Re: Another city question...those that are born and bred

the park across the street from where i grew up turned into a crack park as the neighborhood started changing. I think i'd choose the yuppies over that.


and, i agree with what most Chrissy and Lolita said.

and, on LI, i still walk with my keys between my fingers. you can take the girl outta brookyn....


i think your memories of the 'brooklyn that was' is cute and charming, but the Brooklyn i grew up in was much different than the one you speak of.

Re: Another city question...those that are born and bred

Every neighborhood goes through its changes some for the good and some for the bad.

I have seen my childhood neighborhood go through demographic changes as well changes in business. People would fight tooth and nail against allowing any kind of "chain" in the vicinity of our development. It was felt that because it was situated near the LIE and Northern State Parkway, that transient people would bring an undesireable element. To this day, you cannot find any fast food restaurants in I'd say about a 5 mile radius. But there is a Starbucks. There is a calling for it. It is an "acceptable" chain as far as zoning goes.

My family owns commercial real estate in Williamsburg and has for close to 60 years. In the 70s and 80s I never felt safe there. My family's business had been burglarized more times than I care to remember. When the alarm wires were tripped, we got calls directly from the local police precinct at all hours of the morning. My father and sister were once mugged - knocked clear to the ground. Every day, my father was escorted to his car by an armed guard because he had to carry cash home - he wouldn't leave it in the store.

Once the 90s came, so did BJs, Costco and 99 cent stores, people did not need mom and pop places like ours, and fortunately Dad could retire. He and Mom could live off the rent from the business (Mom still does). Now, on the strip, what used to be all family owned shops are stores run by large corporations - food chains, banks, shoe stores etc. However, I would feel safer there now than I would 10 or 15 years ago. It is a different place. Better or worse is not for me to say. It isn't my home. But the property value has increased IMMENSELY. That, to me, is a good thing.

I work in Crown Heights. Dad used to say "if you dated a girl who lived on Eastern Parkway, you were dating money." Every day, I drive through East NY, Bed Stuy, Brownsville and Crown Heights (depending on shortcuts and travel patterns). I see the gorgeous homes, apartments and brownstones on the outside, but I do not see money.

A few years before my father passed away, my parents returned to the neighborhood in the Bronx where they were raised. They were frightened and quickly turned around and went home. It is a sad feeling to feel unsafe. They couldn't understand how something so valuable to them changed for the worse.

Message edited 6/6/2007 6:49:41 PM.

Re: Another city question...those that are born and bred

Ophelia... it kind of sounds like you don't want people to move into these neighborhoods. i could be wrong, but thats justthe way i am interpurting (sp?) your posts.
if this is the case, what do you think would happen to these hoods? they would die out, no?
at least young people are moving in and keeping them alive and giving them business.

or if youre just reffering to the way magazines and people talk these hoods up as "up and coming" and the new "hot spot" well, i totally agree with you. i think its quite silly.

Re: Another city question...those that are born and bred

Just another take on the topic. The baby boom is nearing retirement and as more of them leave NY for FL and AZ and the Carolinas, in a few years, neighborhoods with be changing once again. People do not stay in NY anymore. Perhaps to keep people here, it is necessary to appeal to the changing demographics and needs of the people.

Nowadays, it is virtually unheard of to see a family sitting around a dinner table anymore - nobody serves family style. Daddy comes home at 7 or 8. Mommy is working and then toting Junior to soccer practice and she surely doesnt have the time to cook. Perhaps the convenience of fast food and accessibility to shopping is directly related to the changing needs of the family unit. Just an idea.