New York
Brooklyn (Williamsburg & DUMBO)
Thomas Habr / Unsplash
The borough that took over — better food, lower prices, and the Manhattan skyline as the backdrop.
Williamsburg and DUMBO are where New York's creative and food culture has concentrated over the past decade. Williamsburg has Bedford Avenue, one of the best restaurant and bar streets in New York; DUMBO has the most dramatic Manhattan skyline views in the city and the Brooklyn Bridge on the doorstep. L train to Midtown takes 20 minutes; the bridge is walkable.
Scores
Walkability
Transit
Price
Local feel
Nightlife
Family-friendly
Centrality
What you gain
- ↑DUMBO Manhattan Bridge views — the most photographed angle of New York, and deservedly so
- ↑Williamsburg restaurant scene: arguably the best food neighbourhood in the city right now
- ↑Smorgasburg food market (weekends, April-October): the best food market in the US by a considerable margin
What you sacrifice
- ↓Every trip to Midtown and Uptown requires a subway ride; adds time to day-trip itineraries
- ↓L train reliability issues mean having a backup plan matters
- ↓Williamsburg has gentrified significantly; affordable accommodation now harder to find
Best for
Avoid if
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