congratulations.
Congratulations to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for doing the right thing and designating these historic buildings, such crucial parts of Greenpoint's history.
And they're just damn cool, too.
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Congratulations to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for doing the right thing and designating these historic buildings, such crucial parts of Greenpoint's history.
And they're just damn cool, too.
I spent a year and a half working in real estate. The truth about Greenpoint real estate is that there is very little available, because people don't move if they have a good deal, and because most of it rents via word of mouth, personal referrals, and then finally, the local real estate agents, many of whom are Polish-speaking. They will occasionally show up on Craigslist*, but most of the great finds simply do not.
Google maps are great and all, but there is no replacement for shoe leather. It astounded me when people would call me, looking for an apartment in Greenpoint, but had never ever come here and walked around. If you haven't done that, you are wasting your time. So go get on the train and then come back here.
The best way to find an apartment in Greenpoint is to come out here, preferably during the week, and walk around and ASK. Dress nicely, be polite, and go into stores and restaurants and coffee shops and ASK. Ask your friends who live here to ask their landlords - even if they don't have anything available, all landlords know each other. But, again, ASK. This is not something that yields immediate results. But it is the absolute best way to find a great deal and not have a million people competing with you.
Walking around also acquaints you with the neighborhood, if you're not already. Get a map. Walk around. See the grocery store, the dry cleaner, the 99 cent stores. See where the G train exits are, ride the B61 to LIC and see how easy the connection to the 7 is. Don't reject the part of Greenpoint that's on the other side of McGuinness, because some of the nicest streets are over there. But you won't find them if you don't walk around and see for yourself.
And, yes, sure. Call the brokers and check the Craigslist ads because there will be some one-offs offered by owners who don't have the time and energy to deal with the phone calls and the appointments and the paperwork. But it's not easy and it's definitely not going to get any easier. The one thing you have going for you is that most people don't want to live in Greenpoint, they all want to live in Williamsburg.
Good luck!
The boyfriend has a co-worker who is an OG Greenpoint resident, and she related to him today about a terrible crime that happened on Saturday night:
"Saturday night. A guy got in some sort of dispute with owner/worker/bouncer at a restaurant near Nassau/Manhattan. Was chased into the street and beaten up very badly, died yesterday as a result of the injuries. Was in one of the Polish papers that she had with her but I couldn't find any English-language coverage."
You can run the link from Nowy Dziennik through a translator here for a rough Polish to English translation.
She mentioned that the police were hopeful that the security cameras at the Dunkin Donuts on Nassau and Manhattan captured some of the altercation (which took place in front of Johnny's Cafe on Manhattan Ave.)
The newspaper asks that any witnesses contact the editorial staff at (212) 594-2266 ext. 48.
Despite my maternal grandparents coming from Poland, I do not speak or read Polish (they never would have allowed it), but I do think that one of the local Polish dailies had a headline story about the possibility of a Manhattan ferry running from GREENPOINT.
Perhaps someone fluent in the language could help? Was I imagining this?
I was just saying last night that the issue I think that gets overlooked in this neighborhood is transportation. This could solve some of the problems. (Some, not all.)
While everyone is prepared for meeting Mayor Mike at the Polonaise tonight, I'd like to point out that Community Board #1's monthly Public Safety Meeting is tonight. This is the place where you can find out who has applied for a liquor license.
I note a Greenpoint newcomer: The Stuffed Owl, 988-990 Manhattan Avenue (new) Which is between India and Huron. Will need to go check it out, if Miss Heather doesn't beat me to it. (And lest you think that's snarky, I'm actually counting on her getting to it before me!)
Sorry for the dearth in posting recently. New job and baseball sorrow. Will pick things up soon, I promise.