Bed Stuy is a huge city in and of itself. You're talking about 150,000 people living in different sections and neighborhoods depending on language, class, architectural style, ethnic background, proximity to schools such as Pratt, etc. etc. Some sections such as Stuyvesant Heights are beginning to flourish with businesses popping up and gentrification happening rather swiftly, as well as award-winning charter schools opening up every year. Other sections are neglected and more stagnant, with large housing projects, poor access to amenities and lack of resources such as schools and community programs. Know what you're looking for ahead of time, and by all means visit wherever you plan on living. I totally love Bed Stuy, but I there are places even the cops say "they wouldn't be caught dead in." The New York Times has highlighted Stuy Heights twice in the last couple of months. Search "Bed Stuy" on the site and you will see tons of great stuff about it. I have been trying to move there myself for a while.

Check out my favorite bed stuy blog:
http://www.bedstuyblog.com

They're linked to EVERYTHING in bed stuy, including other blogs :)

I HAVE WORKED IN THIS AREA FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS! MAY I SAY OFFICIAL BUSINESS, AND THE AREA IS CHANGING BEFORE MY EYES. I HAD TO TAKE ADVANTAGE AND PURCHASE A PIECE OF HISTORY AND PROPERTY. IM CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF RENOVATING A 3 FAMILY HOUSE. I ESTIMATE THE WORK BEING DONE IN OCTOBER, SO IF YOUR LOOKING FOR A COZY RENOVATED PLACE WITH A COOL LANDLORD, KEEP ME POSTED. GOODLUCK!!!!!!!!!!

Hands down James Hunter had a great answer here. You get my nod for best answer James

The dominant architecture of Bed Stuy are brownstones and brick homes with incredible architectural details originality such as fire places, crown moldings, grand staircases and stained glass windows. Like any other area there are better streets than others. Simply seek out an agent in the areas where you are interested in purchasing ask them current and historical questions about the area.

You ever hear the Jay-z song "Brooklyn We Hard" great representation of Bedstuy. Truthfully Bedstuy can be great or it be what I consider apathetic. The people mind their business but I really wouldn't say there is sense of community. I have lived for 1 year and still don't know my neighbors name, and I have seen him sweep his porch. LOL There are white who moved across the street from me and they seem cool enough but stand out like a sore thumb. They are definitely not from New York which exempts them from the regular tension they would face between blacks and whites in this neighborhood.

Ummmh There is alot of potential in Bedstuy due to its location, but a neighborhood is only as good as the the ideas from the community. Alot of people here are still living in 1998 mindstate wise. But change seems right around the corner if your computer literate and can harness the resources of the community.

To answer you questions

Do the the residents maintain their homes and lawns. Yes and no. The reason being there aren't to many lawns. But if I had to say whether or not they take pride in ownership. 40% yes and 60% no

Are there dramatic differences between neighborhoods and or zipcodes. Yes they are not dramatic differences but each block has its on personality depending on the intersections. I live in Hart Street between Marcus Garvey and Lewis. In the 11206 zipcode which also belongs to parts of Bushwick and WIlliamsburg. Basically the J train closer to Manhattan. Near Marcus Garvey the home owners keep up their houses but near Lewis its like garbage strewed all over the place and low income residents. Also I live in the Spanish section of Bedstuy near Myrtle Ave. I ask the residents why is this the spanish side of Bedstuy and he said what Spanish side of Bedstuy. I said the side with all Afro Latinos you see everyday. Makes me wonder.

Is their a dominant architecture through the city. Yes two story brownstones and or old wooded houses. Go on Wikipedia and look up Bedstuy and it explains the place in surprising detail. To find a house for sale in Bedstuy for a discount please visit the link below.

also check out Shopbedstuy.com to examine business and services available in the neighborhood.

Bedford Stuyvesant is a historic Brooklyn neighborhood filled with many different types of houses. From the stately brownstones and limestones to the clapboard farmhouses built at the turn of the century, this is one of the most up and coming neighborhoods of Brooklyn.