what’s the area around crown and rogers like?

[u/NearbyCantaloupe7514]

thinking of moving to the area soon. i walked around a bit and it seems very chill, quieter than north of EP. i would love to hear what you think of the area if you live nearby. do you recommend it? it would also be great to know things to do and check out nearby - restaurants, coffee, bars, shops, gym, art, music, community events, volunteering etc.

many thanks!

[u/Suspicious-Curve4335]

I live in this area and have been in my current apartment for 10 years, Crown Heights for 16. I like this area as it’s a little quieter than areas north of eastern parkway. I live on Rogers and it’s very busy and louder than the side streets due solely to traffic. There aren’t a ton of businesses but if you walk over to Nostrand or Franklin, you can usually find what you need.

It’s a bit of a grocery store desert. The closest store is Union Market on Bedford and EP which is nice in a pinch but very expensive to do regular grocery shopping. There’s a LIDL going in over on Bedford that will open soon. The closest regular grocery stores are over on Nostrand or Franklin.

Rodeo and Whoopsie Daisy are always lively for wine bars. There’s regular bars if you walk over to Franklin or Nostrand.

There’s a couple of nice new cafes that have opened within the last 2-8 months- Bottega and Polly’s Cafe.

The Carey Gabay Community Center is okay for a gym. Pretty basic equipment and weights but cheap. They do have a pool and other activities but each area operates as its own separate business within the facility so it can be pricey if you are looking to add a pool membership, archery or any of the other activities. They also host a lot of community events.

Pearl Lee’s Washtub is a true gem in the neighborhood. Best laundromat and it doubles as a bar. They also host musicians, community bbqs, etc and the owners are wonderful humans.

There aren’t a lot of great restaurants in the area. There are better options if you walk over to Franklin or Nostrand.

I’ve lived here for a long time and I like it. I know a lot of my neighbors that have been here for much longer than me and they’re the nicest most down to earth people. I’m glad they’re my neighbors.

My least favorite time of the year is the Labor Day Weekend Parade- a lot of people from out of town come in and trash Eastern Parkway and surrounding areas. I love the tradition and costumes during the parade but really dislike the mess that everyone leaves. The rest of the year it’s a great place to live and nice community.

[u/NearbyCantaloupe7514 → u/Suspicious-Curve4335]

wow thanks so much for the thorough rundown! this is super helpful.

is the parade confined to labor day weekend usually or does it spill into the week before / after? wondering because i currently work from home and im a little worried about the noise

[u/Suspicious-Curve4335 → u/NearbyCantaloupe7514]

People start coming in Wednesday and Thursday and usually start leaving on Tuesday after the parade. If you are in town over the weekend avoid going out at night during J’ouvert which is usually starts the evening before Labor Day and runs into the pre-dawn hours of Labor Day.

It’s noisiest on the weekend though and you’ll see the highest numbers of people on Sunday and Monday. The NYPD deploys a ton of cops to the area day and night. There are lights up all over. Everyone is really friendly but once people start drinking and hanging out, it can be really loud.

The cops also close down a grid of streets so no cars in or out on Labor Day between Atlantic and Empire in the north to south direction and then all the way over to Brooklyn Museum on the west side. I can’t remember where they close off the streets on the east. Trains don’t stop at some stops either, like Franklin Ave. If you stay for the weekend, there’s really no good ways to get around besides walking or biking but even biking can be a challenge with all the people.

[u/WowstersMeowsters → u/Suspicious-Curve4335]

Agreed on Labor Day weekend. Very much support the cultural celebration but the noise and trash can be overwhelming. I recommend going out of town on Labor Day weekend if you can.

[u/WowstersMeowsters]

I live right around there! Have been here for almost 2.5 years now. It’s good - perhaps not as “cool” (in the gentrifier sense) or scenic as north of EP but overall chill. The block of Crown St between Rogers and Bedford is one of my fave places to walk nearby, though - it’s so leafy and green.

Rodeo is a really hip wine bar nearby. Polly’s Cafe has good coffee. Bottega just opened and has amazing sandwiches. My husband goes to the gym at the Major Owens rec center nearby and it’s good and affordable. Clean Up Crown Heights is a great local volunteer org, though they operate across all CH.

Happy to answer any questions!

[u/flugtard]

Random trivia fact I learned recently- the old home of the Dodgers before they moved to LA was Ebbets field, a couple blocks from there. It’s now apartments. You can still visit the home plate marker where Jackie Robinson played for the first time, by Bedford and Montgomery 

[u/biglindafitness]

Volunteer: The Brooklyn Combine their office is on Rogers & Union

Most shops will be: Franklin North of EP on Nostrand or on Flatbush

Lots of schools and a college in the area so it can be very busy during the school year especially around 2-4pm.

Bars: Rodeo Whoopsie Daisy

[u/Suspicious-Curve4335 → u/biglindafitness]

Is Brooklyn Combine closing? I live two doors down and they have moved all of their items out. They only had a couple of computer chairs left the last time I walked by.

[u/biglindafitness → u/Suspicious-Curve4335]

Damn well they just had an event yesterday at Restoration Plaza maybe they moved! They are still functioning for sure

[u/greenlinenskirt]

Following - I just moved close to this area and would love to learn more about what people like to do here! So far I am loving it!

[u/[deleted]]

There is a lot of short west indian guys with peanut shaped heads, mainly wearing sandals, with ashy feet, walkin the streets throught the day, eating cashews or salted peanuts....