Thinking of moving to Brooklyn? Already live there and sick of your friends asking dumb questions?
People may tell tales about the commute and claim it’s nothing but a hipster haven, but really Brooklyn is much more incredibly diverse and exciting than they're willing to acknowledge.
From the graffiti, to the intense jungle gyms (yep, screaming children and all), to the craft beer, Brooklyn is actually the best place to live.
It’s time to clear the air about New York City’s most misunderstood borough.
Here are the top 10 myths that people like to spread about Brooklyn living-- but need to stop ASAP.
1. Everyone lives in a loft
Thanks to its copious exposure on rom-coms, indie films, and tv shows (hem hem, Gossip Girl), Brooklyn is famous for its sprawling lofts.
Don’t get us wrong; there are some fantastic lofts to be seen, partied at, dined at, and lived in. But there are also so many other places for Brooklynites to hang their hats.
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Studios, one-bedrooms, railroad styles, brownstones, townhouses, penthouses, are all places that Brooklynites call their home. There is not one style of abode, but many.
Not to mention that generally speaking, you can get way more space for your dollar when apartment hunting in Brooklyn. So while we do love our lofts, places with more privacy and a more traditional layout can be had, and the loft is by no means the only way to set up a home here.
2. Nothing is ever crowded
osojazzy NYC RANDOM NIGHTS #BROOKLYN @juliusbudman @anthony_michael__ @thenotoriousbmg @sarahnschultz #inbetweenparty #alleyparty #sundayfunday #dance #party #repeat
We know. It doesn’t make much sense to us either, but people seem to expect the crowds to thin or just melt away in Brooklyn. They’re surprised to find that, in its ever expanding glory, Brooklyn has more than a few tight spaces.
Despite its wide array of spacious re-purposed warehouses and garages, Brooklyn is nothing if not varied. Plenty of newly opening bars and coffee shops as well as the more classic examples of delis, grocery stores, and dollar stores can all be a tad bit cramped.
Why is that, you may be wondering? Because Brooklyn is the place to be. Everyone wants to experience the fresh and flourishing borough that is mixing up open spaces and re-imagined industrial spaces with smaller cozier settings.
3. Everything is cheap
Ok, we’ll grant you that Brooklyn certainly offers a lot of good deals (and interestingly enough, there are a LOT of “Deals” stores around).
Overall, there are a ton of places that will aid you in your penny-pinching endeavors. But there is also an abundance of high-end eateries, retail stores, and luxury living to experience.
Brooklyn has something for everyone, and every stage of paycheck depletion.
4. Brooklyn is all the same
naquanj 100% #brooklynboy #madeinbrooklyn #nativenewyorker #brooklynite #coneyisland #instapic #brooklyn
Brooklyn is a BIG place, you guys. From the trendy lofts in Bushwick, to the waterfront high rises in Williamsburg, to the scenic brownstones in Park Slope, to the pre-war walk-ups in Crown Heights and Bed-Stuy, the place is a melting pot.
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Brooklyn has all sorts of sights, landmarks, cultural centers, history, and yes, nightlife. It is absolutely teeming with people from all walks of life. You can spend two dollars on a delectable food truck meal, or shell out a bit more for an artisanal meal and craft beer.
The diversity is what makes it so welcoming, so compelling, and so damn beautiful- there is no singular type of Brooklyn neighborhood, Brooklyn business, or Brooklynite.
5. Everywhere is overrun with hipsters
littleaudrey #nye #newyears @strassebar #newyork #brooklynhipster @insta_rang is far too convincing, must be the new haircut he let me give him #nooneletmecuthairagain
Brooklyn is home to many young people, many hipsters, so to speak. Many.
Sometimes it seems like you can scarcely throw a stone without hitting a mason jar or vegan donut shop.
BUT there are also the same characteristics that have always defined Brooklyn: ethnic neighborhoods (the amazing food and thriving communities in Bushwick, Bay Ridge, Flatbush, Bensonhurst Chinatown, the list goes on), family homes, great public parks, not to mention an additional influx of young professionals (I’m looking at you, Williamsburg.)
The borough is filled with all types and you can’t go more than a few blocks without running into people of all tattoo styles, fashions, ages, ethnicities, and professions.
,6. Everyone is an artist
Brooklyn is home to many artists and art spaces both renowned and underground. Even the streets are covered in colorful and eclectic graffiti at every turn.
Some of the coolest and craziest galleries include Smack Mellon in Dumbo, Pierogi in Williamsburg, English Kills Art Gallery in Bushwick, just to name a few.
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Occupying everything from old garages, to warehouses and townhouses, artists in Brooklyn are always re-purposing buildings and pulling together with local businesses, vendors, and venues to make things happen.
The scaffolding for the booming art scene is provided by the rich industry and businesses that populate Brooklyn.
7. Traveling to Manhattan is a massive pain
Yes, it is true that this can sometimes be the case (especially when the L and M train aren’t running). HOWEVER, Brooklyn is far more accessible to Manhattan than most people think.
Hell, it’s pretty accessible to Queens, and who doesn’t love Queens? (That’s right: no one. Because Queens is magnificent). Hop on the L train and suddenly you’re in Union Square, pop over to Broadway Junction and you can board the J, Z, L, A, or C train without a transfer.
The A and the C are also calling your name at Jay St. in Cobble Hill. Going over or under the river is really not a big deal. In fact, sometimes you even get a great view of the water and the sparkling city thrown into your commute.
8. The best theatre is on Broadway
Brooklyn is full of fantastic off-broadway productions and theatre houses.
The Bushwick Starr has been a fixture for years in the New York Times theatre reviews, and St Anne’s Warehouse in Dumbo is the proud venue of Kneehigh theatre company as well as many other prestigious productions.
There are also innumerable venues in which to see comedy shows, amateur shows, and less commercialized theatre performances that will continually impress.
9. The parks aren’t as nice as Manhattan’s
Most of Brooklyn was designed with the residents in mind. As a result, there are some of the best parks around in Brooklyn’s neighborhoods.
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There may be a lot of great parks, but Prospect Park is by far the biggest and best. Host to concerts, festivals, food trucks, sports leagues, well-preserved nature, and more than a few picnickers, it is a must-visit for all New Yorkers.
Brooklyn is also home to parks of all sizes that harbor tourists as well as residents, and a whole bunch of dope jungle gyms.
10. The rooftops are absolutely amazing
No wait, sorry this is true. We also have the best beer.
Not already infatuated? Check out 7 Reasons Why You're Bound to Fall in Love with Brooklyn.