Moved for the Space; Stayed for …

Saturday, November 14th, 2009

The Times real estate section has a Living in Ditmas Park feature this weekend. It basically gets the big houses, large apartments, thing, and claims folks come for the space and stay for the food. (And yes – we are super lucky to have a good number of really great food places in the neighborhood).

But what we like most about Ditmas Park is the kind of people it attracts. That its a very real community, where you know your neighbors be it a 100 unit apartment building  or that leafy block of large houses, and talk to them. Where people care about their food – the CSAs, the fact that the Sunday morning farmers market is so successful its now open year round, and that we seem to also be able to support a food coop and an excellent natural foods store. Where people care about their environment -  just look at the many initiatives of Sustainable Flatbush – from community garden, to composting, to recycling awareness  (and please, do come plant those daffodils this weekend!).

We came for the space, but we stayed because we like our neighbors, the laid back feel of the place, and the fact that folks like to slow down and enjoy each others’ company.  What about you?

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8 Responses to “Moved for the Space; Stayed for …”

1. John G- "Peregrine" says:

   November 14th, 2009 at 9:13 am

   Hush!
   It’s our secret.

2. Brenda from Flatbush says:

   November 14th, 2009 at 9:58 am

   We came (well, to “Greater Ditmas Park,” just south of the Parade Grounds, still “Victorian Flatbush”) because it was the last friendly-seeming neighborhood in Brooklyn where we could find a huge (if mostly ruined) house, garden, and driveway for under $170,000. OK, that was 23 years ago; the bargains may be gone, but the friendliness, gardens, driveways, park proximity live on, along with what I have come to term the “diversity on steroids.” My current CrazyStable post is a paean to all that we love here, btw.

3. Freddy says:

   November 14th, 2009 at 1:04 pm

   I’ve also lived in “Greater Ditmas Park,” also known as Fiske Terrace, for 30 years, for the same reasons as Brenda, but also at that time it was cheaper than New Jersey. How times have changed!! Now we are the Fiske Terrace/Midwood Park Historic District, have so many choices to go out for lunch or dinner, none of which were here in 1979, live in this super neighborhood that has only changed for the better: PS 217, Murrow and Midwood High Schools, the “Q” etc. Our neighbors are wonderful, we have each other’s keys, etc. I am made more aware how lucky we are every time I talk to a friend or sibling who lives in the suburbs.

   I used to say that one of the positives of Victorian Flatbush was it’s proximity to Park Slope – now we never go there – too expensive and can’t park!!

4. rachel says:

   November 14th, 2009 at 6:02 pm

   sadly we did have to leave ditmas park for space after living there for 14 yrs. We never had $$ to buy and rented. Couldn’t find an affordable 3br …. found a bigger place in another nabe but it’s not the same.

5. Spanky Tomato says:

   November 15th, 2009 at 6:48 pm

   The map accompanying this article has me living in Ditmas Park rather than proudly in Beverley Square East. And Beverley Square West is incorporated into “Ditmas Park” too. I’ll just stick with Flatbush.

6. Brenda from Flatbush says:

   November 15th, 2009 at 10:23 pm

   Freddy sez, “I am made more aware how lucky we are every time I talk to a friend or sibling who lives in the suburbs.” COPY THAT…esp. for the kids, who have nothing but the mall and only see the city on field trips…

7. Anne - Sustainable Flatbush says:

   November 16th, 2009 at 9:31 am

   Thanks for the kind words, Liena!

8. Michael says:

   November 18th, 2009 at 7:42 am

   It is a wonderful neighborhood.