St. Marks b/w washington and underhill

i'm on saint marks. i assume you're taking about the building right on the corner. condos are going up across the street. not sure how long that project is suppose to last (though, it's only just begun), but they begin work at 7am sharp which wakes me up every morning. there's a crossing guard at that intersection in the mornings, but the whistle isn't that loud. saint mark's gets traffic in the afternoon... around 4pm or so, but it doesn't last long. it's a super location for the subways... i usually take the Q/B, C, and 2/3. also, you'd be facing south, which is great for light, but bad for summer sun.

Eve wrote: and am so afraid of signing off on a lease in a nabe i won't be happy/feel safe in...just basic quality of life stuff. have you been happy there?

after reading the scary stories posted about shootings recently in crown heights, i'm worried that that block may be too close for comfort? :?

We're round the corner from you. Moved here on what I now know is less than adequate research. But we really fell on our feet -- feel very happy and safe round here, never had a problem. The amount of violence which we hear about is tiny compared with the number of people who live here and small compared with some areas a mile or two away. It seems to mostly happen after midnight, particularly to people who are alone, generally localized to certain areas or blocks not so near where you're looking at. And I daresay your chances of trouble are much higher if you're a young male member of a subculture involved in an illicit street trade than if you're any other kind of resident.

An interesting barometer is the interactive map of murders:
http://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/nyregion/20060428_HOMICIDE_MAP.html
As you can see, Prospect Heights proper, between Washington and Flatbush, has been increasingly quiet the last few years, compared with neighborhoods to the east, northeast, and southeast. You can compare it with where you're coming from.

But best of all is if you can wander or cycle around the area with a friend a couple of different times of week/day/evening and see how comfortable you feel; that helped us choose here rather than a few other alternatives we had at the time.

Eve wrote: yep, that's the one, VQ. i didn't realize there was construction going on, i will inquire when i meet w. landlord again today.

see, i am so desperate to get out from my current living situation, i am afraid that it may be clouding my overall sense of things and am so afraid of signing off on a lease in a nabe i won't be happy/feel safe in...just basic quality of life stuff. have you been happy there?

after reading the scary stories posted about shootings recently in crown heights, i'm worried that that block may be too close for comfort? :?

i love my neighborhood and feel very safe. if you are desperate, make sure it's something you really want. buying an apt is a big commitment!

Eve wrote: ok, off to check out the nabe again. thank yous to you all. btw, vq, we'll be renting and are committing to a year only. still, want to make sure i do my howework on the area

oh, renting? i thought the place was for sale? maybe i'm thinking of a different building.

http://realestate.nytimes.com/+comshare/vulisting.asp?Lid=253-NS6091350

I'm two blocks up from you. The hood's a lil rough around the edges, but cleaning up fast and furiosly. I feel totally safe here and I'm a single gal.

Subject: I live on St Marks between Underhill and Washington

Eve: go for it. I've lived on the block for about 9 years. It has one of the best 'personalities' in the hood.

The guys at the auto body and parking lot are a treat to know, and they keep their eyes on the street almost 24/7. Feel free to write to me to ask questions you might not want to pose on the board.

Eve wrote: just got back from a third visit. super friendly folks (as we were looking at my pocket subway map on flatbush this woman with the hugest smile came up and actually OFFERED us directions!), lots of trees, and an overall good vibe.

i felt the walk to the subway was a bit long, but then i've gotten so used to just turning the corner to jump on the F, so...

yay! we are already moving forward with the paperwork!!

i can't believe it's really almost over! [-o<

Congrats!! I'm glad you found a spot you like

Subject: Re: st marks

kerthyfix wrote: i live on st marks between grand and classon and have for 2 years. even though the underhill/washington block seems deserted, the parking lot is staffed 24 hours and i walk this way a lot and its quiet but absolutely safe. Its a fantastic neighborhood and i would doubt if you regret moving in.

except for the 7am wakeup call of the construction next to the converted factory rental building and the oh so lovely sound of school children around 8:15am, it's pretty quiet on our stretch of street. oh yeah, the basketball players that leave the school PS9 courts in the evening are also a joy to hear as well.

don't mind me, i'm just a young but "old minded" crotchety 30-something, and truly like my corner of prospect heights. ;-)

welcome neighbor!