Bushwick (safe?)

try bay ridge...you can get a one bedroom for 1200-1500. it's very safe, just a long commute, 45 minutes to mid-town.

Posted by: guest at July 3, 2008 12:45 PM

Many will try to tout the ethnic diversity and relative "saftey" in response to your post. Others may accuse you of Trolling or race baiting.

But I will give it to you straight - If you are are a single white female, you will not feel very comfortable here at all, and you will definately not be "Safe" by any reasonable standard.

My wife lived in Bushwick when we were dating, and it was a scary experience for her nearly every day.

Sorry to have to give you the bad news, but that is reality, no matter how the polictically correct nazis will try to sugar coat it.

Posted by: guest at July 3, 2008 12:46 PM

i have been in Bushwick for 4 years now and no problem , my roommate was a girl and it was fine.

Posted by: guest at July 3, 2008 12:49 PM

My sister just found a really nice 1 bedroom apartment on Ave. I and Ocean Avenue. All new appliances, etc. Another friend just moved into a 1 bedroom in PLG for $850.00...again all new appliances.

Posted by: guest at July 3, 2008 1:01 PM

I will have a large 1 bedroom available in park slope if your interested. rent around 1500

Posted by: guest at July 3, 2008 1:29 PM

Bushwick is pretty big, so it depends where you're talking about. My sis has lived there for almost 10 years, an early pioneer, but she's about three blocks from a subway stop and next to a cop station. She also speaks fluent Spanish and is tight with the neighbors, who look after her. Prices are inflated there because it's the where the overflow and the priced-out have moved from Williamsburg. It's a predominantly working-class Latino neighborhood, so do with that info what you will. There's a stoop culture, and people tend to play their radios loud. Not my bag, but hey, it's their neighborhood.

It has changed dramatically since she first moved in, but if you're not one of those devil-may-care types, perhaps you'll feel uncomfortable. My brother got jumped there are few years ago, and he's a big guy, but on the other hand, he was walking home drunk at 2 am, q.e.d.

The housing stock is not particularly pretty, so if aesthetics are your thing, you're better off in gentrifying brownstone brooklyn.

Hope this helps. But you certainly wouldn't be the only single white female living there, by a long shot.

Posted by: guest at July 3, 2008 7:22 PM

My boyfriend and I lived in Bushwick until recently. Things to know:
1. It's really dirty and smelly. Rats, roaches, sidewalks...you might get sick more often.
2. Unless you are planning on living in a new development, most of the housing is kind of 'blah' - unless you want to live in the lofts, which is still 'blah' depending on your standards.
3. Your take out, restaurant, and going out options are limited. Be warned.
4. The post office REALLY sucks in Bushwick. You may have never had a problem with the post office, but you will.
5. As for safety, you'll probaly be fine, just might feel somewhat generally threatened or more 'aware.'

And you should definately be able to get a one bedroom or even a two bedroom for under $1600.

Posted by: guest at July 4, 2008 9:43 AM

I moved to Bushwick 9 yrs ago, stayed for 3 yrs. I also spoke spanish and just got back from living in PR, I tend to 'blend in', so I felt comfortable there. I liked it better then, than I would now, because it was less gentrified and more 'real' to me. Having said that, I made the mistake of my life there - I allowed a guy to start a conversation with me -- huge domino effect and 3 yrs later I needed Orders of Protection and to run away from my own apt (he had followed me to manhattan) in order to get rid of him.
However my personal problem had more to do with me and my issues rather than the place, and I wouldn't trust just anybody, wherever in nyc (not just Bushwick).
Good luck.

Posted by: guest at July 4, 2008 1:52 PM

I just don't understand why anyone would choose to live in Bushwick when there are beautiful options in South Brooklyn. Dyker Heights, Bay Ridge and Midwood have large, gorgeous apartments in your price range. They are all about 30-45 minutes to the city, depending on where you want to go (seaport vs. midtown.)Keep in mind that the subway ride from Bushwick to Manhattan is no quick trip--about 40 minutes, so what's the point? In my opinion, Bushwick is rancid and so overpriced, but then again, all of the dummies who can't afford Williamsburg are just lapping it up, so why not??

Posted by: guest at July 6, 2008 1:16 PM

If you have to ask that question, then you probably already know that it's not 'safe'. Everyone's comments are alluding to this, even if they are too PC to state it. Try Prospect Heights, Kensington or Bay Ridge. Actually, your budget is pretty decent; you may be able to find a deal in Park Slope or some of its surrounding areas.

Posted by: guest at July 6, 2008 10:54 PM

If you have to ask that question, then you probably already know that it's not 'safe'. Everyone's comments are alluding to this, even if they are too PC to state it. Try Prospect Heights, Kensington or Bay Ridge. Actually, your budget is pretty decent; you may be able to find a deal in Park Slope or some of its surrounding areas.

Posted by: guest at July 6, 2008 10:54 PM

wow. 1:16. I wonnnnder why someone wouldn't consider those hoods.. Maybe cuz those hoods are the boonies and boring as grandmas house? Oh and it takes me 20 minutes to get into Manhattan from the Rancid Bushwick thankyouvervymuch.

Posted by: guest at July 7, 2008 12:23 AM

I live in Bushwick and the subway ride from Jefferson Street takes 19 minutes to union square. The claim that it takes 40 minutes is absurd.

Posted by: guest at July 7, 2008 12:28 PM

I live off the Dekalb stop, between Knickerbocker and Irving. We have a 2 bedroom with a backyard for $1450. True, it's a predominantly hispanic neighborhood, but it is gentrifying, especially towards the Jefferson stop.

Look, if you're a woman, you're going to get hit it, but if you can handle that there's nothing wrong with living here. In fact, I enjoy it. The neighborhood has character, it has charisma, and it has everything you need. You won't ever feel like you're alone, or you live in some stodgy small town, because there is always something going on.

The truth is that if you're coming home drunk at 2 am in any neighborhood you're going to feel uncomfortable. Suck it up and call a car service. It's a 20 minute train ride to union square, so suck it up and get tough.

Posted by: guest at July 7, 2008 1:39 PM

I have two female friends who on separate occasions were beaten in Bushwick by packs of teenage girls within the past year. Just reportin' the facts...

Posted by: guest at July 7, 2008 5:55 PM

Ahhh, drunk in Astoria, is just that drunk in Astoria---nothing to feel uncomfortable about. Unlike most neighborhoods you can live here with little survival skills. Skinny, pasty, WP can live here w/o fear.

$1600 or less will get you a small one (or even two bedroom) of varying degrees of condition, from new to old, clean to ahhh, less than clean. 20 minutes sometimes 15 to midtown. VERY vibrant immigrant culture, mostly Greek, and eastern European, as well as every other culture known to man (seriously!), as well as a few interracial couples. Everyone lives in virtual peace.

Presuming your a "hipster" type you may feel some resentment thrown your way from long time residents. You people represent an unwanted change to an already stable and vibrant neighborhood. Check your entitlement at the subway, try hard to assimilate and you may have a ball if you enjoy true diversity.

An objective view from one who doesn't really like living in Astoria, but appreciates it's benefits.

Posted by: guest at July 8, 2008 2:23 AM

Don't forget to mention how bad the L train sucks and how crowded it is.

Posted by: guest at July 8, 2008 3:51 PM

i lived in bushwick for 5 years until 18months ago. fairly close to the east williamsburg side and i'm sure its not the same everwhere. but as a single female i never felt unsafe. came home at all hours walking from teh subway etc.
you have to go to the place yourself at night and walk around. everyone has different standards of what feels safe so its no use relying on other people's opinions

Posted by: guest at July 8, 2008 5:47 PM