help (neighborhood safety)

anonymous · November 2006

you may see this often...but i am looking to move to brooklyn in april of next year..and eventhough i have been to manhattan plenty of times i have only visited Brooklyn a few..we have looked in neighborhoods like williamsburg and greenpoint, but a lot of people have told me about Park Slope. We're three females 24,25,26 and our rent max is about 850 each..do you think Park Slope is even worth looking intowith that price range? We're not big into luxury just want something safe and clean. Any info will help.
p.s. we have looked on craigslist a ton and have a really detailed map of streets and such...but if someone could just tell me what is safe and what isn't...we're from baltimore and here...safety doesn't go from neighborhoods, it literally goes from block to block.

captain salty · November 2006

unless you're uber-hipster, and conforming to non-conformity (you know, standard issue thick black glasses, converse, and 80's tight t-shirt, all topped off with a bad haircut) then Williamsburg has nothing to offer you, except possibly the ugliest buildings in ALL of NYC's 5 boroughs.

for that price range, you're better off going to prospect heights, far western crown heights (near eastern parkway/franklin ave), fort greene, or clinton hill.

i used to live in park slope, but moved on Oct. 1st to Franklin ave and Park place in crown heights. i'm just as close to the subway as i was, but instead of one shitty F line, i have the 2,3,4,5 right near me, with the B and Q one block past that, and the A,C one quick shuttle stop away, all of which are much more convenient than the F train, which is horrible.

i'm still right next to the park, there's still good food around here, AND, best for last: my rent is $600 LESS per month, and my apartment is ~100 sq. ft. bigger.

park slope has it's benefits, but unless you're filthy rich or a young family, it doesn't make much sense to stay there anymore, due to the astronomical rent prices.

laura · November 2006

Captain Salty wrote: park slope has it's benefits, but unless you're filthy rich or a young family, it doesn't make much sense to stay there anymore, due to the astronomical rent prices.

I don't know about that ... my building (on 13th Street in Park Slope, btw 4th and 5th aves) has quite a few young people sharing apts (seems to be popular with musicians). I live alone but my place was formerly a 2-person share, it's $1500 and clean and sunny ...

anotherdayinbkln · November 2006

I think the rent prices in Fort Greene are the same as Park Slope..
Prospect Heights and Crown Heights are great, lower priced.

BE CAREFUL of ads saying "Williamsburg", because you could end up in "east williamsburg" which is basically Bushwick, or in some warehouse building with pest problems (and im not just talking about insects). About 5 of my acquaintances and their friends made the "hipster exodus" from Wicker Park chicago to Williamsburg, most ending up in the far reaches, much more dangerous, run down, and transportation-deficient.

Come down to Brooklyn with your friends and go look at some of these apartments you are finding on craigslist. take a look at the area and the availability of neccessities in the particular block.

When looking for an apartment, i often judge the neighborhood by the cleanliness of the nearest Grocery store. It can tell a lot.

captain salty · November 2006

laura wrote: [quote=Captain Salty]park slope has it's benefits, but unless you're filthy rich or a young family, it doesn't make much sense to stay there anymore, due to the astronomical rent prices.

I don't know about that ... my building (on 13th Street in Park Slope, btw 4th and 5th aves) has quite a few young people sharing apts (seems to be popular with musicians). I live alone but my place was formerly a 2-person share, it's $1500 and clean and sunny ...

i pay $1100. for a newly renovated 2br. much MUCH better deal, and the 2br i had in PS was a good deal, but still $600 more than this place, and it wasn't any nicer.

and technically, you don't live in park slope.

laura · November 2006

Captain Salty wrote: i pay $1100. for a newly renovated 2br. much MUCH better deal, and the 2br i had in PS was a good deal, but still $600 more than this place, and it wasn't any nicer.

Much better deal for you, but it wouldn't be for me since I don't wish to live in Crown Heights.

Captain Salty wrote: and technically, you don't live in park slope.

Only if by "Park Slope" you mean only the center Slope. According to Wikipedia, "Park Slope is roughly bounded by Fourth Avenue, Prospect Park West (Ninth Avenue), Flatbush Avenue, and Fifteenth Street."

jennitrixie · November 2006

I don't think I'd want to live in Crown Heights, either. It's not a compromise I'm willing to make. I mean, I know Baltimore has a badass reputation, but I'm assuming these people aren't looking for CH for their first NY apt. experience. For $2550 I think they can do better than that, find a more than adequate 2- or 3- bedroom place.

I have a 2 BR on a park block in the south slope for $1600, where my rent only gets raised ever few years (ie this year was the first time in 4 years). I can't ever move, basically.

laura · November 2006

Since you're not moving until April you definitely have time to find something nice (heck, I found my current place on craigslist and moved in a week later). I think my building's pretty cool, I also know other people who live in the south slope and love it and don't pay outrageous rent. I think it's a great place to live.

leeence · November 2006

I love living it here in PS (or, actually Windsor Terrace). I will move in a year due to some issues with my specific apartment, but I would stay in the same area. I'd also go to PH. I don't know enough about CH to know whether or not I would want to live there, but I know it has changed in the past few years.

I think for what you are all able to pay for rent as a group, you should be able to find something decent in PS and/or PH

captain salty · November 2006

believe it or not, there are white people in crown heights!

and also, there aren't gang rapes and stabbings on every corner!

laura · November 2006

Captain Salty wrote: believe it or not, there are white people in crown heights!

Not to mention the fact that you assume our apartment-seekers are white - I as a white person find this insulting. One of the things I adore about the south slope is the ethnic makeup. I hate to use the over-used word "diversity", but it's one of the reasons I moved from the midwest to NY.

Captain Salty wrote: and also, there aren't gang rapes and stabbings on every corner!

Maybe not gang rapes and stabbings, but did you not post the following in another topic? I'm glad you found it in part "exciting", but I wouldn't recommend the experience to three 20-something girls. Or anyone.

Captain Salty wrote: as i was standing outside my apartment on the corner of park and franklin around 10:20pm last night, somebody across the street pulled out a gun and fired a shot at 3 other guys, and everybody took off running. i didn't even realize it was gunfire at first, how naive am i?

first time i've ever been witness (less than 30 feet away!) to somebody actually trying to shoot somebody else!

it was scary and exciting at the same time.

steve · November 2006

Comparing The Slope to Crown Heights is ridiculous. Yes, the rent is cheaper, but the amenities and quality of life are not even close. The Park, the schools, the restaurants, the shopping, cultural events. These are things that Crown Heights can just not compete on in either quantity or quality

Sorry Salty but that's just where things are today. As for public trans, I live in center slope, FBQ23MNRBQ all nearby and a good bus line on the avenue.

anonymous · November 2006

This map is useful if you're concerned about safety:

http://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/nyregion/20060428_HOMICIDE_MAP.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1162990032-6Ur0LPSyXAQhqQJzXe8/lg

anonymous · November 2006

Forget Brooklyn, move to Astoria...
Cheap rents, friendly folks - no annoying gentrification debates... plus it's easier to get in to the city. Wish I'd never left, honestly.

captain salty · November 2006

a shooting is not a stabbing!

you people need to lighten up!

anonymous · November 2006

Subject: Re: help (neighborhood safety)

anon wrote: you may see this often...but i am looking to move to brooklyn in april of next year..and eventhough i have been to manhattan plenty of times i have only visited Brooklyn a few..we have looked in neighborhoods like williamsburg and greenpoint, but a lot of people have told me about Park Slope. We're three females 24,25,26 and our rent max is about 850 each..do you think Park Slope is even worth looking intowith that price range? We're not big into luxury just want something safe and clean. Any info will help.
p.s. we have looked on craigslist a ton and have a really detailed map of streets and such...but if someone could just tell me what is safe and what isn't...we're from baltimore and here...safety doesn't go from neighborhoods, it literally goes from block to block.

just moved into south slope (south of prospect expwy). rents are REALLY reasonable compared to park slopeitself. area is reallyt aking off and cool places to go to - one of my favorites is KitchenBar (6th ave/20th st)...walk around the hood (i did) and you'll see a few contractors/developers around, for rent signs and people that are usually pretty friendly. good luck

laura · November 2006

This is just me, but I wouldn't want to live south of the expressway, or west of 4th ave. Both seem like natural neighborhood borders to me, and kind of bleak and un-neighborhood-like. But as I said that's just me, and if I were younger I'm sure it wouldn't make any difference.

smitty · November 2006

South Slope, ie anything below 15th Street basically before Sunset Park, isn't bad. We pay around $1700 for a 3-bedroom and we are in our 20s. It's pretty safe. I've never had any problems, although late at night it's really quiet because it's all families asleep.

It does take a while to get into Manhattan though - 30-40 minutes via R train to Q or N.

Astoria is also a great place for people in their 20s - especially the Dittmars area on the N/W. There are a bunch of restaurants around there, Astoria Park, Astoria Pool. Cheap rents as well.

carnivore · November 2006

Smitty wrote: Astoria is also a great place for people in their 20s - especially the Dittmars area on the N/W. There are a bunch of restaurants around there, Astoria Park, Astoria Pool. Cheap rents as well.

Seriously- Steinway St is nonstop out-of-control deliciousness!

mypasswordwontwork · November 2006

Captain Salty wrote: believe it or not, there are white people in crown heights!

and also, there aren't gang rapes and stabbings on every corner!

Very offensive post. And why are you assuming that the original posters are white or implying that having white people in crown heights makes its a less dangerous place?

Anyway, I thought Crown Heights was a Jewish nabe and aren't Jews usually white? Deathly white in many cases?

linusvanpelt · November 2006

Captain Salty wrote: a shooting is not a stabbing!

you people need to lighten up!

Plus, people who get shot don't necessarily get killed! Stop being such a bunch of wussies!

laura · November 2006

linusvanpelt wrote: [quote=Captain Salty]a shooting is not a stabbing!

you people need to lighten up!

Plus, people who get shot don't necessarily get killed! Stop being such a bunch of wussies!
Not to mention that shootings have more entertainment value! You can pretend you're living in the Wild West!

armchair_warrior · November 2006

also keep this map in mind

http://www.gothamist.com/labs/map

armchair_warrior · November 2006

i think you should check out prospect heights or greenwood heights or gowanus canal. be within your budget and fairly safe

.

anonymous · November 2006

Anonymous wrote: This map is useful if you're concerned about safety:

http://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/nyregion/20060428_HOMICIDE_MAP.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1162990032-6Ur0LPSyXAQhqQJzXe8/lg

Wow, really puts things in perspective. Check out the shootings in Crown Heights. But, the Park Slope shootings/stabbings seem so low to be incorrect. I woulda thought we'd had a few more such incidents just from reading the local police blotter this summer.

All the same, OP, Park Slope is safe (relatively, though crime does happen here, a guy got his head bashed for an ipod this summer) and so is the "real" Williamsburg. I don't recommend Crown Heights for 3 young ladies concerned about safety, but it is changing, like it or not. If you look, you should be able to find something in your price range in any of these areas.

anonymous · November 2006

Oh yeah, as for where to live in Park Slope: Like other poster said east of 4th ave to the Park and from Flatbush down to xpressway or so, which pretty much is all of PS. Prices decrease (not a strict rule) as you move south of flatbush and west of the park. West of 4th ave (gownaus) and 4th ave itself have some cheaper rentals but not every young single woman may feel safe walking alone at night in these areas.

cythren · November 2006

Anotherdayinbkln wrote: When looking for an apartment, i often judge the neighborhood by the cleanliness of the nearest Grocery store. It can tell a lot.

I used to live in Brooklyn Heights. The neighborhood grocery store was a Gristedes. A very stinky one nicknamed "Gross-tedes".

Granted, there *were* several other options in the area for grocery stores.

help (neighborhood safety)

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