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January 8, 2008
Clifton Place & Grand Area-ClintHill
I'm considering buying a townhouse near this corner and could really benefit
getting insight on the neighborhood from someone who lives near.
Comments
Really depends on how close to that corner...
The neighborhood has chanced for the better over the past 3 years. But you must recognize that it is still 2 blocks from the Projects!
Posted by: guest at January 8, 2008 4:51 PM
You will feel like the little kid from the sixth sense: "I see poor people"
Posted by: guest at January 8, 2008 9:30 PM
I have lived on Greene between St James and Grand since 1988. Grand has changed dramatically in the last 5 years and will only get better. That said, it historically has been a troublesome corner. Talk to the business owners on Grand between Lafayette and Greene, they will honestly give you their opinion. Come at different times of the day and see what you think. My kids go down Grand to buy things at Choice frequently by themselves. I would be most wary about buying next to the vacant lot on the corner -- who knows what it will be and when it will be built. Good luck!
Posted by: guest at January 8, 2008 11:14 PM
Those aren't projects at Grand/Lafayette are they? I thought they were co-ops... The true projects are on Willoughby east of Classon.
There is apparently a fancy new brick oven pizzeria going in on the corner of Clifton and Grand where the bodega is boarded up. Also, Choice Market is opening their new fancy produce/fromagerie/charcuterie place on Grand and Greene, a block away, as soon as they can get the permits sorted out. A lot of good new retail right there. 11:14 is right though. There is still some dodgy stuff which will hopefully go away.
What's up with that cleaners anyway?
Posted by: guest at January 9, 2008 3:29 PM
Sorry to tell you those are ptojects. For the last 5 years there has been talks about converting them into condo or co-ops but as of right now it's the PJ's.
A ClintonHillLady
Posted by: guest at January 9, 2008 4:19 PM
Clinton Hill Lady:
The poster at 3:29 is correct. The residential buildings at Grand/Lafayette are NOT PROJECTS -- they are subsidized mid-income housing and very well maintained. I know people that live there and they all take great pride in their places. The projects are at Classon/Willoughby. From 11:14.
Posted by: guest at January 9, 2008 4:26 PM
Really, I didn't know that. Well, there you go there not projects!
A ClintonHillLady
Posted by: guest at January 9, 2008 4:38 PM
Bad
Posted by: guest at January 9, 2008 4:41 PM
I used to live at this corner in an apartment building (stabilized rental, mostly young people and Pratt students), about a year and a half ago I moved out. The neighborhood was fine, I never felt unsafe, with the exception of one run-in with an unstable woman at the Classon G station. However I do agree with the fist commenter that it depends on how close you are to Grand (vs. Classon).
The neighborhood seemed to be improving in terms of amenities right about the time I moved away, with the opening of Choice Market, and I think it has potential to be a strong commercial pocket for Clinton Hill. It's a convenient location for some very near key amenities (groceries, laundry, dry cleaner) but not overly commercial and still very residential. The proximity to the Clinton Hill historic district (west of Grand) strikes me as a huge plus factor. If you are looking to buy within the historic district, that is a beautiful block.
My one complaint about the neighborhood is transporation-related: at night the Clinton Avenue exit of the C-W stop is locked, meaning you have to either walk from Washington Avenue, or take the train to Classon. Classon/Lafayette always struck me as somewhat dodgy.
I strongly suggest you spend some time walking around the neighborhood and getting a feel for it, particularly in the evenings and at night.
Posted by: janelle at January 9, 2008 4:51 PM
Clifton Place is a really quiet block. Especially in comparison to blocks like Clinton Ave and Washington Ave.
Like Janelle said, it has a great potential to be a nice commercial area without the noise.
Plus there is a Waldorf school down the block. I think it is a primary school.
Posted by: guest at January 10, 2008 8:38 AM
I live a few blocks away. For years I wouldn't shop at the Pioneer grocery, even though it was the closest and least skanky option, because I disliked Grand Ave so much...the hanger-outers and obvious drug trade made me really uncomfortable.
Particularly with the demise of the bodega and the popularity of Choice, that stretch of Grand has gotten dramatically better, and will undoubtedly continue to improve.
Rumor has it that there is at least one house on Clifton Place between St. James and Grand that's pretty notorious for selling drugs.
For the best info, you should chat up your potential neighbors. Good luck.
Posted by: tinarina at January 10, 2008 10:08 AM
The Waldorf School has chosen to not take residence on Clifton, instead staying in Fort Greene. The reason is not related to the nabe, but b/c of not finding a fitting building. That block is one of the few low traffic blocks where kids can actually play in the street.
Posted by: guest at January 11, 2008 9:55 AM
i have lived practically on that corner for 2 years now, and i like it most of the time. besides the obvious problems with the g train, that is.
as for the hanger-outers, i am a young white female and the worst that i have encountered is being hit on every time i see them outside. regardless of whether they are selling drugs or what have you, they seem to keep to themselves.
it can be a little annoying and sometimes loud in the summer when they all hang out on the stoops...
i almost always feel safe at any hour, everyone on the block is pretty friendly and most of them know each other. there is definately the occasional creepy guy, and every once in awhile someone will ask you for spare change. incidents of that nature seem to be less and less.
mostly there are people who have lived on the block their whole lives, mixed with some pratt kids and some 20-something professionals such as myself.
there are a few kids that play in the street, theres not much traffic at all. i dont know if you have a car, but parking isn't too bad around here. its nice to be so close to all your amenities, and i hear theres a new pizza shop and bar opening up by that corner. that bar grand is really one of my favorite hangouts.
i would say go for it, it can only get better!
Posted by: guest at February 4, 2008 9:03 PM
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