Author: Brett

Last Saturday, the next door neighbors moved away. We knew that it was coming; they had told us the week before, and of course, we had been there when the “For Sale” sign had gone up last April, the same day that we had left Manhattan and descended on the Boro of Kings.

Still, we were taken aback when we woke on Saturday morning to find the immense moving truck parked out front and to see the shouting men hoisting couches and mattresses and tossing them into the back.

All those many months of speculating who would buy the run-down, Colonial next door was finished. After 36 years, this family, one of the last of the old-timers on the block was selling to a wealthy family from around the corner. Apparently, the new owner had wanted to expand his house and met resistance from the neighbors. Eventually, he won the right to expand, but by then, bad feelings abounded, so they decided to move instead. Now we are not only coping with the loss of a fine next door neighbor, but the prospect of a new, arrogant one. Finally, what was this new owner planning to do? Would he knock the house down, as so many in this area have done, and construct a McMansion? Or would he simply add on, towering over us? Either way, our future is sure to be filled with the many sounds of scraping and drilling.

On Monday morning, I picked up the mail to find a postcard from the realtor who had sold our neighbor’s house. “Congratulations!” It read, “You have new neighbors!” Then: If you are looking to sell your home, please call us. When and if we will move or not is another issue entirely, and one better left for a future post.

Up until a few years ago, I considered Sunset Park “that area between Park Slope and Bay Ridge”. No offense to any long time residents, but the area didn’t seem to have much going on. Or at least I didn’t notice it.

We did briefly consider Sunset Park two years ago, before settling on Bed Stuy. Our decision was based on our own irrational concept. We sold our South Slope home in 2003 and we felt Sunset Park would be taking a step backwards since it’s that much farther out into Brooklyn. Bed Stuy felt like more of an upgrade, as the commute is less than half that of the South Slope. (Don’t argue, I lived it for 9 years.)

Anyway, enough with my own mishugas. Sunset Park does have a good mass transit system. The D,M,N&R run through the area, as well as bus lines. And if you do own a car, I have one word to say to you: Costco!

Sunset Park actually does have a park and is located just south of the historic and peaceful Greenwood Cemetery. This area is highest point in Brooklyn and has great views of the Manhattan skyline.

The architecture is nothing to sneeze at. Brownstones, bricks and limestones line the streets. There are the less expensive frames and apartment buildings as well.

Sunset Park has become more desirable in recent years. The folks getting priced out/cashing out of Park Slope are moving a few stops farther out for superior houses at a fraction of the cost.

This neighborhood should remain quite diverse as it was thriving before the newcomers arrived. 8th Avenue is home to Brooklyn’s Chinatown. Over on 5th Avenue is the Latin American section.

Village Voice
NRV Lowdown

$190k: 1BR Coop: OH Saturday!

$619k: 2 Family Frame: OH Sunday!

$649k: 3 Family Brick: New Listing, OH Sunday!

$660k: 2 Family Brick