Bed-Stuy: The New Lower East Side?

what's so foolish about it if the guy is already loving his move and investment there? He is enjoying it right now, as we speak! He was in the Times talking about how much he loves his new building and home, how happy he is right now, and you are at home in an armchair talking about 20 years from now.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 9:55 AM

This guy is such a douche - exactly what is wrong with liberalism in America, he finds other people's poverty to be "romantic".

I love how a guy who designs stores for Hermes is appalled by the bourgeois. Meanwhile he considers a car (and a garage) an urban necessity andis charging 1200 a mo for a 1br and $2000 a mo for a 2b (sorry pal but that is market rate rents)

But if there was any question whether this guy is really the dic! he seems - we are treated to him using terms like "SoBro" and "homey's" (apparently to describe the black people in his neighborhood)

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 10:05 AM

this guy's not a douche - he found something and made it work for him. In the process he took a dilapidated building and reworked it extensively, and is charging the same price for rent that other run down buildings in the hood charge. The douchbags are the slumlords who let their buildings go to hell and still charge as much as possible.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 10:11 AM

Should only be a few months before this guy is appointed to the board of DDDB.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 10:13 AM

I am a prospective buyer of a townhouse in Stuy-Heights. My concern is safe street parking in the neighborhood for a popular SUV since garages are almost non-existant and whether or not an investment of 1.2m is right. I love the house but it needs everything. Block is nice but projects are 2 blocks away. Food delivery is probably slim and grocery stores are not adequate.

I currently live in Clinton Hill and the value in Bed-Stuy is crazy. But, you do get what you pay for and while the home may be nice, is the neighborhood going to stay on the upswing? I have a 4 year-old and one on the way and they will go to school in Clinton Hill, so schools aren't the problem. As Clinton Hill is a great walking neighborhood, I am concerned that the spotty blocks and lack of services may make us prisoners in our own home. No disrespect to Bed-Stuy owners, but I am truly looking for insight to make a sound judgement on the largest investment I've ever made in life.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 10:16 AM

Ah, Tis one should get about 60 hits. BTW Asshats meltdown is in full swing. So this dumbass will be stuck in the 'Hood'. Tell him tho read this. Credit is drying up!

Some Wonder if the Banks’ Stabilization Fund Will Work

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/12/business/12siv.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

This is the main story, not this bullshit

The What

Someday this war will end.....

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 10:18 AM

SoBro is a real estate term which refers to the South Bronx. Everything isn't always about race.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 10:21 AM

Hey 10:05 - The guy never claimed to be a voice for liberalism. Sounds to me like he's keepin it real (am I allowed to use that phrase even tho I'm white? Or does that make me "what's wrong with liberalism in America?") and not indulging in any pretenses whatsoever. There is a diversity of street life and culture that many New Yorkers--regardless of their incomes or politics--appreciate, and which is becoming almost non-existent in a homogenized Manhattan. There's nothing hypocritical about early adopters of underappreciated neighborhoods making improvements, and then wanting to find the next bastion of gritty authenticity when the very neighborhood they discovered winds up being overly-gentrified twenty years later due to their own impetus.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 10:25 AM

He's not a douche. He's done a good thing for the neighborhood. He just thinks he's Oscar Wilde (and he's probably not). Queer eye for Bed-Stuy.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 10:45 AM

That guy came of as such an arrogant shmuck. I cringed as I read that article.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 10:46 AM

He sure came off better than you just did, 10:46.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 10:49 AM

Hey, you can't win with this crowd. Agreed he may be a arrogant jerk, but he put his money where his mouth is, and invested in the community, as per the positive remarks above. And, as 9:55 said, he's happy with his home and his investment. Who is anyone to try and negate that for him?

To the potential Stuy Hts buyer - if you are going to worry about it that much, don't do it. There are plenty of people who are ready to embrace Stuy Hts and other parts of BS, and will not be prisoners in their homes. If you are going to be there with that attitude, it's not the place for you. You think people don't pick up that you either fear or don't want to interact with them? Also, if you live in Clinton Hill, you live near one of the projects, so what's the difference? Besides, Brevoort Houses is well kept, quiet and is for the most part, just lower income
subsidized housing. They have a large, active senior center, and a tenants association. Not all projects are the same, not all the people in them are out to get you.

Most of the people in all of BS, but Stuy Hts in particular, because the prices are so high, have a vested interest in keeping the neighborhood up, just as do people in Clinton Hill or anywhere else. These aren't the people who will be foreclosed on, or in great danger of leaving. We are no different than anyone else. If you think we are - well........

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 11:06 AM

Anybody know where this buiding is located?

Seems like he must have purchased it under a different name or a corporation.

According to ACRIS he sold two apartments in the same building - one for 1.2 Million and the other for 499K in the LES.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 11:07 AM

The building is located at the corner of Hancock and Malcolm X blvd. Love what he did to it. Love his spirit, drive and forward thinking. Best of luck to him

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 11:18 AM

The place is on 651 Hancock Street, Brooklyn, NY 11233.

To prospective Stuy Heights resident - on street parking is no problem in terms of safety of your car, if that's what you were worried about - though of course moving the car for alternate side of the street parking is never a problem. My neighbors on my block look out for each other and if you haven't moved your car yet, will knock on your door to remind you. There is also a garage on Halsey between Lewis and Stuyvesant.

I've lived here for 3 years and I have a lot of confidence in the present and future of the neighborhood. People are invested in the quality of life of the neighborhood. For example, on Halloween they organized a booklet listing all of the houses that were willing to accept trick or treaters.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 11:23 AM

The fact that he can't imagine urban life with out a garage (to swiftly and safely take him to and from his romantic bed-sty neighborhood says it all. If everyone thought like him we would be in big trouble.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 11:23 AM

Actually there is shame in it, 11:25.

Advising people in this day and age to take up more space than they need, drive everywhere and isolate themselves from other human beings is not very helpful.

The world has always been an urbanist society...it is just now that we are realizing what harmful effects the sprawl that suburbanism is, has done to our society.

I also grew up in a suburb...and a very nice one at that. It was sterile, people were unhappy and disconnected, and they drove to the store, even if it was 1/4 mile away. They were also about 50 lbs overweight. When I tell them I live in NYC now, they all say...oooooh...that must be so amazing.

And it is.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 11:33 AM

Well when people like Mr Andaloro in the above article insist on having garages and driving everywhere they go, the difference between suburban and urban life gets blurred.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 11:43 AM

where did it say he drove everwhere he went??

i believe he said he drove to fairway.

which is impossible not to do, since they put it in no mans land.

don't infer things from the article that aren't there.

it helps no one's point and makes you look ignorant.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 11:47 AM

Insist on driving? How else is a gay white man going to get around in that 'hood? I'm sure he has a door from his apartment to the garage and never really sets foot out into his neighborhood.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 11:48 AM

If you are inferring that a white gay man is in danger in BS, then you better tell all the other white gay men who live there, not to mention the scads of black gay men who have been there forever. Please. BS is no better or worse than any other neighborhood in terms of being at least gay neutral. Most people could care less who or what you are.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 11:53 AM

I don't think a man who spent most of the 80's on avenue B is too scared of little old Bed Stuy in 2007.

You all are so moronic.

And clueless.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 11:54 AM

I appreciate the comments. But I am born and raised in Crown Heights. Grew up there in the 80's when things were still very hot. Possies, Decepticons, the whole nine. Went to BK Tech and Ft. Greene/ CH was no family friendly playground then. I just don't know bed-stuy. Clearly the houses are beautifull there and the quiet suburbian lifestyle won't work for me.

In CH I can't park on the street because of the constant break-ins. My denali was broken into 3 times. It's crazy. So I appreciate the garage info. The move would be different for my family but I needed to hear from some of the current Stuy owners on the living situation. Friends are warning against it, but the article in NYTimes and some of your responses are giving me renewed hope on the matter.

Again, I appreciate all of your comments,
The Prospective Stuy-Heights buyer.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 11:56 AM

11:33, there are plenty of fat people in urban environments, so suburban living and car ownership does not necessarily mean belonging to the chub club.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 11:58 AM

Overall, I think we can agree that there are significantly more obese people outside cities than inside them.

That's all.

Of course not every city dweller is slim.

That's ridiculous to even say.

And yes...not walking has a DIRECT impact on not only the environment, but on physical health and fitness as well.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 12:03 PM

Unless you are carting a softball team around on a daily basis, no one needs a Denali. I have no problem with someone needing a car, but why a behemoth land yacht like a Denali, Hummer or Escalade? No one's going to break into a Camry.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 12:14 PM

Prospective Stuy Heights Buyer,

What is a Decepticon? I only know that word from the same-titled Le Tigre song...

Thanks

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 12:14 PM

i thought only drug dealers drove denali's

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 12:17 PM

They were a notorious street gang. You didn't hear that much about them after the Crips and Bloods came along. I guess they either merged with one of them or were wiped out, or aged out, and I'm sure prison took many of them off the streets as well. No loss to the community.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 12:20 PM

The "Decepts" started in Brooklyn Tech in the 80's. A street gang that covered Brookyln and expanded into other areas of the city. There were also the 'Lo life's. That was a gang that wore Polo, so anyone wearing 'lo at the time was subject to running their gear on the C train.

NY is a much better place now. Much better. Yeah the truck is big and drinks gas, but I needed the space for the stroller and constant costco shopping. I probably will downsize.

Prospective Suy Heights Buyer

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 12:38 PM

Hey 10:25 - I never said he 'represents' liberalism, I said - he is whats wrong with liberalism.

Poverty and Grittiness isn't a "cache" its a tragedy. And stepping over dead bodies shouldnt give you any hipness, it should give you nightmares.

And if you or anyone else thinks that the lower eastside isn't truly diverse then you are blind and deaf. - but the term 'diversity' when you are talking about people like Mr. Andaloro isnt about living with people who have diverse politics, economics, backgrounds, ethnicities, and religions at all. Diversity to this group of "liberals" is finding some poor minorities to live among, while you and your (exactly like minded) relatively rich non-minority friends hang out and criticize everyone else for being so bourgeois.

And of course I know SoBro isnt a racial term - except to the extent that only a rich white douche like this guy would actually utter it while at the same time pretending to be "real"

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 12:42 PM

Hi Prospective Buyer - do it you and will be fine. In 5 years you will be kicking yourself for not having invested in the neighborhood. I love that area (Sty Heights), but it was a litle $$$ for me and I found a better deal in NW Crown Heights. You will not have a great deal of ammenities out there, for which reason we bought a car and drive to Fairway once a week (very much worth it). We park on the streets and the neighbors look out for us. Just last nite I went out to sweep the leaves and an old timer came buy to chat and went to get her broom, and came back to HELP ME SWEEP. We even sweep up in front of our neighbor, as they hadnt had time to do so...My goodness what was I doing in Manhattan all those years.....I love the guy in the article btw. I think he has the right attitude and is doing go things for the nabe. I also love the multicultural vibe of Bed Sty and Cr. Heights.....

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 12:43 PM

If you can afford a $50k car and a $1.2M house I think you can afford to rent a garage from someone.

Plus, this is NYC where cars parked on the street will be subject to bumps, dings, scratches and scrapes. It doesn't matter what neighborhood you're in, if you park your car on the street it will get messed up over time.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 12:48 PM

You can't count on the "in 5 years you will be kicking yourself" attitude.

Only if your memory only extends to the PAST 5 years.

If it were the next five years and we were here in 1990, your statment would be false.

Please don't judge the future of Bed Stuy on the last 5 years. It probably will not turn out the way you expect.

Prices in Bed Stuy are sure to come down over the next few years.

I'd say Bed Stuy is a good 10-15 years away from any significant gentrification.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 12:51 PM

Heh 12:43pm
Thanks, I love Crown heights as well. There were some nice open houses there this summer. But the money is right when it is right. I'll think seriously on it. Thanks

Pros. Heights Buyer

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 12:52 PM

I live just down the block from this guy -- me and my wife moved here two and a half years ago -- The guy in the NY Times this weekend is doing great work. He has restored a building, established a business, provided a decent roof for decent people to live under and is not gouging them for it. This area needs more like him.
I have written about my nayb in magazines and newspapers all over the world and when I do JB usually posts them here, a service for which I am grateful. But I am constantly astonished by the level of unbridled vitriol in this forum. The frequent accusations of racism toward writers and subjects of stories is a constant, which is often misguided and completely over the top.
Who are you angry people and why does the rennovation of dilapidated buildings by newcomers make you so incensed?

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 12:54 PM

cause lots of people are envious.

they wish they would have bought said homes when they were 200K 10 years ago.

now they have witnessed so many folks in nyc literally make a fortune and they refuse to recognize that there is this immense wealth in nyc that passed them by.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 1:02 PM

Prospective Stuy-Heights buyer:
i bought in BedStuy a year ago. Right on the edge of Stuy Heights at Macon and Throop. We gut renovated and moved in three months later. Its been wonderful. I love the neighborhood and our block especially. People have been extremely warm and welcoming. We joined the block association, had a great block party and every time I work in the front yard people stop to say hi, or even help with the yard work!! I have never felt unsafe, even late at night. In the last year a few more stores have opened, including a cute wine shop on the other end of our block and so I hope a few more bars/restaurants will follow. that is all that is lacking for me!

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 1:05 PM

"But I am constantly astonished by the level of unbridled vitriol in this forum."

It's because everyone wishes they could have scraped together that 60K and turned it into 1.2 million dollars.

Instead of being happy for other people, Americans have a special way of being hateful instead.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 1:05 PM

12:54 - When JB decides to post stories and comments simply about the renovation of dilapidated buildings maybe the vitriol will end but as long as the stories are laced with the healthy tone of cultural superiority that this one was - then opposing viewpoints will sought to be expressed.

Isnt this "diversity" of opinion good?

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 1:06 PM

1:05
Me and my wife have had an identical experience as regards the nayb.
we love it and love our neighbors
and we live live much further into Bed Stuy proper
I have live in NYC for 6 years the 2.5 in Bed Stuy (versus 2 in the village and 1 in chelsea) have easily been the best
so screw all you neighsayers and neg heads!!

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 1:09 PM

1:06
I didnt pick up any cultural superiority from the subject of the NY Times piece.
I interpreted the story very differently.
I thought, "Wow , what a freak here he has all this money to splurge on the house of his dreams and he chooses Bed Stuy. Thats pretty cool, thats where I live. Excellent, we need more people investing their money here rather than going to Florida, or California or Wherever. I am so glad another person with some money and good sense behind them someone sees the the potential to revive this neighborhood to its former glory, rather than let it continue in its decline

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 1:14 PM

1:05 - again from my perspective I applaud taking 60K and making 1.2M -

what I object to is that even though he made a 200% profit and is now a market-rate rent landlord - apparently he (and many others here) still have the nerve to deride everyone else as bourgeois. And everyone elses neighborhood as "Orlando"

Its funny this guy's career is designing stores to sell overpriced useless crap to rich people and yet somehow because he lives in a predominantly black neighborhood and shares his vacuum he escapes being called a greedy developer or a landlord scum - which is what other similarly profiled or discussed people are often called here.

Why is designing chain stores for ugly scarves and handbags a more noble pursuit that working on Wall Street?

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 1:25 PM

cultural superiority is the only thing that gives some hope to lift up culture in this country, which, btw is severely lacking.

culture outside of cities in the U.S. is pathetic, at best.

nothing wrong with a little cultural superiority to lift us all up...even a little bit would be helpful.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 1:26 PM

Because it's creative.

An ape could work on Wall Street.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 1:27 PM

"The apartments have central air-conditioning, washers and dryers, security systems, honed black granite windowsills and kitchen counters, eight-foot solid-core doors, and designer window shades."

yeah, what a slumlord.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 1:29 PM

Really 1:14 these lines don't reek of a superior tone to you:

he doesn’t long for Manhattan. “I didn’t miss it for the past 10 years,” Mr. Andaloro said facetiously. The bohemian East Village of his younger days had become so bourgeois that he could barely recognize it.

“On Thursday nights, it was like spring break in Orlando,”

“The homeys say ‘thank you.’ They say what I have done has helped the neighborhood.”

Give me a break -

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 1:32 PM

A Denali? Why oh why Prospective Buyer do you drive a Denali? You're getting 14 miles to the gallon driving in the city (and that's the optimistic EPA estimate, and I'm assuming you own the mid-size, not the full-size Denali).

What a ridiculous waste.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 1:33 PM

1:26 thank you for so effectively demonstrating the arrogant pomposity I was trying to explain.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 1:36 PM

I live in Park Slope and I no longer long to spend much time in Manhattan. I just prefer Brooklyn.

Does that make me superior also?

Is someone who misses the grit of Times Square which is now more Disney Themepark than Crossroad of the world also superior?

Ever been to the East Village lately on a Thursday? I'd say it's more like Daytona Beach than Orlando.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 1:38 PM

And thank YOU, 1:36 for showing us all how right 1:26 is.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 1:40 PM

No 1:29 not a slumlord; an evil developer and landlord.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 1:48 PM

if i had an evil landlord, i wouldn't ask him to borrow his vacuum cleaner or have him watch my dog.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 1:52 PM

give it up - this guy is cool, has vision, and is not afraid to spend cash on what he believes in. He is not an evil developer, that is easy to see - does this look like a flip job or condos to you? The guy lives in the building! This is a quality renovation for which he is not charging high rents.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 2:06 PM

we just bought a beautiful house on the western edge of bed stuy and guess what? the author is right. it is diverse, it is beautiful, it is (mostly) quiet. our car used to get broken into every other month in fg (no joke). now, we park in front of our house and it's fine. i am happier with the decision to buy here than i ever could have imagined. school's no problem, because ours are already enrolled in good ones. i am a successful designer and i like the genuine spirit that i feel in my new neighborhood. we'll be here for a long time...it feels like home.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 2:25 PM

thanks, broker at 2:25.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 2:34 PM

i forgot to ask
when you say 'cultural superiority', what do you mean?
superior to who or what?
Or put another way, who or what is considered inferior here? The subject of the NYT piece does not identify any particular adversary. But you (whoever you are) do.
This tells us more about your view of who you believe to be inferior than it tells us about the subject of the piece.
perhaps you could enlighten us. Are you filled with self-loathing or are you a bigot?
Simply put: Over who or what do you believe the subject of the NYT piece is asserting his cultural superiority. Is it you, or is it some other person or group?

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 2:43 PM

I think it's obvious that whoever said that does not value culture in any significant way, so it is a lost cause to try to find out the root of their issue.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 2:49 PM

The dude in the story seems a lot cooler than some other people I've heard from today. Like some of the posters here, for instance.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 3:07 PM

"...school's no problem, because ours are already enrolled in good ones."

If you love your neighborhood so much, 2:25, why not enroll your kids in their local zoned school and get to work on the PTA to make IT a good one?

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 3:15 PM

why bother, 3:15?

someone who has no regard for the schools in their own neighborhood signals one thing to me...

they only want to be a "part" of the neighborhood if it involves raping it for as much $$$$ as possible.

if it involves any work besides whining about the lack of services or installing new miele appliances, they aren't interested.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 3:22 PM

1:25 - $1,200,000 divided by $60,000. Try 2000%, not 200%. I know the math is tricky, but if you stick with it and work hard, maybe someday you'll be able to solve complex mathematical equations such as this one.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 3:39 PM

why do we constantly speak ill of people who move into a neighborhood that clearly needs new blood, invest their money and themselves and like/speak well of it. Even if 5 yrs later they sell and make half a million dollar profit, what is honestly or morally wrong with that? what's wrong with your people? Is it that hard to have a positive view of life and events? Get a life!!

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 3:44 PM

to 3:15 and 3:22, i believe 2:25 is saying that their kids were already enrolled in a school before they moved to their new neighborhood.

if the kids are already in a school, and already have made friends, and enjoy their current school, why move them to a new school unnecessarily?

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 3:47 PM

People, people, please. If this gentleman had moved to Park Slope or Cobble Hill and made such comments, yes, then by all means criticize.

But websites like Brownstoner should serve only to encourage investments in neighorhoods like Bed Stuy. They cannot be held to the same standard!

What he is doing is a moral good, and all else fades away in comparison. Mister Brownstoner, a veil of protection, please!

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 4:16 PM

Peter Saarsgaard is so freaking hot.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 4:18 PM

3:44 - Lets see a rich guy from manhattan moves into a predominatly black neighborhood seeking a large home with a MANDATORY garage. Gut renovates the building renting out market-rate apartments finished in Granite with CENTRAL air-conditioning and a security system and then moves in a bunch of (white?) transplants from Texas and Iceland and a male model and students to complete the deal. And now the normally outraged Brownstoners are all shocked that anyone would dare criticize this guy.

The hypocricy isnt the subject of this article its YOU, the normally anti-gentrification, anti-development, anti-car of any kind, anti-market rate rents, anti-greed, anti-everything Brownstoners who post with such intellectual clarity about such developments day after day but today is different - WHY? because this guy is a 'designer' (of Chain Stores no less) or because he may be gay? or because he shares his vacuum? Or is it because he attacks Manhattan as boring and bourgeois.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 4:26 PM

Anyone attacking Manhattan as boring and bourgeois is fine by me!

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 4:30 PM

Bed-Stuy brokers must be pissing in their pants from all the PR this article generated. Too bad the foreclosures in Bed-Stuy are increasing everyday--they're almost at East New York levels.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 4:38 PM

Weird 4:30 - cause I find a rich gay designer gentrifying a building in a poor black neighborhood with ultra-modern touches and luxury touches to be the definition of bourgeois and boring.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 4:48 PM

"I find a rich gay designer gentrifying a building in a poor black neighborhood with ultra-modern touches and luxury touches to be the definition of bourgeois and boring."

I think that's only because you haven't been touched in the modern era.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 5:01 PM

to stuy heights prospective, you need not fear for the safety of your automobile. if someone were ever to see the need to steal your car, he/she would have to pass over the large number of mercedes, bmws, lexuses, and other luxury automobiles that line the streets of stuy heights first. your car will be keeping nice company.

as for services, petit bassam is a nice addition at the corner of mcdonough and lewis. olivino, on marcus garvey and macon, offers a decent selection of wines - you might know their clinton hill sister store. and foodtown on fulton and throop is better than any grocery store clinton hill has to offer. there are no decent delivery services that i have found as of yet - but that may be a result of my own lack of adventure to explore such options.

having made the move from clinton hill to stuy heights myself nearly four years ago, i can say with full confidence that you would be making a good choice. don't get me wrong, i long for offerings to pop up in my backyard similar to that which you find on dekalb, or a fort greene farmer's market to be only a short walk away. but, until that happens, i will happily enjoy the wonderful coffee and kind service you get at bread stuy (far better on both accounts than that which you get at tilly's), the much quicker commute (i still smile when flying by the hordes waiting for the C at Clinton/Washington), and the family friendly vibe (i consider pretty much all of my neighbors to be my friends) that is stuy heights.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 5:46 PM

"large number of mercedes, bmws, lexuses, and other luxury automobiles"

yes, these are the drug dealers cars....

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 5:48 PM

wow. there is never any perspective on this site. It's as if anyone who doesn't love park slope (or wherever you live) as much as you all do should be shot. This guy did what he wanted to do for whatever reason and someone found it interesting and wrote about it.

Sorry he didn't poll some of you for what he should do that you would approve of.

last year, I sold a house in park slope to buy a condo in williamsburg. between the sale and decorating/layout changes/built ins/landscaping, etc..., spent about $1,150,000 ish. i'm sure that if i listed the reasons why i did what i wanted to do to live the way i want to, someone here would tell me that my own opinions about my own life are wrong. or better yet, try to tell me that park slope, a neighborhood i lived in for almost 6 years, is better than I know it to be from my own experience.

point is, people are different and different things appeal to them. for anyone calling this guy names, let's take a microscope to your life and we'll see how perfect you are.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 5:57 PM

Your post, 5:46 made me throw up a little.

In my mouth.

I love how in one post you managed to get in the fancy cars, a diss to Tilly's but thumbs up for Bread Stuy, "easy" train access, Ft. Greene farmers market (a 30 minute walk), the new wine store, and family friendly attitude.

Wow...judging from your post, you'd think we were talking about Pleasantville.

Not one of the most crime and poverty ridden neighborhood in the 5 boroughs.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 5:58 PM

Good point, 5:57. This comment applies to everyone, no matter what they choose--even if they choose to live in Park Slope, right? Or is it ok to trash Park Slopers?

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 6:00 PM

Hey 5:58, you sound like a great person to hang out with! Give me a call when you're done throwing up on Bed Stuy.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 6:59 PM

Why is there so much hate for those that choose to live in Bed Stuy. Even if it is all that you all claim it to be... Most Dangerous, Over valued Catastrophe In Waiting...

What is the problem with someone beside YOU living, buying, and loving it??? You all are a bunch of Idiots.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 7:14 PM

Why is there so much hate for those that choose to live in Bed Stuy. Even if it is all that you all claim it to be... Most Dangerous, Over valued Catastrophe In Waiting...

What is the problem with someone beside YOU living, buying, and loving it??? You all are a bunch of Idiots.

Bingo Bingo!!! I would love to see this dude 5 years from now in Bed Stuy. The youngunis will use him for target practice.

Fitch Downgrades $37.2 Billion of CDOs
Monday November 12, 2:45 pm ET
Fitch Cuts Ratings on $37.2 Billion of Collateralized Debt Obligations, Affirms $6.9 Billion

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/071112/fitch_cdo_ratings.html?.v=2

Allow me to translate! Credit conditions are getting bad by the second. Soon you will see the sell-off in this junk. Also commodities got hammered today due to margin calls. I don't see where housing gets better.

The What

Someday this war is gonna end...

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 7:55 PM

This may be a small point but no way in HELL is the service at Breadstuy better than the service at Tillies.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 9:04 PM

9:04 Are you kidding about Tillie's and BreadStuy service? HANDS DOWN BreadStuy wins. Tillie's has HORRIBLE service! I can't believe it is even a question.

It is wonderful to read all the positive emails on here, and man (!) I am so so sick of the controversy anything having to do with Bed-Stuy causes. What is the deal?? Why can't people just be happy for people who have found a way to be happy?? As far as I can tell, every single negative comment comes from someone outside of BedStuy which, hhhmmmmm, makes me think they don't know what they are talking about.

Power to the man in this article - hopefully if he sees this he can ignore the haters. jeez.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 9:55 PM

"Why is there so much hate for those that choose to live in Bed Stuy."

Well, apparently there is hate for those who choose to live in any neighborhood in Brooklyn, especially Park Slope.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 10:54 PM

Seriously--Park Slope is the most hated, reviled, criticized neighborhood on this blog. Stop whining.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 10:57 PM

I'm coining a new term for Bed-Stuy haters:
BedBugs.
They come out of their cracks and crevices at any mention of this neighborhood.
They feed like vampires on other's good nature and intent.
They are insidious and low and tend to cluster.
They are hard to get rid of and nobody would ever want to have them as guests in their house.
BedBugs.

Posted by: guest at November 12, 2007 11:12 PM

Not Park Slope (PS), Snob Slope!!

Posted by: guest at November 13, 2007 12:45 AM

Good for the guy.

Posted by: guest at November 13, 2007 12:47 AM

Thanks rf at 9:10pm.

My feeling is those that have made the move to Bed-Stuy have thicker skin and are optimistic about the way things may be shaping up for the community there. Sure there are safer neighborhoods, those that offer more services, closer to manhattan etc. But its the trade off for more space, authentic brownstones with original details intact and not cut up into 4 condos or apts. that CH, FG, and PS faces.

Granted foreclosures may be up and the overall subprime mortgage market looks terrible, but when are you suppose to buy. When things get better? You buy when the blood is in the streets. Remember 9/11? Was that the time to sell US Equities or buy. I bet a lot of orders came in that day to liquidate because of fear. FEAR makes for opportunity. Scared hands give away what stronger hands are willing to bear with.

I will consider a home in Stuy Heights. In fact, the home is 2 blocks from the A train so avoiding that crazy G might be a good look. I am not looking to flip and make a quick profit and will own for decades to come. And if the neighbors are as nice as some of the B-Stuy posters here, I'll be fine.

I've never been to Bread-Stuy but the service at Tillie's is neither problematic or exceptional. I would miss Mike's Coffee Shop the most. But I am still a Brooklyn resident and its only a few minutes away by car.

Prospective Stuy-Heights Buyer.

Posted by: guest at November 13, 2007 9:55 AM

Actually 3:47, what the guy said is that school is no problem because his kids are already in GOOD ones, which, to me, implies that the local schools are NOT good (in the poster's opinion). So my question is, if you love where you live and are so very invested in your community, and are having a big leaf raking, vacuum sharing, yard work party every day, why not put your kid in the local schools and work hard to make that school good too? Wh not be as invested in the local schools as you are in the local wine bars, bookshops and bakeries?

Posted by: guest at November 13, 2007 11:43 AM

cause that way someone else is doing all the work to open said businesses, while this greedy homeowner can sit back and watch her profits grow. or so they think.

helping improve the schools would actually take effort.

cleary the poster is only thinkin about one thing....

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Posted by: guest at November 13, 2007 1:07 PM

1:27 PM:

A creative ape could design crap for Hermes stores.

Posted by: guest at November 13, 2007 4:14 PM

creative apes are harder to come by than the noncreative types.

Posted by: guest at November 13, 2007 5:45 PM