Dekalb and Nostrand Safe?
hello, I’m actually from queens, last stop on the F as a matter of fact. I grew up in a neighborhood between jamaica estates and jamaica so Ive seen both sides. So I found an apartment off of Nostrand a block up on Dekalb. Is this a safe area to be in? I’m not worried…
hello, I’m actually from queens, last stop on the F as a matter of fact. I grew up in a neighborhood between jamaica estates and jamaica so Ive seen both sides.
So I found an apartment off of Nostrand a block up on Dekalb. Is this a safe area to be in? I’m not worried about myself as much as my girlfriend visiting. We’re both mixed; I’m half chinese/russian, and she’s spain/dominican so we typically arent regarded as the “outsider” and honestly that may not even be an issue, though I have heard otherwise. and plus she lives next to the williamsburg bridge near delancey. Not a great neighborhood.
I feel like I haven’t gotten much of an honest opinion from anyone, that is except my father who, when I mentioned bedford/Norstrand, he replied “BED STUYY???” with anger in his voice.
So what are your opinions? I’m 21, 5′ 11′ 160 pounds tops, kind of flamboyant. Definitely gotten in a few fights over the years, but would prefer not to. Is this neibhorhood not for me? I’m being brutally honest. I would appreciate a QUICK!! reply as I’m dropping off a deposit later today. Bad timing on my part, I know. But if you can reply to this before 5pm later today, I’ll feel a lot better. thanks everyone!
I’m surprised that the advice I’m getting is to be outgoing, friendly, etc. That I am, but thought it would best to keep my head down in Bed Stuy.
but here’s what I’ve taken from this all:
Don’t be overly flamboyant. Perhaps I mislead some of you. I’m just friendly, look like a nice person. Ive found that in some parts of NYC, that comes off as flamboyant.
be friendly: I think I am, but I’ve been told I have one of those faces (asshole faces.)
don’t mind your own business: I’m a little suprised about this one to be honest. I thought it would be in my best interest to just blend in, not try to draw too much attention to myself.
I made a six month commitment, ddn’t sign anything. I’m going to feel it out, but I think things will be great.
p.s.
pitbull: don’t wear short shorts.
thanks everyone!
I own a property on DeKalb a block from Nostrand, around Marcy and have rented to a couple (Caucasian male and Asian female) and I have a mixture of Caucasians and African Americans (males and females) living in my home. They have never complained to me about problems in the area. In fact when I gave them the option to stay month to month or sign a one year lease they opted for a one year lease.
DeKalb is a busy street so you will hear loud music when cars go by and you will hear loud talking from people on the street but except from that the neighborhood is getting much better than what it was a few years back.
I didn’t, nor would I, tell the poster not to be flamboyant. As far as I’m concerned he would take chances with that almost anywhere. I WOULD suggest, if you’re going to be deliberately different, then — WHEREVER you are — at least try not to be too much of an ass on top of that. Your new neighbors are going to be looking at YOU just the same way you’re looking at them, you know? Do you want them to be unfriendly toward you because you’re different? Yeah didn’t think so. Christ the kid could get hassled ANYWHERE for being flamboyant, but most/more likely if he’s got an “go ahead and give me some sh*t about it” attitude. Anyway, Bed-Stuy is a good place filled with great, welcoming INclusive people — and of course the very occasional scary dude who’s looking for a reason to hassle you. But that’s not specific to Bed-Stuy, needless to say. Anyway, when someone posts a query, “is this area safe” and I KNOW this area, I’m going to respond with what I’ve learned by living there since ’85, which is, it’s totally fine. Drat, the polyanna in me is coming out… even the tiniest little bit of human contact bridges huge gaps in understanding. It’s such a no-brainer. So, in closing, wherever you end up kid, use your head… esp if it’s park slope 🙂 just kidding.
“yeah clueless hipster attitude. does that really need to be defined?”
maybe. is “clueless hipster attitude” different than “clueless attitude”? or “clueless jerk attitude”?
oops, meant to say “your response”.
and sorry, nothing against you personally, my comment was intentionally snide – I just think the logic of it is safe if you’re friendly to be overdone.
Too late for that Herkimermaid, I’m there all the time. I’m assuming you’re response is sarcastic. This guy asks about safety and people essentially tell him that as long as he has a good attitude, he should be safe. Be friendly and not too flamboyant, otherwise there could be trouble. To me that doesn’t sound like a welcoming environment. Be friendly or else it how the advice comes off…
Also, it’s not my experience that people who aren’t the most outgoing get hasselled either. I just find these endless criticisms of people who don’t say hello enough to be tiresome and reprsentative of deep resentment on the part of those who complain the most about it. I know all the people on my block, say hi etc., but good lord, to each his own….
yes 1842, that’s precisely what I’m saying. now please stay away from Bed-Stuy.
so basically, if you are deemed to have an attitude, rightly or wrongly, you’ll be hasselled and maybe targeted. sounds like a great place.
yeah clueless hipster attitude. does that really need to be defined?