Crushed velvet

I bike through that part of town often and was surprised as well when I saw the sign go up... that is until the rest of my bike ride I noticed three Hasidic woman with black long-sleeve shirts with the words "United Colors of Benetton" across the front. No joke. They must be huge purchasers of the brand. It will be interesting to see what colors they decide to stock. There should be pretty good sales on neon pink short skirts and shorts ;)

Posted by: cmar7785 at November 20, 2009 12:54 PM in response to Huh? Benetton for Bed Stuy Stretch of Bedford Avenue

an indie section at the blockbuster

Posted by: cmar7785 at November 3, 2009 6:12 PM in response to Closing Bell: Gentrification Indicators

You think you will be shot in the Grand Army Plaza area? Hmmm...

Posted by: cmar7785 at October 19, 2009 6:49 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 2 Grace Court, #4T

This has nothing to do with my neighborhood as I LOVE many neighborhoods in BK and would gladly live in them in exchange for where I live. That being said, I also love my neighborhood, but I stumbled upon it because of budget reasons, but also feel that I found a gem. I have lived in other affordable neighborhoods (Spanish Harlem & Chinatown) and was not impressed.

This has to do with the waterfront BK neighhorhoods I mentioned. And I understand that many people are willing to pay the premiums, therefore making it worth the price. Location wise, for a bike and foot mobile person who values exercise versus subway or car, those neighborhoods are not accessible. Even by subway, it can be a 30 min to central BK. As I said, to each his/her own and this is only my opinion.

Also, if one were to "bash" PLG, I would completely understand as every neighborhood as pros and cons. People are also willing to pay a premium to live in Greenwich, CT or the Upper East Side... doesn't mean that those are valuable places to all... in fact, some people wouldn't touch those parts of the woods with a ten mile stick.

So I am sorry that you are worked up over defending your neighborhood. Maybe you could just try to feel secure that the masses are attracted to it and your apt probably has a high value, and try not get over worked about an Internet opinion.

:)

Posted by: cmar7785 at October 19, 2009 6:02 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 2 Grace Court, #4T

Most people wouldn't give PLG much thought unless they lived here -- that's when one falls in love with it. There isn't much to do in PLG for outsiders and it's very neighborhood oriented, so yes it would be strange for you to give it a lot of thought.

DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights on the other hand, are constantly praised, and I cannot understand why. There aren't that many restaurants, it's inconvenient from the parts of BK I like (Prospect Park, BK Museum, Central library, Coney Island, Park Slope, etc.), there are tons of tourists that come over the bridge, and most of all, it seems that people praise these neighborhoods because of their proximity to Manhattan. I don't understand why somebody would move to one city (Brooklyn) when they want to remain primarily oriented with another city (Manhattan)? I guess to each his own.

I just think the price versus the value of real estate in these neighborhoods is inflated... and this apartment has no character.

Posted by: cmar7785 at October 19, 2009 5:23 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 2 Grace Court, #4T

OK - So I've been holding this back for a while... but I hate Brooklyn Heights and Dumbo. They are both the most OVERrated neighborhoods in Brooklyn, imo. In fact, I wouldn't trade my location in PLG for an apt in Dumbo or the Heights. Sure, I'd move to Fort Greene, Carroll Gardens, Park Slope, gasp... even Billy'sburg, but absolutely not Brooklyn Heights or Dumbo area. These are the most overrated apartments/neighborhoods in all of Brooklyn and they lack a Brooklyn vibe. They are the Manhattan wannabes who move there. Good luck selling this piece of junk apt in a junk location for a 1/2 million.

Posted by: cmar7785 at October 19, 2009 3:51 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 2 Grace Court, #4T

also didn't put PLG as a good investment neighborhood when this is a gentrifying area.

Posted by: cmar7785 at October 14, 2009 5:17 PM in response to Brownstoner Reader Survey

I like the kitchen. It fits in really well with the townhouse and looks like it wouldn't need updating in ten years the way those modern kitchens will once they go out of style.

Posted by: cmar7785 at October 7, 2009 4:42 PM in response to House of the Day: 212 8th Avenue

Manhattan puts me in a horrible rage half the time I go there- I HATE that place. It's a completely different city in many ways than Brooklyn. and I cannot imagine a circumstance which would make me move back to Manhattan. Residents of Brooklyn are nicer, I'm completely bike-mobile here, and my neighbhorhood (PLG) is neighborhood orientated and FAR cheaper than Manhattan. Also, if I lived as close to Central Park as I live to Prospect Park, my mortgage would probably be $4000 more per month! Brooklyn Pride!

Posted by: cmar7785 at September 30, 2009 7:03 PM in response to Condo of the Day: 125 North 10th Street, #NPHD

Fenimore street is about to get the most posh store in all of PLG -- an upscale wine shop! I live in the neighborhood and I'm dying to move to that street just to have the wine store on my block -- woot woot

Posted by: cmar7785 at September 16, 2009 10:38 PM in response to House of the Day: 165 Fenimore Street

I rather like it for new construction. The brick is nice, I like the clock and the balconies rock and they are private -- I'm not surprised this is almost fully rented. Not every building can be old construction. There are more ppl in this world than there were a century ago... with that comes new contruction and this ain't bad and looks like it can withstand some harsh weathering and look nice still in thirty years.

Posted by: cmar7785 at August 6, 2009 9:48 PM in response to Aesthetically-Challenged on Columbia Street

I rather like it for new construction. The brick is nice, I like the clock and the balconies rock and they are private -- I'm not surprised this is almost fully rented. Not every building can be old construction. There are more ppl in this world than there were a century ago... with that comes new contruction and this ain't bad and looks like it can withstand some harsh weathering and look nice still in thirty years.

Posted by: cmar7785 at August 6, 2009 9:29 PM in response to Aesthetically-Challenged on Columbia Street

where is the listing?? i can't see a link for the listing!

Posted by: cmar7785 at August 5, 2009 1:51 PM in response to House of the Day: 439 East 19th Street

You do not need to live near the garden to get keyed access. I am a member and have a veggie plot and I live in Flatbush near Church Ave. The Pacific Bears Garden NEEDS members and we are not exclusive in any way, shape nor form. You must just enjoy, respect and volunteer in the garden and you get key access. I'd live on this block in a heart beat. It isn't very loud, the grounds are maintained well by neighbors and sometimes the Pacific Bears garden plants flowers in some tree wells. The subways are great. Living on a quiet street is a bit overrated. I didn't move to NYC to live in a quiet area, I moved here to be in the hustle and bustle. I think there are many buyers who would find this property attractive, esp. will all the outdoor space. And I like the lay out quite a bit.

Posted by: cmar7785 at August 4, 2009 3:54 PM in response to Condo of the Day: 584 Pacific Street

everything is so shiny. kitchen is god awful!!!!!!!!! these ppl ruined this house like nothing i've ever seen. and like we don't already have enough concrete in the city, they add more in the backyard. this place is awful

Posted by: cmar7785 at August 4, 2009 1:40 PM in response to House of the Day: 638 Saint Marks Avenue

I feel SO badly for you and anybody currently battling this invasive and personally for me, psychologically damaging pest. I lived in total fear that those bugs would come out and bite me everytime I went to sleep. Be careful with the pesticides. I had a lizard and sent it to a friend's apt for the extermination and it stayed there for an entire week afterword. At the weeks end I brought the lizard home and it died within an hour. Those chemicals were still so strong in the air after an entire week that my otherwise healthy lizard immediately died when it came home.

Just because those chemicals are legal does NOT mean they should be legal. But, the homeopathic and organic methods do not kill the bed bugs. Best advice is throw everything out that is infected (it's easy enough to tell by the corners of furniture, look it up on google, the eggs and feces will show their presence), wash all clothing and bedding, and then move somewhere with your new mattress, etc. In your new apt., make sure to seal all cracks in wall, take off light switch plates and seal them with caulking, put screens over all your sink drains and holes to prevent bugs from coming into your apartment, and seal off the front door.

Posted by: cmar7785 at July 24, 2009 7:58 PM in response to Bed Bugs and Rats

I feel SO badly for you and anybody currently battling this invasive and personally for me, psychologically damaging pest. I lived in total fear that those bugs would come out and bite me everytime I went to sleep. Be careful with the pesticides. I had a lizard and sent it to a friend's apt for the extermination and it stayed there for an entire week afterword. At the weeks end I brought the lizard home and it died within an hour. Those chemicals were still so strong in the air after an entire week that my otherwise healthy lizard immediately died when it came home.

Posted by: cmar7785 at July 24, 2009 7:54 PM in response to Bed Bugs and Rats

Where is the link to the real estate page. It doesn't show up for me at all? All I see is property shark and gmap!

Posted by: cmar7785 at July 22, 2009 2:20 PM in response to Condo of the Day: 30 Main Street, #4G

I LOVE THIS PLACE!! I feel as though there are gorgeous details in every spot I look. The garden is wonderful. Build in bookcases nice. The kitchen windows make it feel like a suburban house! So cozy right in the middle of the city.

Posted by: cmar7785 at July 21, 2009 3:31 PM in response to House of the Day: 455 Henry Street

Agreed. I live here as well, actually a bit outside the district in the "more scary area" and my building continues to sell to middle class professionals, even during this recession. True, they are selling for less as with the rest of the city, but we still have great people buying in the neighborhood. My coop has 5 units in contract out of 66 units, and the people who are moving in are all young professionals under age 35. So take that :)

PLG - and neighboring streets - is still the best deal around. And every month, two or three, we get a new establishment. We might even see a new Environmental Charter School here in the next few years. This neighborhood, unlike so many other neighborhoods, is one where we still know our neighbors, our neighborhood bartender and wave to our friends on the streets!

Posted by: cmar7785 at July 18, 2009 1:53 AM in response to House of the Day: 265 Sterling Street

if you are a female, you can take free classes at NEW, Non Traditional Employment for Women. If you're a guy, sorry ;)

Posted by: cmar7785 at July 13, 2009 9:19 PM in response to first time homeowner DIY/fixes

looks like a nice location for me for a single person who wants to live near the park.

Posted by: cmar7785 at July 1, 2009 12:59 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 135 Ocean Parkway

There are stables on Randall's Island.

Posted by: cmar7785 at June 29, 2009 1:57 PM in response to Cock-a-Doodle-Don't in Gowanus

This is something I don't get. Personally, if this were my place, I would have turned it into a one bedroom. The bedroom would effectively have two windows and be a large room, and would leave the living room a sufficient size as well. To all you posters, I pose this question: what is the benefit of keeping an alcove studio with a window a studio? Wouldn't anybody rather having the privacy of their own bedroom. I don't think I'll ever understand :)

Posted by: cmar7785 at June 29, 2009 1:42 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 111 Hicks Street, #18F

I like the kitchen and dining room off the garden floor. It makes sense that the fridge would be close to the grilling spot. Families spend all their time in the kitchen and it allows the kiddies to run inside and outside with supervision. The garden floor is large enough for a sitting nook it in the kitchen with couch, recliner etc. It makes the backyard part of the living space. I think that's a major benefit to this place... but hey, I'm a gardener and cook :) all my favorite parts on the house on the same level works for me

Posted by: cmar7785 at June 29, 2009 1:34 PM in response to House of the Day: 357 Pacific Street

Not enough pictures to know. Floor plan is very nice, but based from one of the two interior photos, which was a kitchen that was not my style, I don't like it. If they can afford a major renovation with major systems, expensive appliances, etc., then why couldn't they spend 150k or so on a carpenter to install period style or high quality flooring. I understand sometimes that original flooring must be ripped out sometimes because it's too thin to withstand another sanding, or it's rotted, etc., but that's not an excuse to skimp on an installation of nice and appropriate flooring.

The windows look large which is a plus.

Posted by: cmar7785 at June 29, 2009 1:30 PM in response to House of the Day: 357 Pacific Street

2 windows in the entire apartment. am i seeing that right... no way no how would i live in 900 sq ft with two windows.

Posted by: cmar7785 at June 25, 2009 1:49 PM in response to Condo of the Day: 110 Livingston Street, #6W

oops... i meant corcoran? I cannot see the listing when I click the link. It says "cannot be found"

Posted by: cmar7785 at June 17, 2009 2:56 PM in response to Condo of the Day: 44 Cheever Place

is anybody else unable to pull up the halstead page?

Posted by: cmar7785 at June 17, 2009 2:49 PM in response to Condo of the Day: 44 Cheever Place

I'm finding it hard to believe that any of you people live in NYC. Wow! This used to be a place where anything could fly. Now I see where all the snobs live... These dudes are artists and they're doing their best to make it. Most of the musicians, painters, poets, etc. that you all hail from past years lived in similar conditions or worse. It's much better than going home to mommy and daddy or having mommy or daddy paying their rent. At least they're doing the best they can with what they have. And oh well that it's illegal... Dum vivimus, vivamus...

Posted by: cmar7785 at June 16, 2009 12:38 AM in response to It's Hard to Beat the Tent Rent

I know these guys!!!! They're my best friend's ex-roommates from Kensington. Awesome!

Posted by: cmar7785 at June 15, 2009 10:58 AM in response to It's Hard to Beat the Tent Rent

I LOVE, love, love their style! It's so clean and open, yet tastefully decorated. I love the flow between the kitchen and the living room. It's full of sunlight and that's rare for a house in the city.

Posted by: cmar7785 at June 3, 2009 3:08 PM in response to House of the Day: 240 Dean Street