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 live in DP and never go above Times Square. Chinatown, Union Square are my main points of exit. I love the Q and living near it has been a big plus for me.
My partner, however, had to commute to Grand Central. Changing at Union Square was a big pain for him and the commute much longer.
If you work on the B or Q line, Victorian Flatbush is a very easy place to live, with the best of many worlds.
BillyBoomer – you’re not alone!!!! Definitely a trend.
The J train is the new L train. The hipsters just stay on it until they get to a neighborhood they can afford.
(I loved the G when I lived closer to it.)
I bought in Bushwick a block from the L train and it was definitely a factor in my purchase. The newly renovated line is fast, reliable and has electronic signs that tell you how long it will be before the next train arrives. This is the only line in the system with this feature but I understand that they will be adding it to other lines as they are upgraded.
Beverly road to Times Sq. in 32 minutes…what’s not to love?
The Q is great if you live closer to Manhattan. Very fast service in Manhattan with stops at the major transfer points like Union Sq, Herald Sq and Times Square. The new cars they’ve introduced on that line make it even better.
However since the Q is local in Brooklyn you might not enjoy it so much if you live farther from Manhattan since it makes a LOT of stops throughout Brooklyn. The B express, which covers the same route in Brooklyn, doesn’t run on weekends and has less convenient service in Manhattan.
uber-hipster?
I agree wholeheartedly that this article is a bit silly but also feel compelled to post about the Q b/c I also love this line. F is my runner-up. Getting to Chinatown in 10 minutes and Union Sq in 15 is fantastic.
i don’t know that a particular line was a deciding factor in our purchase, but it certainly played a role. it was huge to know that we can have speedy commutes not just to our current workplaces but to pretty much anywhere in midtown from 14th street to central park should we switch jobs. B/Q line is great for this; i agree that the D train would be another one.