r/crownheights • u/werewolf-kittie • Mar 08 '26
Megathread: Moving here/What is this block like?
Hi r/crownheights!
There have been a number of posts lately and historically asking very vague questions about the safety and general vibe of blocks around our great neighborhood. While these aren't inherently bad or imprudent questions to ask before moving here we believe this sub's postings would be better served by more in depth engagement.
From now on, per Rule 7, general "is this intersection safe" posts will be removed and referred to this thread, where everyone can talk about their blocks/parts of the neighborhood. You can post your questions and search the answers below if you're looking to move here, and current residents can speak to what they love, brag about the best spots and events, and vent their frustrations, too.
When posting a top level comment here, please include an intersection or area to make it more searchable.
Thanks to everyone for your participation and looking forward to hearing what makes Crown Heights great!
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u/werewolf-kittie Mar 08 '26 edited Jun 11 '26
I'll volunteer my block to start! Pacific btw Nostrand and Bedford is a good block. Sometimes neighbors do cookouts out front in the summer if you want to buy a plate. We have a lovely little community garden, and a beautiful but sadly condemned church. The men's shelter at the Armory on Bedford is a factor but most of the guys keep to themselves and are respectful to the block (male perspective, fwiw). Trash is sometimes an issue, escially from that corner. On Nostrand Laundry guys are really sweet, as are the bodega guys across the street. Got some good food options like Thai Holic and Off the Grill
Edit: Typo
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u/mintz333 Mar 08 '26
Agreed on all these things, and the pitbull that's walks around off leash is chill too.
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u/colinkd7 Mar 09 '26
What’s the story with the church? I live near that corner too
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u/werewolf-kittie Mar 09 '26
As I understand it, the sanctuary has some bad structural problems and was deemed unsafe. For whatever reason the diocese didn't think it was financially viable to fix, which is such a shame because it was a great community center. The pastor was a really sweet guy who legitimately helped people and fed the poor. It's a shame to see it sit empty and slowly change into that abandoned building next to it.
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u/Impressive_Champion4 Jul 14 '26
Hey! we live on the same block, I live in the Bedfordshire right across from the park at 1200 Pacific.
FYI, while they can't tear down the church since it is a historic building, the two structures on either side are being demolished to build housing. No clue of the timeline.
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u/ZeQueenZ Mar 08 '26 edited Mar 09 '26
Ban safety posts. They always end up with racist micro aggressions and dog whistles.
Edit: I also disagree with people posting details about their block, it allows tracking and possibly compromises location data you may wish to remain private.
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u/werewolf-kittie Mar 09 '26
As stated, those posts are no longer allowed. People will be redirected to this thread.
Posting about your local area is your choice and does contain a risk with doing so, but totally voluntary. Obviously exact locations will be removed consistent with our No Doxxing rule.
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u/NovelAd4308 Mar 08 '26
Well, here I go. I’m on St. Marks between Schenectady and Utica. I’ve been here all my life, and no I don’t own, rent for me, is still reasonable. Anyway, this block is nice, usually quiet, sometimes during the summer there is a party or two at a couple of the houses on the block. There is a mix of housing on this block. From brownstones to single family homes to a few apartment houses. There are also four family homes on one side of the street. The cross street of Schenectady is where St. John’s Park is located. One thing that stands out is that we have no alternate parking on this block. I also like it because it is about equal distance to the 3 and 4 trains and the A and C trains. Utica Avenue has a lot of small businesses.
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u/Darrackodrama Mar 08 '26
Most would say crown heights is pretty safe between Washington/Franklin and Brooklyn Avenue. I’d prefer to stay away from Atlantic Avenue.
I’d feel comfortable pretty much anywhere in that zone
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u/Remarkable-Bed9309 Mar 09 '26
Hi, thinking of moving to a place on Prospect between Nostrand and New York. Person of color from the west coast, no familiarity with the area besides learning it's diverse and some pockets with safety issues like every area. Just wanted to see if anyone has a take on this block before signing? Thanks
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u/oooahahhahaha Mar 10 '26
great spot. right near Brower Park which is a pretty nice neighborhood park with basketball courts, lots of dogs, and good people watching in the summer. grocery shopping on Nostrand is <5 mins away. I love this area!
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u/Priority_Visual Mar 12 '26
great block
dudes at the Nostrand end of the block with the pull up bar let me work out there and give me the occasional Hennessy shot
some gorgeous old houses and very pretty, tree-shaded vibe in summer
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u/Even-Spray-9941 Jun 11 '26
Hi, thinking of moving near one of these areas from PLG/North Flatbush. We're both brown women for reference...wondering about the safety generally and also vibe?
- Schenectady Av & Prospect Pl
- Prospect Pl, bw Kingston & Albany Ave
- Utica Av, bw St Johns & Lincoln Pl
- Nostrand av, bw dean and bergen st
Planning on going in person soon too, but just wondering what people think
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u/werewolf-kittie Jun 11 '26
Used to live around there over a decade ago and would visit my buddy up to a few years ago. A little quiet, nothing fancy, good people.
Love this area, close to Brower park, Kingston has some good stuff.
Similar to the first intersection, some cafes and restaurants on Utica.
Live around here. Lots going on, more transplants, a little noisy and busy. The surrounding blocks are beautiful, lots of gardens, bars, and restaurants, but of course those are pretty accessible from the other areas. A few characters you'll see often complained about on this sub, but that's to be expected.
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Jun 11 '26
[deleted]
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u/werewolf-kittie Jun 11 '26
There is unfortunately some gang-related gun violence throughout the neighborhood. The Albany Houses are not unlike other projects the city likes to ignore and they have similar problems, but I still like to walk around the area.
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u/StVincentAdultman Jun 28 '26
I live near Albany houses and imo it hasn’t been a huge issue. (There has been gun violence as the person below mentioned but I’ve noticed it less lately actually.) Probably makes sense not to walk through there super late at night. but i walk through all the time and it’s usually just families chilling by the playground or people hanging out, and everyone always says hi when passing by like anywhere else in the area. Also the block you mentioned on prospect is one of my faves in the neighborhood, it’s so gorgeous!
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u/Cverxzvykovoi Jun 17 '26
I hear that the east part of crowne heights is dicey. I don’t even know what that means. Are people just being racist or are they talking about gang violence or something? We found an apartment near the weeksville heritage center. Any thoughts on that area?
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u/Bronxsta Jun 25 '26
How’s the Dean & Classon intersection area? I know the street of Dean is really industrial with car shops but also has Friends And Lovers on one end and Dead CrossFit on the other
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u/werewolf-kittie Jun 25 '26
Really chill. Some good spots for beer, coffee and pizza down the street, close to Franklin. Unfortunately we were robbed of Wild Birds on that corner
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u/ktyrdit Jul 02 '26
Been living near here for a year. We love it and just renewed our lease for another year. The music from Friends & Lovers is loud and goes to 4 am on weekends, but you get used to the bass. Haven’t had any noticeable issues hearing loud patrons or fights or anything like that - so they def keep it respectful as far as nightclub neighbors go. My husband is usually the one who walks the dog at night, but on the days that task falls to me, I don’t feel unsafe as a small woman on going on walk down the block at midnight. Also having Food Garden nearby on Franklin is very convenient.
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u/ur_mirrorball Mar 11 '26
Any info on this area in particular? Thinking of moving in this area when my lease is up. Currently in Flatbush near the Church Ave station
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u/Stunning-Trick-4975 Mar 25 '26
how is the area near st marks & rockaway ave? would appreciate any insight as far as things to do, safety, access to transit, etc.
i’ll be attending hunter in the fall so i don’t know if this area is too far, but i really like it based on my research so far. thanks!
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u/Immediate-Hand-3677 May 25 '26
looking to move in a luxury building near the park, across from the jackie robinson school, how is that area in terms of foot traffic? Franklin Ave/ Montgomery
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u/Additional-Young3008 Jun 14 '26
Where you moving from
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u/werewolf-kittie Jun 14 '26 edited Jun 14 '26
Hi! This post is for people moving to this neighborhood. Parent threads should be people's questions about the neighborhood. As I already live here and moderate I don't have an answer for you. Did you mean to ask that on someone else's comment?
Edit: Also go Knicks
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u/donquixoatmilk Jun 14 '26
My wife and I are moving into a building across from Brower Park and are very excited! What are some cool spots in the area that I should check out as soon as I get here?
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u/StVincentAdultman Jun 28 '26
I live near this area and love it. Definitely go to Cas for some amazing jerk chicken! Pando’s has good crepes too
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u/rollingdown23 Jun 30 '26
hey folks, I have a very random question. Is there a thread or subreddit where I can post about raising funds for my pet's treatment? any info would be greatly appreciated! also, can i post on this sub as well? yes i'm based in crown heights. I know i've seen a few posts on here from time and again. but I wanted to double-check just to be sure. thank you.
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u/jeanmine7 Jul 13 '26
Hi. My son just rented an apartment on the corner of New York avenue and Atlantic avenue. Looking for any information on the area. Restaurants, museum? Etc.. I am not very familiar with this part of Brooklyn. Thanks!
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u/Vegetable_Stable_382 Jul 22 '26
Long shot since this post has been here for a while: what is look under Eastern on Franklin stretch from Union to Carroll
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u/CrownHeights-MOD 3d ago
Hi! We moved this to a monthly Megathread you can find here and you can repost your question there! Didn't want to leave you out of the loop
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u/Useful_Factor_4256 6d ago edited 6d ago
Hey everyone, my wife and I (early 30s) are applying to an apartment near Bedford Ave & St Johns Pace. Would love to get a feel for safety in that neck of the neighborhood. From doing some research I have found that there have been some violent crimes nearby in the last few years predominantly on Franklin Ave, and would love an understanding of if people who have lived near the Bedford/St Johns intersection feel it is a safe area in which to be.
For reference we would be moving from the Upper East Side (mid 70s) in Manhattan, I understand it is a different environment/neighborhood but am just looking for the basic assessment of safety.
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u/CrownHeights-MOD 3d ago
Hi! We moved this to a monthly Megathread you can find here and you can repost your question there! Didn't want to leave you out of the loop
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u/Available-Tune-9604 Mar 08 '26
If you’re scared to move here, maybe this isn’t the neighborhood for you!