The Bed-Stuy Safety Question. Again
I write to request insights and advice from the Bedford Stuyvesant residents. My husband, baby, and I started visiting open houses in the area last weekend (on Hancock between Tompkins and Malcolm X and Bainbridge near Stuyvesant) and we fell in love with the neighborhood. The homes are gorgeous, the people are nice, we felt…
I write to request insights and advice from the Bedford Stuyvesant residents. My husband, baby, and I started visiting open houses in the area last weekend (on Hancock between Tompkins and Malcolm X and Bainbridge near Stuyvesant) and we fell in love with the neighborhood. The homes are gorgeous, the people are nice, we felt good. Well, most of the people are nice. We stopped to ask one resident what they like about the area and were told that we absolutely cannot live there, that there are shootings every day, and that we could not let our baby play in the backyard because he would probably get shot. While I believe that this person was a little loopy, this was unnerving, to say the least.
I understand that Bedford Stuyvesant may not be Bedford Falls – and think that’s good. But how worried do I need to be about my family’s safety if we move in? My husband works late hours sometimes, and I now worry about him driving home at 11PM. And I worry about my little man, too.
Your thoughts on this subject are greatly appreciated. I have read many prior posts on this issue, but would really like to hear from you. Thanks so much.
Thanks to you all.
Yes, we are looking to buy a house under $800. After looking at the brownstones in this neighborhood, we are spoiled. The places we have seen in Bay Ridge, Kensington, and Sunset Park pale in comparison. The otehr neighborhoods would also be a tough commute for our babysitter, whom we all love and do not want to lose. We have not had the chance to cruise around the Stuyvesant Heights area at night, but know that this is an important part of our research.
This is a very difficult decision for us, and I appreciate all of your advice.
In the few months we have lived in the area, there have been two murders on our block. One was a drive-by and one was an arson. There was also an assault at our gate. None of them were random.
Stuyvesant heights have ways to go as far as quality of life compared to other already established Brownstone Brooklyn neighborhoods (Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Park Slope). I assume that you are looking into buying a Brownstone and your budget is under 800-900k. Then this is your best option, the neighborhood is only getting better year-by-year. I agree that some recent incidents may question the area, but stuff like that happens everywhere not only Bed Stuy. The neighborhood needs fresh blood to come into the community and get involved with schools, quality of life, police, etc. It’s the Brooklyn way.
I highly recommend renting in the area for some time before buying. That is the only way you can possibly judge accurately.
There is a lot going on. Whether it would affect you if you’re not involved in illegal activities, I do not know. We found two bullets in our walls while plastering. No idea if they’ve been there for two years or 30.
I wouldn’t walk from the car at 11 pm. Get someone to drop your husband off, and it doesn’t hurt for you to watch from the door.
Re children playing, they play all over the place — but not after dark.
I’m on Bainbridge between Stuyvesant and Malcolm X, have been there about two years, feel safe, and love where I live. However, in those two years, there have been at least three shootings at or around Chauncey & Malcolm X, and there were a couple of muggings on Bainbridge earlier this year. The only way you will know your comfort level is by spending time in the neighborhood at various times of the day and night and talking to people.
Hi, I live on MacDonough around Lewis Ave. My husband has lived in the area for 8 years and I’ve been here for 2. We have a 1 year old. The buildings are gorgeous, the people (quite a few are parents) are really friendly and every summer it seems more new and very welcomed businesses open.
That said, we are out of here. I personally don’t think it is a great place to raise a child. There have been a couple scary incidents lately. There was a shooting on Halsey bet. Tompkins and Throop a couple of months ago on a Sunday afternoon. Three people were shot (including a 5 year old), luckily no one died. 15 shots were fired. I heard 8 of them from my living room. A couple of days later a teen was shoot on Chauncey and Malcolm X. Maybe it can be argued that Stuyvesant Heights is safe enough. But safe enough just isn’t good for us.
Plus the schools leave much to be desired and I’m not up for charter school lottery drama. There are newer schools but I just want a school that has been around for awhile and has a great track record. Hope this is helpful.
Bed Stuy is a BIG place. As you yourself know, the Stuyvesant Heights area is far different from Northern, Western and Eastern sections of Bed Stuy, FAR DIFFERENT.
I would not live north of maybe Jefferson.
go read the police reports/database. http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/crime_prevention/crime_statistics.shtml
compare bedstuy (79th) to parkslope/prosheights (78th)
come to your own conclusions
That person was either loopy or just baiting you. The area is perfectly safe. There were a few people robbed a month or two ago I believe around Decatur or Chauncey and the police were all over it.
I’ve been there 3 years now and like it a lot.There are additional stores and restaurants about to open.
When I’m out late at night I take a car service back home but I always did that when I was in manhattan too.
In fact, parking around there is not only pretty easy but also very safe. You don’t see the tell-tale signs of window glass at the curb like you do in other areas. There’s some sort of unrecognized respect for this area in that regard.