my future roommate and I found a really cheap hostel in East Williamsburg, http://www.hostels.com/hostelnytravel/, and we were wondering if it was cheap because it's in a sketchy neighborhood. we need a place to stay while we go apartment hunting in Brooklyn, and we don't want to spend a lot of money, so this place sounds ideal. tell me about east Williamsburg, people!

my brother lives in williamsburg, not sure if it's east or not, but it's fine. he lives on grand ave around grand & lorimer. (if any of you in brooklyn can say where that is.) sorry i can't be of more help, but i think you'll be ok, and i'm bumping it so more brooklyn ladies can respond. williamsburg is fun. i always have a great time when i'm there visiting.

jenna, who lives in a way worse neighborhood in philly, so if the buildings aren't falling down, it looks good to me!

I don't have much advice other than to say when I stayed in Brooklyn (where exactly? I dunno) it was no more dangerous to a girl with her head up and eyes open than any other place. I mostly just wanted to wish ya good luck on the apartment hunting. Wheeeeeee!

With all the hipster sprawl, it's probably perfectly fine.

I view it as no neighborhood is safer than any other. It's not like criminals decide they're only going to stay on one block and never cross the line. That's like walking around thinking crime only happens at night.

thanks everybody...I think I'll go ahead and make my reservations now since summer is high tourist season.

I've never been that far on the L train before to tell you the truth but generally anything on that line that is near the subway is good. If I am thinking of the right area, I think you may be nearby the residential polish area.

When you first get settled in, take the L train to Bedford street (it's 3 stops closer to manhattan than you will be) and get out there to wonder around. It'll give you a good idea of what Williamsburg is like and you can meet lots of people at the bars. It won't take you long to get used to the areas I think. Most people on the L train are our age very nice and I don't feel scared when I ride it at night. My twin brother lives in Williamsburg so I'm out there a lot.
Have fun!
When you get there tell us what kind of bars and food youlike so we can recommend some placse to you.

cool. I'm so stressed about this because I absolutely hate house-hunting but...I've got to get off my ass sooner or later. Do you know of any cheap but good eats/drinks? I'm going to be on a tight budget. Oh yeah, I've heard of this vegetarian soul food restaurant in Harlem? know anything about that?

i think i might know what you're talking about... but the place i go to in harlem is a jamaican/vegetarian restaurant.
it's called Strictly Roots and it's on Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. between 122 and 123rd Sts.
definitely try the smoothies.