Brooklyn < Near U and Me

Why Brooklyn? Take a look:

22 Things You Need to Know About Brooklyn

1. Brooklyn Is The Best, Period

You know what they say about Brooklyn: Move there and you’ll visit Manhattan twice a year. Brooklyn is the most populous borough with a whopping 2.6 million people. It’s so big, if it were a city of its own, Brooklyn would come in as the fourth most populous city in the country. Because it’s the best. Don’t believe me yet? Keep reading.

2. In NYC Since 1883

The best borough of NYC wasn’t always showing up the rest. The completion of the Brooklyn Bridge strengthened ties with Manhattan, and changed it from an independent city to a true NYC borough. In fact, the merger was called the “Great Mistake of 1898,” which is what some old school Brooklynites still believe.

3. Everyone Wants To Live Here

Diversity is the beauty of Brooklyn, full of a little bit of everybody. From immigrants to young transplants in search of a close community that is safe from the confines of typical Suburbia, USA, you can find people from all walks of life here. That’s why the city is overflowing with people who previously lived in other major cities, mainly Chicago, Detroit, San Francisco, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Boston, proving that Brooklyn is pretty much the city that all cities aspire to be.

4. But You’ll Have To Learn The Brooklyn Way

Perhaps the best part of Brooklyn is the close-knit community you get while still in the heart of one of the most bustling cities in the world. You’ll always know who your neighbors are here and you’ll probably even share the key to each other’s houses for emergencies. A motto around Brooklyn is “Spread love: It’s the Brooklyn way” and you’ll feel it as soon as you arrive.

5. Sports In Brooklyn Are A Slam Dunk

Residents were thrilled to get the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets proudly representing the borough in 2012. They play their home games at Barclays Center in Prospect Heights and are a welcome addition to Brooklyn. And in 2015, the NHL’s New York Islanders are scheduled to make the move to Brooklyn too, putting two major pro sports teams on the map for the borough.

6. Your Neighborhood Defines You

The Greenpoint Historic District is the area most people think of, with its unique row home architecture, but Brooklyn is full of awesome neighborhoods, like Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, and Park Slope for such easy access to transportation and trendy restaurants and bars. If you own a boat you can live in Mill Basin, Crown Heights gets cooler every day, and Bay Ridge maintains its old feel while continuing to grow. And of course there’s one I can’t forget…

7. Dumbo Is Where It’s At

Dumbo is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Brooklyn with a premier arts district, galleries, and some of the most interesting people you’ll ever meet. Dumbo actually stands for “Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass” and is synonymous with its spectacular view. Along with its arts scene, Dumbo has produced some great highlights for the borough in recent years including the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory, the Jacques Torres Chocolate factory, Grimaldi’s pizza, and The River Café.

8. And Williamsburg Is Where You Rock Out

If you’re looking for the best local music, head to the popular Williamsburg neighborhood. It’s filled with trendy and up-and-coming quaint music venues, but the most popular might be Brooklyn Bowl. It’s a huge and newly renovated music venue that also hosts sixteen bowling lanes, a huge bar, state of the art technology, and a Blue Ribbon restaurant. Locals have come to call it the Disneyland of Williamsburg.

9. It Ain’t The Way It Used To Be

Brooklyn used to be a tough, blue collar, working class neighborhood. But it has since become the place to live since the extreme gentrification made Manhattan only friendly for the uber-rich and tourists. Gentrification has filled Brooklyn with yuppies and hipsters galore, which has its pros and its cons. But the rising housing costs have already begun to push out the artists and working class people who can no longer afford to live in such a trendy spot. But the locals are trying to hang on for dear life.

10. Yes, You Can Eat Farm Fresh In The City

Just because you live in the middle of one of the world’s most famous concrete jungles doesn’t mean that there’s not plenty of fresh produce on hand at all times. And you don’t even have to cross a bridge to get it. The Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket sets up at the corner of Prospect Park on Flatbush Avenue every Saturday year round and has been going strong since 1989. Along with fresh produce, the market also offers culinary workshops and loads of information on the best ways to recyclable and live sustainable in Brooklyn.

11. The Hip Hop Roots Can’t Be Ignored

The Bronx can’t take all the credit for hip hop because Brooklyn played major part in the scene, too. Hometown boy Notorious B.I.G. brought Brooklyn into the middle of the East Coast/West Coast rap feud of the ’90s. Jay-Z, previous part-owner of the Brooklyn Nets, lived in the Bed-Stuy section of Brooklyn and developed his moniker partly in homage to the J/Z train that stops at Marcy Avenue. Mos Def and RZA also called Brooklyn home. And there’s not a bigger name in hip hop than Brooklyn’s very own Barbara Streisand. Yes, that was a joke.

12. “All Brooklyn, All The Time”

New York City has its own official television network run by the NYC Media Group. Programming based in Brooklyn can be found on BRIC, featuring multiple community shows highlighting the city’s performing arts, independent artists, sports, politics and current events. It’s like living in your own little Brooklynverse.

13. You’ll Find Brooklyn In Pop Culture…

No matter where you live, you don’t have to look very far to find Brooklyn in entertainment. Bay Ridge was the Brooklyn neighborhood John Travolta broke out his dance moves in “Saturday Night Fever,” the HBO show “Bored to Death” was shot and set in Brooklyn, and it’s impossible to get through a week in the city without seeing a reference to the famous Beastie Boy song “No Sleep Til Brooklyn.” Need more proof? “Annie Hall,” “Goodfellas,” the Super Mario Brothers movie, and who could forget the cinematic masterpiece “Kaazam.”

14. … And Find Culture In Brooklyn

Brooklyn proudly brings culture and entertainment to the city in all genres. The Brooklyn Academy of Music is home to the Brooklyn Philharmonic along with hosting ballet, dance shows, and some of the world’s best musicians.

15. You’re Welcome For Twizzlers, Sbarro, And Topps Baseball Cards

Twizzler inventor Y&S Candies got their start in 1845 right here in Brooklyn as did Sbarro pizza in 1956. One of the world’s biggest names in baseball cards, Topps, was also founded in Brooklyn. Topps famously dumped 500 cases of high series cards into the ocean off of the Jersey shore in the ’60s. Today, those cards would be worth over an estimated billion dollars.

16. Bow To The Brooklyn Bridge

Completed in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the US and has become an iconic landmark for not just Brooklyn, but all of New York City. Connecting Brooklyn to Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge can be walked, biked, hiked, or just admired as many do for romantic moments or photos.

17. Coney Island Forever

Did you know that Coney Island is actually a part of Brooklyn? Well, you do now. Coney Island was built as a playground for rich people at the beginning of the 20th century by turned into one of the first amusement parks in the country, becoming famous for its unique charm and kitschy acts. It even survived Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and reopened the next year. It’s not going anywhere.

18. You’ll Find An Oasis In The Middle Of The City

Nestled in Brooklyn, you’ll find 52 acres of scenery and relaxation in the Brooklyn Botanical Garden. Located adjacent to Prospect Park, the garden includes a cherry tree esplanade, a rose garden spanning an entire acre, a Japanese hill and pond garden, a bonsai tree collection, a water lily pond esplanade, conservatories, a rock garden, and a children’s exhibits garden, providing more than enough escape from the everyday Brooklyn streets.

19. Brooklyn Has Its Own Central Park

Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the same people who created Central Park, also designed Brooklyn’s Prospect Park. And it shows. The 585 acre park has a surprise around every corner including a 90 acre meadow, a 175 person Picnic House, Litchfield Villa, Prospect Park Zoo, the Wildlife Conservation Society, multiple sports courts, the Boathouse, and the Prospect Park Bandshell which hosts free outdoor summer concerts. Prospect Park also hosts the popular Halloween Haunted Walk, complete with a carnival for kids.

20. There’s Still Plenty To Do Indoors

There’s never a reason to have to travel into Manhattan when you’re in Brooklyn. The art lovers can tour the second largest public art collection in the country at the Brooklyn Museum. Kids can spend the day having hands-on fun at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum. There is also the Brooklyn Transit Museum, MoCADA, Leffert’s Historic House, and the Brooklyn Historical Society among others, ensuring that you’ll always have something to do on a rainy day.

21. Brooklyn Breeds Comedy Genius

There is no shortage of famous people who hail from Brooklyn, but maybe there’s something in the water that makes so many of them so funny. Adam Sandler, Eddie Murphy, Jimmy Fallon, Jerry Seinfeld, Mel Brooks, Tony Danza, Leah Remini, and Steve Buscemi are just a few who were born in or raised Brooklyn proud.

22. And The Nightlife Of Champions

If you took the coffeehouse from Friends, added alcohol and a massive amount of fun and dropped it in Brooklyn, it would be Union Hall. This warehouse-turned-top trendy bar is definitely somewhere you could get used to grabbing a drink in Brooklyn. But along with drinks, this always packed bar in Park Slope offers 5,000 square feet of entertainment. Among the fun and socializing is outdoor garden seating, indoor bocce courts, fireplaces to sit and drink by, a bustling happy hour, great ambiance, friendly people, and some of the best, live music around.

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What You’ll find in Brooklyn by Category:

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The 10 Most Dangerous Brooklyn Neighborhoods

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