Is Crown Heights Nicer then Park Slope?

I recently came across the Crownheights Blog thecrownheightser.blogspot.com. This blog seems to indicate that the nabe is one of the best in Brownstone Brooklyn.

For you other Heightsers out there, how would you compare Crown Heights With Park Slope and the other Brownstone Nabes?Would you say its equal or better the the Slope or Prospect Heights?

Subject: Yes

Architectually speaking Crown heights is more diverse and nicer then some of its rival hip neighborhoods.

Subject: Its coming

Interesting question Heightser:

Fist of all "nicer" is not a fair question when it comes to neighborhoods. As to comparing Crown Heights to other neighborhoods, I think its a matter of time till crown Heights evolves, I mean we dont even have a decent coffee lounge here.

We do have a decent coffee shop.... It's called Saje and it's on Franklin...
There is soon to be another on Eastern Parkway and Nostrand...

As far as comparing the two neighborhoods, we love Crown Heights but they are very different animans.... you need to visit the two and decide for yourself...

Subject: Crown Heights Rules

I lived in Crown Heights all my life and I think that is(at least one of the if not) the nicest Neighborhood in Brooklyn.

The array of Brownstones.

The two Doctors Row (President St. and St Mark.

Eastern Parkway

I don't live in either. but if both places were cost the same. i'll pick park slope hands down!!!

its like comparing a crack ho and a high class escort.

Subject: Crown Heights is Very Diverse

armchair_warrior wrote: I don't live in either. but if both places were cost the same. i'll pick park slope hands down!!!

its like comparing a crack ho and a high class escort.

The architecture of Crown heights Trumps any other brooklyn nabe.... and if you knew anything about the history of Crown heights you wouldent call it a crack ho. Crown heights has some of the wealthiest landowners in the city in CrowSO (Crown Heights South) and many upper class black in CroNo (Crown heights North)

Park Slope has a lower crime rate than Crown Heights (at least according to the precinct stats).

Jack Krohn wrote: Park Slope has a lower crime rate than Crown Heights (at least according to the precinct stats).

So if "nicer" is defined soley by crime rate, then there ya go, I suppose. The OP needs to clarify the question in order to better settle an "answer".

Subject: Re: Crown Heights is Very Diverse

Brooklyn Boy wrote: [quote=armchair_warrior]I don't live in either. but if both places were cost the same. i'll pick park slope hands down!!!

its like comparing a crack ho and a high class escort.

The architecture of Crown heights Trumps any other brooklyn nabe.... and if you knew anything about the history of Crown heights you wouldent call it a crack ho. Crown heights has some of the wealthiest landowners in the city in CrowSO (Crown Heights South) and many upper class black in CroNo (Crown heights North)
not talking about history. only care about current state of things.

park slope has more restaurants less crime.

hell a former beauty queen can turn into a crack ho over time!

Subject: CROWN HEIGHTS IS A NICER NEIGHBORHOOD THEN PARK SLOPE!

Were taking architect:
CROWN HEIGHTS IS A NICER NEIGHBORHOOD THEN PARK SLOPE!

if you're talking about architecture bed stuy has it hands down as the best!

I think the snobs there call it Stuyvesant Heights.

Are there any decent super markets in CH that don't feature anything but goya canned products and brown rotting fruit?

At least in Park Slope, there were one or two decent key foods.

More good restaurants in Park Slope as well, as least as of my last visit a couple of years ago.

X-brooklynite wrote: Are there any decent super markets in CH that don't feature anything but goya canned products and brown rotting fruit?

At least in Park Slope, there were one or two decent key foods.

More good restaurants in Park Slope as well, as least as of my last visit a couple of years ago.

I'm at St Johns and Nostrand, there is plenty of decent fruit and food. Even an organic place. Restaurants seem a bit limited, if you are looking for sit down and be served. Mostly take out.

I think Park Slope's brownstones are better maintained and there's more focus on preservation.

Crown Heights has a greater diversity in terms of the architectural types and periods than PS has. It also has something that is lacking in PS, a significant number of free standing (semi-detached or completely detached) homes. As Erikka points out, there has been a better effort to maintain buildings in PS, but the community continues to push for landmarking and preserving many of the gems in the area. CH also has a larger concentration of architecturally significant public structures (mostly churches).

For those of you interested in architecture, the Crown Heights North Association is going to be doing some walking tours of the neighborhood. Don't take my word for it, come out and see the nabe for yourself.

Key foods on Nostrand ( I think at Lincoln or a block or two more toward Atlantic ) is a good grocery story.. It's not a D'Agastino but it's better than the Mott Foods at Nostrand and St Johns, although that place is fine for hte basics and they now sell the yummy hummus they sell at Fairway!

Try FoodTown in Restoration Plaza. It's huge. And clean.

I can say unequivocally, that while some block in Park Slope are nicer than some in Crown Heights, there is no doubt that some blocks in Crown Heights are nicer than some blocks in Park Slope.

'Nicer' is both vague and subjective. I'm in CH so I'm biased. But try this:

Less crime: Park Slope
Relative affordability: Crown Heights
General Amenities: Park Slope
Ease of Parking: Crown Heights
Viking ranges: Park Slope
Music scene: Crown Heights
Sub-zero fridges: Park Slope
Architectural quality: Crown Heights

No. Crown Heights is not nicer than Park Slope, no how, no way.

I'm with Hal, nicer is subjective. There are definitely some areas in which PS has us beat, but I'll put the housing stock against PS any day. Frankly, I'm glad to see folks giving props to our neighborhood.

For those of y'all not aware of what some of the homes in CH look like, take a look at this.

Hal-- as I am a CH novice (but moving into the neighborhood)... I wonder if you could point me towards a few places to get into the CH music scene you mention. where to go? what to hear? many thanks to anyone who can contribute to my local culturedness...

Off the top of my head... Saje (Franklin @ Park Place)has bands on the weekends: TIGA plays Fridays at 7PM - hot 'world' music. Tavern on Nostrand (Nostrand near Union) has jazz trios on weekends. Secrets on Nostrand near Prospect has music too. I don't know the schedule. Cafe 400 on Nostrand @ Sterling has live music a few nights a week.

Subject: Crown heights

but its nice then that

Hal wrote: Off the top of my head... Saje (Franklin @ Park Place)has bands on the weekends: TIGA plays Fridays at 7PM - hot 'world' music. Tavern on Nostrand (Nostrand near Union) has jazz trios on weekends. Secrets on Nostrand near Prospect has music too. I don't know the schedule. Cafe 400 on Nostrand @ Sterling has live music a few nights a week.

Speaking of which I think Cafe 400 is closed. I was coming by a few nights ago and the doors were stickered with DOB notices saying that the building was ordered vacated. There were workmen inside tearing up the ground floor room. This morning there is a big sign outside saying that the Wednesday night show has been moved to another club. Anyone know anything more?

If by "nicer" you mean very pleasant to walk around in and various amenities (including tons of different restaurants, bars (straight and otherwise) boutiques, coffee shops, quick commute to Manhattan, cleanliness and lower crime), then Park Slope really is better than Crown Heights. If you're talking about architecture, Crown Heights is prettier. I've lived in both. If I could afford Park Slope, I would be there now.

I'd pick Crown Heights over Park Slope anyday, yes, even if the cost of living was the same. And architectually speaking, I know nothing about architecture, but yes, Bed-Stuy would win hands down. Everytime I am there, especially driving to Bushwick and I get to see alllllll of Bed-stuy, I am always thinking god damn, it is beautiful around here. Some parts of CH I actually don't like the architecture. But I love the hood regardless. I don't need a thousand resturants, I cook my meals myself, and I don't need a thousand trinket stores.

Also, about Saje: the Mimetiks play every sunday (or every other?) from around 12-4, while brunch is going on. They also play every Tuesday. And damn, those guys are fuckin GOOD. Definitely recommend checking them out. I don't know how to describe them.. soul, r&b maybe? anyone else heard 'em? they do covers like 'blackbird' and 'hallelujah' but they put a soft soulful kinda spin on everything.

--

thanks for the suggestions on music, to those who answered... look forward to checking some of these places out! (once I unpack...)

My Crown Heights block is quiet. In fact, my impression is that Park Slope is busy. Please don't misunderstand though. I like Park Slope. However, I think a lot of people make judgements about Crown Heights without intimate experience. Too bad for them. Great for us. The longer CH goes 'undiscovered', the better.

I like walking around Crown Heights and actually have people nod and say hello or good morning.

same here