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June 1, 2009

New Jersey Couple Opts for McCarren Views

While Williamsburg has been indelibly branded with the hipster label for the last decade or so, luckily the marketing campaigns of developers in the area have cast a much wider demographic net. To wit: When Steven Leeds and Rachel Hott, empty nesters from Montclair, started looking for a place to move in the big city, they fell in love with a three-bedroom pad at The Aurora overlooking McCarren Park. (The 1,400-square-foot apartment was originally listed for $1,200,000, but the fifty-somethings snagged it for $999,000.) Before signing the contract, however, the couple insisted on timing the walk from the new development to the L train station. Luckily for them (and the developer), it clocked in at a commuter-friendly six minutes. They moved in last month, and can't get enough of their new neighborhood, especially McCarren Park. “I have never seen so much activity,” Dr. Hott said. “There is break dancing and tai chi and soccer.” In case they need any tips, The Times also has a close-up this weekend on the neighborhood to the north: Greenpoint.
The Hunt: The Six-Minute Test [NY Times]
Living In: Greenpoint, Brooklyn [NY Times]

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Comments

Jersey? Who wouldn't opt for anywhere else?

***Bid half off peak comps***

Posted by: Brownstones Half Off at June 1, 2009 9:34 AM

Surprised they know what tai chi is!!!! :)

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at June 1, 2009 9:37 AM

DIBS - that isn't surprising when you consider we expect everyone in the world to speak English and are surprised when they dont

Posted by: more4less at June 1, 2009 9:51 AM

if that isn't a newsflash that williamsburg is the cheese capitol of brooklyn, i dont know what else is. lol. ugh im sounding like 11217. it's funny tho, park slope is a terrible place culturally, but at least it doesn't take itself as seriously as williamsburg. the only place cheesier than park slope and williamsburg is probably bushwick. lame-o capitol of the USA.

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at June 1, 2009 9:54 AM

It's funny, whenever I see hipsters in Philly I think they are so much more lame because they can't live in the hipster capital of the World. LOL

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at June 1, 2009 9:56 AM

DIBS, they moved from Montclair. It's like the Park Slope of the NJ suburbs (and, of course, they moved to Montclair from PS in the first place). They are not moving from RHWNJ territory. Of course they know what Tai Chi is. Also, DIBS, check out the inane moving van thread in the forum. These guys are the counter-anecdote.

Posted by: slopefarm at June 1, 2009 10:00 AM

don't understand that at all , Rob.
Why/how is Park Slope 'terrible' place culturally and how is Williamsburg 'cheese' because 2 people that have lived in NJ decide to move back to NYC after raising family buy a condo there? What don't you like about this couple ?

Posted by: Petebklyn at June 1, 2009 10:05 AM

quote:

"Why/how is Park Slope 'terrible' place culturally and how is Williamsburg 'cheese"

white people

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at June 1, 2009 10:10 AM

Personally I think it's great that these people decided to take a risk and live among a much younger demographic, in a far more ethnically diverse neighborhood that what they were used to. I hope that more people uproot from what makes them comfortable and move to what will revive and reopen their eyes. YEs, williamsburg is a very safe bet by brooklyn/ny standards, but it's still a leap from NJ.

And by that same token, it would be equally great if some of the williamsburg "cheese" moved to where they weren't so comfortable . . . maybe Montclair NJ? What makes willburg so cheesy is its demographic conformity, comfort, smugness. MIX IT UP PEOPLE.

Posted by: iz at June 1, 2009 10:13 AM

quote:

ethnically diverse neighborhood

LOL x 5000. as if they will associate with anyone else other than their latte sipping stroller pushing boutique browsing white asses. b-tch please.

*rob*

(i have PMS today)

Posted by: PitbullNYC at June 1, 2009 10:15 AM

"Personally I think it's great that these people decided to take a risk and live among a much younger demographic, in a far more ethnically diverse neighborhood that what they were used to. I hope that more people uproot from what makes them comfortable and move to what will revive and reopen their eyes. "

I wouldn't know anything about that!!!!! :)

Thanks iz

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at June 1, 2009 10:18 AM

I don't get all the negative comments. This is a great article about a couple of NYers moving back to NY after raising a family in Jersey. Good for them for taking the leap. Their story is not rare, but the fact that they chose Williamsburg makes it more interesting.

Posted by: jwald at June 1, 2009 10:19 AM

personally they should have stayed in jersey. they add nothing to the neighborhood anyway. and im from jersey. and i add nothing to my neighborhood lol

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at June 1, 2009 10:21 AM

Every time I come across one of his comments I want to post this. And every time I hold back, thinking I don't really want to be mean and I will regret this later (and I probably will), etc, etc. But I can't anymore, so here goes:

Rob, you are the most ignorant dumbass on this board, BY FAR. And that includes The What.

Posted by: heck_of_a_job_brownie at June 1, 2009 10:23 AM

LOL, rob

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at June 1, 2009 10:23 AM

Actually, those people who can't distinguish between facetiousness/snark as opposed to a serious post are the real ignorant dumbasses here.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at June 1, 2009 10:29 AM

and im picturing "heck of a job brownie" (um brownnoser much?) screaming what he just said, cleaiming im ignorant, like Michael Jackson screaming "that's ignorant!" sorry i keep it real. some people just cant handle the troof.

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at June 1, 2009 10:30 AM

quote:

Actually, those people who can't distinguish between facetiousness/snark as opposed to a serious post are the real ignorant dumbasses here.

but dave. i AM serious :(

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at June 1, 2009 10:31 AM

I don't care where they are from if they are black white or green. But older people who are not Polish and are just now living in Williamsburg kinda makes me want to spit up my lunch. Sometimes it is best to act your age. What next they get tattoos? Oh vomit. Young parents who dress like their 4 year old make me vomit too. Act your age not your shoe size baby.

Posted by: billyboomer at June 1, 2009 10:33 AM

I know the part about you not adding anything to your neighborhood was true :)

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at June 1, 2009 10:35 AM

LOL i like you billyboomer

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at June 1, 2009 10:36 AM

I think it's great that these people decided to take a risk and displace a much younger demographic.

Posted by: streber at June 1, 2009 10:40 AM

quote:

I know the part about you not adding anything to your neighborhood was true :)

ive said it once and ill say it again, i AM the degentrifaction of park slope.

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at June 1, 2009 10:44 AM

wait - i'm confused. i thought only douchebag trustafarian hipsters live in Williamsburg - are you sure they weren't talking about Colonial Williamsburg, VA?

Posted by: dirty_hipster at June 1, 2009 10:47 AM

OMFG "colonial williamsburg" HAHAHAHAHHAh

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at June 1, 2009 10:49 AM

I kinda agree with all the negative comments too. Maybe I was just trying to be nice, but deep down inside I'm glad that all the most annoying people in the world are flocking to one tiny area code, making it easier for me to avoid them.

But the positive little voice in me, that just can't be squelched no matter how much time I spend on the internet, says: Hold up. Where's the rule book that says what "acting your age" is? If yuo have one, go die already. I'm sure it's in the rule book too, just do everyone else a favor and skip to the last chapter. Cause it's those kinds of vomit-eager rule sensitive morons who have nothing to contribute but spite.

Posted by: iz at June 1, 2009 10:59 AM

That was my positive voice! I scare myself sometimes.

Posted by: iz at June 1, 2009 11:00 AM

Lets face it - rich empty nesters from Montclair having a midlife crisis of sorts. Montclair -> Manhattan/Park Slope is more of a lateral move, so they move to the "hip" neighborhood they hear about on MTV/Gossip Girl.

Why can't they just buy a Porsche to feel young again like old people used to?

Posted by: dirty_hipster at June 1, 2009 11:01 AM

DH: because they're the NEW old people.

Posted by: iz at June 1, 2009 11:02 AM

"but deep down inside I'm glad that all the most annoying people in the world are flocking to one tiny area code, making it easier for me to avoid them."

Well i see you're from Fort Greene - sure glad there's no one annoying there! ;)

Posted by: dirty_hipster at June 1, 2009 11:03 AM

DH: It's true, they do tend to trickle in from Williamsburg/Manhattan/Jersey on the weekends. But they're not as noticeable in the context of an established neighborhood. They just look like idiot-tourists.

Posted by: iz at June 1, 2009 11:07 AM

All of the annoying people in Ft Greene can be found at Provisions throughout the week.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at June 1, 2009 11:08 AM

Dave, I agree, but how would you know?

Posted by: iz at June 1, 2009 11:09 AM

iz...because occasionally the annoying people from Bed Stuy pop in before they go to Scopello for the excellent short ribs. :)

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at June 1, 2009 11:10 AM

You all know my past history of comments on Williamsburg, and even I can't think of why this would garner so many negative comments. I think it's great that these folks want to move to an area where they have services close by, walk to dinner, take the subway or cab into Manhattan for a show, be close to doctors without needing to drive, etc. This is what's going to make you stay feeling young. Why in the world are people on here begrudging these people of that?

Who cares what neighborhood they choose...the point is that they opted for Brooklyn instead of the suburbs and that is a nice thing. It goes against BHO, The What, etc...NYC continues to grow in population despite all the doom and gloom and we still hear positive stories about Brooklyn's renaissance despite the sour economy.

All of this is positive.

Posted by: 11217 at June 1, 2009 11:11 AM

11217;

Well said.

Posted by: benson at June 1, 2009 11:14 AM

quote:

Why in the world are people on here begrudging these people of that?

probably cuz they are exactly the kind of people that would be mega annoying to live next to?

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at June 1, 2009 11:18 AM

If the What were to move from NJ and live next to me I bet he's be an interesting neighbor.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at June 1, 2009 11:19 AM

Thanks Benson.

With the taxes the way they are in NJ, I would think a lot more babyboomers would consider a move back to the city to A. take advantage of the drop in housing prices and B. to escape the 20K plus a year in taxes now that their kids are no longer in school....

It's great while you have school age children in the public school system, but after that, it seems like a bit of a waste to me.

I bet this couple will be very happy in Brooklyn. It sounds like it, so far.

Posted by: 11217 at June 1, 2009 11:19 AM

i'd would SO much rather live next to the what too than the people in this article or 11217 or whatnot.

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at June 1, 2009 11:24 AM

uh, that 11217 came out of no where, i didnt really mean that. that's not nice :-/

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at June 1, 2009 11:24 AM

11217;

Yes, and not to mention the cost of 2 cars (to drive to what, Olive Garden in the mall?) and the cost of heating space you don't really use.

I'm an empty-nester baby-boomer,and I downsized 4 years ago to a condo in Park Slope. I consider it to be an excellent move, both from an economic and lifestyle point-of-view. If folks want to believe that I'm not acting my age in doing so, that's their perogative, I guess. I say: live and let live.

Posted by: benson at June 1, 2009 11:27 AM

Rob, no hard feelings, but really man...can you please try to refrain from saying something nasty every single time I make a comment. Please try to be reasonable here. I'm not asking you to agree with me about things, but this is just silly. If I commented every single time you made a comment I didn't like, I'd have to quit my day job.

Please try to show a little respect.

Posted by: 11217 at June 1, 2009 11:30 AM

Mr. B:

next time you're wondering why more readers don't comment, just read most of the above. Ah, hell, he's on vacation...

Posted by: heck_of_a_job_brownie at June 1, 2009 11:35 AM

My parents fall into the same category as the people in the article - empty nesters who work in the city and want to cut down on their commute time/QOL now that the kids are gone and outta school.

I think it's people like this who will drive the condo market in Brooklyn - as they would rather be in a full service building rather then a Brownstone.

Unfortunately, as my parents have discovered, the quality of these new full service condos is not up to par.

Posted by: dirty_hipster at June 1, 2009 11:36 AM

white people

lol

Posted by: Santa at June 1, 2009 11:40 AM

and also, please lets cut it out with the Snark re: williamsburg.

if you think there are no obnoxious hipsters in all of your neighborhoods then you are pretty foolish.

you should be thanking williamsburg that on the weekend, all the "annoying" people in your neighborhood commute to my neighborhood to go to Union Pool, Royal Oak, K&M etc rather then bother you while your sipping on wine and eating artisan cheese.

on the weekends i think i meet more people from sunset park, crown heights, bed stuy and clinton hill hanging out in the burg then actual locals.

Posted by: dirty_hipster at June 1, 2009 11:40 AM

so brooklyn is the new boca raton? lovely. :=/

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at June 1, 2009 11:40 AM

I've come to a zen place about Williamsburg. I hung out there all day yesterday and had a great time. We had our love affair, we had a horrific break up and now we're dating, but still seeing other people. ;)

Posted by: 11217 at June 1, 2009 11:44 AM

quote:

on the weekends i think i meet more people from sunset park, crown heights, bed stuy and clinton hill hanging out in the burg then actual locals.

re-write

on the weekends i think i meet more people from wanye, short hills, columbus and boise hanging out in the burg then actual locals.

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at June 1, 2009 11:44 AM

I find it annoying the limited demographic of people that NYTimes profiles especially in their RealEstate and Styles section ( and their obsession with the Hamptons scene and private schools in NYC).
But I don't displace that to the actual people who they profile. This couple have done nothing wrong, other than perhaps break some (media induced) stereotype of who lives where and why. Why someone would think they would be annoying to live next to is beyond me.
I think there is way to much pigeon-holing of people by what neighborhood or place they live in. All of neighborhoods, boros, etc have a much more varied demographic than you think (or mass media portrays).

Posted by: Petebklyn at June 1, 2009 11:45 AM

"on the weekends i think i meet more people from wanye, short hills, columbus and boise hanging out in the burg then actual locals."

take a deep breath Rob - go get some coffee at Balthazar. You'll feel better, I promise.

Posted by: dirty_hipster at June 1, 2009 11:47 AM

Rob,

Wait people move to NYC from other places?

WHAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!?!?!?!?!

Posted by: Santa at June 1, 2009 11:47 AM

"I've come to a zen place about Williamsburg. I hung out there all day yesterday and had a great time. We had our love affair, we had a horrific break up and now we're dating, but still seeing other people. ;)"

Breaking news: Hell has just frozen over!! ;)

Posted by: dirty_hipster at June 1, 2009 11:48 AM

Hate to jump on the bandwagon, but Rob is worse than the What because the What can be ignored as a mad man, whereas Rob is just a tool. There, I said it!

Posted by: jwald at June 1, 2009 11:50 AM

We agree with the sentiments expressed above. We've asked Rob before to try to elevate the level of his comments--and to think twice before spewing ill-considered comments. Clearly that has not worked. These people seem very nice and should be applauded for taking on a mid-life adventure like this. Unlike Rob, these curious folks will probably explore every nook and cranny of the borough they now call home and get involved in their local community.

Posted by: brownstoner at June 1, 2009 11:51 AM

Petebklyn;

I'm buying you a beer at the next Stoner get-together for your comment above. So dead-on about the NYT profiles, and also dead-on that this newspaper's shortcoming should not translate into venom for the couple profiled.

For once I would love the NYT real estate section to profile the house-hunt of a plumber, or a uniformed civil servant.

How about that: this arch-conservative agrees with you!!! Another reason to have a beer together.

Posted by: benson at June 1, 2009 11:57 AM

These people seem perfectly nice. What's surprising is that they would choose to move to Williamsburg. Clearly Williamsburg has changed a lot and is no longer a tiny, obscure island of musicians and creative directors. It feels more mainstream, more Manhattan now. On weekend nights, it's starting to feel like a cross between the East Village, the Haight, and the Meatpacking District. Maybe I'll move to Montclair soon.

Posted by: mopar at June 1, 2009 11:59 AM

Benson.. You're on.

And I can't believe the newstand price for New York Times went up to $2 today.

Posted by: Petebklyn at June 1, 2009 12:07 PM

"On weekend nights, it's starting to feel like a cross between the East Village, the Haight, and the Meatpacking District. "

It's so much more crowded in the nabe on the weekends since the weather has gotten warm then it has been the last 2 years. It's getting a little nuts.

Posted by: dirty_hipster at June 1, 2009 12:09 PM

nobody did anything wrong, it's a free country. Mr. B, I agree.

Anyway the NYT has been full of profiles of people moving back from the burbs, usually to manhattan.

Posted by: denton at June 1, 2009 12:12 PM

Williamsburg = Bleecker street. I don't know who ripped its soul out so quickly and violently but there's nothing left of the scrappy entrepreneurship that gentrified it originally. It feels like a worn out, wasted, burned out frat house now, and it's sickening to see that kind of change in such a short time. If I lived there today, I would probably try to look on the bright side too, and would probably cling to the few crumbs that still resemble the empty, ethereal beauty and smart, hardy citizenry of this once idyllic setting (woah that sentence only half makes sense, but you know what I mean). But let's not kid ourselves. What happened to this area is deplorable, and its wholesale commodification on the cheapest, dirtiest level possible should be seen as a cautionary tale. Meatpacking district it isn't and never will be; nothing of its originally beauty was protected, and no standards were set for the new development that was vomited (to paraphrase another commenter) onto it in the last 5 years alone.

Having said all that, it's probably a huge improvement over suburban new jersey!

Posted by: iz at June 1, 2009 12:16 PM

I've been noticing the same DH...in Williamsburg and elsewhere around the city. I think it seems to me that fewer people are going out of town on weekends, and staying closer by and taking advantage of what the city has to offer.

Posted by: 11217 at June 1, 2009 12:18 PM

Benson, the plumber lives in a mansion on the gold coast of long island and isn't hunting for anything except maybe a new SUV.

The uniformed civil servant, I speak for.

Posted by: iz at June 1, 2009 12:24 PM

"Williamsburg = Bleecker street"

I'll give you Bedford Ave = Bleecker St, maybe.

Until you've explored every corner of the 2nd largest neighborhood in Brooklyn - please refrain from gross overgeneralizations.

I don't understand why people insist on hating neighborhoods for what they aren't, rather then appreciating them for what they are.

And if you can't appreciate anything in Williamsburg, then you are close minded and ignorant.

Posted by: dirty_hipster at June 1, 2009 12:24 PM

I meant, "I can't speak for."

Posted by: iz at June 1, 2009 12:24 PM

I meant, "I can't speak for."

Posted by: iz at June 1, 2009 12:24 PM

DH, I probably know Williamsburg a whole lot more than you think. At least 15 of my friends own businesses or workshops in the area, including outskirts. I know it sucks when people bitch about your area (it used to be my area, sadly -- filmore place for 5 years, among a couple other addresses!!!!!) but doesnt' it boil your blood to see what's happened to it? How long have you lived there?

Posted by: iz at June 1, 2009 12:27 PM

There's only one thing that infuriates me about this article, these people, and their real estate broker.

How on earth can anyone drop a million dollars on a condo and not know where the closest L-train stop is? How can anyone sell a million-dollar condo and not know where the closest subway is?

This apartment is closer to Lorimer than Bedford -- by a lot. Like, it's half the distance.

Other than that, no surprises, I wouldn't expect anything on MaCarren to hold its value long-term, but I'm still in shock that it all got built in the first place so maybe not the best judge.

Posted by: Heather at June 1, 2009 12:43 PM

Cool - Fillmore Place, beautiful block - glad they landmarked it.

I've lived here for 2+ years, and spent alot of my college years in the neighborhood, as friends lived there. I'd like to think I'm very familiar with the area.

I just don't understand why people hate so much - there's people that have been in Fort Greene longer then you, and look at you the same way you look at the new faux creative hipster professionals that have moved into Williamsburg after you left.

It is what it is. I can't really say any other area of Brooklyn is less obnoxious then Williamsburg on the weekend (and I probably know brooklyn as a whole better than you iz)

Seriously - have you been infront of Habana Outpost lately?

Posted by: dirty_hipster at June 1, 2009 12:45 PM

"This apartment is closer to Lorimer than Bedford -- by a lot. Like, it's half the distance."

I live a block down, in the shadows of these buildings, and Lorimer/Bedford stops are actually equidistant if you time it.
North 11th is angled funny, and it's only 5 minutes over to bedford, then 2 more minutes down to Bedford.

Posted by: dirty_hipster at June 1, 2009 12:48 PM

Aren't they near where the noisy ice cream trucks are???

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at June 1, 2009 12:48 PM

If you take Union Ave, it's faster to Lorimer. I know they're angled funny, but it really is only a few blocks down Union. Not attractive blocks, granted -- not now... but.

Oh yeah, and before I got upset about the subway thing, I was wondering how these folk would weigh in on the great ice cream wars... although if they're in one of the penthouses, they prob won't hear it.

Posted by: Heather at June 1, 2009 12:52 PM

"Aren't they near where the noisy ice cream trucks are???"

Yup - and they also having stadium strenght lights shining into them from the track at McCarren.

Posted by: dirty_hipster at June 1, 2009 12:52 PM

please excuse my grammar

Posted by: dirty_hipster at June 1, 2009 12:53 PM

Benson and Petebklyn,

My assumption has always been that the NYT profiles is a marketing tool for developers to sell various neighborhoods.

Posted by: werner at June 1, 2009 12:56 PM

"I don't know who ripped its soul out so quickly and violently but there's nothing left of the scrappy entrepreneurship that gentrified it originally. It feels like a worn out, wasted, burned out frat house now, and it's sickening to see that kind of change in such a short time. If I lived there today, I would probably try to look on the bright side too, and would probably cling to the few crumbs that still resemble the empty, ethereal beauty and smart, hardy citizenry of this once idyllic setting (woah that sentence only half makes sense, but you know what I mean)."

OK this is actually true but I try not to get too idealistic about it. I'm surprised the nice parts lasted as long as they did. Money and commerce move quickly in NYC. It happened in Soho, Nolita, WV, EV....etc. What can you do.

There are still lots of things to like about Williamsburg, and I'm happy I can visit often...and sleep elsewhere.

Posted by: mopar at June 1, 2009 12:56 PM

"If you take Union Ave, it's faster to Lorimer. I know they're angled funny, but it really is only a few blocks down Union. Not attractive blocks, granted -- not now... but."

Yeah - i typically walk down lorimer as the union walk isn't very fun with the BQE off ramp and is just generally blah.

I heard the ice cream trucks this weekend and thought of all you guys ;)

Posted by: dirty_hipster at June 1, 2009 12:58 PM

AND you guys realize how incredibly "un-brooklyn" it is to be so neighborhoodcentric? You ask any Brooklyn oldtimer where they are from and they will respond "Brooklyn" - if you ask what neighborhood, they will give you a funny look. Try it sometime.

Posted by: dirty_hipster at June 1, 2009 1:02 PM

Sorry to chime in late
But I appreciate people mentioned in the article. My 62 year old retired NYC teacher mom born in queens moved to Long Island 35 years ago to raise me is selling her condo so she can move to Park Slope. Of course one of the reasons is to be closer to me, but she also wants a better QOL.

She doesn't want to have to drive everywhere and she wants to be around people and be able to walk to shops and cafes and participate in community based projects.

I think it's great to not want to just give up in your retirement years and live in the burbs and just rot away in your house...

Posted by: gemini10 at June 1, 2009 1:04 PM

DH, you didn't! You did! The whole "I know brooklyn better than you" bs. . . . I really can't take it. I really can't continue a conversation with anyone that says shit like that. It's just . . . whatever, I can't do it.

But in defense of Habana Outpost, I will say that I'm so grateful to be able to walk into a joint like that and see literally 4 or 5 completely idiosyncratic groups of people with nothing in common with one another, all stuffing their faces with delicious food together. There's the black and proud beautiful people of the FT Greene vicinity, the white implants of recent years mainly young and drunk, the slightly older white-black mixes with their gorgeous children, the young thugged out bike gang boys and girls from the PJs, the older bike gang black mac daddies and their (generally large and sexy) ladies, and the middle aged white wealthy South "Whatever" home owner couples.

If you want to complain about the hipsterfication of Ft Greene, you might want to point out how the owner of Diner/Marlow/Bonita, whom I used to always see at Diner in years prior, now hangs out exclusively at Bonita (the Ft Greene version). I assume he lives here. Natch.

Posted by: iz at June 1, 2009 1:15 PM

Gemini,

That's sweet! I've noticed that my neighbors who are in their 80's act so incredibly young...they are out and about talking to other folks in the neighborhood, walking just a few blocks to go to the grocery store, talking to random passersby, up and down 3rd and 4th floor walk ups 3 times a day, etc....

When I compare that with older people I know outside the big city, the older folks here seem so young! I really think there's something to being around other people, and having more to think about than telling everyone about all your ailments 24/7.

Posted by: 11217 at June 1, 2009 1:18 PM

Anyway, Williamsburg is still a pretty killer place to live, and maybe I'm just jealous of those who get to live there still. It's vibrant, wacky, colorful, and there's a reason it has attracted such a wave of newcomers. I wont knock it anymore. I can totally see why people might hate where I live now (in fact, I seem to recall rolling my eyes at friends years ago who would talk about the sesame streets of ft greene -- I swear my stomache turned at the cliche of it all, so . . . . if I have to be totally honest, it is lame here and I only like it because I have to! It's my home!!!!!)

Posted by: iz at June 1, 2009 1:30 PM

Haha Iz - i'm not trying to get into a pissing match. I respect your opinion re: Williamsburg more having actually lived there then some random Manhattanite that lives in Murray Hill whose experience in the neighborhood is limited to eating at SEA on a Saturday night.

Yeah - my nabe pisses me off sometimes, and sometimes it's awesome, and I agree it was better back in the day. I feel obligated to stick up for it as it's so fashionable to hate on it nowadays. If I'm feeling anti-burg on a saturday, i'll take a 10 minute cab ride to your neigborhood or carroll gardens or park slope and enjoy what those hoods have to offer.

Oh - and Bonita sucks :-P (WB and FG ones)

Posted by: dirty_hipster at June 1, 2009 1:51 PM

I do think that when you are older when you surround yourselves with younger people you feel young. My mom acts young, sure she has her physical ailments, but she's sharper than I am :)
My mother in law on the hand lives in South Carolina and is bored to tears - wishes she was back in BK and I quote "So I can wake up and walk to the corner store to get a good cup of coffee"!

Posted by: gemini10 at June 1, 2009 1:55 PM

g10, sell your house quick b4 the in-law, mother,... want to move in

Posted by: more4less at June 1, 2009 1:59 PM

Agreed, Dirty. I do the same (except I take my hipster bike to Williamsburg).

Bonita is horrible horrible horrible. BUT . . . when you've got a bad cold, like I've had the past couple of weeks, nothing like the Lime Soup and a tequila chaser to clear your head cold.

Posted by: iz at June 1, 2009 2:02 PM

"Agreed, Dirty. I do the same (except I take my hipster bike to Williamsburg)."

Haha - we've probably passed by each other on Kent.

Isn't it funny how tequila make everything better iz? ;)

Posted by: dirty_hipster at June 1, 2009 2:06 PM

Gemini and 11217;

This weekend I went out to Massapequa to visit my wife's aunt and uncle. We went to eat with them in a local diner that was heavy on food quantity (the type with the foot-tall lemon merengue pie rotating in the diplay case). It was packed with old folks. I could swear that more than 50% of the people in the diner were obese. I'm not talking heavy - I'm talking obese.

I was glad to come home to Brooklyn. At least in Brooklyn, if you gorge yourself at such a place (and we have them too) you can at least walk off some of the food. Folks in NYC are defintely bucking the national trend, and are staying slimmer. I think the fact that you can walk to many places has something to do with it.

Posted by: benson at June 1, 2009 2:32 PM

"We went to eat with them in a local diner that was heavy on food quantity "

Sounds like the Massapequa Diner on Sunrise Highway.

Posted by: dirty_hipster at June 1, 2009 2:35 PM

the current generation of 20-somethings is beginning a reversal in the trend of urban neighborhoods. more and more young professionals will opt to stay in the boroughs instead of moving out to long island / new jersey / westchester, and in turn the ghetto will move a bit further away from the city, as we can see happening right now on long island. big deal if a couple wants to get back to the new york scene as they approach retirement age. nobody posting here can pretend to know the motivations or racial attitudes of the couple that made this move, and this speculation sounds foolish without more information. i just hope that when i'm in my 50's i have the energy and interest to stay active in new york.

Posted by: sweetser at June 1, 2009 2:38 PM

DH;

It was on the Sunrise, but I can't remember the name of it. It was not the Massapequa Diner, but about 2 miles away from it. It specializes in seafood, and is decorated like an aquarium.

Posted by: benson at June 1, 2009 2:39 PM

DH is from Massapequa - correct?
Benson - totally know those types of joints. Agreed, I do think when you live in an urban setting you just have a different "constitution" about yourself.

M4L - now you know...that was already brought up - hahahaha! truthfully we were open to the idea(hello instant Babysitter) but my mom is too "business minded" and wants 40% stake etc etc and wanted to involve a lawyer
ha!

Posted by: gemini10 at June 1, 2009 2:41 PM

Yeah I'm from Massapequa G10

Interesting Benson - I really can't recall that diner, but I haven't lived in Massapequa since I was 13 yrs old so maybe it's new? -

Benson - if you guys really want to see excess, take a trip down to the "All American" hamburger stand on Merrick Road next time. Heart attacks waiting to happen.

Posted by: dirty_hipster at June 1, 2009 2:48 PM

My favorite Brooklyn diner is the Lindwenwood Diner on the East New York/Howard Beach border near the Belt Parkway. This humble establishment bring together mobsters, truckers, union types, black, white and Hispanic locals and others in a common bond forged by coffee, cheesburger deluxes, and pastries in rotating display cases. Classic.

Posted by: East New York at June 1, 2009 3:47 PM

Give me that Red Hook key lime pie anyday. Too tart for my wife, but perfect for me. Unfindable in any diner I know of.

Posted by: dittoburg at June 1, 2009 3:59 PM

"i just hope that when i'm in my 50's i have the energy and interest to stay active in new york. "

Really sweetster, better look around. What a silly comment. What is it that you do now that you won't be able to do in your 50s? My wife runs all the half marathons and sometimes the NYC one; I walk into and around Manhattan daily, six miles and up. Neither of us has a problem doing a ten mile day hike in the Adirondacks. We're 55. But if you don't think you'll have the energy, there's always Florida.

Posted by: denton at June 1, 2009 4:00 PM

My wife and I sublet a loft in Williamsburg for a couple of months in the summer of 2003, right after we moved to New York. One weekend, we saw a group of older women sitting on lawn chairs by the Bedford L stop screaming "GO HOME!" to all the hipsters emerging from the subway. We got a good laugh out of it.

This winter, we were checking out some apartments in the area and saw a group of teenagers milling around outside the Bedford L; they were wearing full clown costumes, shooting a student film, and pretty extravagantly acting the fool. I don't know what was worse: the students, or the fact that I started sympathizing with the old ladies.

Posted by: Charles Bronson at June 1, 2009 4:01 PM

ENY;

Is that the diner that was featured in the movie "Goodfellas" (where the truck is hijacked)?

Posted by: benson at June 1, 2009 4:08 PM

Petebklyn & Benson, hear hear re: NY Times profiles (same goes for the ridiculous wedding pages).

Posted by: sixyearsandcounting at June 1, 2009 4:56 PM

Benson, I have had two cops in my column in the five years of its existence. One active, one retired.
-- Joyce

Posted by: HuntGrunt at June 1, 2009 5:18 PM

Benson, kind of. I believe the diner in the movie is MEANT to be the Lindenwood, although it actually seems to be another diner in the Georgetown area, I believe.

Posted by: East New York at June 1, 2009 5:26 PM

wow-quite a thread! williamsburg is pretty big geographically, but north burg is going to get a variety of people like the ones in the article simply because it's got a ton of apartments and it's close to the city. i've been maintaining this whole time that the majority of buyers are 30+ couples and in fact my neighbors to my left have to be in their 50's as well. few 20 year olds. of the one 20 something that i know that bought - she needs a roommate for mortgage help. not so different than anywhere else really.

besides the hipster or 20 something bars, there are also some pretty significant restaurants that get all sorts of people from all over anyway.

Posted by: wine lover at June 1, 2009 7:33 PM

I thought it was all NYU students whose parents bought for them. How can 30-year-olds live in fake lofts? Where do they put the children?

Posted by: mopar at June 1, 2009 10:48 PM

The two stops are really pretty much the same distance (if you enter the Bedford stop at the Driggs entrance), plus if you enter at Bedford you save the time between the two stops on the train. And the walk to Bedford is much nicer. Altogether, not much reason to walk to Lorimer (unless you want the G).

Posted by: zinka at June 1, 2009 11:17 PM

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