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Before Bay Ridge, I used to live in Ridgewood. One day I wanted to explore the neighborhood and ended up around the Jefferson St stop. I don't know if there are better areas within Bushwick, but that one looked pretty ugly and gave off a weird vibe.
I have some friends from France that moved to New York and started on the Upper West Side but it got too expensive for them and moved to Bushwick. One week later, some guys (allegedly) entered the apartment (they were stupid enough to keep their windows open) and took their laptops and other electronic stuff.
I see a lot of people moving there and I really don't know what the appeal is besides proximity to Union Square. I always recommend Bay Ridge because I love it but after they hear "45 minutes away from Manhattan" they're like "no thanks".
Bay Ridge is nice, safe, and cheap (I'd live there), but I can also understand why many people wouldn't. Namely, the amount of time it takes to get to Manhattan from Bay Ridge. Note, even at 45 minutes, that assumes no express bus/train delays. And it gets worse on weekends and late nights. For many people, that is a deal breaker.
Close to Manhattan, two train lines, tons of lofts, relatively affordable, hundreds of galleries, great restaurants and bars, probably the most hipster-oriented neighborhood on the planet (if you're into that sort of thing).
Bay Ridge is a nice area too but attracts a completely different demographic. Bay Ridge doesn't have lofts, art galleries, cool restaurants, a creative scene, and isn't close to Manhattan.
But the biggest reason people move to Bushwick- it's next to Williamsburg. Williamsburg is more expensive than much of Manhattan at this point, so Bushwick gives you the proximity at a much lower cost.
Except for the native Puerto Ricans and Dominicans nobody did want to live in Bushwick until only about 5 years ago.
It's not for everybody. Young and hipster...not really my thing anymore either but I make due here for the moment. The type of person who moves to Bay Ridge I can see probably not digging it either.
Except for the native Puerto Ricans and Dominicans nobody did want to live in Bushwick until only about 5 years ago.
It started getting trendy around 10-15 years ago. The first wave of bars/restaurants and loft dwellers were there around 2002 or so. I remember going to loft parties there around then. It was like 100x rougher then, but even then was very cool and I could see the appeal.
Also, the real old-timers in Bushwick aren't the PR/DR population; it's the Italians. There are still elderly Italians in northern Bushwick, and a few remaining businesses. Northern Bushwick was mostly Italian until the 1970's. There are also tons of Mexicans in Bushwick, but they're recent arrivals.
Quote:
Originally Posted by UrbanAdventurer
It's not for everybody. Young and hipster...not really my thing anymore either but I make due here for the moment. The type of person who moves to Bay Ridge I can see probably not digging it either.
Yeah, it's definitely not for everyone. Still gritty and not exactly a normal neighborhood for a typical family. But ideal if you're young and hip/artsy.
Cause its cool and trendy. I work in Bushwick and I really don't get the appeal. Its kind of grimey, but at the same time hot yoga and fancy vegan restaurants are opening up. I will concur with the OP that Bay Ridge is much nicer and much more affordable.
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