Myrtle Willoughby G Train Please help (Marcy, Vernon: best neighborhood, apartments, rent)

[albanyreject]

I saw an apartment last week about 2 blocks from here, the rent is cheaper than I would pay in Williamsburg or Park Slope. It's a great apartment, comes with laundry. That is a must for me. I am aware of the Marcy projects across the street. Can anyone give me a more general idea of the neighborhood? I am aware that this area is considered Bed Stuy, although it states East Williamsburg, but I was walking around and I see nice new looking condos around. So what is the deal with this area? The broker says the neighborhood is up and coming, um OK.

I am OK walking around in the daytime, but how bad is it at night? I got some cat calls from men, I just waved to them, and I didn't feel threatened. I also notice there are not too many groceries around here. I am OK with hopping on the G train and going up to Greenpoint/ Williamsburg if necessary to shop. I also notice the train station entrance on Willoughby is blocked off. If this because of the crime? Please help.

[AceMLysander]

This advice is coming from a person whose lived in the area for 25 years (I grew up in the area & still live close by)

Once you get off at Myrtle & Willoughby on the G-train you'll actually be on Myrtle & Marcy Avenues & this is what you'll see:

-The B54 bus stop right in front of you

-Going North on Marcy Avenue (toward the Marcy Houses) you'll see an Associated Supermarket (Decent spot for grocery shopping) & a bunch of bodegas as you walk further down Marcy Avenue (which I insist you stay away from for many reasons)

-Going South on Marcy Avenue (away from the Marcy Houses) you'll see alot of re-building & renovated houses. There's nothing much to see going in that direction.

-Going West on Myrtle Avenue (toward Marcy Houses) you'll see a Duane Reade which is fairly new & the back-end of Marcy Playground (handball courts, parking lot...etc)

-Going East on Myrtle Avenue (away from Marcy Houses) you'll see another housing project Tompkins Houses & there's also a Keyfood Supermarket as you walk further east on Myrtle acorss the street from Tompkins Houses (The Keyfood Supermarket is better than Associated on Marcy Avenue in terms of variety but a bit higher on cost)

Sometimes at night there is a police van parked next to Marcy Playground with a tower that has surveillance cameras covering a 5-mile radius. So that tells you at times the area can be rough but there is a consistent police presence.

Honestly, the area as a whole is changing as you get closer to Williamsburg you see the up-swing of the property value. At that area by the G-train Myrtle & Willoughby train station on Myrtle & Marcy it's still in transition but is relatively safe during the morning, afternoon & early evening. One part of the train station is closed off because it was renovated & made smaller, making the extra exits unnecessary

[UrbanAdventurer]

South of Flushing Avenue is definitely Bed-Stuy. You may or may not be comfortable in that area, depending on where you live now. PJ's like Marcy are not a bad idea to veer away from late at night.

[availableusername]

Originally Posted by albanyreject

i got some cat calls from men, i just waved to them, and i didn't feel threatened.

lol

[DaPersianJewGurL]

Is Pratt institute over there? Dat place is scaryyyy, jk lmao

[albanyreject]

Thanks to everyone who answered. I walked around there again yesterday. I went to the Associated Supermarket, and I believe the name for it is in Spanish. My God, what a dump. I do not live in the best neighborhood right now, but our Associated looks like Whole Foods compared to this. I saw police in the area, just standing around. Lots of people just standing around doing nothing. I noticed a new building and I saw some Jews dressed in black and with the curls right by it, so I am assuming that this is an apartment building for Jewish people? It looks very similar to the buildings they have all over Williamsburg, so I guess it is theirs.

I walked on Willoughby between Marcy and Nostrand, and I must say, this block is gorgeous. The houses are beautiful. Such a shame that the facades of several of them look completely neglected. I took the G train, and for the second time in a week, I did not have to wait a minute for it. So either things are improving with the G train or I just lucked out. Because from what I have read, most people consider the G a nightmare. I must say, it is very convenient to get to the city from here. Just 5 stops. Transfering to the L is no big deal. I see white kids all over the place, some of them right across from the Marcy houses on Marcy avenue. I guess, like me, they realize that it is cheaper here than higher up north. Overall, I don't think the area is too bad. I have heard horror stories, but this location is easy access to downtown Brooklyn and Manhattan.

By the way, I saw one bodega that looked nice and clean. I believe it was on Marcy and Willoughby?
One question, there is a 1 Vernon Ave. This is on Nostrand and Vernon. Is this building connected to the apartments on Myrtle? The one with the Duane Reade at the first floor? I have looked for info on 1 Vernon Ave and cannot seem to find anything on it.

I realize that things can look completely different at night time, but I am not really a night owl, so I am not too concerned.