Prospects Heights, Woodside, Harlem - Pros and Cons (Sterling, Crown Heights: apartment, broker)

[Wevi]

Any insights appreciated in advance! Thanks!!!!!

[SonicYouth]

I walk dogs in Prospect Heights, so I know it well. It's generally nice and very reasonably priced as well. A true middle class neighborhood and more diverse than much of Brownstone Brooklyn. Walking distance to Prospect Park, the Brooklyn Museum, the library, and Park Slope. Vanderbilt Ave. is thriving with lots of bars and restaurants. Flatbush Ave. is always bustling. You'll often find a yuppie coffee shop right next to a dive fried chicken place. Same thing with Washington Ave. (the border with Crown Heights).

It can, however, be spotty as far as crime. Some blocks are MUCH better than others. Take a walk up Sterling Place between Underhill and Washington to see one of the nicest, safest blocks in the neighborhood. Then walk south on Washington and cut west onto St. John's Place or Lincoln Place (these are Prospect Heights proper, not Crown Heights). The character changes tremendously with large (and generally run-down) apartment blocs replacing well-maintained brownstones. I would not feel totally safe at night on these blocks.

There have been signs up recently warning of a string of burglaries in the neighborhood as well, so take it for what it's worth. It shares a border with Crown Heights and the character changes immensely as you cross Washington Ave. So if a broker tries to sell you something east of Washington as Prospect Heights, don't believe it. Also, if you have kids the public schools aren't the best.

But it really depends on your block. I'd say the blocks south to Sterling Place and north to St. Mark's Ave. (between Flatbush and Washington) are your prime areas. Can't really speak to the other neighborhoods.

[Sunnyand50]

Anyone familiar with the Sterling-Washington affordable housing building? The wait list?