Wow - are we living in the same borough? Brooklyn has been a nightmare for me. It's gone downhill fast in my area - horrifyingly dirty streets and sidewalks, junkies laying around everywhere, there's even a pile of stolen belts being watched over by homeless people on my corner. This is in an area where a 3BR apt is at least $3k/month.
I can't wait to get out. Been here ten years, working remotely for the past five. Can't really justify it anymore unless things improve quickly. Got randomly assaulted outside my own building a few weeks back - the guy didn't even try to take anything. Just punched me in the face five times and ran off. I went through a similar wave in the late 80s as a kid, I don't like the looks of all this.
It may get bad for you quickly as well. Consider being ready with a plan B.