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‘Tis the season to love on Victorian Flatbush, it seems, and the latest story in that vein comes from this weekend’s “Living in…” article about Ditmas Park in the Times. The piece describes Cortelyou’s retail and dining options as a neighborhood anchor and, increasingly, a big lure for new and old residents. There’s also an interesting snapshot of Ditmas Park’s real estate climate: Area broker Mary Kay Gallagher says that following the $1 million-mark being passed for houses in the area in the past decade, Victorians usually start at around $900,000. Another broker, however, says the down market is resulting in home prices as low as $800,000 and that “We haven’t seen these kinds of numbers in, I’d say, well over 10 years.” Ditmas Park Blog’sreaction to the story notes that while its descriptions of the area’s gorgeous housing stock and evolving dining scene are on the mark, it neglects to mention DP’s team spirit: “We came for the space, but we stayed because we like our neighbors, the laid back feel of the place, and the fact that folks like to slow down and enjoy each others’ company.”
Living in…Ditmas Park [NY Times]
Moved for the Space, Stayed For… [Ditmas Park Blog]
Photo by florence wang


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  1. the main reasons I want to buy in ditmas park area (including parts that border Midwood) are for the pretty houses and parking space … if you want good food, then just hop in your car

    anyone want to guess where house prices in ditmas park area is headed? my wishful thinking is around 800K (some might still qualify for the tax credit) all the houses that I have seen in the area needs renovations

  2. “Still trying to figure out the restaurant fixation many posters seem to have.”

    I’ve stopped trying to figure it out, and just accept that there are some people who really, really, care about fancy stores and restaurants. It’s not my thing, but to each his/her own.

  3. > Still trying to figure out the restaurant fixation
    > many posters seem to have.

    Yep, it’s a deep and enduring mystery, isn’t it? It’s almost as if proximity to amenities (such as restaurants) have some sort of effect on real estate prices.

  4. Kensingtonian,

    I had the same impression of Purple Yam after going with a group for brunch on Sunday.

    First and foremost, the service was ridiculously slow.

    Second, the food – while tasty – was not really that amazing.

    Third, the prices are too high for what you get, as well as too high for the neighborhood. Perhaps they think they’re still in Soho. This seems to be a general problem with the new places opening in the area.

    Anyhoo, I’ll go there again, but I doubt this will become a place I will go to more than occasionally.

  5. What a moronic article.

    No offense – I do love my neighborhood – but I think we need more than a half dozen decent restaurants before we get crowned The Next Foodie Neighborhood of NYC. I’d probably give that nod to Prospect Heights.

    And the comment in the article that “rentals can be hard to find” was just stupid and wrong. I saw five places in one weekend when I was searching, and four of them were viable.

    Whatevs.

  6. Totally agree with Arch–no way were prices anywhere near $800k 10 years ago. But leave it to the Times RE section to give a bullish RE view based on a quote rather than checking the facts.

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