Need a neighborhood report (Ridge, York: middle-class, where to stay, condos)

[maggiemae]

I'll be coming to NYC in a few days and plan to stay at a little hotel at the corner of Wyckoff and Halsey (Ridgewood area?) Any info would be appreciated about the general area.....basically, is it safe for a bit of walking about? Any places or areas to definitely avoid? There will be 2 couples of us, middle aged southern folks. I hate to sound like a rube, but I don't want to stumble into trouble if I can avoid it. Thanks for any help!

[Henna]

It doesn't look like a a very nice place to me. .. but what do I know. Here's a photo I found on flickr that may be the hotel you are talking about At Halsey St. L Stop on Wyckoff on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[Henna]

If that is indeed the place, there are tons of reviews about it on tripadvisor
Red Carpet Inn - Brooklyn - Red Carpet Inn Reviews - TripAdvisor

[apvbguy]

Originally Posted by maggiemae

I'll be coming to NYC in a few days and plan to stay at a little hotel at the corner of Wyckoff and Halsey (Ridgewood area?) Any info would be appreciated about the general area.....basically, is it safe for a bit of walking about? Any places or areas to definitely avoid? There will be 2 couples of us, middle aged southern folks. I hate to sound like a rube, but I don't want to stumble into trouble if I can avoid it. Thanks for any help!

you won't need to stumble too far to find trouble, I wouldn't walk around there aimlessly, why in the world did you pick that place to stay?

[maggiemae]

Thanks for your candid responses. Not exactly what I was hoping for, but not far from what I expected. *sigh*

[baylovers]

Maggie, I was surprised by the amount of people who gave the hotel a decent review (although there were enough who gave it a thumbs down). The area is a far cry from the glittering lights of Times Square but if you don't plan on spending much time in the hotel it may be OK. I wouldn't wander around too much, especially west, but it will be a real Brooklyn experience! Let us know how it is.

[RedManInBlueState]

Greetings,

I certainly don't mean to presume to tell you where to stay; I merely wish to point out that Sheepshead Bay, which is also in Brooklyn, now has a total of three hotels. One is entirely brand new, one has a new building, and one seems quaintly circa 1950s (although I'm sure the prostitutes are much newer -- only kidding!).

I'm in no position to make comparisons, but, at least, Sheepshead Bay is a quite nice neighborhood. It has an actual bay, with boats for hire, and it adjoins the poorly named Manhattan Beach, which you might find too chilly for sunbathing at this time of year. <g> If you have a credit card, you probably won't lack for places to use it, and, if you do, you can always take the subway -- or a boat ;-) -- to somewhere else.

Just a some information. Enjoy your trip!

[jjbradleynyc]

Originally Posted by maggiemae

I'll be coming to NYC in a few days and plan to stay at a little hotel at the corner of Wyckoff and Halsey (Ridgewood area?) Any info would be appreciated about the general area.....basically, is it safe for a bit of walking about? Any places or areas to definitely avoid? There will be 2 couples of us, middle aged southern folks. I hate to sound like a rube, but I don't want to stumble into trouble if I can avoid it. Thanks for any help!

I know that area very well. It's actually not a scary area at all. People mind their own business. It's very densely populated, very diverse, and gentrifying very, very quickly. It sits on the border of Brooklyn and Queens, Bushwick in Brooklyn, and Ridgewood in Queens. Bushwick is experiencing a major renaissance--with many, many condos being built, and many old buildings being gut-renovated. The population is growing quickly. Ridgewood has always been a stable, middle-class neighborhood with beautiful tree-lined streets and quiet areas. Enjoy the trip--these areas are not bad at all.

[gdowler]

Its not a terrible place, but its def. not the nicest. I live a few blocks away in the generally thought of "better direcetion" towards ridgewood/Myrtle Ave where there is restaurants, and shops, and such. My grandparents stayed there while they were visinting once, and they are from a small town in Ohio and are very plain, so the service to them was great. I think the neighborhood scared them a little...but so did Times Sq. But, if I was coming on vacation I guess I would try to afford something nicer within the city. I guess it is all very expensive...but what about the Hotel Pennsylvania?

[Guywithacause]

Thanks for sharing your insight JJbradley...and APVguy...where exactly in this city "should you walk aimlessly" and where won't you "stumble too far to find trouble." I don't think city life is for you...you seem to find the negative in everything you see.

I know little about the neighborhood....but I would put my faith in JJBradley any day over the nonsensical observations of APVguy who can only speak of the negative of every neighborhood based on what was in the news that day.