Crown Heights Safe?
Curious about that enormous townhouse on Saint Marks Avenue that was posted on Brownstoner the other day. What’s that area like, is it safe? Don’t know anything about Crown Heights except that it’s not as “hip” as other areas, but “safe” is far more important than “hip” to me. Thanks!
Curious about that enormous townhouse on Saint Marks Avenue that was posted on Brownstoner the other day. What’s that area like, is it safe? Don’t know anything about Crown Heights except that it’s not as “hip” as other areas, but “safe” is far more important than “hip” to me.
Thanks!
” I assume that the Hasidic community is restricting the neighborhood growing in terms of additional amenities? Not sure why more is not being done otherwise. ”
Well you know what they say about assumptions. Why assume such a ridiculous thing?
Crown Heights has great things about it and not so great things (i.e. lacks a lot of close-by amenities such as nice bars, nice restaurants, interesting cafe life–I find it pretty “dry” in terms of amenities close by). The brownstones, if kept up, have lovely original wood work and details and of course the prices are lower than Manhattan and other sections of Brooklyn. Not great things are that if you don’t reside near a subway stop you likely have a long walk. The few Crown Heights friends I have had all had to buy cars as they felt restricted otherwise (so figure in that expense). Each friend had things done to their car, i.e. vandalism and car accidents (people hitting their car parked on the street, no one leaving insurance info). Each friend had drug dealing activity taking place close by to their lovely brownstone. Each friend heard gun shots at least 2X per year near their home. One friend found a dead body outside her brownstone in the past few years. I assume that the Hasidic community is restricting the neighborhood growing in terms of additional amenities? Not sure why more is not being done otherwise. My friends truly love their houses; but their lives outside the brownstones are not fully engaged by their neighborhood. It always seems CH is on the verge of breaking through, improving — and it never happens.
As someone wisely said, it is block by block; you have to do your research and footwork both during the daytime and the night time; you have to ask the police department for criminal activity statistics and you have to check real estate values. Have they risen and will they rise or will you invest a ton in an older brownstone only to see you cannot recoup that should you sell. How are the public schools etc. and what are their ratings?
New York Magazine does a pretty thorough neighborhood by neighborhood review each year–check that out. It also does a rating system for resale value. A friend of mine has resided there eight full years–little has improved in terms of amenities and the friend always drives elsewhere to Park Slope etc. to purchase groceries etc. A good thing though is some blocks there do have strong neighborhood associations. That can make for a strong community spirit and a more engaged street of neighbors.
I’ve lived in CH for over four years now and have never once felt “unsafe” much less experienced any intimidation or been the victim of a crime against my person. Once someone stole my front gate, but I tend to doubt they were from the neighborhood as they most certainly carried it away in a vehicle. In comparison, while I was living in Williamsburg (across the street from what is now Northside Piers), there were several armed robberies outside of my building and someone broke my car window.
I think CH may be unsafe if you were planning on setting up shop selling drugs as there would be some established vendors unfriendly to new competition. Presumably that is not your situation or you would be seeking advice elsewhere.
I am not familiar with the statistics, but anecdotally I hear of a lot more muggings etc. in Prospect Heights than in Crown Heights. I think that CH is a more cohesive community with more homeowners and long-term residents, as compared to PH.
Crown Heights’ overall crime rate is lower than the national crime rate. It is also lower than that of neighboring neighborhoods such as Prospect Heights. Seems as if I cannot site references here, but you can search online and find the data to support it.
Misty B:
When I grew in Crown Heights during the 50’s and early 60’s, St. Marks Avenue was considered “prime.” The amenities and services are still there, in some cases enhanced.
Brower Park and the expanded Children’s Museum are directly across the street. One block away on St. Marks is a public library. And there’s a supermarket at the corner of Nostrand Avenue, just as there was when I was a boy.
Between Nostrand and Brooklyn Avenues are large apartment houses, some of which are part of the Crown Heights North Historic District. Back in the day they had doormen, maids’ rooms, and doctors offices, which speak to their basic quality, whatever their current condition. (Some of them, I understand, have become cooperatives and are quite stable.)
If you have children (and a house this size is built for family life), there are also the Jewish Children’s Museum, Brooklyn Museum, Children’s Library at the Brooklyn Public Library, Botanical Garden, and Prospect Park — all within walking distance. Except for the Jewish museum, a recent addition to the neighborhood, my little brother and I regularly used all of these facilities, even though we lived further away on Pacific Street.
As an exclusively residential street, St. Marks Avenue was always impressive, but I also remember it as rather dark and quiet at night, much like Eastern Parkway. The doormen along the street provided its eyes and ears. If they’re no longer on staff, it may feel isolated and lonely after dark.
This house has been the subject of much attention on Brownstoner. A grand old wreck, its price has plummetted by almost half over the past several months. More reductions may be in order, given the projected state of the economy. Take due diligence, visit the neighborhood both day and night, and, if the place interests you, negotiate — hard. Even with contractors’ current reduced prices, you’ll likely spend as much as the cost of the house to bring it back.
Nostalgic on Park Avenue
having lived in the very bustling with amenities Brooklyn Heights and now in Crown heights, i would never go back. If you want a great house on a great block (you’re right opposite the Brooklyn Children’s Museum) and in a great neighborhood, you’ll love the place. But love it for what it is and what you can make it- don’t love it for possibilites. They may not happen and you’ll be disappointed. This section of Crown heights has lots of families and people who have lived here sometimes over generations. this is not a so-so neighborhood. Its a good one- that said, it ain’t Brooklyn Heights or Park Slope and it doesn’t need to be.
Misty B, I just want to add that it’s important to go off of your impressions of the neighborhood NOW rather than projections of what you think it might be someday. Crown Heights has a lot to offer right now, and if you can appreciate that then you’ll probably like living there. But if you’re thinking, “This could be nice someday when there’s a Starbucks close by” then it’s probably not for you.
crown heights has very nice parts and very “not nice parts”.
There are always safer parts of brownstone brooklyn, but i dont think this area is over the line.
based on my understanding, this is in the nice part.
After years of touting the virtues of Crown Heights, to the derision of many, I’m now tempted to answer that question with another – Is Crown Heights unsafe? I wish people would ask that instead. That way, the default is safety, not the erroneous assumption that it is not.
Mr. Hancock, you have no idea what you are talking about. Crown Heights already is a nice neighborhood. St. Marks is a gorgeous block, this house is a masterpiece in need of love and money, and it would already be mine, if I had the money. Enjoy your trip over here, you won’t be disappointed. The house will knock your socks off.