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What's Bed-Stuy like? — Brooklynian

What's Bed-Stuy like?

textony
textony
edited November -1 in Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Bed-Stuy

Although I have only really heard of Bed-Stuy in rap songs I have surfed the net to get info about the place. It has always been my dream to move to New York. I live in Dallas now this is not the right time with the economy and all however I would still like some information. Thanks :wink:

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Comments

  • boygabriel
    boygabriel

    Hi & welcome.

    Please feel free to look through all the threads around here. There are a lot of discussions both good, bad and everything in between.

    Bed-Stuy is one of the biggest neighborhoods in the city, so generalizing it can be hard to do.

    In any case, it's all about what you're looking for and what you're comfortable with.

    welcome!

  • pragmaticguy
    pragmaticguy

    Billy Joel also wrote about Bed-Stuy in his song "You May Be Right" where he's talking about doing some crazy stuff and the line goes, "I walked through Bedford-Stuy alone." The neighborhood isn't the same as it was in the 70s when he wrote that and if that's you in the photo you'll definitely add some class to the area.

  • textony
    textony

    Thanks!! That's me. I will check out the threads. When searching the internet about Brooklyn, Bed-Stuy is definitely different than what I am used too.

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31

    Remember, the web and the media often cover exciting things like shootings and murders.

    Each day thousands raise kids, go to work, shop for groceries and do laundry without ever making the news.

    Like Dallas.

  • textony
    textony

    Point taken. I am sure that I would not live any differently there than I do here. Although, I will be taking a self defense class for sure.

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31

    You are correct in that a self defense class may come more in use here than in a wealthy 'burb.

    In addition to learning about how to kick someone, make sure the class includes 45 minutes on how to minimize contact with people who go to jail on a regular basis.

    Trouble can (sadly) find anyone, but it is most often found by people looking for it or nearby....

  • nathan
    nathan

    If/when you move here, don't judge any of the apartments you look at by the outside of the building. In Bed-Stuy (more than most NY neighborhoods in my experience), there are a lot of brownstones and row houses that may look neglected on the outside and then you walk in and find every original detail lovingly maintained.

  • textony
    textony

    @Whynot_31 I'm sure I won't have to worry with the jailbirds especially since I have yet to deal with them here.

    @Nathan, I shall take heed to your advice. Yes, WHEN I move there I will not judge a book by its cover!

  • my2cats
    my2cats

    On a beautiful August Saturday I walked with my wife on Bedfrord Ave from Parkside Ave all the way to Williamsburgh and Greenpoint. It was about 6 miles and a great experience to see the changing ethnic neighborhoods. In Bed-Sty we had a just pressed refreshing sugar cane juice, it reminded me of growing up in Brazil.

    I suggest anyone wanting to see the different neighborhoods to take that hike through the city.

  • textony
    textony

    I will add that to the list.

  • jeffrey
    jeffrey

    textony,

    If you want to spend a bit getting utterly lost in classic Bedford-Stuyvesant of years past, check out these 3 collections on Brooklynpix.com:

    Bed-Stuy 1

    http://brooklynpix.com/catalog27.php?locality_no=10301

    Bed-Stuy 2:

    http://brooklynpix.com/catalog24.php?locality_no=10302

    Bed-Stuy 3:

    http://brooklynpix.com/catalog24.php?locality_no=10303

  • jeffrey
    jeffrey

    Aaaand for the architectural eye candy:

    http://nyc-architecture.com/BES/BedStuy.htm

  • textony
    textony

    Thank you for the pictures!! I will look at them tomorrow.

  • cremate
    cremate

    I would err on the Clinton Hill side over the Bushwick side.

  • homeowner
    homeowner

    I'd also recommend the walk down Marcy Avenue from Fulton Street to Park Avenue. Or walk any of the east/west streets (Hancock, Jefferson, Macon, Decatur, etc.) if you like architecture. Some of the houses are beautiful.

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31

    The view of The Coalition for the Improvement of Bedford-Stuyvesant:

    http://www.issuu.com/cibsbedstuy/docs/cibsnewsletter_oct2011

  • textony
    textony

    Thanks guys.. I am definitely going to write all this down. for my visit..

  • textony
    textony

    The lack of healthy food not that I eat healthy all the time is somewhat not puzzling.On occasion I like to go out and buy a salad. There is a similar situation here in South Dallas or any area that is not considered a priority. Does Bed-Stuy have a Co-Op? I read about those in some neighborhoods.

  • homeowner
    homeowner

    There are plenty of places to buy fruits and vegetables, the issue is that they are all located in the same basic area, along Fulton Street. If you live near there, you have a number of supermarkets, Korean greengrocers, Jamaican ital places, etc. The further away from Fulton you get, the harder it is to find fresh vegetables. Most of the rest of the neighborhood you are limited to local grocery stores which haven't always had the freshest choices.

    Recent changes have included the creation of a couple of CSA's in and around the neighborhood, a farmer's market near Von King Park, and more restaurants opening in the area that serve healthier options. That having been said, one of my best friends grew up in Bed-Stuy as an strict vegetarian, and she never had any problems finding options.

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31

    As stated above, it is a large neighborhood.

    It is so diverse, it includes a number of low income housing projects as well as this house that is presently for sale:

    http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204528204577009963553218458.html?mod=WSJ_NY_MIDDLELASTLEADNewsCollection

  • textony
    textony

    So Fulton street.. okay hmm I wish I had 950K to buy that brownstone! Nice piece of real estate :wink:

  • textony
    textony

    I think I am going to look at some areas besides Bed-Stuy such as Brooklyn Heights, Crown Heights or Clinton Hill.

  • x-brooklynite
    x-brooklynite

    Clinton Hill strikes me as a slightly more bourgeoisie version of Bed Stuy (possibly more your flavor), Crown Heights a heavily Caribbean version of Bed Stuy with many of the same problems, and Brooklyn Heights is much more expensive (like the upper east side manhattan version of BK) and without the multi-cultural flavor of the aforementioned neighborhoods.

  • textony
    textony

    I see I was looking at videos of Bed-Stuy and I was second guessing my choice. I read good things about Brooklyn Heights. Thank you for your reply.

  • homeowner
    homeowner

    Don't rely on videos. You really have to come see the neighborhood. Its got a really broad mix of people, and the flavor and vibe of the neighborhood can change from block to block.

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31

    Brooklyn Heights is much more expensive than much of Brooklyn.

    If you had $2500 a month to spend on housing, you might be able to get a 400 sq ft studio in Brooklyn Heights, but a pretty nice 2 bedroom in Bed Stuy.

    ...but, yes, Brooklyn Heights is nice.

  • textony
    textony

    Okay so I am outta of my league here. The more and more I read or try to find information about moving to NYC the more discouraged I get. Someone was telling me about Ft.Greene and Clinton Hill. My thought process was visit in March look at key areas then plan on selling my things here or putting them in storage. Then link up with some temp agencies until I can secure a job.

  • tateinbk
    tateinbk

    My advice is as follows:

    Don't get all in a tizzy over what exact neighborhood to be in from where you are now. When you move here, get a sublet situation where you can explore areas in person for a few months. Areas can differ from one block to the next, so what you're trying to do is not humanly possible.

    Find a sublet for a few months, look for a temp or regular job, and use that time to fully explore neighborhoods. Don't limit yourself to just Brooklyn, either. Look at Queens and Manhattan too.

    When you're here, look at what you can honestly spend per month on rent. Also think about what your wish list is for an apartment. When you have these in mind I would urge you to post here to see if us Natives and More Recently Adapted can give you more exact neighborhood suggestions. People here will also be more than willing to let you know if your expectations are wildly unrealistic.

    Asking about the intricacies of each of the many many neighborhoods in Brooklyn is impossible.

    That said, if living in NYC is a dream that you are willing to be a little scrappy for, give it a go, knowing you're going to be feeling a little overwhelmed at times. But don't give up. (You're also probably going to have an adjustment period where you realize you get very little space and amenities for a whole lot of money.)

  • textony
    textony

    Thank you for advice!! I was looking at one ad and saw 450sq for 2K a month and my mouth dropped. My apartment right now is 723 and I pay $659 including a garage. So needless to say I am prepared to live in a much smaller space. It's definitely going to be an adjustment for me no matter what. I am at a point where this move has to happen but I also want to have peace of mind and less worry for my family and friends.

  • boygabriel
    boygabriel

    great advice tate.

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