Vinegar Hill....thoughts?

No.

For whatever it's worth, a recent census determined that there is a large concentration of gay couples living in Vinegar Hill. It won't happen over night, but if the West Village, Chelsea, and parts of Hell's Kitchen are any indication, Vinegar Hill is on its way to becoming desirable.

Thanks so much, Billy!

stefanijoy, it's worth exploring, but I'd add some caveats if you're not so sure you're willing to be a "pioneer" (for lack of a better word). It's a neighborhood with some very quiet streets. Vinegar Hill House is one of the few attractions bringing in non-locals, so that may change in time, but for now, such is the nabe's character. Those projects aren't going away anytime soon as far as I know, so I would definitely walk around the block a few times to gauge your sensitivity to that fact. I'll also add that it's a hike to any subway station, depending on where you are exactly, of course. Closest thing is the York stop on the F, which may not be ideal depending on your typical usage.

BillyRes, this is unrelated of course, but have you moved in and all? Hope it all worked out!

Ok, thanks for your input BJW. Much appreciated!

Not only is it bordered by the projects next door, it is dominated by it. Essentially there is water (and the navy yard) on two sides, and the projects on the third side. And there are multiple sets. The water part isn't even that cool, there is a large power plant type thing.

So you're talking about just a handful of blocks next to multiple sets of projects. York street, which has the stores, faces the projects and while isn't particularly unsafe, does not look like any sort of gentrified neighborhood.

VH's sell is its near DUMBO (brokers sell it as dumbo) but my take is, better to be in dumbo or on one of the other sides...

So, even if it gets a bit cooler, the projects aren't going away.

bjw2103: Yes. I moved in June and have settled in nicely. Not once during the past 3.5 years did I question the potential of the location. St. Anselm, Betto, Fette Sau, La Esquina, The Whiskey Shop, egg, Bird. You don't get these top notch establishment in Chinatown, Battery Park City, Murray Hill, Morningside Heights....all Manhattan neighborhoods. I used to be a Manhattan snob. I still love the City but do not miss living there. Traveling to and from my office at 42nd and Madison provides me with my Manhattan fix. I even splurged on a parking space. Love the building and neighborhood. No regrets. Thanks for asking.

"You don't get these top notch establishment in Chinatown, Battery Park City, Murray Hill, Morningside Heights....all Manhattan neighborhoods"

Well, pick some of the worst Manhattan neightborhoods... that being said Murray Hill still gives you more options within walking distance... and Chinatown is paradise for some folks I know.

BPC, to me, living there would be a nightmare...

BillyRes, that's great, really happy it worked out in the end. If you ever want to grab a beer (or whiskey), let me know.

"Well, pick some of the worst Manhattan neightborhoods... that being said Murray Hill still gives you more options within walking distance... and Chinatown is paradise for some folks I know."

Well, the claim is not that it's the absolute best neighborhood in the entire city (some folks would absolutely lose their minds around here if such a tragic thing were uttered/typed). But, as a fellow resident, I was drawn by the same things Billy was. I don't know what the "options" are that you're referring to in Murray Hill, and MH definitely has its fans, but IMHO there's very little of the quality you find on a consistent basis in Williamsburg. The food and drink options have surpassed Cobble Hill and a good number of Manhattan neighborhoods. The retail is decent, but that's where I think it lags much of Manhattan - lots of interesting, specialized boutiquey places, but not as much in the way of more practical, everyday shopping. Unless you blow a lot of cash on pricey furniture.

somewhereelse: Many times in the past my detailed explanations of why I appreciate Williamsburg were followed by a string of responses along the lines of "Williamsburg? That dump? Why would anyone want to live there?" And usually those remarks come from Manhattan residents who under no conditions would leave their Manhattan address even if it means living in a fairly undesirable location. Since I'm so used to defending the neighborhood (not so much the architecture) I naturally tend to highlight where Williamsburg offers much more than many of the neighborhoods in Manhattan. I think you made my point when you wrote "Well, pick some of the worst neighborhoods in Manhattan." Bad neighborhoods exist......even in the almighty Manhattan. And great ones too.......even in Brooklyn.

Agree. BPC would be one of the last on my list of places to live. My personal preference of course.

BillyRes, totally understood. And, yes, the best of Brooklyn beats the worst of Manhattan for sure... but as a Brooklyn native, I am also familiar with most of the parts that don't get talked about (for good reason).

I'm actually a big Cobble Hill (and adjacent, we're talking a tiny neighborhood compared to all Williamburg) fan, largest collection of the best resturants in Brooklyn... and great streets.

But I still take Manhattan... ;-)

wait...swe!!---fortress of solitude---you?? wtf happened to your politics??

it's the chink in your armor

oh..then there's your little obsession with stuy, though that's just a little nick

wait...the stuy part...that's also fortress of solitude..this is getting eery!!