Admit it, journeying through the streets of Brooklyn's various neighborhoods is often more pleasant than the daily ravage that goes down in Manhattan.
In Brooklyn, things are just more homey. Serious, people are more willing to let you do the little thing, like pet their dogs.
You're less likely to get shoved off the sidewalk or head-on collide with a tourist in Brooklyn than you are in Manhattan.
You're also fairly likely to stumble upon a view of the East River and Manhattan skyline that will make your heart drop.
The truth of the matter is, in many ways, Brooklyn is better than Manhattan. It's less pretentious, bursting at the seams with heart and art, and cultivates a more pleasant quality of life.
Now read on to find out 7 more reasons why Brooklyn's got more goin' on than in Manhattan.
1. Views of Manhattan
While it may seem like the best way to enjoy the dazzling height of Manhattan's skyscrapers from inside Manhattan, this is simply not the case.
When you're in Manhattan and standing in front of a skyscraper, it is astounding to look up and see it stretch into the sky.
But when you're in Brooklyn, across a river and under twilight, you're able to glimpse the sheer magnitude of the buildings' heights.
The best views in New York City are not in Manhattan. They're by the water in Brooklyn. And maybe Queens too. But mostly Brooklyn.
2. "Affordable" rent
Yeah, we said it. Living in Brooklyn is more "affordable" than living in Manhattan.
According to a report by Zumper published in May, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Williamsburg is $3,100, $3,720 in Dumbo, $2,100 in Bushwick, $2,500 in Park Slope, and $2,850 in Brooklyn Heights.
Average rent for a one-bedroom in Brooklyn overall is $2,285. And while that's still steep compared to other places in the U.S. it's delightfully affordable compared to Manhattan.
A one-bedroom in Tribeca is $4,450, $3,920 in Chelsea, and $2,800 in the East Village. Average rent in Manhattan overall is $3,764.
So, you see what we mean. It's the lesser of two expensive evils, so to speak.
3. Parks
Prospect Park has the nation's first urban Audubon Center. They have a roller rink with dance parties, kayak and pedal boat rentals, free exercise classes, bird watching groups, and bike races. It's a 585-acre oasis of scenic beauty perfect for rejuvenation, all surrounding a 60-acre lake.
There's also, of course, the Prospect Park Zoo, which is a 12-acre home to 630 animals and about 101 species.
Brooklyn Bridge Park dazzles all those who experience its splendor. To play soccer or basketball on its courts and fields is to try and land a ball in its target while beyond the goal or net shines towering skyscrapers behind the East River.
The park also hosts concerts, Shakespeare at Sunset, Sy-Fy Movies with a View, and outdoor exercise classes.
And yeah, you can get most of that in Central Park, but who wants to deal with how big it is? And those tourists....
4. Food and Drinks
cassng123 "Can I have a photo of you, so I can tell my mom that angels do exist" I hope you guys keep up with the cute wordings! Ramen burger and the Brooklyn bridge view- it's a wrap! #asian #ramenburger #keizoshimamoto #foodie #seaportdistrict #pier16 #brooklynbridge #Newyork #smorgasburg
Sure, Smorgasburg has now spread to other parts of the city, as it's now located in the Financial District and Queens.
But it began in Brooklyn, which still attracts its largest number of food vendors, crowds of party people, and brilliant riverside views.
Manhattan may have the expensive restaurant game on lock, but Brooklyn hits the bullseye when it comes to celebratory food festivals.
From the Tap+Cork Beer and Wine Festival in Bed-Stuy, the Brighton Beach Jubilee Festival on August 30th, and the Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket located in Prospect Park, Brooklyn knows what delicious food and community atmosphere is all about.
,5. Nature
daniknyc711 Summer in the Navy Yards for a lobster dinner in the garden #brooklyngrange #sunset #summer #brooklynnavyyards #gardensinthesky #sunflowers
Brooklyn Grange, and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, are in, well, Brooklyn. Obviously. We wouldn't expect them to be anywhere else.
The fact that all of these vital organizations dedicated to cultivating a strong plant life in the city is a testament to the heart of Brooklyn.
Brooklyn Grange is the leading rooftop farming and intensive green roofing business in the country., in addition to operating the world's largest rooftop soil farms. They grow over 50,000 pounds of organically cultivated produce a year, all on top of a warehouse beside the East River.
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is an 52-acre urban botanic garden dedicated to connecting people to the world of plants, and allowing people to experience delight and curiosity toward the environment. They grow 10,000 taxa of plants every year.
If the largest rooftop garden in the world can also exist within the largest metropolis in the nation, anything is possible.
6. Culture
Let's see. Brooklyn is bursting at the seams with eclectic culture; seriously, it's sort of difficult to discuss its plethora of options without getting dizzy.
Brooklyn's got the Brooklyn Museum, the Music Hall of Williamsburg, and the Brooklyn Comedy Festival (August 24th through 30th).
So while the Brooklyn Comedy Festival brings sore-belly laughs by showcasing sketch, standup, and improv performers, the Brooklyn Museum illustrates social trends and visual art (check out the Rise of Sneaker Culture exhibit).
And the Music Hall of Williamsburg has a 550-person capacity and shows performances on most nights of the week.
7. All that fun
Where else in the world can you participate in a brutal bowling match after just enjoying a delicious dinner and selecting a beer from an enormous list of craft beers?
Well, no where else besides Brooklyn Bowl, which collides the thrill of amazing live music with the satisfaction of delicious food and the competition of bowling. Plus, of course, amazing drinks.
Nitehawk Cinemas, in a similar blended fashion, combines Indie films and documentaries with delicious food and drinks. So you get to chill in your movie theater seat while a waitress brings you a craft beer and empanadas.
Brooklyn's SummerScreen movie series also combines a lot of fun things: outdoor movies, amazing views of Manhattan's skyline, live music, food vendors and craft beers.
Basically, Brooklyn knows fun. And they don't feel a need to experience fun in separate categories.
Check out Cereal Lovers, Rejoice: There's a Delicious Cereal Bar Coming to Brooklyn This Month!
[Feature Image Courtesy: NY Through the Lens]