Williamsburg

LOCATION

Northwestern Brooklyn.

CHARACTER AND FEEL

Running along the waterfront area of Brooklyn just east of 14th street in Manhattan is Williamsburg. Once an inexpensive artists area, full of illegal lofts and warehouse spaces, Williamsburg has become the artist/hipster mecca - and much more expensive than its former starving artist residents could possibly afford.

The main drag of Bedford Avenue is buzzing at all hours with fashionable artsy folk, mostly in their 20s-30s with the occasional artsy family. Home of many art galleries and artist studios, Williamsburg has a truly creative vibe.

Many boutiques sell one-of-a-kind artist's wares, and the bars and clubs provide a variety of genres and events at a much cheaper cost than those in Manhattan. The restaurants are great, ranging from Polish fare from neighboring Greenpoint, to vegetarian friendly to asian, with many outdoor cafés as they have the space for it. The area is somewhat gritty, being largely converted from crude warehouses - don't expect a lot of trees or vegetation. Some love it and rarely leave the area to socialize- finding everything they need in the area, while others finding the constant buzz and fashion show to be too much pressure. The recent popularization of the area has attracted the “yuppy” crowd who are beginning to trickle in.

APARTMENTS & REAL ESTATE

Apartments range from do it yourself warehouses (basically, you build the walls to your room, and expect a utility style bathroom) to older homes and new buildings.

Many are “railroad” or “shotgun” style, which means one room leads into the next- a problem for roommates/privacy. Many old buildings' electrical systems have not been updated, so if you work from home and use many appliances, it may be a problem.

Selected Rental Buildings:

• 12th & Park (232-236 North 12th street, Williamsburg)
• 145 Montrose Avenue (145 Montrose Avenue, Williamsburg)
• The Point (191 Woodpoint Road, Williamsburg) - Mixed condo/rental building with 50 rentals and 12 condos
• Roebling Square (80 Roebling street, Williamsburg) - Brick-façade structure with five separate entrances.
• Spice Lofts (168-176 Scholes street, Williamsburg) - Red brick building with green-framed windows.

See all Williamsburg Rental Apartment Buildings

Condo Buildings:

• 20 Bayard Street (20 Bayard Street, Williamsburg)
• The Jacksonia (131-145 Jackson street, Williamsburg) - Townhouse-style building.
• North 8 (49 North 8th street, Williamsburg)

See all Williamsburg Condo Apartment Buildings

TRANSPORTATION AND ACCESSIBILITY

Williamsburg bridge, the (annoying) L train, the (even more annoying) G train and the slightly more reliable JMZ at a short distance.

LATEST HEADLINES, NEWS & REVIEWS

• 15/Nov/2006: Ultra-low Vacancy Rates in Manhattan in October
• 13/Nov/2006: 160 South 2nd Street Affordable Apartments Lottery
• 10/Oct/2005: Schaefer Landing Housing Project Completed in Williamsburg