Just checking in, and maybe checking out.

So, I haven't been home much. Probably 1 night a week. Don't know if anything is going on or not. Last time I did laundry the "gym" was still as unfinished as it was before. But there is a sign about "information on membership fees coming soon." So I guess the gym is not an amenity. (Probably because they would have to offer it to the rent stabilized people who are paying under-market too, so they can't really roll the cost into rents).

I'm thinking about moving. Not for any particular reason, except I like change. I'm tempted to stay, it being stabilized with free utilities, including free A/C (and I like it cold).
Does anyone want a 2-bedroom in FBG? It's 1,350/month (which is the current going rate), but it's stabilized at that level, whereas most units have that as a preferential rate that can be jacked up quite a bit after the first year or two. Also, though FBG wouldn't agree with this, they cannot demand an A/C charge for any of three air conditioners, so it's free utilities, including free A/C. Also, there's a queen sized loft bed in the smaller room (which is good, because unless you're a kid, the second bedroom in FBG is just too small). That cost like $800 to build, and I don't really want to have to remove it (no piece of it fits out the door, i.e., I'm going to have to unscrew everything to get the wood out to the trash).

Someone asks for an updated opinion.

"I am originally from Marine Park which isn't that far fromFlatbush Gardens and to go to high school, I'd have to take the 41 tothe Junction to catch the 5 train as well as Holy Cross being thecemetery that family members are buried at. Growing up, that area wasless than desirable to say the least. I haven't read the full blog soI don't know if you're originally from Brooklyn/NYC or from outside ofthe area. If you've been a long time resident, have you seen anoticeable improvement to the area?"

>> I'm originally from Florida, and have been in NYC for 2 years now, after 3 years in DC. So, pretty new. I've lived 10 months in Brooklyn Heights, and 14 months in FBG.


"If you're new to the area, in thetime that you've lived at Flatbush Gardens, do you feel that thingshave improved even with the economy suffering?"
>> Things must have improved, because I think the neighborhood is pretty great. Safe and friendly. To hear the "old-timers" tell it, it was nothing but a giant crack den and gang hang out. Ok, at least once a week there is a pot odor coming from at least one apartment. I've never done pot, but I think it should be legal and have no problem with that. I've never seen any other drug use or symptoms of a drug using community. I'm sure there is plenty, but if I can't see it, then I really don't care about it. Is it Brooklyn heights, park slope, or even south-east williamsburg? no, but I think it's just fine. As for the economy, I suspect the concern there is (1) fewer cops, and (2) more people sitting around with nothing to do and needing money. Idk, hasn't seemed a problem. If anything, the economy is making FBG a more "reasonable" option for all those yuppies in Manhattan who have gotten pay cuts and the like.


"Do you own a car and if so, is it easy to park and do you feel comfortable having a car in theneighborhood?"

>> I do not, but I've rented a few and parked them on the street without incident. The complex has a couple paid garages. Before the second one opened up, there was an issue with no parking spaces available. However, I think that's been resolved, and a few months back they were actually offering incentives to get new parkers in there. They may be full now, but I can't imagine the wait list is that long. Remember, everyone out here is trying to save a buck. That's why so few people install AC units even though it's hot in the summer. With free street parking, a lot of folks are just going to take the extra time and extra risk to street park for free. I think the garage is $90 a month. I'd pay it for just convenience, let alone safety.


"If you had to do it all over again, would you chooseFlatbush Gardens or would to look to move to an area that may not beas convenient train-wise as where you are but for the same price you'dget a nicer apartment/living situation?"

>> Based on the way you ask the question, I'd certainly say yes. If I've disliked anything it's the commute. People who grow up in these super-urban areas seem to be ok with long commutes, like it's part of life. I hate them. So yes, my commute is only 35 minutes during rush hour, I live a half block from a 2/5 stop, and my destination is 100 feet from a 5 stop. By NYC standards my commute is a breeze, but I still hate it. In the BK Heights I was door to desk in under 14 minutes. So, I'm not a good person to ask about a quality to commute convenience trade off. I like it here. If you could get me to work in under 15 minutes, I'd probably never leave. Annoying at times, but still a great deal. Not everyone agrees here, but I still recommend it. I have friends who would rather die than live out here. For no other reason than they need to be within 5 minutes of a bar at all times. As long as you can handle a "family area" with no "hip young trendy" places, then I recommend this place.

Other's can weigh in with their own assessments.

Laundry... the prodigal amenity has returned.

As Megan first noted here, the laundry room has been totally shut down for some time. Wrath followed-up here with an on-site inspection, having out smarted their sign with the secret entrance, also known as "the other door." In an effort to see how many older posts I can link to, I'll ponder with reference to this, what is the difference between the laundry room being closed and opened?
But really, I'm writing to report that I went there this morning to get mail and check it out myself, and they were back up and running, with people doing their laundry.

Though I laugh as much as others when FBG continues to characterize the new and nice laundry room as "state-of-the-art," I do think it's really nice. A lot of machines and less than half the price of the two commercial places closest to the apts. I mean, to me, state-of-the-art might require something a little more futureistic or feature-full than a "super-wash" for a quarter. I do like that for a mere 2-bits you may actually get the soap out of your clothes, but "state-of-the-art"? What exactly is the washing machine art anyway, that it has a current state? Anyway, don't think it should close at 9pm (last call is 7pm), but when open, and when working, it's really nice. Including new ammenities like a vending machine (currently broken, lol).

Get your clean on!

Meet the Press.

So apparently this blog has been cited by no less than curbed.com and nypost.com. This leads me to believe I'm still the only one who cares to jot down oberservations of FBG living.... I mean, if you have to cite this blog as evidence of something, well, you're reaching.

I also think 99% of the NYPost article is probably bullcrap. Oh, the tanant advocacy lawyer thinks harrassment might be going on in favor of gentrification? The rent-stabalized tenants fear harrassment? I want to see one confirmed housing court docket number where FBG attempted to evict a tenant who paid their rent but refused to pay the A/C fee. (BTW, if that docket number happens to have my name on it, since I pay my rent and refuse to pay the A/C fee, then consider me served). Don't tell me they're just taking their time to file the paper-work... my roommate (former ex-roommate and co-signee) forgot to mail in rent once, and had eviction papers delivered before the next month's invoice. I hate to be cynical, or misaccuse actual victims, but I think the majority of people in a tenant legal clinic didn't pay their rent and now have 100 newly invented reasons for why they did nothing wrong and the landlord is evil. (When in fact they did a lot wrong and the landlord has just the usual 5 or 6 reasons for being considered evil). FIX MY SINK JERKS!

Where are this summer's apartment hunters?

So, everyone moves in the summer time, and those wonderful May/June months are not that far off. Are there any apartment hunters out there considering Flatbush Gardens? How do you feel about the current rental scale? Anyone?

Why is Flatbush Gardens so great?

Well, great may be an overstatement. "A viable option"? Because of this:

http://www.brownharrisstevens.com/detail.aspx?id=940654 (link is dead, see image below).

350 sqft with one window facing the back ally for $375,000.

This is the neighborhood I lived in when I first moved to NYC 15 months ago; the neighborhood I broke a lease in to move to Flatbush Gardens. I went down there to see this place for something to do on a Sunday (not because I have anything close to the $37.5k you'd need for a 10% down payment (assuming one could get a 90% loan these days)). It's "cute as a button" as my grandma would say, but 350 sqft, and one window facing the back ally. Maybe, MAYBE, if it had a street view, but even then the other side of Court street is a boring cookie-cutter office building.

Anyway, they won't get more than 300k for this place, but the point is, 1000 sqft for 1200/month flat, or 350 sqft for whatever the crazy rent on a place with this "value" would be.

Packages and Produce.

Romy wrote:

Hey, great blog. I'm thinking about checking this place out, and I'm wondering if you or anyone you know has had experience with the package drop-off/pick-up facility and procedure there. Does that function smoothly? If so, that totally rocks!Also, it looks like FreshDirect delivers to your zipcode. Does anyone in the area/complex use it? This would be a major selling point for me, but if no one is using it, I don't know what the scheduling will be like. Thanks!

To which, I post:
You know, I thought I posted something about that, but I can't find it. The package room is only open Wed. morning/afternoon (9-3 ish, maybe) and Saturday midday, I forget. The package room is I believe run by the US postal service. Fedex and UPS don't know about it, and I tried to get them to deliver there once and they tried pretty hard but couldn't figure it out. So the deal is, it's fairly great for getting USPS packages. I believe (though I've never actually gotten a package) that no matter what day a package comes to you via USPS, it will be held in the room for you to pick up Wed. or Sat. This is good. They also said they would accept packages from UPS and Fedex etc. but you're on your own in terms of trying to time the Fedex/UPS delivery during package room hours. Also, I noticed a sign the other day that said "The package room is for SMALL packages only." I don't know what that means.

To me, other than incoming USPS packages, it's fairly worthless.

Also, a little annoyed that's one more thing FBG leasing lied about. They said it was open Monday to Saturday. I have most things delivered to work unless I'm sure it's coming USPS.

If you're used to a "full service" mailroom, either from work or a more "luxury" building... this is not that, or even close.

I've never tried FreshDirect at the apt, and I've never seen a truck outside (but I'm rarely home). I don't eat at home much and my post-church trip to key foods on newkirk is sufficient for me. The problem I have calling cars to take me to JFK is that the buildings are very poorly labeled. FD may have a hard time finding your building, and you may have to "guide them in" via phone, but I suspect delivery would go smoothly. There's lots of double parking room for a truck in the area, so that's not an issue.

I should try freshdirect though. Honestly, the produce in this area sucks. The big produce store is ok, but not air conditioned, full of flies, rarely has lettuce, and the smell of their dried fish section (which people actually buy from) makes me sick. They do have some decent fruit I buy, but not vegetables. Key foods usually has ok stuff. Standard urban grocery store quality. I used to make 12 salads with all kinds of stuff from the produce stand to take to work with me. After moving here, I tried, but it's just too hard to put together a salad worth eating with this stuff. So, yeah, I should try FD too.

Some things I really like.

I'd like to point out a few things about this apartment that are great (especially things you may fear wouldn't be great in a "cheaper" place).
1. There is always plenty of really hot water.
2. The bathtub is deep (I do like the occasional bath).
3. Really thick walls (low to no noise).
4. Pretty nice and cheap washing machines at the central location.

I'm sure there are others.