Thoughts on Bed-Stuy? (Bedford, Fulton, Marcy: apartment, homes, high school)

[jad2k]

While walking down Bedford Av (around Madison Ave) on Saturday afternoon, three older black men were standing on the sidewalk talking: "We're in The Village now! This use to be the hood but it's The Village now!" While I certainly wouldn't go to that extreme in describing it, the marked changes are noticeable, especially to long time residents that have seen the area at its worse.

I have a friend that grew up in Ft Greene in the 80s & 90s. Her grandmother owns a brownstone and is one of the last original owners (meaning black owners) on the block. Her grandmother gets calls on a regular basis from people that want to buy it. Apparently, she said that her grandmother has it written in the will that the house must stay in the family.

I've often wondered if these types of forums were around back when areas like Ft Greene, Williamsburg, and even Park Slope were going through their transitions if the same amount of shyt talking would be flying around. Probably...hindsight is always 20/20.

[mdurlak]

Originally Posted by jad2k

I always find these jib-jabs about Bed-Stuy to be so very counter productive.

To the OP, please feel free to direct message me if you're interested in more specifics about living in this particular area. I did a lot of researching before I made the move.

Hey!

I'm looking to move into a place at that's 3 blocks from the Bedford-Nostrand Gtrain station. Can you give me any insight into safety? I'm a 28 year-old female, if that helps!

Thanks!

[StaggerLee22]

28 female....28 white female or 28 black female?

Sad, but it does matter.
Just like a 28 male black would get a different answer if this were Bensonhurst.
2012 my azz.
Color still matters.

[vanguard cycle]

the overreaction about Bed Stuy (from both sides) is funny.
Just like many many neighborhoods Bed Stuy can be a beautiful, quiet, tree lined brownstone looking neighborhood then you turn a corner and things completely take a turn for the worse.
On my walk to the J train i would, in 4 short blocks, encounter everything imaginable.
first block, beautiful, clean, tree lined, all families..next block, the dealers on the corner, run down Saratoga park, always broken glass everywhere.. next block were the PJ's where inevitably HA cops would always have a few guys against the wall, i think you get the idea.
**** changes quick here.

[Gpsma]

Originally Posted by Kefir King

Bed-Stuy is fine unless you live there.

and remember gentrification only turns a pit into a gentrified pit.

[jad2k]

Originally Posted by mdurlak

Hey!

I'm looking to move into a place at that's 3 blocks from the Bedford-Nostrand Gtrain station. Can you give me any insight into safety? I'm a 28 year-old female, if that helps!

Thanks!

The western sliver of Bed-Stuy is perfectly safe, fine, just dandy, and if you're white, you'll fit right in:
Are Whites Taking Over Bed-Stuy? - Bed-Stuy, NY Patch

In all seriousness, I like the area a lot. I did a tun of research on this area before I moved and visited it several times during the day and night to make sure I was making the right choice when buying in this area. I'm a 30 year old single female and I'm black "gentry". In the 6 months that I've been living here there have been an astounding twelve new business (within a 7 block radius) of the wine store, coffee shop, restaurant variety. That's twelve within 6 months!

Full disclosure though on the question of safety: there have been a rash of iSnatches (that's what the police call it) as people are entering/leaving the subway- particularity that G train stop. The police, though, have responded to this in full force and have posted patrol cars on corners, officers standing on sidewalks and, the coup de grace of it all, a police Sky Cam tower (seriously) right outside the Bedford-Nostrand Gtrain station to thwart or catch all would be robbers. Hipsters Apple devices must be protected at all costs!

[Ebrehm]

The best and most neutral description I can think of to describe Bed-Stuy is Brooklyn's Harlem.

[ewj784]

Originally Posted by jad2k

I always find these jib-jabs about Bed-Stuy to be so very counter productive.

To the OP, please feel free to direct message me if you're interested in more specifics about living in this particular area. I did a lot of researching before I made the move.

My 24 y/o daughter and 37 y/o female partner (both tiny, but scrappy and watchful) have a contract on a brownstone in the 700s of Greene Ave. One will take the bus to the train M-F at about 8am. The other works from home. The have many friends over there, but have always lived UWS. Is there a major difference in safety? They will also have a rental. How safe on a scale of 1-10? They know the city and Brooklyn pretty well, but this mom doesn't curious... They do enjoy going out at night with friends, yet still have to get home... Any thoughts?

[jad2k]

Originally Posted by ewj784

My 24 y/o daughter and 37 y/o female partner (both tiny, but scrappy and watchful) have a contract on a brownstone in the 700s of Greene Ave. One will take the bus to the train M-F at about 8am. The other works from home. The have many friends over there, but have always lived UWS. Is there a major difference in safety? They will also have a rental. How safe on a scale of 1-10? They know the city and Brooklyn pretty well, but this mom doesn't curious... They do enjoy going out at night with friends, yet still have to get home... Any thoughts?

Let's put it this way, there are better parts of the neighborhood, that's for sure. It would be a long haul to the subway so if they are going/coming late at night are they going to wait for the bus, walk, or take a cab? If I was going to live in the rougher parts of Bed Stuy, I'd at least want to be close to the train. Also, they are pretty far from any decent amenities (groceries, stores, restaurants, etc). A lot of the take-out spots close by (looked up via Yelp) don't deliver, that's really not a good sign.

[nobody69]

4 years ago I used to live in the area bordering Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, and Bed-stuy. One time someone tried to steal my roommate's Iphone on the way back home..he was white, a new transplant, and was using it foolishly in the street. Nothing happened in my 2 years living there, if anything it was seedy but safe for the most part. But a lot has changed in my old neighborhood since then. A few months ago I was dating this girl that lived in a brownstone 2 blocks from the Nostrand A stop. For the most part she describes her area as mostly safe and there are lots of working professionals and yuppies living in her area. The unfortunate downside is there is really nothing in her area in terms of amenities, only bodegas and no real grocery store...very few bars/restaurants. That's what she says but as a girl I wouldn't want to live there.

As a guy amenities are important for me, I would never live in Bedstuy, Bushwick or Crown Heights unless it was a last resort. There are other neighborhoods that are just as cheap and safer that have more amenities.