Brooklyn borough of New York City
Brooklyn borough of New York City Choosing where to live is one of the most difficult and important decisions a person makes. Everyone has a different idea about what the perfect neighborhood to live in is like. Some of us want to be close to the action and live in a bustling city environment. Others make safety or natural beauty their top priority. For some, being around like-minded peers is very important and for others cultural diversity is a must in choosing a location to call home. It is rare in this world to find something that truly has something for everyone, every taste and preference, but that is exactly what we have in the borough of Brooklyn, New York. There are some exceptions of course, you won't find a sprawling farm with a barn and pastures, but when it comes to life in New York City there is no place with the variety of Brooklyn.
Brooklyn's History What we know as the borough of Brooklyn today has a long and very interesting past. The area was originally inhabited by a Native American tribe known as the Lenape. The Lenape were an agricultural people who inhabited much of the New England area. When Europeans came to the area the Lenape became very active in the fur trade. As more and more settlers came into their territories the land began to trade hands and the population was moved westward. The largest remaining populations of Lenape peoples are currently in Ontario, Canada. The Dutch were the first to colonize the area now known as Brooklyn. In 1624 the colonies of Midwout (Midwood) and Vlacke Bos (Flatbush) were established. In the following years the Dutch population continued to grow and expand along with what was then called New Netherland. The Village of Breuckelen was authorized by the Dutch West Indies Company in 1646, and named for a Dutch city in the province of Utrecht. At that time there were several other villages in the area, like Boswijk (Bushwick) and Nieuw Utrecht (New Utrecht). These villages and several others would eventually be incorporated into the borough that we know today. By the end of the 17th century the Dutch had lost New Netherland to the British who then went about reorganizing and renaming the area. The British turned New Netherland into the Province of New York and divided it into 12 counties. One of those counties was Kings County, named for King Charles II of England. The name "Brooklyn" was the product of an evolution that took years and saw derivations such as Brockland and Brookline before settling on the final and current spelling. There are still some buildings and cemeteries in Brooklyn that reflect this period of the borough's history. Street names in Brooklyn also reflect many of the influential cultures and individuals that resided in the area and helped develop and grow it to the thriving borough it is today. Brooklyn is also the site of the first major battle of the Revolutionary War after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The Battle of Long Island (also known as the Battle of Brooklyn) was fought on August 27, 1776. George Washington may have lost that battle, but he did get his men off of the island intact, keeping the Continental Army alive to fight another day and win freedom for our country. The early 1800's were a time of tremendous growth for Brooklyn, especially along the East River waterfront across from New York City. Population rose steadily and quickly, and in 1854 the City of Williamsburgh was annexed by the City of Brooklyn. The building of rail links, like the Brighton Beach Line (1878), added another boost to the growth of the area and the City of Brooklyn added several more neighborhoods to it boundaries. By the end of the 19th century Brooklyn had reached its municipal boundaries at the edge of Kings County. The last part of the century also saw the completion of the Brooklyn Bridge, which began operation in 1883. This allowed residents to travel easily back and forth to Manhattan, something many Brooklynites still do every day. In 1894 the residents voted to take part in the consolidation efforts and become a borough of the City of New York along with Manhattan, The Bronx, Queens and Richmond (Staten Island). This took effect in 1898, but Kings County remained a county of the State of New York. Brooklyn's rich historical background is preserved by the Brooklyn Historical Society, which operates a museum, library and educational center devoted to furthering knowledge about the area's importance in the founding of the United States and the people who have inhabited the land we now call Brooklyn. Modern Conveniences Today many people look to Brooklyn as a wonderful place to live because of its proximity to Manhattan's commerce. It is true that many residents of Brooklyn spend their days working in Manhattan, but that doesn't mean Brooklyn is a bedroom community. The borough has an ever-growing population of 24/7 residents who have no problem whatsoever finding everything they need and more to live and work in Brooklyn. If you are looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of the Manhattan day, Brooklyn is a natural choice. The amount of transportation options available within Brooklyn and heading out of the borough toward other parts of the city are astounding. The New York City Subway system has an extensive network of trains operating, some of which can get a commuter from certain parts of the borough over to Manhattan in a matter of a few moments. The commuter also has the romantic option of taking a water taxi, like the one that operates from Fulton Landing in DUMBO. Finally, for public transport, several local and express buses can be utilized. If you want to drive yourself one tunnel and two bridges, including the iconic Brooklyn Bridge can carry you across the East River to Manhattan, and back home to the relative quaintness of Brooklyn. Diversity
But a place is certainly not defined by how easy it is to get into or out of. When choosing where to live most of us considers what kind of amenities and attractions are close by, as well as the overall feel of the neighborhood. The neighborhoods of Brooklyn are as diverse in culture as any place you'll find on Earth. As a matter of fact, the motto of Brooklyn is "Eendraght Maekt Maght," which is early Dutch for "Unity makes strength." From the thriving Orthodox Hasidic Jewish community in Borough Park to the African American cultural hub of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn is a perfect example of the melting pot that is America. There are pockets of a certain culture here and there, but Brooklyn is also a credit to the ability of people from all over the world to come together and live side by side in peace and harmony. When people immigrate they bring with them little pieces of their homelands and we are all better for it, especially when it comes to finding something different and delicious to eat. In Brooklyn you'll find the best kosher delis serving up mountainous piles of corned beef, you'll have your choice of probably hundreds of mom and pop Italian delis and diners, and that's just the beginning. Brooklyn's Chinatown is growing steadily, so if dim sum and hot pot sound good to you, you're never far in Brooklyn. There are simply too many different ethnicities and nationalities who call Brooklyn home to list, but there are a few that should be mentioned. Russians and Ukrainians have made Brighton Beach into a new home (some call it "Little Odessa" or "Little Russia"). There is a large number of Caribbean peoples in Brooklyn and certain times of the year you might hear the cheerful sounds of a steel drum and see a colorful parade. Italians, Puerto Ricans, Irish and so many more heritages are well represented in the cultural melting pot of Brooklyn. You can practically travel the world by subway and never leave the borough. Green Spaces Another aspect most people want to know about in choosing a home is access to parks and green spaces. Living and working in the concrete jungle can be stressful and leave us in need of an open space with grass to walk on and trees to admire. Brooklyn's parks are second to none. Every neighborhood has its own special parks with playgrounds, athletics fields and more, but the crown jewel of Brooklyn parks is the expansive and verdant Prospect Park. Prospect Park is 585 acres of natural beauty designed by Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux, the same designers as Central Park in Manhattan. The park has several amenities, like a zoo, the Picnic House, which is open to parties, and the historic Litchfield Villa. But the central attraction at Prospect Park is the Long Meadow, a sprawling 90 acres of grassy meadow. Where better to unwind on the weekend or after a day at the office. Education The number and quality of the parks make Brooklyn a good choice for families, and those families who call Brooklyn home also have several educational options open to them. New York City Public Schools operate in all parts of the borough. Many of these schools have consistently performed at or above the city and national averages on standardized tests like the SAT. One highlight of the public schools in Brooklyn is Brooklyn Technical High School, often called Brooklyn Tech, the largest high school specializing in science, technology, engineering and mathematics in all of the United States. Brooklyn Tech has been in its current location across from Fort Greene Park since the early 30's and is known for producing successful and famous alumni, including two Nobel Laureates. There are also many different kinds of private educational institutions in Brooklyn. There are many yeshiva as well as other religion based schools. The number of choices a student and their parents face is daunting, but it also ensures that every child gets the best opportunity to excel and meet their potential. Higher education is also abundant in Brooklyn. There are several institutions in Brooklyn that cater to all different sorts and receive national recognition year after year. Princeton Review has ranked Brooklyn College, a liberal arts college, in the top ten of America's Best Value Colleges several times. Just to mention a few more and give a good sense of the educational diversity present in Brooklyn, we have Brooklyn Law School, Kingsborough Community College (named one of the best community colleges in the United States by the New York Times), Pratt Institute, a leading school in art, design and architecture, Polytechnic Institute of NYU and St. Francis College, one of the most diverse colleges in the United States and a Forbes Magazine ranked best baccalaureate institution. There are still more colleges to choose from, large and small -- these are just a few of the stand outs. Brooklyn Housing Of course, before you can decide on where to eat or where to put the kids in school, you have to decide what type of housing you need, or want. There are so many different neighborhoods in Brooklyn with different atmospheres and architectural styles. The one type of building that most people associate with Brooklyn is the ever popular brownstone. There is certainly no shortage of these Brooklyn icons. They can be found in just about every part of the borough. You may want to rent or buy, either way you will have plenty of locations to choose from till you've found the ideal brownstone for you. But Brooklyn is so much more than a bunch of brownstone buildings. Brooklyn has been inhabited by European people for hundreds of years and that long history has left its mark in the architecture. Italianate, Neo-Greco, Victorian and Renaissance Revival are just a few of the styles you'll find spread across the borough. During the last decade there has been a movement in Brooklyn of people purchasing and completely restoring these old homes to their original beauty and glory. The result has been street after street of lovingly kept old homes. There are many historical districts throughout the borough, but because of the influx of people willing to buy and refurbish some of these old gems, there are areas that rival the historic charm of the actual historic districts. These townhouses may be detached single or multiple family homes, semi-detached or attached row houses. Once again, buying or renting, you'll have your pick of a piece of history and call it home. There is not a shortage of apartments, condos in Brooklyn, either. Condo buildings range from renovated industrial buildings to high rise luxury units. In order to attract buyers and renters these buildings make themselves competitive by offering the utmost in amenities. Parking and 24 hour security can help you feel safe while a private balcony with stunning views of the water and/or the Manhattan skyline can greet you in the morning or give you a place to relax at the end of a long day. Condominium developers know what people are looking for in a place to call their own, and that has been brilliantly reflected in many of the condos on the market today. Hardwood floors, big windows, tall ceilings, stainless steel appliances and natural stone countertops have become standard. Another feature popular in Brooklyn condo buildings is the shared rooftop terrace, so even if you find the perfect unit that only lacks a balcony, you can always take in the air from the roof. Brooklyn is a borough with a history of industry. Many of those industries have come and gone, leaving large empty buildings that would go into disrepair because of simple neglect. With the rise of demand for housing in Brooklyn and other parts of the city, developers and real estate speculators looked to those old husks of buildings and saw opportunity. Now we have a multitude of fantastic loft apartments in these industrial-cum-residential buildings. Popular with artists as working and living spaces, the typical industrial loft apartment has floor to ceiling windows to allow natural light into the cavernous space. If a loft apartment is not exactly what you have in mind, don’t' worry. In Brooklyn you can find an apartment in everything from small buildings to high rise developments with two, three or more bedrooms and plenty of amenities to make you feel comfortable. Brooklyn Neighborhoods Brooklyn neighborhoods are some of the most aesthetically pleasing neighborhoods anywhere. Tree-lined streets are fairly common, like the ones in Brooklyn Heights, where in addition to arboreal beauty you can take a walk along The Promenade, a half mile stretch along the waterfront with panoramic views. Boerum Hill is one neighborhood known for its trendy shopping venues, where you can find hip new styles and eco-conscious cafes. One of the most notable historic neighborhoods is Cobble Hill, whose 22 square block Historic District holds a plethora of architectural styles, all of which have been lovingly preserved. Carroll Gardens is home to one unique aspect in Brooklyn homes. The neighborhood has brownstones that are set some 30 to 40 feet from the street creating large front gardens that are not typical of plot layouts in the borough. Many neighborhoods, like Clinton Hill which is famous for its mansions, offer a broad spectrum of housing options. Everything from mansions to single-family detached homes, row houses and studio apartments can appear in the same neighborhood. Prices in some of the most popular artistic communities have seen an increase in recent years, but that doesn't mean there aren't still some great deals to be found. The neighborhood of Greenpoint, which neighbors Williamsburg, is home to some of the borough's best deals and a bourgeoning art community. Prospect Heights has seen a very strong trend of renovations as well as new building, making it a shining example of Brooklyn: historic, hip and with a bright future ahead. Shopping Once you've settled in to the place that's right for you, you will no doubt want to venture out and explore everything your new neighborhood has to offer, and where better to start than doing some shopping. Brooklyn has become a shopping destination for many people. There are streets in all neighborhoods that are becoming more and more densely populated with boutiques and specialty shops for the shopper's perusing pleasure. You can find some truly unique items for your new home and for your closet in the many shops of Brooklyn. Some of the more interesting areas to go for a little shopping stroll include Chinatown in Sunset Park where goods from the Far East can be found and haggled over. You might also find it interesting to go through the neighborhood of Borough Park with its many shops specializing in Jewish goods like books, wigs, clothing and other necessities, not to mention the kosher delis. Brooklyn has a very large number of small businesses, some run by the third and fourth generations of a family, which gives the neighborhoods a small town feel. But that doesn't mean Brooklyn is without big name chain stores. One prime example is the Ikea located in Redhook, where you can pour over what seems like acres of home goods and stylish yet simple Swedish furniture. What shopping trip would be complete without a trip to the grocer to fill the refrigerator? You could always go to a big chain grocer, but that won't give you the same intimate feeling of shopping in a store where you can get to know the owners, the man cutting your meat and the lady baking your bread. Brooklyn has kept its old world charm in the sense that most people still buy their food from small markets. It may be easy to go to a place where you can get everything in one stop, but it lacks the ambience and enjoyment of making more stops to get the best of whatever you're looking for. And most neighborhoods in Brooklyn have farmers' markets where you can get locally sourced and grown produce and other goods straight from the source. The Arts Now that we've settled in and done some shopping we can begin to look into the culture available. Brooklyn has long been a haven for artists and that trend is not showing any signs of slowing down. Artist enclaves like Williamsburg and DUMBO have been producing visual arts for the public's enjoyment for years. You can go out and see some of the creativity going on in those big loft apartments by visiting galleries in Wlliamsburg and Brooklyn Museum in Prospect Heights. If great theatre is your passion you will have an opportunity to see internationally acclaimed productions at the Brooklyn Academy of music in Fort Greene. If the visual arts don't do it for you, there are plenty of opportunities in Brooklyn to hear music of all kinds. Many of the artistic neighborhoods have venues for local and big acts. With the growing popularity and notoriety of Brooklyn in the arts world, more and more big artists are making stops to play in Brooklyn's clubs and theaters. But you don't even have to pay the price for a ticket to a concert if you don't want to. There are places where you can catch free concerts in parks and other venues in Brooklyn. Prospect Park has a summer concert series that is free to the public and Fulton Landing features Bargemusic, a free classical music concert series that also runs during the summer months. So there you have it. Brooklyn is a place with history that remains a vibrant part of the present and promises to be an important part of the future of New York City and the country. Move to Brooklyn and you'll be living in the midst of artists and scholars. You will be insulated from the hectic Manhattan streets while enjoying every convenience and luxury a person could want in living in the greatest city on Earth, New York. |
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