moving here. here now. hi?!

syd · December 2006

hey everyone,
*this is yet another "hi, I'm new post" and if those are not welcome or something...um, whoops?*

i've been coming in and out of the park slope area for a while while I've been travelling around the country and finally convinced my gf from LA to move back out the east coast and settle down for a minute w/ me. We decided on NYC and after 3 days housesitting in the slope we found a place in this area called "prospect heights"---we'd never heard of it, but we're really excited about the area--cheaper than the slope, not as pretentious, and our landlords "seem" cool---I've been invited over for dominos...twice! so we signed a lease last week and soon we'll live on pacific btwn underhill & vanderbilt.

we've done a lot of walking/running around the area this past week and are starting to get sort of a handle on the neighborhood. we move in 1/1 so we'll have a better idea once we actually get in there, but I have a couple of questions that maybe you guys can help with...I've seen some threads on here about these things so just ignore the repetitive stuff if that annoys you?

-is there some kind of rehearsal space for bands nearby? Love a place I can keep drums and amps, but anything'll do.
-how much can I expect to pay for covered/uncovered parking monthly? There's a garage a couple of blocks over that's charging $136/mo, but I have a minivan and I'm sure they'll charge me more.
-We've felt safest on vanderbilt and flatbush, underhill close to the park not so much...but what's your experience with the "safe-ness" of the area? I've seen some posts about gunshots and shit on here and that's scary, but I know that stuff was happening around us in LA, but we just didn't ever have a messageboard to read about it on.
-seems like there's been some inconclusive discussion about gyms and yoga on here---Crunch seems like the best bang for the buck and relatively close...any thoughts on that?
-(this is kind of a stupid question) assuming there isn't free internet floating around, what's the cheapest way to score some interweb in our apt? cable? dsl? carrier pigeon?

Other than that, we're really looking forward to it, you people all seem like nice neighbors.

Anyway, I hope you all have a happy holiday...we have no idea what we're doing, but maybe we'll be going to that party at Soda and we'll see you there?

syd

alafairnadia · December 2006

syd (and gf)! welcome to the nabe!

I live up on washington and I feel safe all of the time (even with gunshots) so I have little to say about that aspect of your post. I don't have a car or a band, so I'm useless on those fronts.

there's a new martial arts joint on washington that I'm planning to take yoga and cardio kickboxing at - no clue how good they are. there are many gyms on flatbush. and I'm a-ok with cablevision's internet.

and I'll probably be at Soda on NYE. say howdy, k?

whyfi · December 2006

There's a space off of Vandy for rehearsals - if you can find the recent thread about the Best of Prospect Heights from New York magazine, it's listed there.

Cablevision is probably your only choice for online access, although you might have Verizon DSL as an option, too.

As far as safety, walk around some more and just get the feel for yourself. I don't think that there's anyplace too scary 'round here, but that's not an excuse to walk about obvious to your surroundings.

Welcome to the neighborhood. Shine on.

doctorj · December 2006

There'll probably be some free/cheap internet floating around, including this. When you want your own, WhyFi is right, you have Cablevision, and potentially a choice between a few DSL retailers, though Verizon initially controls the copper.

bigguy · December 2006

Welcome aboard!

apollonia666 · December 2006

Hey, welcome!

You're going to be really close to lots of restaurants and shops on Vanderbilt, which will be cool for you. Vanderbilt seems to just keep getting nicer and nicer.

I think what everyone else said about cable/Internet service in the area's true -- you may be somewhat limited in your choices, but it shouldn't be too much of a problem. The part of the neighborhood you're in is pretty safe; just keep your wits about you, especially late at night. But that's a given anywhere, not just Brooklyn.

Don't know much about rehearsal space and yoga/gym options, but try searching the archives here for past discussions on those topics and I bet you'll find some helpful info.

dingleberry · December 2006

There is a rehearsal space studio on Saint Marks Between Vanderbilt and Underhill one of the best on this side of town!!

sevenoneeighty · December 2006

" We've felt safest on vanderbilt and flatbush, underhill close to the park not so much..."

You don't feel safe next to the Park?

syd · December 2006

Subject: thanks everyone.

hey everyone.
thanks for all the replies, and so close to the holidays....
As for safety/etc, I put my foot in my mouth a little there I think, we're just gonna walk around, whatever. I'm not too worried about it, and, like apollo said, just be aware of surroundings. We've lived in other cities before and I've spent enough time here to know how to look like I know what I'm doing. haha.

As for the specific things:

-anyone have any further thoughts on parking??

One thing's for sure---this city is DAMN expensive. I know that's a clichÃ© at this point, but looking into gyms, we found Crunch is $80/mo. It's $40/mo in LA. So, there's a place on 5th and...park or something called The Body Reserve. It's muggy and smells like sweaty balls, but it's $54/mo and that beats the crap out of Crunch.

Ditto the rehearsal space that's listed in New York mag, that'll be good when we're doing rehearsals that the label pays for, but I want to find a sweaty, scummy warehouse somewhere with cheap rent where I can store my gear and bang on my drums. That'll pop up I'm sure, just need some time.

We sadly won't be here for New Year's, we've got to run up to VT to get all our shit. I use that term loosely since we own basically 0 furniture or a bed even.

Ah, to be young, broke, and in brooklyn. Hello 2007. I wish you all the best.

see you out there
s

armchair_warrior · December 2006

parking is easy on the northern side of ph closer to atlantic. and more towards washington.

syd · December 2006

good to know, that's close to where we are, so that works. alt-side parking happens so often that side of flatbush, but I guess just set up the ical reminders and go. Luckily my grampa/ma in Jersey are letting me keep my soccer mom minivan over there so we just have to worry about Dari's regular person car.

jayce · December 2006

Subject: Re: thanks everyone.

syd wrote: I know that's a clichÃ© at this point, but looking into gyms, we found Crunch is $80/mo. It's $40/mo in LA. So, there's a place on 5th and...park or something called The Body Reserve. It's muggy and smells like sweaty balls, but it's $54/mo and that beats the crap out of Crunch.

I am a big fan of the Y. Either Park Slope Y (on 9th Street in Park Slope) or the Dodge Y on Atlantic. I think I pay $50 and thats only because I manage to be the only person on the freaking planet that doesn't qualify for a discount (every health plan, organization, employer and social group seems to qualify for a discount there). Plus, huge bonus, it doesn't smell like sweaty balls (which is a pre-req for me, tho I never really knew that until now). I recommend it highly. Except for the yoga classes, that is.

museumlady · December 2006

Street parking isn't too bad...give that a shot for a while.

brooklynleather · December 2006

I live on Washingtojn and Park Place and street parking isn't so bad here. It is a lot worse in some other neighborhoods.

In any case, welcome to prospect heights! I've only been living here about three months but have quickly fallen in love. It's really wonderful.

poshspice · January 2007

Welcome to you guys - I too am on Pacific btwn V/U (that's funny, I haven't noticed any moving lately) so very close by. I'm 10 weeks in (meaning to NYC) so its all new to me, too. I really like this area so far. Good luck!

moving here. here now. hi?!

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