Our Borough, Ourselves

I'm sorry, but anyone who thinks Fort Greene is "just about perfect" is destined to spend their life writing obnoxious "lifestyle" pieces for publications no one reads, like The Observer.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 10:09 AM

All newspapers are desperate for content, content, content. So anyone's droll existence suddenly becomes material to fill up pages.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 10:15 AM

BORING.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 10:22 AM

She'll fit in perfectly in the "new" Brooklyn - here 5mins and is already having "concerns" about gentrification - while snacking on sushi and wine, in an apartment decorated from suburban Ikea, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Home Depot, Target and Lowe's. And loving to tout her liberalism and love of diversity while at the same time revealing her true self by identifying everyone 1st by their race/ethnicity and seeing everything as a racial/class conflict.

Come on in you'll fit right in.....

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 10:26 AM

"one woman’s quest to identify herself via her new borough" - Oh c'mon already. Self_identity by boro or neighborhood you live in? How New York mag. and NYTimes real estate section can you get.
Get a life.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 10:29 AM

I am usually not a hater. But this is boring. Mostly because the writer is "discovering" something that is already found. A white girl looking to be accepted in Brooklyn, especially where she is in Brooklyn, is not new. In fact, it's a very old school concept and where she's living is pretty well gentrified at this point. I guess this would read ok if this was just her personal blog, but that it's actually in a newspaper that is supposed to be delivering, well, news shows that we are really at a loss for content. One night at Soda and she will find that she is hardly exploring a new frontier.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 10:30 AM

Here is an interesting look at this reporter:

http://video.nymag.com/?&fr_story=52d1e34af163f0866c875d9d54808fadf5a5dbc6

What a twit!

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 10:32 AM

10:09, 10:15, 10:22, 10:26, 10:29, 10:30: Pretentious, boring douchebags. Get a life. seriously.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 10:34 AM

Actually, 10:34, that pretty much sums up the "reporting" and the "reporter". Is that you?

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 10:39 AM

that video made me puke in my mouth. love those "japanimation" tats you got 10 years ago. so old skool. please go back to hell's kitchen and stop acting like you know something about brooklyn or even japanese culture for that matter. you're obviously desperate for attention and have father issues...

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 10:47 AM

26 years old? And somehow qualified to pass cliched judgment on pretty much every demographic in Brooklyn, and Manhattan, for that matter.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 10:53 AM

'the shwag' - I love it!

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 11:00 AM

By responding and commenting, you are only proving what a good reporter she is. It's all about hits these days.

If you hate it, don't comment.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 11:01 AM

10:34 is either the reporter or reporter's chivalrous wacky gay neighbor.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 11:02 AM

I used to define myself by my borough, but I soon realized it made much more sense to define myself by my Community Board.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 11:05 AM

Oh the hypocrisy! She hates on the Burg "hups" but she IS a hup! An incredibly self-conscious and narcissistic one at that.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 11:05 AM

prospect heights is perfect? lived there, and it is not so much.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 11:05 AM

I'm not going to read the damn article, I got all I needed from the above description. What a load of horseshit.

Anyway, I'm glad for this thread because it offers an opportunity for us to come together and snark on HER instead of on each other. Mini bagels with vegetable cream cheese, anyone?

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 11:07 AM

Watched the video clip of Nicole. Just one thing I didn't understand: every word out of her mouth!

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 11:08 AM

I work in media and if someone pitched this idea to me, I'd think "good concept". I'd go for it. I know you all think everyone in Manhattan has already moved to Brooklyn but there is still definitely a breed of Manhattanite who really have not thought about moving to Brooklyn until very recently. And yeah, I guess you can make fun of them if you think that's entertaining. Me, that's what I find boring.

As for neighborhood bashing, Prospect Heights is on the rise for renters and buyers who can't afford Park Slope and Ft. Greene which are plenty and growing. It has good transportation and IMO one of the best restaurants in the PS/PH area, Flatbush Farm and more amenities coming.

Typical snarky for the sake of being snarky, around here. No real thoughts or opinions to share.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 11:19 AM

Me again at 11:19. Because it's so utterly predictable to accuse me of being the writer or knowing her, nope! Not true. I'm just getting sick of the idiots around here ruining what once was a blog that actually had decent information and debate.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 11:21 AM

The column manages to be both narcissistic and poorly written. She used the word "amenities" five times in one of them. Embarrassing that the Observer has sunk so low. Their good writers keep getting poached.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 11:21 AM

flatbush farm is in park slope.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 11:23 AM

"Typical snarky for the sake of being snarky, around here. No real thoughts or opinions to share."

While I agree that there are many occassions on Brownstoner to be snarky for the sake of snarkey, I absolutely do not believe this is one of them.

The article was not only poorly written, but written by someone who doesn't seem to know her ass from her elbow. It's sad that anyone who actually lives, or knows anything about Brooklyn would find any of this person's comments interesting at all.

It was quite amateurish and your defense of it reminds me of the way the majority of Americans are able to settle for mediocrity.

Or better yet...you will be one of those parents who tells their kid they are a winner and give them a trophy when they come in dead last, instead of telling them to try harder next time.

Not helpful at all.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 11:28 AM

No, not really, 11:19. These Observer columns on Brooklyn are hackneyed and incredibly annoying. The snark and arrogant judgment come from the reporter, not the commenters. These pieces are more about the reporter and her self-love and prejudices than about Brooklyn--that's the main problem. And FYI, I live in Manhattan and I still find these articles obnoxious.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 11:28 AM

"Typical snarky for the sake of being snarky, around here. No real thoughts or opinions to share."

Perfect description of the NY Observer articles.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 11:29 AM

True that every "character" in her columns is described by race/ethnicity first. Lame.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 11:31 AM

11:19: not snarky for snarky sake. Things don't just begin because a white 26er learned it exists and decided to give it a vote of authenticity. Before she moved, she should have done her research. She should have got on the train. She should have talked to friends. She should have talked to some locals. She should have done some googling. Writing about color, making assumptions about what's going on because of color is just lame. Poor journalism. Not newspaper worthy. She didn't interview those girls to ask them what they thought. She didn't ask the guys from the bodega their thoughts. To assume that you know? That's just lazy. And it just reinforces stereotypes. There's just nothing new here. Nothing fresh. This column has been written 100 times already.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 11:37 AM

I was commenting on the concept of the article. Not the execution. Why? Because the concept is what was being insulted. So was the neighborhood of Prospect Heights in general. Way general. Therefore, that's what I commented on.

As for this gem from 11:28:
"Or better yet...you will be one of those parents who tells their kid they are a winner and give them a trophy when they come in dead last, instead of telling them to try harder next time."

Wow. Judgemental and superior much? Here, I'll try assuming too much from a blog post, now: You're a Park Slope mommy with a boring life whose only measure of people's worth is their parenting skills.

How'd I do?

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 11:37 AM

" Wow. Judgemental and superior much? Here, I'll try assuming too much from a blog post, now: You're a Park Slope mommy with a boring life whose only measure of people's worth is their parenting skills.

How'd I do? "

Pretty poorly. I'm a single gay male.

Don't quit your day job.

You tie for worst journalist of the day.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 11:42 AM

But I give you an "A" for effort!!

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 11:43 AM

Lets focus on how stupid this girl is and not each other!!

i'm glad she couldn't afford the 'burg. stay the hell away from me.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 11:50 AM

Suck it, Observer!

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 11:50 AM

This column is why I don't like Brooklyn anymore. I've moved out the of borough and won't be back. Please, go ahead with your "great, we don't want you anyway" comments. But you know what I'm talking about. This annoying and cloying twit is what you hate too about the place too. It was fun while it lasted, but Brooklyn is over. Time to move on.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 11:52 AM

I don't want to live anywhere BUT Brooklyn, 11:52.

Everyone can't make it here. To be perfectly honest, the fact that someone who makes a comment like "this column is why i don't like Brooklyn anymore" makes me so happy you are no longer here.

I think it's a better place now. We need to get rid of the riff raff.

And no, I have no idea what you are talking about.

I love Brooklyn. You don't, so glad you left.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 11:55 AM

"I was commenting on the concept of the article. Not the execution. "

It doesn't matter--they are BOTH horrible.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 11:58 AM

11:37 - you really have terrible reasoning skills - obviously the "trophy for last place" was a smack AT park slope mothers (stereotype)

and I know that we are supposed to be focused on the reporter but I must comment that I find it amusing (in a sad sort of way) that a gay man would criticize an (hypothetical) mother for trying to reinforce the self-esteem of a child who is 'last' (and most likely somewhat ostracized).
"Try harder next time [pu$$y]!!"

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 11:59 AM

11:55. More evidence that Brooklyn is over and why it is time to get out.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 11:59 AM

11:52's comment makes no sense. I read it three times and still don't understand it.

ANYWAY, the problem with these types of articles is the the writer/reporter. This woman IS herself a stereotype, yet she does nothing but fill her column with lazy, cliched descriptions of what she sees in Brooklyn. She has ZERO power of observation and no ability to parlay what little she does see into a meaningful narrative.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 12:03 PM

People, FOCUS!!! Don't turn on each other. This is the first time I feel the strong need to defend Burg "hupsters," Slope moms, unsafe Bed-Stuy, and all the other stereotypes she disses. FOCUS!!!

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 12:05 PM

and I know that we are supposed to be focused on the reporter but I must comment that I find it amusing (in a sad sort of way) that a gay man would criticize an (hypothetical) mother for trying to reinforce the self-esteem of a child who is 'last' (and most likely somewhat ostracized).
"Try harder next time [pu$$y]!!"

Why would you assume because someone is gay, they would come in last or be called a pussy? I don't understand that. Never been called a pussy in my life. The guys on the college football team didn't even know I was gay.

You sound like a bit of a bigot.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 12:06 PM

And pass the mini bagels... any scallion cream cheese?

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 12:07 PM

five years from now there will be no price differentiation between Prospect Heights and Park Slope.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 12:12 PM

5 years, demographically speaking, there will be no difference between Park Slope and Williamsburg.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 12:14 PM

The only way that will happen, 12:12 is if the parents in Prospect Heights do something about the schools and clean up some of the petty crime (and more than occasionally...more severe than petty) that is still quite prevalent in PH.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 12:15 PM

I'm in the media also, and the writing isn't that bad. Not exemplary, but not bad, either. I've seen far worse. To me, she looks, sounds and behaves and like many Brooklyn gentrifers (and Brownstone posters). She seems to share the same observations and perspective. The surprise is that she's from Manhattan, and not someplace in the Midwest. But then again, the majority of Manhattanites seem to know very little about Brooklyn.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 12:17 PM

"This column is why I don't like Brooklyn anymore. I've moved out the of borough and won't be back."

Great, we don't want you, anyway!

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 12:19 PM

"5 years, demographically speaking, there will be no difference between Park Slope and Williamsburg."

Try 5 days from now.

If you look at the Census data, Williamsburg...or parts of it anyway, now has more married folks with children than in Park Slope.

Park Slope is known for a vocal legion of parents, but they actually only make up 25-30% of the neighborhood.

It is a misnomer that everyone who lives in Park Slope is a parent.

It's one of those things that have been spun by the "media" and all the lemmings just believe whatever they read.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 12:19 PM

12:06 you confuse cultural insensitivity with bigotry. case in point, to say that "gays are inherently disordered" is insensitive but not incorrect as homospaines are ordered to reproduce through the male/female union is insensitive but not bigoted

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 12:21 PM

any cannolis left?

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 12:21 PM

"The guys on the college football team didn't even know I was gay."

Oh yeah? I KNEW you were gay!! I'm STILL pissed that you couldnt' come out and tell everyong what was pretty clear to some of us. You're a coward!

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 12:22 PM

"five years from now there will be no price differentiation between Prospect Heights and Park Slope."

There's a difference?

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 12:23 PM

"This column is why I don't like Brooklyn anymore. I've moved out the of borough and won't be back."

Then why do you read Brownstoner.

Miss something?

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 12:24 PM

"Oh yeah? I KNEW you were gay!! I'm STILL pissed that you couldnt' come out and tell everyong what was pretty clear to some of us. You're a coward!"

Well your girlfriend sure didn't know when I was banging her out by the bleachers.

Girls are so dumb. Even now I get hit on ALL the time.

Sorry my coming out a little late was such a burden on you.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 12:26 PM

12:24....

LOLOLOL.

GOOD POINT!

best post of the day!

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 12:27 PM

12:06 - I don't assume someone who is gay comes in last or has been called a pu$$y.

I would like to hope (but know it is foolish) that a member of an unfairly discriminated and often ostracized group (even if you never personally experienced it) would have some sympathy for a child likely in a similar situation.

BTW - I am glad that you have apparently never felt like or were treated like a loser or an outsider but please consider that if the guys on the college football team KNEW you were gay - it is very likely they would have called you pu$$y

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 12:32 PM

so abunch of guidos are angry and leaving brooklyn?

who cares

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 12:34 PM

"any cannolis left?"

No, those are only available on the Carroll Gardens threads. Sorry.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 12:35 PM

"Sorry my coming out a little late was such a burden on you."

You know, I forgive you, but you should have done it MUCH sooner. Girls may hit on you even now, but when they find out you don't swing that way, they will leave you alone. So don't sweat it. Also that wasn't MY girl you were banging, because I've never attached myself to one woman exclusively. Let this be a lesson to you.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 12:35 PM

birkenstocks?

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 12:40 PM

My point in all of this was not to have a conversation about being gay or the things associated with it.

The point is...if we hope to raise kids (yes, I would like to have one some day) who have a good sense of self, a good work ethic and positive self esteem, it's crucial that they not be told that no matter what they do, they are a winner. There is no reason to say they are a loser either, but it is important to stress that by working harder, or studying more, or whatever the case may be, they always have the chance to improve.

I witness so many kids who throw a temper tantrum and then are told by their mothers that they are the best kids in the whole world and given an ice cream.

What happened to punishing a kid if he/she acted out?

Listen...I'm no kid expert...but I am observant and I like to watch people. I'm sure ALL parents aren't like this, but I do firmly believe that the way we will lift up each generation is to make sure they know that working harder is what gets you places.

If kids are told that no matter what they do, they are perfect, we will have a whole lot more people like George Bush on our hands who are unable to accept that they are ever wrong.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 12:41 PM

These series of articles suck. Nicole acts as if the non-whites that she comes in contact with are animals in an African Safari.

'There was also the bodega full of middle-aged Hispanic men whose conversation abruptly ended upon my entrance; and the disheveled African-American man who inquired with me about potential odd jobs after assuming that I was the new owner of my building.'

Nicole you are a terrible reporter. How can the Observer even allow you to write such racially insensitive and inaccurate dog$h!t? Are Manhattanites really that isolated from the rest of NYC.

'(Boreum Hill) But though it's a nice, and, at times, pricey neighborhood, she added, “One block in the wrong direction and it gets a little scary.” That one block takes you to the housing projects that are smack-dab in the middle of Boreum Hill, Carroll Gardens and Park Slope.'

Black and hispanic people are so scary and vicious aren't they? They can be so savage.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 12:42 PM

12:41 is right!

Now, let's get back to the nitwit reporter.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 12:43 PM

Wow, 12:42. I had not even read all the articles. They just get worse and worse. She's like an anthropologist in Brooklyn.

The NY Observer, much like the Times, is a piece of shit. They fill up too many pages with these ridiculous pieces written by 20-something poseurs that possess NO substance or talent. She probably got rejected by Gawker and was picked up by the Observer.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 12:45 PM

the threads on this blog are leading me to believe that whether in brooklyn or houston, "home = castle" types are often the meanest people around.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 12:51 PM

Nope, the "meanest" people around are on Gawker. This pales in comparison. Small potatoes.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 12:55 PM

12:51
Her articles are lazy, insensitive and ignorant. She gives reporters a bad name.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 12:57 PM

projects are normaly not a good place for a white person

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 12:57 PM

"My point in all of this was not to have a conversation about being gay or the things associated with it."

"The point is..."

that even though you have no kids, and are no expert on kids and despite being in a position where you should be a little less judgemental and a little more sympathetic - you can't help but take a shot at the park slope mom stereotype.

BTW - try to put a little more thought into your premises - do you really think that G.W.Bush was raised in the manner you suggest and do you really think that's how simple things are (i.e. tell a kid he/she is wonderful and then they immediatly become arrogant and intellectually lazy)? - I mean a good % of this country probably figures your gay b/c YOUR Mom and Dad coddled you.

I know this seems off-topic but in reality I can't figure out how people (like you and the author here) can be so intellectually hypocritical and not even see it!

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 12:59 PM

12:59, I don't even want to respond to you because you are so defensive, but I will briefly.

I live in Park Slope (own actually) and love it. I love the moms, love the dads and love the kids. Love the cute boys the most. Don't want to live anywhere else, in fact.

I'm allowed to have observations that differ from yours.

Clearly something about my post hit home, or you wouldn't have gotten so defensive.

This is an anonymous blog about real estate. Of course things aren't as simple as they are stated in these posts. There's no reason to be....most people...like you it would seem aren't even able to see through their own low self esteem for me to really spend too much more time on this.

Your mom and dad coddling comment leads me to believe you aren't too bright.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 1:10 PM

I am in newly arrived transplant to Prospect Heights and I am in contract at Richard Meier's On Prospect Park. It is lovely and provides sweeping views on GAP and Propect Park. I must say that the Observer's blog is correct that there is a degree of racial tension. I am right next to St. John's Place (or Crazy Lane as it is known on the Prospect Heights message board) and I didnt know of it's infamous status until recently. I feel some resentment-and underlying tension in the neighborhood and there are some disgruntled people of color there. That being said, I know that there are some really nice African American folks there too. I look forward to becoming a member of the community, summer nights under the stars at Prospect Park and riveting exhibitions at the Brooklyn Museum.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 1:18 PM

God...congrats 1:18!!! I'm so jealous. That building is looking BEAUTIFUL!!! When do move-ins start? Still looks a little ways away....

You will enjoy the neighborhood, but probably spend most of your time in the park when it's nice or Park Slope, anyway.

No real need to go north of you, although there are a couple nice places on Vanderbilt.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 1:22 PM

Yes something did hit home - I once was the kid that usually finished 'last' and was ostricised and my Parents made sure to tell me I lost and finished last (as you suggested) and it made me feel like shit and to have a low self-esteem.

FYI - what I did to compensate was to workout like crazy and then go around and find closeted judgmental gay men to beat the shit out of - it did wonders to boost my self confidence.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 1:22 PM

I'm back to let you all know again, I've left Brooklyn and am never coming back! It's an uptight place. Park Slope is uptight. The posts on this site offer ample evidence of it. Brooklyn was once a refuge from uptight Manhattan, but in some ways it's more uptight now, perhaps because people are still fighting about establishing the basic pecking order. Whatever the reason, it's a snarky, uptight, unpleasant scene. If you guys were all so cool and laid back and authentic, you wouldn't be snarking your brains out on this website all day long. But the one thing you can all agree on is that the latest wave of Manhattan people that have emigrated to Brooklyn are know-nothing and lame. (And that's true.) But what else is true is that you have become intolerable as well. And so that's why it's time to say goodbye.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 1:30 PM

Buh bye!

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 1:33 PM

Good news, everyone! I dashed over to one of the CG threads and stole two dozen fresh cannolis! Plus, I got my tattoo artist friend to offer complimentary Anime Tattoos!

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 1:33 PM

Every blog on the internet has snarky comments like this, 1:30. It has nothing to do with how people behave in real life.

NOTHING.

Are you 80 or just plain stupid?

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 1:33 PM

"If you guys were all so cool and laid back and authentic, you wouldn't be snarking your brains out on this website all day long."

And YOU read brownstoner because....???

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 1:38 PM

Please, enough PH bashing. Fort Greene is the wild west compared to PH. We have always been something of a satellite to PS but PH is much better and safer than FG.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 1:39 PM

I brought a thermos of cocktails from that PH thread from yesterday!

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 1:40 PM

No it's not, 1:39.

That's absurd.

Pull out some stats, if you really believe that.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 1:41 PM

I found the article entertaining. I chuckled a few times and could see the scenarios being played out. I was born and bred in brooklyn (40 years), 5 nabes to my belt. no big deal, every article does not have to be informative news. could be meant to be plain silly (to entertain!) keep writing. I will read it.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 1:58 PM

I didn't like the "writing" but I loved her sexy outfit! And the "I'm 26 but kinda look 36" look.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 2:26 PM

The articles suck and the reporter is bad.

The snarky comments on this site are infinitely more interesting - even without the What.

Where is the Crazy Man Lady?

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 2:34 PM

The crazy man lady is home drawing his wife a bath, while fanning her with fig leaves.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 2:40 PM

Every think that maybe The What = Crazy Man Lady?

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 2:43 PM

C-M-L posted at 10:26; 12:32; 12:59 & 1:22

how much more can I post - 2:40 I really don't get it?

C-M-L

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 2:50 PM

1:22 I don't close until sometime in Fall '08 but I am extremely excited. My bonus is a little down this year but I still have plenty for my downpayment. I feel that Prospect Heights is a neighboorhood of evolution that is just waiting to be discovered by the newly upwardly mobile. I feel like in some ways I am in the vanguard but that's the way I roll.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 3:10 PM

Fort Greene is almost perfect. Only problem is that it's a little too pricey but besides that it's an amazing neighborhood.

Prospect heights will be gentrified just like park slope in a few years with all the strollers. Crown heights will follow a few years after that. And if AY is built brooklyn will be finished.

This girl seems really obnoxious. She is no different from any other gentrifier.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 4:42 PM

Ft. Greene is nice if you like white people who act like they're black.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 4:51 PM

4:51-fucking douchbag

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 4:55 PM

4:55 = white person who acts like they're black.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 5:02 PM

4:42, if you don't see strollers in FG... well, I'm guessing you're Fort Greene's famous "Blind Billy The Guy Who Doesn't Realize That Fort Greene is Really White and Gentrified Now."

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 5:03 PM

very interesting new data:

Over the past year, condo inventory levels have exceeded co-op levels as new developments (nearly all condo) continue to enter the housing stock at a steady clip. Residential development permits dropped sharply in 2007 and the expiration of the 421a abatement program on June 30th may choke off the high level of supply entering the market in 2009. So far, the elevated level of demand has kept inventory at modest to low levels.

The total number of listings has increased 9.9% from the end of December 2007 to the End of January 2008 (yesterday). Inventory tends to rise at the beginning of the year as sellers anticipate the upcoming spring market. The same period in four of the past five years has seen an increase in the number of listings:

1 Month Change (Dec-Jan)
2003, +2.3%
2004, -10.8%
2005, +16.9%
2006, +4.2%
2007, +9.9%

Clearly condo inventory is higher than it was two years ago, but co-ops are near the six-year monthly low since I began to capture this data. In fact, co-ops are 39.9% below their high in March 2003 (Just as the Iraq War broke out) and condos are 23.5% below their recent high in September 2006. Currently, overall inventory is consistent with levels seen in 2002/2003, which is contrarian to the increase seen in many metro area markets around the country at this time.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 5:18 PM

5:18 - stop posting your shit on EVERY article on this site.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 5:26 PM

3:10 Are you one of those Hupsters we've been hearing so much about lately?

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 5:33 PM

I like how 3:10 rolls, too. I believe its on a scooter.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 5:36 PM

All those people who live in Fort Greene and hail it as a bastion of diversity, and "real" and non-yuppified, etc., are DELUDED. Ft. Greene IS the new Park Slope. It's as or more expensive, and has as many or more strollers and SAHMs. Only difference is that it has less amenities!

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 5:43 PM

and more white people who act like they're black, don't forget.

the people in ft. greene are odd.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 5:45 PM

Look, the more bad press Park Slope gets, the less demand for its housing, the lower the prices get--the better for me!

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 5:51 PM

Actually the opposite seems to be true, 5:51!!!

Actually no matter what the press is about Park Slope...this whole mommy/stroller shit has been going around for YEARS!!!

And Park Slope is still one of the top 3 pricest neighborhoods in Brooklyn.

And only gettin moreso.

Most people with a brain base a neighborhood on more than just gawker and brownstoner.

Usually they...you know...go look at the neighborhood where they plan to buy.

And I know very few people who have been to Park Slope and don't love it.

And I say this as someone who does NOT live in Park Slope.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 5:59 PM

5:59--I believe 5:51 was cannoli in cheek...

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 6:04 PM

so was i!

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 6:09 PM

What is 5:18 blabbering about? He/she has posted the same blurb on every thread. I'm suffering from ADD today and can't get through it.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 6:17 PM

Speaking of Prospect Heights, has the historic district designation come through yet? Right now, can't anyone just buy a nice brownstone and demolish it?

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 6:20 PM

Anyone with 2 or 3 million bucks. It's becoming a sport for bankers.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 6:23 PM

^ what??

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 6:28 PM

I thought squash was the sport for bankers.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 6:43 PM

4:51- Wrong. I live in ft. greene and I am white and I don't act black and I have never seen a white person trying to be black. Obviously you know nothing about ft. greene. I bet you would love to live here though if you could.

5:03,5:43,5:45- Ft. Greene is very diverse and is NOT the new park slope. I love my hood and it's great when haters like you wish you could live here but ya can't. ha!

5:45-complete moron. just don't foget that you are. I know you won't. :)

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 6:59 PM

6:59 = Guy who shouldn't quit his day job to become a debater.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 7:17 PM

chicken wing?

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 8:08 PM

I thought you'd NEVER ask, 8:08. Extra blue cheese, please!

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 8:40 PM

8:08 = perfect host.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 8:40 PM

Wine? red or white?

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 8:46 PM

I prefer a really cold lager with wings - Thank You though.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 8:51 PM

Ice cold. And keep those wings coming!

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 8:59 PM

another bucket of wings is on its way, along with some jalapeno poppers and potato skins...

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 11:14 PM

And a defibrilator!

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 11:16 PM

you people really need to stop using the word snarky so much. quite annoying.

Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 11:52 PM

11:52, you're a fucktard.

Posted by: guest at February 2, 2008 9:40 AM

Snarky McSnarksnark

Posted by: guest at February 2, 2008 12:35 PM

I really enjoy Brownstoner, but you may want to consider doing away with the comments section since it seems the majority of folks commenting are idiots with too much time on their hands. Review the above comments for evidence of this.

Posted by: guest at February 2, 2008 1:16 PM

People on here are either snarky or schoolmarmish, like 1:16.

Posted by: guest at February 2, 2008 2:03 PM

snarkmarm

Posted by: guest at February 2, 2008 2:13 PM

copyright that sheeit, 2:13!

Posted by: guest at February 2, 2008 11:42 PM

Snarkmarm will be the name of the best selling cocktail at that new, tile-ceilinged yupscale cocktail bar on Vandy.

Posted by: guest at February 3, 2008 8:18 AM