BrickUnderground Writes About Life In Ditmas Park: Momos, The MIA Q Train & Checking The Obits For Apartments

Anna Gustafson -

BrickUnderground just published a piece about our neighborhood today, talking to neighbors about everything from Café Tibet’s delicious momos and shopping at the Flatbush Food Co-op to the often MIA Q train and rising real estate prices.

Titled “Move To Ditmas Park – Just Don’t Call It The Next Park Slope,” the real estate website’s article quotes a number of our neighbors on what they love – and what they’re frustrated by – in the area.

Beginning with info about the recent crimes in “sleepy, stately” Ditmas Park, including a series of armed robberies and the fatal home invasion on Rugby Road, the piece launches into descriptions of our area that we all know to be true, but which so many others are astounded by:

Still, this south Brooklyn enclave remains a neighborhood filled with its particular charms, among them picturesque, tree-lined streets graced with Victorian houses; a population as diverse as any part of the city; and suburban-style living—lawns! kids playing in the street! fireflies in summer!—a train ride from Manhattan.

 We’ll let you read the article, but here are some highlights from our neighbors:

On (the increasing lack of) affordability in the neighborhood:

“If you’d asked me two years ago [what is the best part of living in Ditmas Park], I would have said that it was still an affordable part of Brooklyn that has sort of everything that you want in terms of being close to the subway, and having a nice mix of restaurants and bars that are great options. It’s becoming a lot more expensive lately. The affordability part isn’t there anymore.” – Sabita, owns a one-bedroom co-op

On the food we always want to stuff our faces with:

“The greatest place to eat is Cafe Tibet! … But you have to come early otherwise it gets crowded.” – Estelle, has lived in the area since 1978

On supporting local businesses:

“I like the Flatbush co-op a lot, although they can be a little pricey, they have great cheeses and bulk selections. … T.B. Ackerson is a fantastic place for buying wine. Everyone who works there is a little quirky but always has great recommendations.” – Harmony

On the Q always giving us headaches:

“If you live here, you need to accept that the days that the subway runs as expected will be few. … Those living by Church and Newkirk express stops are in better shape than folks by Cortelyou and Beverley. That said, when the trains run, it is just over half an hour to Union Square if you go north, or to Coney Island if you take southbound. Express buses are the real secret to getting to the city though. Best spot for a taxi hail is either Beverley or Cortelyou and Coney Island Avenue.” – Liena

And the final words of wisdom? Check the obits for apartments.

“If they are looking for real estate, people are dying off,” Estelle tells BrickUnderground. “They stay in their homes many ’til they die so maybe they could look there.”

Is there anything you would’ve wanted to add about our neighborhood?