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Looking to move in the Spring and doing research. I need the REAL deal — Brooklynian

Looking to move in the Spring and doing research. I need the REAL deal

I am looking to move by April. I am setting such a distant goal because I am determined not to be hoodwinked by realtors et.al. into paying exorbitant fees to move into a bait in switch "not really Windsor Terrace" neighborhood, OR a neighborhood with lots of block parties, loud obnoxious tenants in crap-tastic cars, bad/long commutes, riff-raff, people who lack class and adequate socialization skills, etc. I can't afford Park Slope, but I will be able to pay 1650 max for a one bedroom, that is a REAL one bedroom , not a studio masquerading as a one bedroom in the realtor listings. I do want to live in a building with a management company. Even if its a small building I'd rather not live in someone's personal brownstone or house.

In the intervening time, I am planing to do "walk- throughs", precinct visits, store visits etc. Still, visiting is different from living, so I have a few questions:

1) What are the official borders of Windsor Terrace?

2) What is the commute like on the 15th ave and Fort Hamilton F train stops, further into Brooklyn (say Coney Island) as well as a commute into lower Manhattan?

3) Is the 9th avenue stop on the D train considered Windsor Terrace?

4) What should I be paying for a one bedroom, preferably in a building in the Windsor Terrace area

5) Are there lots of people hanging out in the streets in front of buildings?

6)Are there good coffee shops/ diners?

7) What's the noise level like: ie Lots of stereos?/ band practice/ wanna be DJ's ?

8 ) What is the safety at night? Can you walk home alone at night? I want the REAL story, not the party line: "its up to you to gauge your own comfort level". Most women tend to feel unsafe with groups of men loitering in parked cars or on street corners, desolate unlit places where you don't know or like your neighbors, walks past 24 hour liquor stores, small neighborhood sleazy bars etc, so if you see these things let me know.

9) Do you know any RELIABLE and quality realtors who won't be shady who specialize in that area?

If you can't be honest in answering my questions on this board for fear of being seen as a reactionary or something, just PM me. I'd rather have the brutal truth than some PC bullshit.

Thanks, in advance!

Comments

  • you sure you don't want to do kengsington :p could get off that same f strain stop at fort hamiliton or church ave f train stop

    its much cheaper safety around the same.

  • I know what a lot of realtors call "Kensington" is really Flatbush, and I lived in Kensington by Cortelyou and Coney Island avenue. I could walk home from that Church avenue stop and I didn't like it much. That was over 9 years ago. Maybe I should do a new looksie and see if it's changed enough.

    A saw some listings recently, stating that they were in "Kensignton" and they were in fact on Ocean Avenue and Cortelyou which is CLEARLY Flatbush!

  • wow all the way towards coney island :o. lol thats really lol stretching it.

    just stick towards the f train, ask the realtors, is it close by f train on fort hamiliton or church ave, if not it isn't kengsington :p.

  • Yeah, definitely check out Kensington again. I don't spend much time there but the area definitely seems better than when we looked at places there 6+ years ago. I currently live by an F stop and it's my main train. I like it just fine on weekdays, but the weekend are nuts with station work.

    Wikipedia offers up neighborhood boundaries, but I don't know for sure what they are.

    I don't drink coffee, but I love the pies (savory, not sweet) at Dub Pie Shop on PPW a block south of the park. Friends who drink coffee seem to love the coffee there. Double Windsor has some tasty bar food and I like the butcher shop near those two spots.

    Good luck. Dealing with all of the rental ads and brokers is a pain in the ass but you at least have time on your side since you're not trying to get out asap.

  • OpossumQueen said:

    Yeah, definitely check out Kensington again. I don't spend much time there but the area definitely seems better than when we looked at places there 6+ years ago. I currently live by an F stop and it's my main train. I like it just fine on weekdays, but the weekend are nuts with station work.

    Wikipedia offers up neighborhood boundaries, but I don't know for sure what they are.

    I don't drink coffee, but I love the pies (savory, not sweet) at Dub Pie Shop on PPW a block south of the park. Friends who drink coffee seem to love the coffee there. Double Windsor has some tasty bar food and I like the butcher shop near those two spots.

    Good luck. Dealing with all of the rental ads and brokers is a pain in the ass but you at least have time on your side since you're not trying to get out asap.

    Thanks Opossum Queen .

    I have been told by several of my friends to re-check Kensington. I may just do that. Thanks for the heads up about Wikipedia I will Wikipedia all the nabs I am interested in, to check whether I realtors are trying to sell me the goods.

  • I live in Kensington now, right off the Church Ave F train. I wouldn't go any further out, but I like my neighborhood here. I feel safe, there's a supermarket right off the subway stop (though I don't love them, to be honest). There's a couple restaurants in the area, including a nice new sushi place, and it's quiet and family oriented. I love the more lively atmosphere of Park Slope, but since it's just a couple train stops away I think the quieter Kensington neighborhood is a great option for anyone with a lower budget.

  • Have you considered Ditmars Park ? I can't comment on the prices there, but I have friends in that neighborhood and its really quiet and beautiful - probably the least "ghetto" neighborhood I can imagine. The Q train might be great for you and there are some adorable cafes on Cortelyou.

  • ditmars park has lovely houses thats about it. least ghetto is of opinion what ones considers ghetto. if you consider prospect heights ghetto. ditmars is like super ghetto :p.

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