Thursday, March 14, 2013
Which Williamsburg is Right for You?
Posted by Henry Stewart on Thu, Mar 14, 2013 at 10:50 AM
Back in the 19th century—in what I might call "the good old days"—if you wanted to live in Williamsburg, you moved to the Village of Williamsburg. Easy. But nowadays there are seemingly infinite subdivisions to this once simply defined neighborhood, making it difficult for today's urban pioneer to decide which segment is right for him or her. So here's a rough guide! But not that rough lol. [photo]
Real Williamsburg
Real Williamsburg begins at the Bedford Avenue L stop and extends north to McCarren Park, west to Berry Street, and east to... I'm not really sure, I've never gone past Driggs. (Is Havemeyer safe?) This is the best Williamsburg and obviously where you want to live, but it can also be wicked expensive, so you either have to be one of those cool daytrader types or have some rich parents! (Or marry up, ladies!) [photo]
South Williamsburg
Anything below North 7th Street is considered South Williamsburg, or the "Southside." The farther south you go, the more racial the neighborhood becomes—first, with Spanish people, then with Jewish people. I've walked almost as far south as the bridge, and it's pretty cool down there. When the Domino development finally opens, there will finally be some cool places to live, too. One complaint: we were walking around on a Sunday once, lost and looking for a brunch spot, and that church on like South 3rd or whatever wouldn't stop ringing its bells. It's like, ugh—who even goes to church anymore? Lol. [photo]
East Williamsburg
This is basically anything on the other side of the highway that I can see on Google maps. Just be smart: also on Google maps, I see that south of Grand Street there are housing projects, which are probably dangerous. [photo]
East East Williamsburg
I've also heard some people, usually younger people, call this "Bushwick." It's basically a place to visit for a day, like if you get an invitation to a loft party or something. But you wouldn't want to live there: it can be hella sketch. On an episode of Girls once they went to Bushwick for a party, and though everyone was ok, the streets looked deserted and scary, and I've read on blogs it can be like that IRL. Make sure you know the number for a car service. (It's probably smartest to take a car service there and just pay the driver to wait.)
East Bushwick
Obviously not for you.
Morgantown
If you're young and like into art or whatever—and your parents have like a lot of money—you can live near Roberta's, which is a restaurant the Clintons once ate at. (Bill Clinton was president once, before Obama.) Remember, though: take a car service home if you had two or more martinis around the financial district after work. Better to let a cab driver take your money than a mugger! [photo]
Real Williamsburg begins at the Bedford Avenue L stop and extends north to McCarren Park, west to Berry Street, and east to... I'm not really sure, I've never gone past Driggs. (Is Havemeyer safe?) This is the best Williamsburg and obviously where you want to live, but it can also be wicked expensive, so you either have to be one of those cool daytrader types or have some rich parents! (Or marry up, ladies!) [photo]
Anything below North 7th Street is considered South Williamsburg, or the "Southside." The farther south you go, the more racial the neighborhood becomes—first, with Spanish people, then with Jewish people. I've walked almost as far south as the bridge, and it's pretty cool down there. When the Domino development finally opens, there will finally be some cool places to live, too. One complaint: we were walking around on a Sunday once, lost and looking for a brunch spot, and that church on like South 3rd or whatever wouldn't stop ringing its bells. It's like, ugh—who even goes to church anymore? Lol. [photo]
This is basically anything on the other side of the highway that I can see on Google maps. Just be smart: also on Google maps, I see that south of Grand Street there are housing projects, which are probably dangerous. [photo]
I've also heard some people, usually younger people, call this "Bushwick." It's basically a place to visit for a day, like if you get an invitation to a loft party or something. But you wouldn't want to live there: it can be hella sketch. On an episode of Girls once they went to Bushwick for a party, and though everyone was ok, the streets looked deserted and scary, and I've read on blogs it can be like that IRL. Make sure you know the number for a car service. (It's probably smartest to take a car service there and just pay the driver to wait.)
Obviously not for you.
If you're young and like into art or whatever—and your parents have like a lot of money—you can live near Roberta's, which is a restaurant the Clintons once ate at. (Bill Clinton was president once, before Obama.) Remember, though: take a car service home if you had two or more martinis around the financial district after work. Better to let a cab driver take your money than a mugger! [photo]
Follow Henry Stewart on Twitter @henrycstewart
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About The Author
Henry Stewart
Bio:
Henry Stewart is the Culture Editor at The L Magazine and some kind of editor at Brooklyn Magazine. He has always lived in Brooklyn.
Henry Stewart is the Culture Editor at The L Magazine and some kind of editor at Brooklyn Magazine. He has always lived in Brooklyn.
