Brooklyn is one of the five boroughs of New York City, with by far the largest population. The neighbourhood has maintained its distinct culture and as a result has a controversial reputation among New Yorkers. A traditional New York working class community coexists within the communities in Brooklyn, with a large African American Community and a fluating populace that have their origins in the Caribbean, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Greek, Indian, Italian, and Dutch. It is generally thought to be a buzzing, colourful, district, though some areas have seen a gentrification of late. Whether you’re after a taste of the Brooklyn buzz, visiting relatives or just want to close enough to touch New York’s best bits without too hefty a price tag on your accommodation, Wimdu have plenty of great apartments available in the area.
Apartments for Rent in Brooklyn
There are loads of apartments for Rent in Brooklyn. Covering a vast area of New York, there are no less than 60 neighbourhoods within the Brooklyn area itself. When considering where to stay, or what kind of apartment to rent in Brooklyn, an important thing to factor in is proximity to the sites, and convenience of the transport links. The neighbourhoods within Brooklyn are a mix of ethnicities, ever-changing in population and ever expanding. Stay north of Brooklyn, at the gulf of the Hudson River, and you’ll be just a stone’s throw from Manhattan (home to Central Park and the area deemed the cultural and intellectual centre of New York). Stay south of Brooklyn and you’ll be on the cusp of the Sheen Shead Bay, right on the western edge of long island 0 where the apartments have some of the most spectacular seafront views.
Fun Facts
- Brooklyn was formed as a settlement in the 17th Century, originally founded by the Dutch.
- Brooklyn was originally a major shipping port for shipping goods across the Atlantic.
- Brooklyn, previously authorised as a village, was combined with the other four boroughs surrounding the Upper New York Bay to form the modern New York City in 1898.
- Brooklyn has over 2.6 million residents (about the same size as Chicago) and is the second largest of the boroughs in New York.
- The famous Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the USA.
What to See and Do
Brooklyn has a distinct culture, considered by many as representative even of the ‘real’ New York. This culture is infused in Brooklyn’s attractions and sights and there is much to do in the neighbourhood, from exploring the great outdoors to gracing the Manhattan Beach shores.
The Brooklyn Bridge
Famous in New York City and made even more famous by New York-set American chick-flick series ’Sex and the City’, The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the USA’s oldest suspension bridges, spanning an impressive width of 1,595.5 feet! The bridge connects Brooklyn to Manhattan, across the East River.
Arts, Culture and Parks
The Brooklyn Museum hosts the second largest public art collection in the USA and a permanent collection of over 1.5 million objects ranging from the Egyptian times to the present day. For music lovers and film buffs, there is also The Brooklyn Academy of Music, which houses a magnificent opera house, grand theatre and the art house of the BAM Rose Cinemas.
Parks and Green Spaces
The Brooklyn Botanic Gardens spans 52 acres with a one-acre rose garden, esplanades of cherry trees, and several rare plant collections. It is the perfect place to enjoy a break from the city centre. There are also many other parks, open spaces and collections of flora and fauna in Brooklyn, which means that if you don’t have a sea view from your apartment, you’re very likely to have a green one.Nightlife in Brooklyn
Brooklyn has a vibrant nightlife, catering for a range of tastes: from jazz clubs to karaoke bars, classical to pop, Brooklyn’s after dark scene has it all. Renting an apartment in Brooklyn also means you can enjoy the nightlife on the other side of the river too - Manhattan is only a train-ride away.
Sports and Entertainment
If you’re a sports fan, you will find yourself in the thick of it in Brooklyn. The neighbourhood has been home to several famous sports personalities over the years, including Mike Tyson, the professional boxer, Michael Jordan, the basketball legend and Vince Lombardi, the American football player, coach and executive. Brooklyn’s main sport of course is basketball and if you’re renting an apartment in Prospect Heights, it is well worth a visit to the major sports league venue, the Barclay’s Centre, where you will be able to catch a game.
Getting Around
Brooklyn has some excellent transport links. No less than eighteen New York City Subway services, run through the borough. But take note, it is probably worth renting an apartment near one of the major subway stations: Atlantic Avenue, Broadway Junction, DeKalb Avenue, Jay Street, and Coney Island. You can also travel around Brooklyn by waterway - the New York Waterway offers commuter services from Brooklyn to Manhattan centre. Water was in fact the main form of transportation from Brooklyn to Manhattan, until the completion of the Brooklyn Bridge in 1883.