Fort Greene: City's Best Nabe?
Trying to crown one neighborhood as New York City’s best is kind of a silly exercise, but if you were to concentrate on the criteria of culture, community, diversity and architecture, there certainly is a good case to be made for Fort Greene. “In all my days and nights of walking neighborhoods and asking people…
Trying to crown one neighborhood as New York City’s best is kind of a silly exercise, but if you were to concentrate on the criteria of culture, community, diversity and architecture, there certainly is a good case to be made for Fort Greene. “In all my days and nights of walking neighborhoods and asking people why they live where they live, I have never encountered a place that has this much heart, soul and pride,” write Daily News correspondent Jason Sheftell. “More than ever, I found people who said they could never live anywhere else but right here.” Unfortunately for those just hearing about Fort Greene’s charms, the days of finding a real estate deal are long gone (though they may return soon enough!), but it’s still worth it. (The writer naively claims that the Brooklyn nabe is as expensive as the West Village. Not!) People here do not like any fakeness in their neighborhood and they pay higher rents for that, said Denis DuPreez, co-owner of the Dekalb Avenue restaurant Madiba. We have beauty, and we have the good people. It’s hard to argue with that.
Fort Greene: The best neighborhood in New York? [NYDN]
Photo by atomische.com
What kind of deals are you seeking PDT? Are you looking to buy a house or apartment of simply looking for a decent rental?
I seems everything is awfully expensive even with the economic downturn.
I wonder if Fort Greene’s recent catapult into the realm of trendy NYC will be its downfall…
I hope we can strike a balance.
Has anyone been to the Irondale Theatre at the Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church? When the lights are on, the arched windows on the back of the building as from Cumberland are rather pretty.
Yes, Dave, true, the writer of that article wrote “down Lafayette” when he should have written “up Lafayette”…oh well. Made me wonder how familiar he really is with Fort Greene or if he was just writing this on a deadline as a handout from the editor. I can’t imagine he wrote it on spec since he probably would have known his subject better.
It doesn’t feel nearly as “us” and “them” as the new Williamsburg, to be honest. Most of the friendly people I’ve met here might be classified as “them,” at least to some of you.
Its gorgeous. Heart-rendingly, achingly, down-and-out gorgeous. Leafy trees, wide streets, rows of brownstones interspersed with just enough variation to make you notice.
The schools are fine. Geez, elementary school — what do you want? It’s not rocket science. And Brooklyn Tech is one of the best high schools in the city, yes?
It’s in the middle of everything. And the hill is not steep.
True, I like the shopping on the Atlantic corridor (the other Atlantic corridor, not the local one) better, but it’s walkable.
As far as wildly overpriced urban neighborhoods go, it’s the best there is.
That being said, the lack of street lights and long blocks make me nervous about walking around late — an issue I never had in Williamsburg.
Some of us have no need for schools. A lot of us, probably.
What are the perameters of Fort Green ? I am still not certain.
Frankly I must save that I am very happy in Crown Heights North. I live near Franklin Ave, thus close to the Park, The Museum, the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music where my child takes classes, we have a new wine shop on Franklin btw Prospect and St Marks place with an EXCELLENT selection of wines from around the world (although you would not know it because the sign outside still says “Discount Liquors….” I love the people on my block and the fact that I know my neighbors. Fresh Direct even started delivering (though the did not only 1.5 years ago). Franklin Park has been a wonderful addition to the neighborhood, though we could use more neighborhood bars and cafes and restaurnts. How I wish we had a Cafe Luxembourg type place nearby to get a good martibi and steak au poivre!!!…And I think we have excellent transportation opptions – the express 2-3 or 4-5 into Manhattan. Crown Heights North is just getting better and better….
Mr. biatch and I like to walk around Fort Greene, look at the pretty buildings and have dinner in some pretty good restaurants. We would never in a million years live there.
Although the people are diverse and interesting, the schools aren’t good, I never feel safe walking around there at night and I grew up next to the projects – have no desire to live anywhere near them now. I think it could be great place to live until you have kids…
iz that was real good…very subtle with the sarcasm there 🙂
BrooklynGreene do you know of any deals here in FG ?
Also we’ve only been here for about 2 years so don’t profess to know everything but you are spot on about the tolerance of mixed couples here unlike our old hood in midtown Manhattan.
Brooklyngreene…i’ve lived in brooklyn less than 2 years and know it’s “down flatbush to fulton”
Well well we don’t want to boost up our hood too much a la 11217 & PS but we honestly think FG is amongst the best hoods in Brooklyn. Please note we are not saying the best but definitely one of them. As far as subway transportation goes FG is hands down the VERY best option in Brooklyn as others have pointed out.
The architecture and housing stock here is simply amazing. Sometimes we simply stroll around to take in the beauty on summer days…it never gets old:)
Diversity is also probably more than anywhere else in Brooklyn. Like BrooklynGreene pointed out we are proud of the diversity here and challenge anyone to find a more diverse neighborhood in Brooklyn…racially and / socio-economically.
MM have you been to FG lately? We live here and don’t know where you read or saw this but to be honest as much as we respect your opinions we have come to expect this from you.
“It would be even better if it wasn’t so divided into us and them, the beautiful streets and the projects. Perhaps the resentment coming out of those buildings would be lessened by less talk of irradicating the area of those deemed unworthy, and finding ways of incorporating their needs and concerns into the greater community. It wasn’t too long ago that the entire area was vastly different than it is now”. Can you please provide an objective source or reference for such a remark? Or is it just your opinion based on observation?
Love the park and for the person complaining about the hill within it think about it this way: best combination for runners without needing to schlep to prospect pack.
The article had a ton of hyperbole and silliness to it but it was accurate in stating the obvious: there are no more RE bargains to be had here…everything is super expensive and the rents will continue to increase.
Brenda you are absolutely right about the poor schools in FG but remember this is a citywide epidemic not specific to FG. In fact FG is not so bad in this department either… remember we do have one of the best high schools in Brooklyn Tech and Bishop Loughlin is above average.
Yes, thank you IZ for being pro-Fort Greene. I felt so all alone out there!
Now if Nokilissa and family finally move to Fort Greene, I’m sure we’ll have a remarkable booster on our team (Team Princess as opposed to Teams Bull and Bear).
ms bg