Why does everyone hate Park Slope?

laura wrote: [quote=Santa]i live with my gf in a 1bed and its not that expensive.

Well, yeah, if you have two incomes contributing to rent I'm sure it's fine.

Ilikesausage wrote: Many so called "hipsters/artists" are escapees from the suburbs who fear Brooklyn turning to what they escaped: A largley White, Upper class, Family oritented suburb. It would ruin their "coolness"

I'm too old to be part of the currently reviled "hipster/artist" crowd, but I am a bohemian musician/artist type who works freelance ... I escaped the suffocation of white midwestern suburbia in the mid-80s by moving to to Manhattan (initially the LES). In 1992 I moved from the Chelsea Hotel to PS and was thrilled with the increased standard of living that I'm now (again) being priced out of ... my last move involved having to get rid of about 1/3 of my belongings to move into a much smaller apartment.

I realize neighborhoods and market values change - fine. I also know all too well that I'm not the kind of person who fits into Normal World - I can't stomach an office job, am severely allergic to corporate bullshit, and can't live with another person. So I shouldn't complain ("beggars can't be choosers", my mom always said), but once upon a time PS was a place where a person like me could feel at home and have a swell apartment (with a garden!), and now it is becoming, well, not so much. So yes I'm a bit sad and bitter, because I thought I would live here forever, and now I wonder what I have to do to keep up. And I'm sorry, but the idea that a crap 500 sq ft apartment with no closets in the south slope is 'an absolute steal' at $2000 is ridiculous to me.

Anyhoo, I really bristle at that "ruining their coolness" remark. It's like when my mother always used to say with irritation, "Oh you just have to be different!!". As if I had a choice.

escap wrote: Ethnic diversity in America is most certainly not declining, nor has it been. Quite the opposite, just fyi.

Haven't really seen that in East Lansing, Michigan. When I go "home" I want to shoot myself in the head after about 20 minutes. And that's before we even get to the local "pieces-of-flare"-type restaurant.

WTGirl wrote: I do think that NY was definitely grittier and scarier in the 70s BUT it sure was interesting. There was a lot of interesting art happening and of course that was due to affordable rents allowing creative people to live closer together. Theater was more affordable and not taken over by Disney, and the stores were not flagship chain stores. So with increased safety, I think something was lost too.

Very true, I think. I missed the 70s and early 80s but even the mid-80s were quite vibrant and exciting for me, I was going to art galleries several times a week. I really miss that time.

My first apartment in the West Village on Bleeker was a 1 bedroom that cost $300 per month and had a bathtub in the kitchen. My second was $170 rent controlled in Chelsea and had a full bathroom. I guess that they really were the good old days! Then again, every generation has them.

filmlover44 wrote: My first apartment in the West Village on Bleeker was a 1 bedroom that cost $300 per month and had a bathtub in the kitchen.

Ah, the classic tenement arrangement! I shared a place like that on Avenue A. Not so good when you're taking a bath and your roommate comes home unexpectedly with friends. :oops:

Too bad Detriot doesnt have a good art scene.

icejice wrote: I think we need a good ole fashioned alien invasion to help unite us.

How about demons?

I never realised people hated PS. Seems that a few people here have a bit of a persecution complex and deliberately go looking for reasons to feel victimised

Aside from the yuppies and rampant PC liberalism it's not a bad hood. Definitely a step up from Billyburg

Surely this thread could be updated with some new ideas....

or, is it as simple as everyone who lives outside of Park Slope being unable to deal with own envy?

Me? I like park slope, the Taqueria alone sways me into the "like" category.

I agree, we have to get to the root of all of this narrow-minded hatred.
Why would the Times publish an article on Stroller Valet's?
Why do people keeping referencing the Blue Hat thread?

Just when you think people have gotten over their narrow minded ideas, preconcieved notions of the Slope come back!

I'm a little confused...

Who, exactly, hates Park Slope?

I have lived in Brooklyn my entire life--born and bred--and have never heard of people hating Park Slope.

I have lived in Midwood, Canarsie/Georgetown, Seagate, Williamsburg and now live in Park Slope and Park Slope is my favorite of all the neighborhoods (though Seagate should be discounted because it is so unique and lovely it can't really be compared to a "regular" Brooklyn neighborhood.) sometimes I walk through Park Slope and feel so lucky to be surrounded by such NICE people. At the same time, I am well aware that I am still in Brooklyn and face the same dangers that have always been a part of living here. (Except in Seagate...the only danger there seems to be the threat of torrential rain flooding your basement or things of that nature...)

If people don't like kids, why would they move to Park Slope? I have known for years and years that Park Slope is a family friendly neighborhood. I have also known how expensive it is, which is why the moment I learned about the rent stabilized apt. I now reside in, I prayed every single night that the landlord would rent it to me and my husband. Now that I am expecting my first child, I fully understand why families love it here. If we were not expecting a child, I would love it nonetheless.