicians, artists, writers, film and television producers, etc. Spend some time at Peaches restaurant on Lewis Ave. btwn Decatur and MacDonough and you will meet all kinds of interesting people. Saturday's are probably the best because many people are out and about for brunch. It is a great place for networking and getting a true sense of who your neighbors are/will be.

    Will you get robbed? Anything is possible. It's the city. It seems that most of the serious crime occurs between people who know each other and who have beef between themselves. You are less likely to get mugged, but more likely to be stopped by the police. My advice would be for you not to walk around holding your brand new iphone stretched out in the palm of your hand. I would also suggest not to walk around flashing your rolex, etc. And don't keep your earphones on all of the time, especially not until you've gotten a sense of who's who and what's what in your neighborhood.

    BTW- I live in North Crown Heights (the historic district) and I would never live in certain other sections of Crown Heights, and certainly not Flatbush but I would live in Stuyvesant Heights. So, go figure.

    If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask. Good luck!
  • heynow06
    heynow06
    you will be fine. maybe you want to try living in the area w/roommates first so you would possibly have some built-in social life and/or people to check in with for safety/security reasons.
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    compare what time you settle down in front of the TV or the computer, to when people are most often shot or robbed.

    compare your occupation and hobbies, to those of whom are most often shot or robbed.
  • homeowner
    homeowner
    I lived in Bed-Stuy for many years, currently live in Crown Heights and own property in both neighborhoods.

    Bed-Stuy for a 21-year old black male is no more dangerous than the portions of AC that are not taken up by casinos and tourists. Again, BS tends to be dangerous for people who 1) sell drugs; 2) use drugs; 3) hang out with people who do 1) or 2). Are there muggings? Yes. Is it possible that some young knucklehead will step to you? Yes. But it is no more likely that would happen in Bed-Stuy than it is in Atlantic City and in the area you are talking about living in.

    The logic in the neighborhood is the same that it is in most predominantly black neighborhoods. Be alert, observe your surroundings, stay out of the projects and unfamiliar areas late at night and generally try not to get "sonned" by the locals. The advantage of the area you are looking in is that the blocks are mostly townhouses, and many are owner occupied, some by very long term (30+ year) residents.
  • jerseyguy00
    jerseyguy00
    Thanks every one for the feedback. Homeowner, I figured Bed-Stuy was similar to Atlantic City and I don't think Atlantic City is dangerous AT ALL (at least not to me since I'm from there but some of my co-workers are deathly afraid of the city, which I think is ridiculous). Anyway, I definitely think I'm going to make the move. Can anybody give me information on how to find apartments in the area? Also, which subway station is the safest at night? And What areas should I completely stay away from? I know I may sound like a punk with all these concerns about safety lol, but I'm just trying to have a peaceful time for as long as I'm there. Don't get me wrong, I do know how to handle mines when necessary, but I'd prefer not to do that in someone else's "hood" (maybe that's a Jersey thing).
  • mantic
    mantic
    Sidebar first: Bed Stuy is Bed Stuy and Crown Heights is Crown Heights. All other names in my books are used by scammers.

    I would worry more about the police. Stop and Frisk, yada yada.

    Doesn't matter what color you are, if your a Herb, your a Vic. (translation if your a wuss, you'll get got)

    You said you want to go there for your music. I hope it's not rap. Didn't Nas tell you hip hop is dead long ago? If it is, and your looking for street cred, just get shot and you wont have to move. (ctfu)

    ghud luck
  • nearnostrand
    nearnostrand
    Mantic, why are you trying to scare the boy? He's from AC for goodness sakes. I think that in itself lends him at least a little in the area of street smarts.

    Also, I'm sorry, but perhaps you have forgotten that neighborhoods grow and shrink and take on different names as a part of the natural (or not so natural) changes that occur over the course of time. If you recall - BedStuy used to extend all the way over to Eastern Parkway - and within that expanse the area right around Bedford extending into what is now NORTH CROWN HEIGHTS was Bedford Corners. So with that being said, BedStuy is not just BedStuy and Corwn Heights is not just Crown Heights. Are you trying to tell me that the corner of Bainbridge and Stuyvesant is the same as the corner of Myrtle and Nostrand??? Don't even give me that. There are neighborhoods within neighborhoods, each with their own personality. And, I really don't know why anyone wouldn't want to acknowledge that fact. Again I say, geesh.

    JerseyBoy, welcome to Brooklyn and welcome to BROOKLYNIAN.
  • boygabriel
    boygabriel
    personally I didn't take mantic's post that seriously.
  • jerseyguy00
    jerseyguy00
    Mantic, I'm far from a wuss. Like I said previously, I know how to handle mines when necessary. I don't rap either, I sing.

    Nearnostrand, he's not scaring me at all. Thank you for the positive feedback and the warm welcome. Since you seem to be familiar with both Crown Heights and Bed-Stuy, can you tell me the similarities/differences between the two neighborhoods?
Sign In or Register to comment.

Howdy, Stranger!

It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!

Sign In

Categories