SHEEPSHEAD BAY'S ONLY INDEPENDENT NEWS BLOG

That appears to be the general consensus in my research, but I'm sure the folks over at the Oceana Condominium and Club would beg to differ.

http://www.sheepsheadbites.com/2009/04/sheepshe...

brooklyn has a lot of russian immigrants from odessa, which is a city located right on the black sea... brighton beach is the closest place that reminds those people of home,... so being in sheepshead bay is as close as you can get to the beach without the rude people, loud train, dirty streets, and of course babushkas of brighton beach.

The "cool" Russians of Sheepshead Bay are the "cool" ones who can not afford to live in Mill Basin, Manhattan Beach or the expensive areas of Jersey/Staten Island.

The reason why Russians like Sheepshead Bay is because it is more affordable than Brighton and other surrounding areas.

Alex: Well, isn't that the reason the "cool" white kids move to neighborhoods like Williamsburg and Greenpoint? Because the Lower East Side and the Village are too expensive?

Also, I'm not so sure Sheepshead is more affordable than Brighton. I haven't exactly done a study, but it appears our real estate is more expensive (excepting certain developments like Oceana), and our restaurants and businesses, I think, have slightly higher prices. Either way, though, I think the cost differences are largely negligible.

Cool or not - this girl emphasized that Sheepshead was for Americanized Russians... which indicates it may be about something more than price. I also had a sense - but I could be wrong - that she was suggesting younger Russians. Mill Basin, Manhattan Beach, and Jersey aren't exactly places for the young and hip. More for the older, established and successful.

So... is Sheepshead Bay the Williamsburg of the young, hip, Americanized Russian?

Ned I definitely disagree with the assessment that "Sheepshead Bay the Williamsburg of the young, hip, Americanized Russian."

As far as real estate prices, the "russian" parts of Brighton are least 20% more expensive than the "russian places" of Sheepshead Bay.

When I refer to the russian parts of Brighton I am not necessarily referring only to Oceana. I am including the Co Ops right along the Boardwalk and the Condo building on Ocean Pkway that is right next to the Boardwalk, the buildings next to Asser Levy park, etc.

I can tell you that the so called "cool russian kids" tend to want to be in Jersey/Staten Island until they realize it's not as fun as they thought to live away from the parents.

Alex all those co-ops and buildings have always been filled with old people. My family has lived in Brighton beach, sheepshead bay, and kingshighway for near 30 years now and those buildings have always been crawling with older immigrants. The young families and growing generation do intend to move away!

Many are coming back to live in the condos that have been built if they can afford it.

Arthur,

As far as rental buildings, the answer is yes they are filled with older russians. I was referring to Co ops and the condos on West 5th Str (Mitchell-Lama conversions).

Don't get me started. Cool my ARSS.

Wait, I thought all cool Russians lived in Manhattan. Or is it not cool anymore?

Also, what do you call a Russian? Is somebody from Odessa a Russian? (Hint: technically not).

first i would like to say is that this topic is getting around far beyond this area. i got an email about this story from a friend who is russian but born here like myself who never goes to brooklyn maybe 1-2 times a year so this is getting around and fast.
i have been living on the boarder of brighton and manhattan beach near corbin place for 25 years, the only reason im here is because of family. younger russians dont want to be here and when i say here it includes brighton, sheepshead and manhattan beach. i dont think there are a lot of young russians that want to live in sheepshead if they do they are newer immigrants that have been here for 10 maybe 15 years. the original wave that came in the late 70s from odessa are now older folk and most of their kids have moved and dont want to live here. the girl on the train was probably young and was trying to show off to her non russian friend. the cool kids dont hang here either they go to the city. this is not even close to comparison of hipsters moving to the burg or slope because of being priced out of the city. as far as prices go and we are only going to compare apartments no houses really in brighton just tear downs for developments. brighton is more expensive better access to transportation, shopping and beach access. all you have to do is look at retail rents brighton beach ave is anywhere from 60-125/sf theres not one location in sheepshead bay that compare to those retail rents. if there is its just a couple of stores. so the answer to your question is no sheepshead bay is not for americanized or younger russians its for people you want to live there, have to live there or cant afford to move somewhere else.

Cool is all relative. Even the smallest backwater in the middle of nowhere may have a "scene". It may not impress sophisticated New Yorkers, but it works for them. The clubs along Neck Road think they're hip. In fact I am sure that they're owners will tell you that people come there from all over. These clubs have a mostly Russian clientèle.

The consensus I'm reading here that Brighton is MORE expensive is probably true. That is, if we are talking about the Russian part of Brighton. There is still a Hispanic community, and some homeowners whose families have lived in Brighton for three generations. These communities are no longer recognized as Brighton Beach. But they are not as well to do as the co-op/condo owners of Brighton Beach Avenue. The bungalow colonies take up quite an expanse of space in Brighton. But the combined population of these houses could fit on the lower ten floors of of the towers facing the ocean.

Broker, are you in real estate? Does your friend go to Brooklyn 1-2 times a year
and insure in PA? Used to be the Italians 30 years ago pulling schemes.
And again who raped the home buying?

PS do you live there because the rent is controlled?

BTW, I remember another Brighton Beach, filled with Russian and other Jewish immigrants who came to this country before the 1930s. This was 40 years ago. And I remember their grandchildren making the same complaints about them. They left Brighton as soon as they could and spread all over the place.

Clare, I think Local Broker is a local commercial real estate guy.

I overhead a totally different take on the Bay at Sheepshead Bay Station. Someone was grousing about The Sheepshead Bay Of Pigs. He was very upset about the filthy conditions in and around the station. He even went so far as to pick up and comment upon a piece of underwear he spotted. Is it the Russians who are piggish or some of the other more recent residents of the neighborhood. I'd have to single out Avenue U as being another glaring example of pigs in our space.

Paul: I don't blame the Russians or the youth for the increased garbage in the area. There are a million factors - starting with the relocation of numerous fast food joints with disposable crap, continuing on to the Dept. of Sanitation, going further along to businesses and residences disposing of their waste incorrectly, and ending(?) with a number of asshole individuals.

You're right. Garbage is a major problem in the area, and it's something I've been trying to figure out how to tackle with this site. But that's not what this post is about, so let's get back on topic.

Local: Thanks, as usual, for filling us in on the real estate details and your view of Sheepshead and its Russian residents. Glad you didn't decide to put a boot in my face ;)

One thing I've noticed - and I'm not sure about this, but it's my guess - is that all the Russians that have commented have been middle-aged and up. I'd be really interested in what Russians under 24 - and especially under 20 - have to say about this. It wouldn't surprise me if it's remarkably different... things are changing really quickly here. I mean... we have a ton of sushi joints and a Pinkber---er... Arbuz---here. That makes us notably more trendy to youngsters than Brighton, but perhaps not enough to be calling Sheepshead Bay the Williamsburg of Brighton Beach (::shudders::)

Hi, a Russian here. Sorry, the americanized Russians who consider themselves cool move to Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Bushwick and all the other usual hipster places. Nothing special about the Sheepshead Bay, definitely not a Williamsburg of Brighton Beach. More like a different flavor of Brighton Beach, somewhat more pleasant and civilized. Shop at the new Cherry Hill, inhale some fresh air, etc., etc. However, if I am bringing a bunch of Americans for the tour of the "Russian" neighborhood, Brighton Beach it is.

Little do these spoiled lil' kids know one day they're going to be " the old, miserable Russians who sit in the sun complaining about the heat.". I find what that girl said is disrespectful, don't know if anyone else feels this way. I'm no longer in my teens, I wonder what cool is now.

i am a commercial broker and have sold about $40 million worth of real estate in this area alone and have done deals in every borough in this city. so i have an ok idea of real estate value. as i mentioned i live here because of family otherwise i would have moved a long time ago. this area is going to change tremendously in the next 15 years, when those "babushkas" pass the kids who are 30-50 years old will move on and this isnt going to be a russian community anymore. for now it is what it is and the old guard of sheepshead bay has got to get used to it.

clare, do me a favor dont respond to my comments anymore if you have nothing good to say. if you hate the quality of life and all the development sites in this area, leave. all you do is complain about it.