Your BKLYN Neighborhood
So we have friends who are most likely moving to New York from our last home state of Georgia, and they've been peppering us with questions about which Brooklyn 'hoods are best and why. Certainly, I have my prejudices (go CG, go!) but I thought it might be nice to solicit feedback from folks about what they love in their neighborhoods. So, how 'bout it? What do you love about your swath of Brooklyn?
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I have friends who came from London with their 4 kids last summer, and were planning on moving into Tribeca of all places! I quickly re-routed them to Cobble Hill, where, I said, "all the other people with kids live." They're very happy, plenty of artsy types to make them feel like they're part of an elite, and plenty of play-dates!
You know that we live in East Williamsburg and we love it.
*I know! I know! I can hear the snarky comments now!*
Bonuses:
-Quick commute into the city
-Takeout, bars, restaurants, shopping within walking distance
-Community spirit
That being said, I don't like your typical Williamsburg/Greenpoint apartment layout so much AND with the nabe changing, the rents are increasing rapidly. These folks have friends (you two) who ALREADY live in CG and the only train option (unless you go into the city) between N. Brooklyn and CG/Park Slope is the G, which would put quite a damper on any last-minute weekend plans between the two of you.
...less traffic along court st. in the CG area
...one could still find parking space
...shrimp lomein at me and my egg roll, sushi at osaka, cheesecake at monteleone's, rice balls at esposito's, cheeses at caputo's, gelato at court pastry, sourdough bread at mazzola
...stores close at 6 pm
...PS 29
...absence of stroller gridlock
...episcopalian church at clinton, buddhist center at 2nd place, and chicken of the sea church at court (I'm Catholic so it's fine:)
...excellent dentist at 2nd place
...my 90 year old neighbor Antoinette who came here from Italy when she was 20
...my British neighbor who's a nurse and kind enough to recommend doctors in the area
...$10 haircut at the barber along court
Shh! Don't tell too many people about that dentist. I know EXACTLY who you mean and that dentist is the best. :) To quote the hygengist: "Your gums are a thousand times better since you started coming here."
There's a good dentist in CG and I just booked a three-month out appointment in the city?!?!?! Do tell ...
Cobble Hill is a quick walk to all of the CG listings, plus the convenience of the Borough Hall subway station.
Oh, and
Waterfalls kibbeh and tabouli,
Floyd beercheese and bocce,
Waterfront burgers,
Sahadi's,
Magnetic Field books great shows,
the korean veg market b/t Key Food and Sahadi,
Chip Shop, mmmmm...
Yemen Cafe for great lamb.....
Ok, I'm going to stop. The great part - I've only described 2 blocks so far!
Don't forget:
- Smith & Vine
- Tuk Tuk
- Saul
- Vinnie's
- One Girl Cookie's
- and so much more!!!
or the cinema (2 tix, large popcorn, large soda- $20)
or Sam's Pizza
or Cafe on Clinton / Red Deli
or Cobble Hill Park
or Tabac
or the bulletproof liquor store ;)
-Zaytoons
-Zaytoons
-Zaytoons
Oh, and Boat too.
I'm also intrigued by this dentist who appears to be a few blocks from me. I hate to admit it, but I haven't been to a dentist in at least eight years (scary, I know). It's been so long now that I'm afraid I'll have to get dentures or something.
Bensonhurts-- still a great foodie neighborhood, and far from being trendoid-- the last bastion of what the real brooklyn is-- tough guys, great food, a strong sense of community, and people who still fly the flag proudly
Second that, on Bensonhurst. Tomasso's on 18th is some of the best old school Italian food left in Brooklyn and on Saturday nights, if he's up for it - and he usually was when I was a regular -you can convince Tomasso to sing Nessum Dorma.
I'll have to try Tomasso's. We're in Bay Ridge. It takes awhile to get into Manhattan, but why go when you can have a $4 Jack and Coke at Grattan's? Plus we have some great food (not a lot of take-out, though), decent shopping (C21, consignment stores, antiques), and in the spring the park at the water is wonderful.
I've lived in Williamsburg for about eleven or twelve years now, and I'd definitely recommend your friends try elsewhere. If I had it to do over again, I'd live in Fort Greene, Prospect Heights. . . pretty much anywhere but here.
CLINTON HILL!!
(Fort greene is good too if you can afford it). Clinton Hill still has lots of *affordable* brownstones and if you get close enough to the Franklin Station you have the C train and the strange Shuttle train that runs you straight to the Park and Botanic Gardens. It is still fairly diverse in some areas and lots of different ages of people, but a good area for kids.
I would not recommend any part of Williamsburg (east, north or south - would that make west williamsburg the alphabet city?) the apartments are mostly renovated tenements - therefore railroads - or lofts, neither of which is great for families, but are great for young party throwing just out of grad schoolers.
we are moving from williamsburg to clinton hill and can't wait!
the dentist at 62 2nd place is dr. jeffrey dressel and he really is a good dentist.
come on... its all about Boerum Hill! I mean... who wouldn't want to be in the nabe with Heath and Michelle!
you left out the electrical currents on atlantic avenue...just kidding!
the best thing about my neighborhood is that I moved here a million years ago, when it was cheap, cool, and ungentrified. That was supposed to be a parody, but now I'm realizing I may actually think that!!