Brownstone Brooklyn v. Harlem
Aside from geographical location, what do you think are the major differences/similarities between Brooklyn and Harlem brownstones (i.e., quality of housing stock, architectural variety, value and price)? I’m a single, older (almost senior!) man in the market for a brownstone and I was wondering about the main distinguishing features between the two. I thank you…
Aside from geographical location, what do you think are the major differences/similarities between Brooklyn and Harlem brownstones (i.e., quality of housing stock, architectural variety, value and price)? I’m a single, older (almost senior!) man in the market for a brownstone and I was wondering about the main distinguishing features between the two. I thank you in advance for any light you might be able to shed on the matter.
I think it’s not only that some people prefer a gentrifying neighborhood and some people prefer a gentrified one, but some people…if they are going to spend 2-3 million dollars for a home would like to live in a place that actually warrants said 2-3 million dollars.
That’s my opinion, anyway. Harlem is overpriced for what it is. I have no doubt about it’s potential in terms of gentrification, but the prices reflect an already gentrified neighborhood.
That’s the problem, and it’s happened with neighborhoods like Bed Stuy and Crown Heights in Brooklyn as well.
Homes selling for much more than the neighborhood reflects.
You used to be able to get a brownstone in Park Slope when it was GENTRIFYING for 100K.
Now you pay 2 million for the same thing in Harlem.
Doesn’t really add up.
Agreed, Brownstone Brooklyn is more gentrified than Brownstone Harlem.
This also translates into Brownstone Harlem has more upside then Brownstone Brooklyn.
Some people prefer a rapidly gentrifying neighborhood, others prefer a neighborhood that is already done.
At least people are using things actually IN Brownstone Brooklyn to describe it, 4:48.
Neither the Museum of Natural History nor the Met Museum are in Harlem. And most of Riverside Park is not as well.
And if we’re being technical, Harlem begins at 110th street, if I’m not mistaken and that is where Central Park ends.
Care to give any examples of why Harlem is great that are actually IN Harlem.
😉
To play devil’s advocate, 4:48….
1. The designers of Central and Prospect Parks, considered the latter to be their masterpiece.
2. I would not include a land-hungry University necessarily a pro of Harlem.
3. Riverside Park is nice.
4. Brooklyn Museum is nice as well. So is the Natural History Museum, but I probably go to it once every two or three years so living “near” it does not really factor into my spending 2 million dollars on a home. And 79th Street is really not even remotely in Harlem, so I’m not quite sure why you use that as an example. Might as well use MOMA…it’s in Manhattan, so that’s pretty close to Harlem too.
5. Easy exodus to Manhattan. Sure that’s great if you’re going to Jersey or upstate. If you’re going to Hamptons, it’s not easier.
I don’t see how you are any less defensive about Harlem as some are of Park Slope.
Jesu – you’d think Central Park, Columbia University, Riverside park and Church, relatively close to the Metropolitan Museum and Nat Hist Mus, easy exodus from NYC, etc counts for nothing! Not to mention Manhattan energy.
OP – I would like to warn you that people on this blog (esp those from Park Slope) are very protective (dare I say… defensive?) about Brooklyn and often will not acknowledge that Manhattan has things to offer that Brooklyn does not. But I agree that you really need to walk around the different neighborhoods to figure out what you like best.
There is also the kid and school issue.
Harlem schools might as well be non-existent. Horrible.
A lot of the people I see moving into Harlem Brownstones are older empty nesters. Not a ton of young couples with kids.
Brownstone Brooklyn is very, very kid friendly (some would say too much so) but I think this adds a lot to the vibrance of a community.
There is something really nice about living in the largest city in the country and seeing so many young children being raised here. I think they will be a more open-minded next generation for having been raised in such a place.
nice areas like park slope and bococa beats harlem any day of the week. one is still mostly poor and other fairly well off.
I see lots of stuff closing in Harlem as well.
As fast as it opens.
The liquor license law really affects a church-y neighborhood like Harlem a lot.
There are so few good places to eat/drink.
Considering you’re paying 2 million plus for these brownstones, it would be nice to have something other than the fast food joints around.
The liquor license law restricts liquor within a certain distance from a church, unless the house of worship provides written approval. There are many examples of bars close to Harlem Churches.
Services are glacially slow to arrive in Harlem, but they are coming, with the occupation of the new condos there is growing pent up demand for more restaurants.