Williamsburg , Brooklyn

Top Reviews

Battle of the Beards, Hassids vs. Hipsters

Bike. Stroller. Bike.

Stroller. These two vehicles seem to dominate the streets in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Though both happen to be ecologically friendly contraptions, they serve very different purposes and carry very different passengers.

On the bikes you will most likely find young, tattoo-covered, scruffy sneaker-wearing artists, and in the strollers you will detect a snugly swaddled toddler, being pushed by a parade of dark cloaked men in black hats with sage-like beards accompanied by their head-covered wives leading their train of overly dressed children.

Presenting; the hipsters and the hassids. Beards are prevalent in both communities, but that is where the commonalities stop. Around fifty years ago, Orthodox Jews began to migrate to Williamsburg where they built a reputable, religiously oriented environment for themselves and their families.

Complete with kosher restaurants, yeshiva high schools, and plenty of space for Saturday afternoon strolls, everything was coming up knishes for the hasidic community. But several decades later, like the wicked witch from the west on her gothic bicycle—-at least from the hassids’ perspective, in poured local artists attracted to the music scene, funky galleries, and overall—-the low rent.

One almost hopes for a musical to emerge on Broadway, portraying a likeness to the feud between the Jets and the Sharks in “West Side Story”, except tight-shirted gangsters would be replaced by conservatively dressed rabbis and trendy vintage tee-shirted, prescriptionless black-rimmed glasses in this finger snapping duel.

Regardless of the rather comical dichotomy that divides the ongoing gentrifying neighborhood, Williamsburg has more than just material for a killer sitcom to offer New Yorkers and visitors to the city. Trendy cafes, independent bookstores, eccentric thrift shops, art galleries and plentiful music venues are sprouting up at a more rapid pace.

However, it has not been long since Williamsburg was considered a raggedy and even dangerous neighborhood. While the area has cleaned up certain of its less savory historical aspects, the “Burg” as many locals call it, has maintained elements of its gritty, unpolished flavor.

Perhaps for a family looking for homes in Greenwhich, Connecticut, such rugged traces would prove unappealing, but New York City is arguably lacking in this pre-ironed, pre-gentrified character. The streets of Williamsburg feel authentic, and the diverse community that comprises it echoes the original virtues of old New York.

Against the odds, the rent has managed to stay relatively low in the neighborhood—-though the relative real estate scale in New York City is about as comforting as a serial killer telling you you can have your toes back after he cuts them off. However, young writers and musicians are making it there and if a hassidic stroller pusher and ukulele toting cyclist happen to collide when rounding a corner—-well, that’s just New York for you.

Maya K.

I’ve worked for an internet start-up in Williamsburg for a couple of months and I like it out here. It is a real pain to find a normal sandwich, they tend to be named, organic sandwiches on specialty bread, delicious and expensive, but that is just my provincial tastes shining through. I’ve seen some shows here and my band rehearses here too. I like it here and I also like that if it really came down to it and I had to fight someone in Williamsburg, I could probably take most of the malnourished dudes in this neck of the woods.Nick G.

Valid Reasons why so many choose Williamsburg

Ironically, it’s become trendy to rag on Williamsburg and those who live there. Frankly – it’s annoying. Not to mention pretty ignorant, based little on actual experience, and most on judgmental observations.

Much of which are second hand. Pretty much anyone who lives here, and god forbid rides and bike and wears dark color clothing – is automatically designated a “hipster”. It’s the grammar school mentality of picking on people different from you/or what you are used to and it’s getting old.

Growing up in New York, I would move through and hang out in different neighborhoods as I got older. In college – I loved the West Village. After college – I was always in the East Village/Lower East Side.

A few years ago, I started gravitating more towards Williamsburg for the food, and overall vibe I felt when going out for a drink. Despite the rent being insanely high in certain areas, eating & drink here is relatively inexpensive compared to Manhattan.

Not to mention there is SO much to choose from, that I rarely feel the need to venture elsewhere. Before I moved, and since being here (now a year) – I’ve always found myself among a great company of people.

Smart, intelligent, funny, and creative. Have I met douchebags? Of course, but they exist in every part of the city and I don’t feel there are a higher number in Williamsburg.

I’ve met people who have now become really great friends. Even met my gf in the building in which I live! Not to sound dramatic, but my life became infinitely better, and I am much happier a person since I took up residence here.

There is something for everyone. From a nightlife scene that is loud & crazy, to something more subdued and quiet like a cozy wine bar. Beer gardens, to cocktail lounges that serve inventive (yet affordable) drinks.

There are still people who have lived here decades – and I currently live in an area (Technically I’m in East Williamsburg) with a pretty big Italian American community. Biking down Graham and its side streets, I often hear little old ladies speaking Italian to one another.

There’s this guy who sometimes sits outside blasting Italian music. It’s charming. On a related note: Savinos Quality Pasta has AMAZING fresh pasta and sauces (the vodka sauce is incredible) for dirt cheap and Il Passatore restaurant serves mouth watering delicious dishes.

Both, I can get to within 5 minutes. Rent is cheaper here than Williamsburg proper, but more than Bushwick and some areas of South Williamsburg. I feel completely safe walking around – and like being away from the busier and more crowded Bedford ave area.

On weekends – I am perfectly content biking around all day. Brunch – then along the Williamsburg Waterfront to relax and take in one of the best views of the Manhattan skyline, or simply walking along Bedford going in and out of shops.

At night – I can see a movie 8 minutes away from my apt at Nitehawk Cinema – which has become my favorite movie theater in all of NYC. There are some great music venues and one of my favorite concerts (The Foals) was at the Music Hall of Williamsburg. If I want to go into Manhattan in the E.Village/LES – it’s a quick ride over the Williamsburg Bridge.

If I rode the subway (I bike everywhere) – The L gets you into the city in 10 minutes. Another favorite mode of transportation I love taking especially if it’s rainy – the Ferry! Gets me to my job in DUMBO in 10 minutes, and Wall Street or 34th – in 15/20. I truly enjoy showing Williamsburg to those who are not familiar with the neighborhood and it’s changed the minds of many who had a preconceived notion of what it’s like here.

I welcome any and all questions from curious minds. The neighborhood isn’t perfect, but what nabe is? High rent prices are driving people out into Bushwick, Clinton Hill & South Williamsburg.

There are areas that are still not completely safe, and certain sections are pretty ugly but I feel the positives outweigh the negative. Even if I decide to one day move to a nearby hood – I would definitely find myself hanging out here often.

There are just way too many places I have yet to try and things to do. I love the proximity to the city, yet every time I ride down the ramp, and turn the corner of S 4th, heading up Roebling, I feel a sense of calm come over me, because I’m home.

What's awesome

food lovers paradise, proximity to the city, diverse, creative, artistic, skyline views, music scene

What's not so awesome

high rent, those damn trucks on Metropolitan, having to constantly defend living here, bike theft

Daniela A.

Beauty & Grace

I chose the title above because I was lucky enough to live in the lap of luxury, across the street from the Bedford Avenue L train station, on Bedford Avenue in North Williamsburg.

And now for the downsides. My bedroom had one small window—to the kitchen. Don’t get me wrong, the kitchen with its wide paneled pine flooring was lovely, but didn’t provide much in the way of natural light.

The L Train does not dip below 14th Street in Manhattan, and I love the Lower East Side in terms of nightlife and daytime hoofing, and it is the nearest train in sight. Underagers from far and wide are keen to vomit on your doorstep.

Overagers, too. The main streets are loud until 4 A.M. most nights, and because I lived on top of a restaurant (how New York), we shared our apartment with a family of mice.

But mice do not discriminate, so let’s dwell on the positives. Williamsburg was the best first place to live in New York, and I’m glad I moved in at the beginning of summer, when there were free concerts every week and outdoor street vendors at all hours of the day.

Young New York converges on Williamsburg like it’s a Fashion Week runway—fully bedecked in straight-off-the-cover footwear and accessories. People come to Williamsburg to look good and get looked at, so come prepared to do both.

Let’s not shy away from the truth. Williamsburg is not worth the price for what you get in terms of space. Not to mention, to sustain an upscale bohemian lifestyle here, you find yourself trekking outside of the neighborhood to buy reasonably priced groceries, eat in affordable restaurants, and s