Why does everyone hate Park Slope?
Comments
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belzjm wrote: everytime someone comes out from manhattan to visit me in park slope, they fall in love. they are in shock about how lovely, vibrant and beautiful it is. most, if not all have contemplated a move to park slope.
That was me in 1989 or so, just out of college, living in White Plains, which was boring, and working in midtown Manhattan, which seemed so overwhelming and chaotic after four years of living in the sticks. I came to PS one day to visit a friend and I was in love. It certainly has its faults, but there is nowhere else in NYC I'd rather live. -
WTGirl wrote: [quote=escap]Let's think: it's definitely still okay to hate WASPs from Connecticut or the Hamptons who wear pink shirts and pleated khakis, frat boys, investment bankers, corporate lawyers, real estate agents, any kind of salesperson, rich people in general, chauvinists, hipsters, yuppies, gentrifiers, neighborhood newcomers, CEOs, executives of oil/pharmaceutical/financial companies, paparazzi, media barons, hedge fund managers, trust fund babies...and the list goes on. So breathe easy, haters, you still have plenty of viable targets out there.
But isn't your list the "new" Park Slope resident?
I don't hate the slope by the way, just would rather not live there. (Happy to eat on 5th Avenue though and then come home).
You think? I don't know, I see Park Slopers as more of the bland, liberal, latte-drinking do-gooders who protest against the Atlantic Yards in their spare time and revile such things as George Bush, pharma and energy companies, not to mention frat boys etc. I could definitely be wrong, having long ago fallen out of the loop over there, but my recent trips over to 5th and 7th aves could definitely not be mistaken for strolls through South Hampton or Greenwich. At least, I hope not for the sake of the neighborhood. -
You know, I read about the Park Slope hating all the time, both in the media and on this board... but I have to agree with some others and say I don't really get it. I love living in Park Slope. I've lived in NYC for 10 years, and this is by far my favorite place I've lived, Manhattan or otherwise. Everyone who comes to visit me loves it. From out-of-towners to Manhattanites (although they can be begrudging about it... but I just think they need to convince themselves it's worth paying that much in rent.)
I'm not a parent, I'm certainly not rich, I don't believe I'm a hipster (although I'd like to believe I'm sometimes "hip")... and I've honestly never encountered much of the stuff I read about as the main problems with the slope. Then again, I don't spend nearly as much time on 7th Ave, much more on 5th, so maybe I just miss a lot of it? :P -
Rose wrote: [quote=belzjm]everytime someone comes out from manhattan to visit me in park slope, they fall in love. they are in shock about how lovely, vibrant and beautiful it is. most, if not all have contemplated a move to park slope.
That was me in 1989 or so, just out of college, living in White Plains, which was boring, and working in midtown Manhattan, which seemed so overwhelming and chaotic after four years of living in the sticks. I came to PS one day to visit a friend and I was in love. It certainly has its faults, but there is nowhere else in NYC I'd rather live.
It's pretty sweet that this thread needs a name change to "Why Do People Love The Slope?"
ha!
Totally agree with Mamita that the article is unimaginative filler, or rather a retread on the bandwagon.
I thought the New Hate was shaping up like the way people were/are free to hate the Upper East Side, for it's $$$ - hating on the bugaboos and investment banker parents,
instead of the Old Hate which was hating on the crunchy: public interest lawyers, writers, social workers, multiracial queer couples, divine greenspace, great food lalala
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The New Hate really is The Hipster - I'm not kidding - I mean who can stand those skinny jean wearing, pork pie hatted, converse tripping self-indulgent dicks? They must be killed off and soon or PS and especially PH will never be the same.
http://www.timeout.com/newyork/Details.do?page=1&xyurl=xyl://TONYWebArticles1/609/features/why_the_hipster_must_die.xml -
but most of the articles about "hating" park slope have to do with hipsters... and they live in bburg. trust me, i work there. ain't no hipsters here in PS, that's why i like it here.
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That article, and all its related articles could be lauded as some of the Hackiest writing to Be Hacked out by King Hack of Hacklyvania.
My initial response to it can be summarized by this bit of dialogue from, of all the least hipster things in the world, an Adam Sandler movie:
"[this article] is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
Really now, people. Hipster hating is like swatting flies with a Chevy. -
As a now-guilty, self-loathing Park Slope parent of a 4 month old and stroller user (I sometimes do carry my child), I apologize for the self indulgance, pushiness, sidewalk rudeness of myself, my yuppie wife and my yuppie co-conspirators in the "stroller mafia." I know we've caused our neighbors so much angst over the years - clogging the sidewalks, taking up extra space at the Tea Lounge, interrupting your late afternoon beer drinking at The Gate, and subjecting parent bulletin board readers to (aghast) discussions about parenting.
Our family will get out of your hair, pack our SUV (oh wait, I have a '92 Honda Accord) and move to Montclaire, NJ -- the suburbs, where we can find a really big house with a really big garage and a nice suburban school. I'll be sure to increase my charitable donations to the synogogue I join (those rascally non-religious charities we now support just aren't bring me enough spiritual enlightenment).
We know that the sense of community that has flourished in Park Slope in recent years - increased participation in the Civic Council, booming farmers market, vibrant park attendance -- will only get better when attractive, single 20-somethings fill the vaccum left by the self indulgent parents who couldn't be bothered.
So lame!!! -
Ben, I moved to Montclair when my kids were little. I couldn't wait to move back to Park Slope.
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When I moved here (early 90s) it seemed like Park Slope for a lot of young families was a stop between the Upper West Side and Montclair or Hastings-on-Hudson. People moved here after they had a baby and then moved on when the kid was old enough for kindergarten. But now it seems like most of the young families just stay, if they can afford it, rather than moving to the burbs.
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lmboogie wrote:
I guess the question that comes to mind is why is it that you (and so many ohers apparently) are driven so 'insane' by strollers that you want all these parents to move to NJ or LI but you have no issue with groups of people taking out a card table and paying cards on the same sidewalk?????
Belzjm: I don't think folks are complaining over the brand of stroller, at least I'm not. We live in NYC so anything that blocks the entire sidewalk and prevents me from walking down the street drives me insane. They should all move to NJ or LI!
I will remind you of your May 16, 2007 quote:lmboogie wrote: why would you have an issue with folks playing cards on the sidewalk?
Clearly such divergent hostilities towards different types of 'sidewalk blocking' indicates that your (and many others) anger does not come from the act of blocking the sidewalk or the sense of 'entitlement' demonstrated by the "sidewalk blocker" but rather WHO the sidewalk blocker is. -
thanks pitbull. i'm glad you said it. i was thinking the same thing.
i think people who complain about strollers like to do so because they have nothing else better to complain about.
or they are the type that will complain about nearly everything under the sun.
we also have to keep in mind that we have a lot of bitter single people out there (i've had my moments too) that see no end in sight to their singledom and like to hate on those that have coupled up and had kids. it's a new york pheonomenon that i wish would subside. embrace being single. don't hate those who aren't.
either way, i'm happy to walk in the street if there's a gaggle of kids, moms, card players, lezzies, old folks, teeny boppers or whoever else might be there if they aren't walking up to my pace.
don't hate em, though.
hey...at least we are the only place around that i can think of that still has the lovely bluestone or flagstone sidewalks in many of those narrow spots up on 7th near flatbush. -
belzjm wrote:
Why are you assuming being single makes someone bitter? Why would you assume single, or coupled people for that matter, inherently desire children. Are you implying that the goal to one's life is marriage and children? If you don't have this you're bitter?
we also have to keep in mind that we have a lot of bitter single people out there (i've had my moments too) that see no end in sight to their singledom and like to hate on those that have coupled up and had kids. it's a new york pheonomenon that i wish would subside. embrace being single. don't hate those who aren't.
Not trying to start an argument, but that's the impression I got from your post. :? and personally I don't have the slightest urge to procreate and I'm not bitter. If people are hating on strollers and kids, it's because some people don't like to be bothered by anyone or anything sometimes. Not because they're jealous. -
Here's a thought, apropos of the last few posts.
Personally, I hate the welfare moms and their sense of entitlement -- the way they clog up the streets with their strollers and screaming brats. Jesus, lady, get your ugly snot-nosed urchins out of my way! And move somewhere else -- I'm sick of people like you ruining my nice neighborhood!
Personally, I hate the Park Slope moms and their sense of entitlement -- the way they clog up the streets with their strollers and screaming brats. Jesus, lady, get your ugly snot-nosed urchins out of my way! And move somewhere else -- I'm sick of people like you ruining my nice neighborhood!
Does only one of the previous paragraphs offend you? If so, why? -
I guess the question that comes to mind is why is it that you (and so many ohers apparently) are driven so 'insane' by strollers that you want all these parents to move to NJ or LI but you have no issue with groups of people taking out a card table and paying cards on the same sidewalk
I've been expecting this and actually thought someone would catch it a lot sooner. The NJ/LI comment was really my sad attempt at being over the top. Sorry it came off as a serious request for a mass migration to the burbs.
I'm bored with the card playing degenerates post so I don't even want to go back to read but if memory serves me. They were not blocking the entire sidewalk. Besides I've since played cards with one of those fellows (even shared a 40) they really are not as bad as you think. -
Does only one of the previous paragraphs offend you? If so, why?
Really not offended by either of your comments but maybe if I were a welfare mother and or a park slope mom, I would be.
Look, I'm offended by anyone who is not present, aware and considerate of what is going on around them.
All I"m saying is if you live in a small neighborhood with small sidewalks that is overpopulated then think twice before buying a damn stroller that takes up the entire sidewalk.
Believe me... this isn't about moms (welfare or not) or strollers. I have the same opinion about folks who buy Hummers or SUVs. EXCESSIVE is all I"m saying. -
i actually think you've pretty much nailed it... i moved here from the suburbs, a place very much like montclair, with strollers just as big et alia. the fact is, out there there's a whole lotta room for bigger things. like strollers or hummers or attitudes.
you couldn't pay me enough to go back. -
we also have to keep in mind that we have a lot of bitter single people out there (i've had my moments too) that see no end in sight to their singledom and like to hate on those that have coupled up and had kids
I wasn't going to touch this one but I think you may really believe what you wrote. Nevermind, just saw Mamacita's post and have similar questions and comments. -
belzjm wrote:
nauseating.
we also have to keep in mind that we have a lot of bitter single people out there (i've had my moments too) that see no end in sight to their singledom and like to hate on those that have coupled up and had kids. it's a new york pheonomenon that i wish would subside. embrace being single. don't hate those who aren't.
being single isn't what makes me angry, it's people who THINK single people are bitter who piss me off. -
I've lived in the Slope for 15 years. I've really loved it but now I'm starting to hate it because it's become so fashionable that I'm getting priced out ... the company that took over my building is now charging $2000 for 500 sq ft apartments with no closets. :roll: The real estate greed around here is leaving a bad taste in my mouth.
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Mamacita wrote: [quote=belzjm]we also have to keep in mind that we have a lot of bitter single people out there (i've had my moments too) that see no end in sight to their singledom and like to hate on those that have coupled up and had kids. it's a new york pheonomenon that i wish would subside. embrace being single. don't hate those who aren't.
Why are you assuming being single makes someone bitter? Why would you assume single, or coupled people for that matter, inherently desire children. Are you implying that the goal to one's life is marriage and children? If you don't have this you're bitter?
Not trying to start an argument, but that's the impression I got from your post. :? and personally I don't have the slightest urge to procreate and I'm not bitter.
AMEN. -
the company that took over my building is now charging $2000 for 500 sq ft apartments with no closets. The real estate greed around here is leaving a bad taste in my mouth.
I'm part of the problem. I just moved here from Tribeca so $2000 for 500 sqf is a steal. Rents in the city have more than doubled so hang tight cuz I don't think things will get any better in PS. -
lmboogie wrote:
Unfortunately I can't hang tight, I have to move. It sucks.the company that took over my building is now charging $2000 for 500 sq ft apartments with no closets. The real estate greed around here is leaving a bad taste in my mouth.
I'm part of the problem. I just moved here from Tribeca so $2000 for 500 sqf is a steal. Rents in the city have more than doubled so hang tight cuz I don't think things will get any better in PS.
What were you paying in Tribeca? -
Really sorry you have to move. It certainly SUCKS.
I was paying $3600 for a one bedroom. Now paying $2200 for a small bedroom with a garden. -
lmboogie wrote: I was paying $3600 for a one bedroom.
Jeezus Mary and Joseph! On a bicycle! :shock: :shock: :shock:
Obviously other people have much better-paying jobs than I do ... -
we also have to keep in mind that we have a lot of bitter single people out there (i've had my moments too) that see no end in sight to their singledom and like to hate on those that have coupled up and had kids. it's a new york pheonomenon that i wish would subside. embrace being single. don't hate those who aren't.
Sorry...just can't let this one go. I have been in a loving relationship for over 8 years. No I have no interest in having children but that's my choice and probably the best decision I've made my entire life. You're comment is so absurd that it actually made me hope you don't have any daughters. Really bad message to be sending to any gilr/woman. -
"lmboogie" wrote: Really sorry you have to move. It certainly SUCKS.
Landlords know there are lots of you waiting to rent out apartments in the slope and slowly and surely the teachers and social workers and other people not in the big money making game who have built the mythical? community in the slope are leaving. That is why I don't love the slope--because it isn't the neighborhood it was even 10 years ago. It isn't the strollers or the entitlement but it is because it is becoming less and less diverse and more and more the upper east side (I even saw a woman wearing a maid's uniform last month!). It is truly a beautiful neighborhood and it is a convenient neighborhood but to me, it is not really an interesting neighborhood (IMO). I think the bitterness people may feel is that their homes are being taken away? Not sure since I think there are lots of great neighborhoods in Brooklyn.
I was paying $3600 for a one bedroom. Now paying $2200 for a small bedroom with a garden. -
how do we know the maid's uniform wasn't for some other sexier purpose?
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brooklynpotter wrote: how do we know the maid's uniform wasn't for some other sexier purpose?
French maid outfit = teh sex
Actual Real Life Maid Outfit = no sexay
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WTGirl wrote: Landlords know there are lots of you waiting to rent out apartments in the slope and slowly and surely the teachers and social workers and other people not in the big money making game who have built the mythical? community in the slope are leaving.
Yeah, silly me, working as a book indexer. Not much money in that.WTGirl wrote: to me, it is not really an interesting neighborhood (IMO). I think the bitterness people may feel is that their homes are being taken away?
I moved to 3rd Street in 1992 but the mid/north Slope seems a bit sterile and uninteresting to me now (I now live on 13th). I thought I would live in PS forever and ever, but I think I may be souring on the relationship. Sigh.
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