Is the Q Train the New L?
Can a subway line take credit for a neighborhood’s renaissance? A writer at the Observer has publicly professed her love for the Q, and links it to Ditmas Park’s becoming “a suburban-urban blend of creative-class types, beautiful buildings and low prices.” She chose her own apartment, presumably in Prospect Heights, based on its proximity to…
Can a subway line take credit for a neighborhood’s renaissance? A writer at the Observer has publicly professed her love for the Q, and links it to Ditmas Park’s becoming “a suburban-urban blend of creative-class types, beautiful buildings and low prices.” She chose her own apartment, presumably in Prospect Heights, based on its proximity to the Q’s 7th Avenue stop (on the corner of Flatbush), only three stops in. She says the Q is the L of the 21st century, “with new crops of people popping out of its stations along a path rumbling through central and southern Brooklyn, from Downtown, Park Slope, Midwood and Ditmas Park, through Sheepshead Bay and, via an expert right turn, Brighton Beach and Coney Island.” She quotes other Q lovers, noting that celebs have been seen eating in restaurants along the train’s route, and that the express line has allowed Ditmas Park and others to blossom. “Perhaps the nabes along the Q are stealing just a little bit of thunder from other creative hubs like Williamsburg.” If that’s true, what other subway lines might help a neighborhood become the next Williamsburg?
Can the Q Be the Next L? [NY Observer]
Q Train. Photo by FlySi.
I love the Q – I live at Dekalb ave. 2 stops to union square? Yes please!
Bob Marvin, of course, the L connects williamsburg to every manhattan subway line and especially quickly to Union Sq, not the LES although the JMZ does obviously. i frequently use both the L and the JMZ and 10 minutes on either to union sq or LES or Nolita/SOHO is pretty great. also, so many people walk or bike of the bridge everyday too.
from personal experience and from talking to a broker friend, any property near the beford L is always going to be sold easier/faster than anything else in the neighborhood. it is a HUGE factor in purchasing. access to all the shopping in union square on the weekends is just as important as a quick commute to your job on the weekdays too.
Ok, if we get back to the point of the article, if we’re talking about creatives and artists, it will definitely be Sunset Park because of all the warehouses that are being used by studios. IN that case, the next L is the R, N, or D.
I think dave and bxgrl should donate the royalties to i disagree for most appropriate use of their signature line. Don’t let the teacup hit you on the way out moreteasir.
Fuck moreteasir. That idiot can just get back in his car.
I think all of you are missing something. It’s not how cool th train makes your neighborhood, but how hot the women seen riding the train tend to be. For that, the Q is a distant second to the 6.
The ‘Q’ IS very fast, and a good subway line can’t hurt a neighborhood, but I don’t think its THAT big a factor today (although the historical effect of the Brighton Line on the neighbors it serves is obvious. The ‘L’ is an exception. While it lead to Williamsburg becoming heavily populated in the early 20th Century, in later years, until fairly recently, it linked a Manhattan Slum (the LES) to a Brooklyn slum. The gentrification of the LES spurred the same phenomenon in Williamsburg, one stop removed, but I doubt that any other subway line will have a similar current effect.
That being said, I’m very pleased with ‘Q’ service from the Prospect Park stop, in PLG.
Darn it! I guess doubling your salary will hafta suffice.
More tea — No one says you have to take a train into account when you buy. Most other people do, especially those who commute to Manhattan.
Congratulations for thinking the way you do. Is that what you’re looking for? I’m a little confused as to what you think you would get by “winning” this point.