Living In Brooklyn: A Complete Guide (From a Local)
As an avid traveler, I have seen so many beautiful cities. It’s hard to say which one is exactly my favorite, but when push comes to shove, there’s nothing better than arriving at JFK and immediately getting a slice of pizza from the greatest city in the world, New York City, specifically Brooklyn. There is such a charm that living in Brooklyn offers. Hands down the best place to be and an even better place to have grown up. Although I have not grown up in any other town, it’s pretty apparent that I have so much pride in being a Brooklynite; I mean, it’s a huge reason why I created my business to include Brooklyn in it!
Maybe it’s something in the air or the pizza or the water that adds such a significant sense of pride. Anyway, if you have ever considered moving to New York City, Brooklyn is the best place, and even if it’s hard to find an affordable place to live in Brooklyn (understandably so because everyone wants to live here), visiting Brooklyn can give you that sense of perspective on how us Brooklynites are in our natural habitat; I mean, after all, it’s the Brooklyn way.
Why Live In Brooklyn? Can You Beat A View Like This?
Throughout quarantine, I spent a lot of time getting to know my stomping grounds more through my fabulous bike. Check out my blog post on why 4 Reasons Biking is the Best Activity to do and see for yourself! Trust me, there are more benefits than just the typical health and wellness ones!
stomping
https://thebrooklyniteabroad.com/4-reasons-biking-is-the-best-activity-to-do-a8893/
Images By: TheBrooklyniteAbroad.com
Living In Brooklyn For Its Authentic Cuisine
Growing up with a family that loved food, I definitely got my fair share of dining out at all of the great places to eat in Brooklyn. We would travel all the way from Mexico to Thailand, and all the way to India and back in the span of one month. Something that I really love about Brooklyn is that there are so many cultures nested in this amazing melting pot. I mean you cannot make up truly how great this food is until you get a bite of your own! I seriously love Thai and pizza so so so much so it was only fair to share my favorite spots to grab them in Brooklyn that are hidden gems if you ask me.
Living In Brooklyn: Can You Beat Being A New Yorker?
This one is short and sweet, well I mean because I don’t need to share much on why New Yorkers are the best since it’s pretty much common knowledge. Do you have a friend that’s from the city? Never let them go! They are the best people to surround yourself with. Their loving and adventurous personality makes these creatures a different breed. I even took the liberty to find this website below proving it even more!
Guides to The Best Neighborhoods in Brooklyn
Once you’re in Brooklyn, know that you could be in a sketchy area in a matter of minutes so let’s break down the affordable areas that are realistically in your budget. This map takes into account places under $2500. If that is above your price range, then you need to reevaluate living in NYC because financially you’d ideally want to start saving as well. The budget for these cities in Brooklyn are more than reasonable and allows you enough cushion room to save, start a travel fund, pay off your debt and more!
The majority of the housing available are in Bushwick & Flatbush which are not the safest places to live. As someone who grew up in the town over from Flatbush, I know what I am talking about. It’s getting more gentrified so there’s that. The other areas such as Bay Ridge, Sheepshead Bay, Coney Island, Sunset Park & Borough Park are way more enjoyable and worth the extra bucks! I see a few places in Williamsburg, but in this price range, the rentals are laughable so if you want to check it out yourself, feel free lol! See the map of Brooklyn below and hotspots for rentals with my top recommendations below. Feel free to comment any questions you have and I’ll be sure to look through them and answer!
Areas to Be Cautious of: Flatbush, Brownsville, Crown Heights, Bedford Stuyvesant
Areas to Consider: Bay Ridge, Sheepshead Bay, Coney Island, Sunset Park & Borough Park
Images By: StreetEasy.com
Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
Estimated Rent: $1700=$2000/month | Nearby Transportation: R train, NYC Ferry
I personally went to high school here for 4 years and let me tell you this place is so underrated. There are tons of great restaurants, bars & fun happening. It’s a huge Greek, Egyptian, and Palestinian community so get some of those cuisines in particular. There’s a great running path along the Hudson River that’s perfect for biking also. You have access to the R train, and the NYC Ferry so there is no need to worry about getting a car!
Midwood
Estimated Rent: $1500=$2000/month | Nearby Transportation: (depending on where you are) F,R, N, B, Q, 4 &/or 5 trains
What this city lacks in things to do and a culture *srry* , is the many accessible trains make up for it that get you to and from where you need to go. My best friend lives here and it’s very quiet relaxing, homey & just what you need if you’re looking to escape the hecticness of city life. This area is super convenient to get to other areas in Brooklyn such as Coney Island, Brooklyn Heights & more!
Images By: StreetEasy.com
Coney Island/Sheepshead Bay/Bath Beach
Estimated Rent: $1700=$2200/month | Nearby Transportation: B,Q trains.
I’ll be honest, if you had to choose between Coney and Sheepshead, choose Sheepshead, there’s more of a homey, safer vibe, and isn’t completely dead in the summer. Coney is perfect for the summertime as you’re close to the beaches, boardwalk, amusement park & more! Sheepshead is like the nicer twin with way more to offer in my opinion! There’s a great running/biking path by the water, tons of places to hang out, restaurants, and my favorite all-you-can-eat sushi spot, “E-Sushi”! Check out my guides here
Sunset Park
If you like Latin culture, then this is a spot you NEED to check out. There’s so much to do here and is a bit further north than the other cities, making your commute shorter if you work In the city (aka Manhattan bc no local calls Manhattan, Manhattan). From walking along the shore and seeing the NYC skyline to the historic gem of Greenwood Cemetery and all the local eateries, there’s no other place like Sunset Park.
Prospect Park South/Prospect Heights
Estimated Rent: $1700=$3000/month | Nearby Transportation: 4& 5 or B,Q trains.
If I am being real with you, if you find a great deal here, take it! This neighborhood is great and there is tons to do! It’s a great apartment for your first time living in NYC since the vibes are up there for sure! Growing up in Brooklyn, we always went to great restaurants in the area, and being so close to Prospect Park is an absolute blessing in life. Going for walks, enjoying nature, and exploring is what keeps you grounded in a hectic city like NYC!
So There You Have It
Despite visiting some pretty cool cities and countries in the past, you know why I am never leaving Brooklyn. What are your thoughts? Would you consider living in Brooklyn, one of the greatest cities in the world?
If you are looking to move to Brooklyn I would highly recommend living in either Williamsburg or Bay Ridge. Williamsburg is certainly more trendy and there are a lot more “trending, hip” spots to explore. Given that it is closer to the city, it’s expected that it is more expensive than Bay Ridge. Bay Ridge on the other hand is another great location to live in. It’s like a hidden gem in that not many people know about it, it’s super residential which adds to its authenticity. There are also a ton of great spots only a ten to twenty-minute train ride away in the surrounding neighborhoods. A downside to this is that Bay Ridge is significantly further from the city as there is only one train to get anywhere, the R line, which is notorious for being slow and at times unreliable.
If you are looking for apartments, I highly recommend using StreetEasy so get inspired, look at some listings, and become a Brooklynite!
what do you think?