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March 13, 2009
Buying in Bedford Stuyvesant
My wife and I have lived in Park Slope for the past eight years and have out grown our little space. Now we have a 6 month old and after months of unsuccessfully looking for the right condo in Park Slope we decided to look in other Brooklyn neighborhoods maybe even find a house.
We did find this beautiful limestone in Crown Heights that we really liked but the attorneys got involved and the deal went bad. Feeling dazed about loosing "our house" we walked around Crown Heights and crossed over into a part of Bedford Stuyvesant that was amazingly beautiful. We always thought that Stuyvesant Heights was the only nice area but we were so wrong. Surprised at how nice the area seemed this friendly lady asked us if we were looking to buy a house. She told us that she would like to sell her home that she has been in for the past 60 plus years because she is ready to go back to a warmer climate. In shock at what she was saying she showed us her home which needs upgrading but has never been touched... ever... all original details in place. This house has only changed hands once in a 120 years. We made a offer that night and so we are in contract now. Things are going much better this time...
My wife is a bit concerned that some of our friends and narrow minded family members will never come out and visit, which is all good by me. The charter schools such as The Brownstone School and Excellence School seem good would like to know more about others. Location wise I think it is perfect close to the Nostrand stop and LIRR. We seem to be 12 min to Manhattan on the A. Also the drive to Williamsburg bridge is only 10 mins up Marcy Ave and it puts us right into the east village area. It seems like Ft. Greene/Clinton Hill amenities are not far from this location. The area seems to be moving in the right direction so I have faith that this will be a good long term investment. I would like to know what people thoughts are on southern end of Bedford Stuyvesant. We have really fell in love with the area and cannot wait to close next month.
Comments
I live on the other end of Bed Stuy, but have to say that I really love living in and exploring the whole neighborhood. It's got a lot of really good blocks, the people tend to be quite friendly.
Do be sure you go walk around your specific block at all hours of the day and night and talk to a lot of your neighbors before you buy. And do ask around about the noise level of your block when the weather is warm. I think that one of the reasons I like living here so much is because I live on a really quiet block for the neighborhood. My house is pretty much always quiet, my backyard is loud but the street stays at a nice festive hum, never loud.
Posted by: vanburenproud at March 13, 2009 6:20 PM
I can't really speak to your neighborhood, but we bought our house 20 yrs ago in CH. There was a little hemming and hawing from family members and most of our friends did not come visit, but we made new friends, and the house has turned out to be a great investment.We love our neighbors, and have been very happy. It is nice too, to have the stores and restaurants catch up w/ us. I will say that tho our kids have gone to public school, it was not local. GOOD LUCK!
Posted by: chmod at March 13, 2009 6:26 PM
Congratulations! I live right near the Nostrand A and IMHO, it's the best part of Bed Stuy. The "friendly lady" is the norm in the neighborhood. You'll have to learn to make eye contact, I'm afraid.
We rarely invite friends over because we're undergoing a renovation, but our tenants always have visitors from Manhattan and "better" parts of BK. If your friends and family are concerned, they can take a car service. But hopefully you're not giving them enough credit.
Posted by: rh at March 13, 2009 6:34 PM
Yes...many people will say hello as you walk on the streets. You'll get to know your neighbors. There will be a mix of young and old and you'll quickly learn which ones you cal Mr. & Mrs and which ones you address by their first name. Lots of fun.
I'm on the other side, on Stuyvesant Ave and don't know all the amenities over by Nostrand.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 13, 2009 7:18 PM
Would you mind telling us more specifically which area you are buying in?
Posted by: Putnamdenizen at March 13, 2009 8:49 PM
I think you'll love the neighborhood. I'm in CHN and it's been great. Meet your neighbros, make friends- its easy- I've found people to be much friendlier than when I lived in Brooklyn heights- and the house sounds awesome. Montrose Morris will be begging for a look see!
Posted by: bxgrl at March 13, 2009 9:35 PM
We have been in the area at different times of the day. Right now we drive past the house and park in front of it about 2-3x a day. We are moving on Hancock near Nostrand. We really love the people that we have met. We want to do some renovations such as convert our garden floor into an apartment. We also want to put a kitchen and deck off the parlor floor extension. We have talked to many of the neighbors and all have welcomed us with open arms. Mentally we have already moved.
Posted by: JeffonSterling at March 13, 2009 10:35 PM
Congrats and WELCOME! That is a wonderful location for many reasons including beauty which is being recognized - and if you don't know already it is in the process of being landmarked. We owned a house a block over which we turned into condo's and sold, but have spent every day of the last three+ years renovating it, renting it, selling it, remodeling it to new buyers design, etc. and walking back and forth from our house 5 blocks away (also off Nostrand but further down which we've lived in for 5 years). In my opinion those three blocks of Hancock are the best - huge congrats, what a wonderful story. The local block associations are very active and I don't know if it matters to you but the local mom's/dad's groups have gotten very strong (wonderful sense of community) and yes, the Brownstone School, Excellence, Leadership Prep, and Stuy Heights Montessori (and others) are all great and VERY under recognized (which is great for us, bad for them). There are a number of good food locations etc nearby, plus as you mentioned subway (& banks, grocery etc). I'd be happy to tell you more over the phone if you want to talk to a relative neighborhood newbie. I would tell your wife that the reaction you had (shock at how nice it is) will be the reaction your friends have when they come to visit - don't worry. (reach me at info145halsey at yahoo dot com if you want).
Posted by: amybnyc at March 13, 2009 11:22 PM
I agree with all the other posters. I have long contended that Bed Stuy housing stock -- and especially in that area you will be moving into -- is simply phenomenal. Before we bought in PLG 20+ years ago, we almost bought a house on Hancock off Nostrand. Fantastic block and a fantastic house! Only reason why we didn't get it is because we got into a bidding war with another couple and the house needed too much work to go crazy with the base price. But, I will never forget that house with its humongous size and museum-like details. From the sounds of it, you totally lucked up on this one. Good for you!
Posted by: Brooklynista at March 14, 2009 1:00 AM
COngratulations. I lived around the corner on Jefferson for 17 years, and loved it. Would have bought my rental home, if I could have, and still visit the area whenever I can. Some of my friends and family worried about coming to visit, or parking, yet when they actually did, of course there was no problem, and everyone found the neighborhood to be beautiful and the people great. And that was during the Wild West 80's and 90's.
You will be moving to a neighborhood rich with pride, tradition and history. The fact that your seller has been there forever is typical of the neighborhood, it has always been these solid folk who kept the majority of Bed Stuy blocks family oriented and stable for generations.
Hancock between Bedford and Thompkins has some of the most amazing houses in Bed Stuy. You are very fortunate, and bxgrl is right - when can I come over?
Welcome to the neighborhood!
Posted by: Montrose Morris at March 14, 2009 10:50 AM
I just wanted to add that when I moved over to CHN, my sister came over to see the apartment and of aall people I thought she would be the most negative. Boy was I wrong- one look and she was, the heck with you! I want this place! Any of my friends or relatives who haave visited have loved it. (And when are we getting that invite to see all that fab detail?!)
Posted by: bxgrl at March 14, 2009 11:14 AM
Congratulations
Thats a great block and people will come and visit you.. People get so afraid when they hear Bedstuy but they know nothing about it. Just like anywhere in Brooklyn blocks vary... You lucked out. The people are so friendly.
Manhatten is so close.. Also I didn't know this but Bedstuy is one of the areas in Brooklyn that doesn't flood...
Good luck.
Posted by: PC at March 14, 2009 12:55 PM
Welcome! You'll love it here.
Posted by: StuyMom at March 14, 2009 11:06 PM
Just wanted to share that we just lost a deal on a 4 family BS on Madison bet Bedford and Nostrand.... seller decided to take the higher price decided we're not paying more than what we had agreed to.... Just needed to vent. Poor elderly lady ill and children sold it to investers... Looking for a Brownstone in that vicinity....Still waiting patiently till the right one comes up... Maybe we can get lucky like
JS
Posted by: PC at March 15, 2009 2:18 PM
Welcome Neighbor. This is a great area. You are just a couple of blocks away from Bushbaby, Abu's bakery (yummy cupcakes), a great dry cleaner and even a Petland (if you have an animal it comes in handy). When we were purchasing our house, my family sort of freaked--referenced that Billy Joel song and just about did everything they could to discourage us. Now my father thinks it was a great investment and my family is anxious to come up and visit.
Posted by: HomeSweetstuy at March 15, 2009 6:25 PM
Welcome to the area Jeff you will love this neighborhood. You are in a very good location and architecturally it is very beautiful. I found my house the same way. This area will be part of the Bedford Historic district which I have attempted to start a blog about. The first house I have featured is on Hancock street and I will talking about many historical buildings in the area. You can go to: http://savebedfordstuyvesant.blogspot.com/
PC I am always learning about homes in the area that are not even listed yet. It really hurts me when a investor buys in the area. I know of a few house that might need a lot of work but livable that's in the area that are going on the market... Feel free to email me at savebedstuy@gmail.com
Posted by: Amzi Hill at March 16, 2009 10:57 AM
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