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Bushwick Dangerous? — Brooklynian

Bushwick Dangerous?

j-tron
j-tron
edited November -1 in Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Bushwick
A few friends and I are looking at apartments around Brooklyn. At first when we were looking we ruled on Bushwick entirely because we had heard nothing but bad things about it. Obviously you'll hear bad things about any "iffy" place, mostly by people who don't exactly live there. So I ask the residents of Bushwick: how is it? I'd appreciate input from old-timers as well as new residents. Please back up your opinion with a little context, i.e. who you are and how long you've been living there.

Comments

  • daver
    daver
    Sorry, haven't lived there and so I can't be an opinion backer. I had a shop I used to frequent in there in the last year and half or so though, and I found the area to be pretty decent. This is specifically the _neutral_ zone they have going on where it seems some people call it east williamsburg or west bushwick or whatever. As opposed to deeper into Bushwick, where I don't know much. I would say without a doubt that the west bushwick area (in general) is fine (comparatively) and definitely far better than the borderline brownsville one that you have mentioned in another thread.

    There was a lot of dog crap there though. Dunno what is up with that.
  • caaahyoko
    caaahyoko
    What kind of situations are you trying to avoid? Muggings? Gang violence? Chance of getting hit by a vehicle? Honestly, you might want to think about exactly what you think you're vulnerable to and then look at some crime statistics. Here is the full list by precinct:

    http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/crime_prevention/crime_statistics.shtml
  • caaahyoko
    caaahyoko
    Also, I would ask why you considering/not considering a certain neighborhood. Do you just come home around rush hour and only hang out socially in Manhattan? Do you need somewhere cheap, but not necessarily with music and art venues?

    My husband and I chose Bushwick because a) we can't spend all our money on rent because we have music career related expenses, b) of the places we could afford, it was the one that had the most going for it as far as an artistic community.

    Sure, we'll have to keep alert and avoid certain blocks at certain times. But living somewhere that doesn't offer any stimulation would be just as bad for us.

    Of course, if you're just looking for a place to come home to and don't participate in any of those things, then sure, pick somewhere like Bay Ridge or Sunset Park.

    Still, nothing gives you a better idea of a place than to spend some time in it. Go wander around the neighborhood and see for yourself. I would never base my decision solely on other people's experiences.
  • modsquad
    modsquad
    caaahyoko wrote: What kind of situations are you trying to avoid? Muggings? Gang violence? Chance of getting hit by a vehicle? Honestly, you might want to think about exactly what you think you're vulnerable to and then look at some crime statistics. Here is the full list by precinct:

    http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/crime_prevention/crime_statistics.shtml
    Those crime stats are worthless, Other than telling you if crime is up or down, there is nothing based on population or specific neighborhoods.

    It's sorta like saying the average temperature in NYC is 54.7, dress accordingly.
  • jimmylegs
    jimmylegs
    bushwick is huge, you gotta be more specific. in one corner you have the industrial lofts full of kids, on the other you have houses full of families. i live in the latter down by the halsey J, been here around 2 years. i really like it but understand that a lot of people don't. my friends were beaten up for trying to intervene in a fight, but besides that nothing bad has happened to us.

    the more people ask these questions about neighborhoods, the more i feel like saying, 'if you have to ask ...'

    and show me one neighborhood in NYC where people DON'T advise you to 'be aware of your surroundings" :)
  • daver
    daver
    caaahyoko wrote: Still, nothing gives you a better idea of a place than to spend some time in it. Go wander around the neighborhood and see for yourself. I would never base my decision solely on other people's experiences.
    This.

    And go at different times too, including late at night. Everyone has different comfort levels, what may be sketchy to you may be no prob for someone else, or vice-versa.
  • urbancowgirl
    urbancowgirl
    I now live in east Bushwick, off the Wilson stop on the L line, and I love it. I don't feel unsafe at all. I mean, would I go walking around by myself at midnight? No, of course not. But I wouldn't do that anywhere. I've got a fast commute into the city for work, the L line intersects all the other lines making travel within Brooklyn, to Queens, and to Manhattan super easy, and my apartment is massive and affordable with a private backyard and shared roofdeck. I find the neighbors very nice, and most everyone simply keeps to themselves. There's a LOT of stoop sitting/grilling/general hanging out that makes me feel safe and gives the area a 'neighborhood' feel. Other than the occasional "Hey Mami" comment (which are honestly mostly from the construction workers across the street who don't even live on the block), I've not encountered anything amiss. And who doesn't need a little superficial encouragement on their way to the train at 8 am?
  • caaahyoko
    caaahyoko
    modsquad wrote:
    Those crime stats are worthless, Other than telling you if crime is up or down, there is nothing based on population or specific neighborhoods.

    It's sorta like saying the average temperature in NYC is 54.7, dress accordingly.
    True, it would be nice to have a population number next to each precinct, but they are based on specific precincts, which is the same as specific neighborhoods...I can always google the population number.

    Regardless, for me, the HUGE difference between the numbers in 1990 and the numbers now in all of the city is enough to tell me that there are few places that I absolutely can't live in because of safety. Since the friends of mine who lived here in the 1990's survived unscathed, I think I'll be fine.
  • brooklynleather
    brooklynleather
    I've lived off the Myrtle-Broadway JMZ and Dekalb L stops in Bushwick and agree it is generally fine, I never had any problems.
  • rachel rae
    rachel rae
    Brooklyn Resident all my life.

    Bushwick used to be a very tough neighborhood, and I would imagine it still is to a degree, but the amount of young hipsters riding the L train with me to the Myrtle stop seems to grow by the day.

    They even fixed up the Myrtle Wycoff train station and made it look beautiful.

    I would go to the apt you are considering and check out the neighborhood at different times of day, including early in the morning (see what the rush hour crowd is like, Dinner time, and late at night)

    I think thats a good way of seeing who will be hanging around your potential block.
  • yawp
    yawp

    Subject: Bushwick safe

    I just moved from Bushwick. I never really felt unsafe there. What I didn't like was not feeling like I lived in a real neighborhood.

    Large parts of Bushwick are ruled by industry, and it doesn't make for the most hospitable surroundings. It's raw and has a post-apocalyptic look. Walking around there, I felt like Will Smith in Legend.
  • jaybourne
    jaybourne

    Subject: bushwich

    i live off of myrtle on j train. gf and i haven't had any troubles as of yet. lots of "ethnic" people, but generally safe. Apartments are cheaper so i can't complain.
  • bedstuy-n-bushwick
    bedstuy-n-bushwick

    Subject: Re: Bushwick safe

    Yawp wrote: I just moved from Bushwick. I never really felt unsafe there. What I didn't like was not feeling like I lived in a real neighborhood.

    Large parts of Bushwick are ruled by industry, and it doesn't make for the most hospitable surroundings. It's raw and has a post-apocalyptic look. Walking around there, I felt like Will Smith in Legend.
    Lofl! That's what makes Bushwick, BUSHWICK baby!
  • bedstuy-n-bushwick
    bedstuy-n-bushwick

    Subject: Re: bushwich

    jaybourne wrote: i live off of myrtle on j train. gf and i haven't had any troubles as of yet. lots of "ethnic" people, but generally safe. Apartments are cheaper so i can't complain.
    that part of myrtle ave is getting whiter by the second. It's amazing really.
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