Knickerbocker Village

I almost moved into this apartment but after seeing the place and the area, I’m thinking twice. Most of the residents here are Chinese and the Elderly. I’m not saying that’s bad but I really felt like a minority (me being Korean) and I saw 0 non-​Chinese people in this part of town. Also the neighborhood surrounding this place is a bit sketchy like a Unilocaler here as previously mentioned. It’s not very gentrified and doesn’t really feel safe both during the day and night. I heard a lot of Chinese from Fujian province live here and do conduct illegal activities underground like Gambling and gangsters and stuff. Maybe I’ll think twice about leaving my Midtown apartment. As far as the apartment, pretty spacious for an apartment in the city and the room was spacious as well but everything seemed really run-​down and ‘weathered’. The courtyard is nice though and it’s a gated community where you’ll need a ID card provided by the co-​op to gain access through the gate.

I’ve lived here for all of my life, so maybe I’m a little biased.
I actually used to hate living here until I ventured out and found that I didn’t like other people’s apartments for their prices (particularly, Peter Cooper).
Mostly inhabited by Chinese and elderly, this may not be the «hippest» spot to live, but more restaurants and commodities are popping up in the area. There isn’t really a distinct neighborhood feel but its essentially in the non-​tourist area of Chinatown.
Its a few blocks away from the F train and right down the block from the M15 SBS, so its plenty convenient. Its not even that far (maybe a 15 minute walk, on a bad day) from City Hall to catch the 4,5, or 6 train, and another 15 minute walk to the B or D on Grand. So all in all, its not in bumblefuck.
The apartments are large especially for the city, and the prices are very reasonable.
My only complaint is that, while although a private residence with key card entry, and not a project itself, is that there are two projects surrounding it. No trouble on the block of Knickerbocker itself, but it could get pretty sketchy walking home alone at night.

This would be a dynamite neighborhood if it weren’t for the Smith and Rutgers Houses. Definitely a drag on this neighborhood. Caused me to buy a car so I could travel away from here.

It took a little getting used to the neighborhood, as it is definitely not my favorite area of the city. When they knocked down the tenements to build this complex in 1933 they called the street «Lung Block» because it had one of the greatest occurrences of tuberculosis. That said, this place has been my home for a little over 3 years now and I love living here… no TB yet, baruch HaShem. Located between the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges Knickerbocker Village is truly an oasis. From the outside you would never know how great this complex is once you enter the prison style main gates. My courtyard view is really nice. The care that goes into the gardens is remarkable… manicured lawns and affordable housing in NYC don’t usually go together. We actually have a resident horticulturalist. Funny story. Right after I found out my name was picked from the housing lottery (which is how you get to live here) I came one night to take a look around. I was stopped at the security gate and I explained that I just won the lottery and was moving here so just wanted to take a look. The guard said to me, «if you just won the lottery why are you moving here?»
Lastly, Donnie Brasco and Julius/​Ethel Rosenberg lived here back in the day.