4. Clinton Washington
This was the prettiest stop I ever lived off of, but my school would still send out emails about students getting mugged or attacked near the station at night. I have a lot of memories at this station, both blissful and horrifyingly awful. Whoever lived in the brownstones right outside of the Washington exit: I apologize that you had to witness so much of it. Whenever I find myself at this station now, I cringe at how many emotional skidmarks I have left here.
3. 21st Street
I lived between this train and the 7 train, so obviously I tried to take the latter as much as I could. The 7 is pure class all the way, while this G station is one of the worst of the line. Brown sludge streaks the walls, and it’s almost always empty. Trains get stuck here waiting for Court Square to clear out, so this station was a virtual purgatory for subway riders. The first time I ever saw this station it reminded me of the inside of an empty grape jelly jar.
2. Bedford-Nostrand
I ended up living here after a week of stomach-churning Craigslist apartment hunting. It’s funny that we spent so much time looking around South Park Slope but somehow ended up in Bed-Stuy. This was ultimately more convenient, as I could walk to school, buy as much stale fruit and vegetables as I wanted, and live on a small side street that was never cleared after a torrential blizzard. Also, this station wins for the worst-smelling. An uncanny combination of urine and sunshine.
1. Greenpoint
Everything I’ll ever need: two bookstores, three grocery stores, a no-nonsense stationary store, and 24-hour easy access to egg creams.
