Washington Avenue at night

taurusgirl · November 2007

So, my boyfriend and I recently signed the lease for a nice apartment on Washington Ave and St. Mark's, and will be moving in shortly. I've lived in the city for almost 8 years, including about 4 years alone in "pre-gentrified" Harlem, and am very comfortable alone in most neighborhoods. I also think Prospect Heights is fabulous and have no major fears of crime, etc., in the neighborhood.

I did notice, however, that Washington Avenue looks a little desolate at night, and I'm not sure how I feel about walking back home, alone, from the Clinton-Washington stop on the C/E train up to St. Mark's. I'm thinking it might be best to walk up another avenue toward St. Mark's-- like Vanderbilt or Underhill-- and then cross up to Washington once I hit St. Marks., or maybe take the bus, etc.

Thoughts? I always feel much more comfortable when there are people out on the street at night, and W. Ave just seemed like this might not be the case. I'd love to hear from other Prospect Heights residents about this. Thanks!

alafairnadia · November 2007

I think you should just stick with washington. there are a lot of vehicles on washington as well as open busineses. vanderbilt also has a lot going on but then you'll have to walk up some very dark, very empty blocks to get to washington. underhill is pretty quiet at night, and, again, you'll have to walk up the dark, empty block to washington. for the record, I've lived on washington for 3.5 years.

taurusgirl · November 2007

Cool, that's good to know! It might've just been the night, and we were driving, not walking. Plus this would probably be around 7 or so, I doubt I'd be taking the train back, alone, very very late anyway.

How do you like living on Washington Ave?

alafairnadia · November 2007

TaurusGirl wrote: Cool, that's good to know! It might've just been the night, and we were driving, not walking. Plus this would probably be around 7 or so, I doubt I'd be taking the train back, alone, very very late anyway.

How do you like living on Washington Ave?

I like it just fine -- but my bedroom does not face washington. I live across the street from a bar and some of my neighbors' bedrooms face washington and have to deal with the noise.

the gazillion trains that converge in the neighborhood - C, 2/3, B/Q - make it extremely convenient, and the plethora of stores, restaurants and bars on washington, underhill and vanderbilt make it super easy to stay in the neighborhood on the weekends/evenings.

taurusgirl · November 2007

alafairnadia wrote: I like it just fine -- but my bedroom does not face washington. I live across the street from a bar and some of my neighbors' bedrooms face washington and have to deal with the noise.

the gazillion trains that converge in the neighborhood - C, 2/3, B/Q - make it extremely convenient, and the plethora of stores, restaurants and bars on washington, underhill and vanderbilt make it super easy to stay in the neighborhood on the weekends/evenings.

Yeah, our bedroom will be in the middle of the apartment and not facing any St. (windows only offering a view of the bldng next to us, in true NYC form,) and the living room looks onto St. Mark's.

The access to the trains, and various things to do in the neighborhood/surrounding neighborhoods (including proximity to BAM, Brooklyn Museum/Library, Park Slope, etc.,) were the main reasons that we both wanted to look here. I'm really excited about moving to the neighborhood. . . there also seem to be a lot of people our age (mid-late 20's).

leet · November 2007

TaurusGirl wrote: I'm really excited about moving to the neighborhood. . . there also seem to be a lot of people our age (mid-late 20's).

Hm. Yes. I believe Williamsburg is actually the designated twenty-something neighborhood (You people have completely monopolized that area :-), whereas Crown and Prospect Heights have families, even multigenerational families, living there with a broad age range from 0 - 90+.

izisharp · November 2007

definitely avoid Underhill late at night alone. Last summer I ran into a man who'd just been mugged -- he'd been punched in the face and had his phone stolen, and he was just walking up his front stairs. Shady little fuckers try to start trouble on the dark side streets. Washington is a safer route than Underhill or Vanderbilt, for sure.

Washington Avenue at night

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