42nd St. and 4th Ave.

I live around the corner from there - on 4th. If you don't mind the rumble of the subway underneath and the constant sirens, it's not bad (I sleep like the dead so nothing bothers me). Key Food is between 43rd and 44th on 5th, there's Sunset Deli on 44th and 4th (great sandwiches and a hot bar), two laundries between 44th and 45th on 4th, a pizza place, Chinese restuarant, Mexican-American, Equadorian, the new "gourmet" place on the corner of 45th and 4th (gee, I notice I don't really move out of a 3 block radius of my apartment. That's kinda sad...).

That area is very nice. I live a street away. While its not "trendy" or "pretty" in a West Village or Park Slope way, its reasonably clean and very quiet at night. You will not find very many people standing around outside with parked cars blaring loud music. (I had that problem in "Kensington" otherwise known as Flatbush). The area is primarily Mexican and Puerto Rican.
Sunset Park is rapidly, and I do mean R-A-P-I-D-L-Y gentrifying.
That means safety hasn't been and most likely will not be an issue.
I know I have often come home from some goth club at 4 am in the morning and walked from 36 street (the express subway stop) to 41st in platform boots, and some slinky number.

Anyway, For what to do:

RESTAURANTS

Eclipse is right on 4th avenue and 44th street. They serve great Mexican food. The Japanese lady who owns the place is a great conversationalist. They have wonderful brunch.

Maria's on 38th street and 5th avenue is also really good Mexican They have really good culinary skills. and a great wine/drinks list. (You will be hard pressed to find any other type of food except for cheap push out Chinese food) :?

Los Petrillos on 40th and 4th avenue is a HUUGE, and spacious place. Its clean and also serves Mexican food. It also has some Americanized dishes like burgers & fries and breakfast type food.

5th avenue Donut & Diner (I forget the exact name)
38th and 5th avenue is great. The Greek owner can be kinda gruff, You have to ask 2x for things sometimes and he is SLOW, but the food is decent and the breakfasts tend to be great. Its basic Diner food, and i do mean BASIC. If you are looking for culinary skills take the 63 bus down Park Slope.

GROCERIES

Key food 45th and 4th avenue
is a bit pricey. The selection and cleanliness is better than all the other nearby stores (thats why I haul my stuff from Trader Joes at union Square)

Associated/Clarimar's 44th and 3rd avenue
You may want to hike down to the recently renovated Clarimar's (Now called Associated) which is MUCH cleaner than it was. ITS WAAAY cheaper than Key food. So when you are low on cash, go there.

Steve's C town 9th street off of 5th avenue
Or you can take the 63 bus on 5th avenue and hit Steve's C town in park slope on 9th and 5th avenue. Its clean and has great selections

Costco 39th street and 3rd avenue
the big top store. You need a membership card which is ~60 bucks.


STAY AWAY from the C town on 52nd and 5th. The food is rotten half part of the time and the place stinks and is more crowded than an express train on a weekday at 5:30 pm.


LAUNDRY
Go to wash n clean on 38th street between 4th and 5th
Its the cleanest. all the other places look like holes in the walls


RECREATION
Not much to do around these parts except sit in the park, go bike riding. A bowling alley on 36~ 35th and 5th avenue.
There is a batting practice center on 32nd and 3rd
Sunset Park has a pool.




SHOPPING
Not much.

Housing Goods
There is A great cheap store I found for slightly off housing wears. Its on 38th street below 3rd avenue, just across from Costco. The name escapes me but its great for NAME BRAND but slightly irregular household goods.

Post office
34th street and 3rd avenue

Beer
There is a Beer distribution place on 3rd avenue and 37th street.
A great selection of German and Belgian bears and.

Other than that, haul your behind down to Park Slope where shopping for wine, cheese, chocolate and decent magazines doesn't SUCK.