Via Brownstoner Specifically, the residents of South Elliott between Lafayette and Dekalb Avenues discuss life on their block with the Times , from the Bad Old Days to the recent influx of “white girls.” Between rummy games, pig roasts and block parties, longtime Fort Greene residents have seen a lot of change recently. About 40% of the neighborhood is white now, up from 24% in 1980, and the median income now surpasses the national average. Resident Mike Harsh said: “When I got back, one of the things I noticed was, ‘Whoa, where’d all the white girls come from?’ Different people were moving in—young professional types, black and white. They weren’t families coming to start a family, just young renters looking for a cheap place to live. Now people are better off. There’s still crime, but it’s usually crime against strangers. Your neighbors don’t get involved — that is the big difference. Back then if someone was in trouble, people would help. Nowadays when I’m fighting with a mugger I have young white people yelling at me, ‘What are you doing?’” The first place to look for changing times is always the real estate market, and Brownstoner reports that the Italianate brick one-family house on 53 South Elliott street is going for $3,700,000, which they call “sheer lunacy.” But you’ll get the street cred of saying you live in Spike Lee’s favorite neighborhood !
