Bushwick House of the Week: 269 Linden
While the house at 269 Linden is on an intact block of brownstone and brick buildings with much character, the area is in general not so hot, being sandwiched by Myrtle on one side and the projects on the other. That said, Myrtle will not always be crappy, and projects can be neutralized — been to Chelsea lately? And it is right by the Myrtle-Wyckoff LM hub, so expect more (and hopefully more attractive) condo/apartment towers, not to mention the accompanying food options, nearby. Unfortunately, once again Century 21 is full of lazy bum agents who don’t take any time to describe or photograph any of the features of their listings. But then this is pretty cheap by the square foot, especially this far north/west — might be owned by a bank.
269 Linden Street | $550,000
3300sqft | 20ft-wide | 3-family, 9br/3ba | brick
Myrtle-Wyckoff LM
September 3rd, 2008 at 1:43 pm
I looked at this place about a year ago when it was listed for $625k. From what I recall it’s not in terrible condition and there’s actually some original details in the hallway area and on the first floor (it still needs a top-to-bottom basic renovation though). All the apartments are railroad style but well sized. The block is not the best but as Jeremy said it’s close to the Myrtle-Wyckoff hub, which is a huge selling point. At the time I looked the owner was trying to sell due to the death of a family member and wanted to move out of state, so I don’t know if it’s a bank short sale or just an owner who needs to get out. Not a bad deal, though, especially if you can get it for $500k.
September 3rd, 2008 at 7:42 pm
hey i own a place a little bit further down on linden closer to myrtle for about 3 years thinking to myself that this place is right near the LM myrtle hub..this place is the biggest headache by far cops on the block at least once a day, drug busts. I thought the nighmare on grove would help the situation but to this point nothing has improved. over time im sure the area will change but it has been a tough run over there
September 3rd, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Such a pity. It definitely has the capacity to change though. Reminds me a little bit of the Myrtle J/M/Z stop about 5 years ago, which is another transit hub that has subsequently got a lot better. The block itself has nice houses on it, but I do remember that at the end of this block last year, a bunch of kids were violently arrested by the police for walking to a funeral (the PO-lice accused them of being gang members, if I recall). So the area has its issues. You’ve just got to buy a good house at a good price though, and you’ll be okay because, again, you do have the subway next door.
September 4th, 2008 at 8:22 am
Weird, I find Myrtle-Bway to be far shadier (and not cuz of the tracks!) than Myrtle-Wyckoff. And I say this being much more familiar with the former, since I use the J as much as possible because the L continues to be — randomly and without warning — a clusterfuck. J/M/Z waiting time? About 2-3 minutes on a weekday. L? 5-10, but last week I waited TWENTY.
September 4th, 2008 at 9:09 am
if u head in any direction except down this block there are a lot of beautiful blocks around the LM hub,and yes given a couple of years this block will be nice. its a nice of brick houses that somehow have remained pretty much intact, and with the trains and a nice retail area in ridgewood 5 minutes away, i hope this area turns around. I started allowing the cops into my place (jeremy dont read this part) and it really seems to help, these rats really hate the pigs! andrew those arrests were right outside my place..there has been a significant increase of police presence as of late which will hopefully help
September 7th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Why do some of these idiot realtors but about 6 of the same photos on their listings but no interior shots? It’s got to be laziness, as they downloaded the same photo about 6 times into the slideshow. Unbelievable.
September 10th, 2008 at 12:14 am
What was the “nightmare on Grove”? I am looking at a couple of houses just on the other side of Myrtle. Last February, I was looking for a place to rent on Putnam, and saw someone beating up a woman around 7:30 or 8 pm. Tons of people walking in the area. A police van cruised by as I was on the phone to 911. So I guess there are a lot of police in the area but also…what was that guy doing beating up the woman in the street?
September 12th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
The “Nightmare on Grove” is that huge condo tower that was built between Wyckoff and Myrtle on Grove St.