Living in Stuyvesant Heights

Find out if your block has a block assoc and if it does, join it and attend the meetings. It’s a great way to meet your neighbors and become part of the community.

Guest User | 10 years and 8 months ago

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bkny1 | 10 years and 8 months ago

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Hello B’stoners, I am in contract to buy a brownstone in Stuyvesant Heights on MacDonough St. Original plan was to use it as investment property but now I am seriously considering moving there myself. We are a young couple with three little kids. We currently live in Rego Park(Queens), which is a family friendly neighborhood. What makes us nervous about moving to BedStuy is some horror stories about the safety situation. Can someone who knows the neighborhood well comment on these concerns: 1\. Is the neighborhood a reasonably good fit for families with small kids? 2\. What are some challenges we might face that we may not be aware before moving? 3\. And the million $ question…is it safe? Thank you for your feedback!

resident2 | 10 years and 8 months ago

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I do not know what to say about your question!!?? On so many levels. But, that said; I have always had as one of my criteria of where to invest: never buy where I would not live myself. How in good conscience could you resell or rent apartments in your investment, where you yourself would not feel comfortable living? There are many reasons to make an investment in an area, but if it is purely the thought of quick money or the “In thing to do”. Please sell it before you make a bigger mistake. Only you can decide where you feel comfortable, only you can decide what neighborhood you want to raise your family in, what schools they go to, what kids your kids play with, meet along the way etc.

no-permits | 10 years and 8 months ago

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what horror stories have you heard? i don’t know of any. macdonough is a great block and you’ll love it. the only issue is schools.

bkny1 | 10 years and 8 months ago

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@resident2 Different people have different housing needs and one size doesn’t fit all. A certain neighborhood might be best fit for young professionals but may not be a good fit for families because of different needs. So, I think, it’s totally fine to invest in a place which makes sense for a certain demographic even if I personally don’t find it a good fit for my family.

bkny1 | 10 years and 8 months ago

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@no-permits Thank you for your response. I understand Bed Stuy is really ‘block by block’ and Macdonough is a beautiful street. I hear some occasional incidents of mugging and robberies(even at houses that are under construction) at late hours, not around macdonough st though. That’s what I was referring to. You are right, schools is something that I am most concerned about. I was really looking to know about experience of young families who recently moved to the area.

daveinbedstuy | 10 years and 8 months ago

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I lived there for 5 years on Stuyvesant just south of Halsey and absolutely loved it. I’m single, in my 50s. I always felt safe in that neighborhood. it was never an issue. The people are incredibly friendly (at least the old timers) and you’ll get to know a lot of your neighbors. I have no idea what the school situation is but hacve heard it’s an issue there. Bed Stuy is very, very large so hearing about anything in Bed Stuy can mean a lot of things. That is a beautiful block you will be on. It doesn’t get much better anywhere else in Brooklyn.

BSDOD | 10 years and 8 months ago

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It doesn’t sound like the neighborhood for you; if you have that many questions, and you don’t have to live there why would you?

Guest User | 10 years and 8 months ago

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It’s a great neighborhood. Just be smart, which you need to be wherever you live in NYC and in particular if you’re new to an area. I live on Hancock by Throop. There have been 2 break-ins on my block in the past month. Thankfully, no one was hurt. In one case, the break-in took place when my neighbors were away for Xmas. They think someone(s) broke in thru the parlor level window (there are no bars) from the street side. They are putting in an alarm system, so they won’t be a future target. Many brownstones are relatively easy to break into via the parlor level, since one can just go up the stoop stairs and through a window. The second break-in was thru the parlor-level window in the back of the building, but the window was left open — needless to say a crime of opportunity. Again, be smart — don’t leave your windows unlocked. Yes, there have been a rash of burglaries of buildings under renovation, though I can’t imagine that’s Bed-Stuy specific. Again, be smart — put in an alarm while you’re renovating, notify your local police precinct that your bldg is being renovated, so they can keep a look out, etc.

bkny1 | 10 years and 8 months ago

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Thank you very much for your comprehensive responses. My wife and I spent all day yesterday in the neighborhood, spoke with residents, ate at local places and loved it. We look forward to be a part of this wonderful commmunity!