to the "guest" (8:18 am) who mentioned that they may have info about the new construction btw butler and baltic, i'd love to hear it. thank you for all the comments.

Posted by: dontvote at November 6, 2007 12:04 PM in response to Gowanus Houses Neighbors

we looked at a place across the st-- looked good during the day. at night there were hoods all over -- only activity was outside the chinese/chicken joint and the liquor store.

Notice that both are bulletproof? Wonder why

Posted by: guest at November 6, 2007 12:17 PM in response to Gowanus Houses Neighbors

In terms of re-sale value, it is important to know people's impressions. There are SO many people who would NEVER live across from projects, no matter how safe they are. Even though I would live half a block from them without thinking twice (and nearly did buy a place half a block away)I don't think I would want to buy a house right across from the projects, because they are truly such an eyesore and just pretty dreary in general. I really don't think safety is an issue, but I can see getting swept away in desperation to buy something affordable and then having serious buyers regret about the location. I do love Boerum Hill, but I think the poster is right that you should spend quite a bit of time there day and night and ask the neighbors how they feel. In terms of the liquor store on court having bullet proof windows - that is simply ridiculous and every time I go there I ask when they are getting rid of them. It really is a safe safe area - streets are always full of people.

Posted by: guest at November 6, 2007 2:20 PM in response to Gowanus Houses Neighbors

I have lived on Bergen and then State Street (between Bond and Nevins) and now Hoyt near Atlantic for the last 11 years. Both my wife and I walk our baby down Hoyt Street all the time, and usually we walk on the east (housing project) side rather than the west (bodega side) because we actually feel safer on that side and because the sidewalk is wider.

If you are talking live/work, I assume you are looking at something structurally not a townhouse, like some of the buildings on Bond or else maybe on Douglass. I think safety wise you will be the same as in most other blocks in Boerum Hill -- pretty safe but there is some lwo level crime. Gowanus Projects are much easier on the eye, IMO, than Wyckoff Houses over between Nevins and 3rd.

OTOH, being within a block or so of the projects will always impact resale value. I think the townhouses on Warren between Bond and Nevins (i.e., between the Gowanus and Wyckoff projects) are on a pretty great block, but they historically and today sell at 20-30% less than houses one to two blocks away in either direction.

Posted by: guest at November 7, 2007 4:56 PM in response to Gowanus Houses Neighbors

neb

Posted by: guest at November 7, 2007 7:45 PM in response to Gowanus Houses Neighbors

Considering their size, those projects do not really affect the area. That said, about 2 yrs ago i was robbed by a group of kids from those projects. (Mr friend lived on degraw at the time.) Furthermore, the disparity between haves and have nots in the neighborhood creates some "friction". If you talk to the cops that work in the districts, they would actively discourage you, but in the end its entirely up to you.

Posted by: slick at November 8, 2007 4:22 AM in response to Gowanus Houses Neighbors

Bad idea. Do not buy a house across the street from a housing project if you are concerned with safety and resale. It's just reality, not racism. Even people living in the projects don't want to live there but have no choice because they can't afford to live anywhere else.

Posted by: guest at November 8, 2007 9:20 PM in response to Gowanus Houses Neighbors

yo i live over there son dont do it. dudes dont play. there r 2 high skools right by there n dudes always mess wit random ppl on their way home after skool. i saw 5 juniors surroundin this old white dude once n makin him give them his money, and this was on smith street. i wud reccomend u movin to staten island or sumthin lol

Posted by: guest at February 24, 2008 6:23 PM in response to Gowanus Houses Neighbors

DONT MOVE TO THE GOWANUS HOUSE.
I LIVE HERE.
IT SUCKS!

I HAVE NO CHOISE BUT TO LIVE HERE, THESE PEOPLE STINK. IM BLACK AND I CANT STAND MY OWN KIND. THEY ARE RUDE AND DIS-RESPECTFUL. THEY ARE ALL CRIMINALS AND THEY PEE IN THE ELEVATOR.
IF YOU DONT MIND GETTING ROBBED OR RAPED PLEASE BUY A HOUSE AROUND HERE.

Posted by: guest at April 5, 2008 10:13 PM in response to Gowanus Houses Neighbors

FUCKIN PUSSY ASS WHITE PEOPLE GO AHEAD AND MOVE TO THE PROJECTS LMAOOOOO I FUKIN HATE U PUSSY ASS WHITE PEOPLE JUS LEAVE BROOKLYN N GO AND LIVE IN PUSSY ASS HI RISE APARTMENTS WHERE THERE ARE ONLY WHITE PEOPLE AND STARBUCKS. FUKIN HOMO ASS NIGGAS LMAO

Posted by: guest at May 24, 2008 10:40 PM in response to Gowanus Houses Neighbors