Since February is all about love, let’s talk about it. Our love for the place we call home, that is. I am a Brooklyn native, a Brooklynite who speaks Brooklynese. This iconic NYC borough has been home to me for 62 years. And here’s what I really love about Brooklyn, New York, my home.

About Brooklyn, New York

There are many reasons to love Brooklyn, New York: colorful assortment of people, culture, food, activities to enjoy!

Size

Of the five boroughs of New York City – The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island, Brooklyn is the most populous. Also known as Kings County, it is the largest (69.5 square miles). In fact, if Brooklyn were its own city, it would be the third-largest city in the United States with over 2.5 million residents, second to Los Angeles and Chicago.

Cuisine

I love the food! Brooklyn is particularly well-known for its Italian food – especially its pizza. Anything you have a craving for can be found in Brooklyn! Our borough offers countless ethnic cuisines. And if you can’t quite find what it is you’re looking for, wait until next weekend or next month. New restaurants are constantly opening up for you to try with your date, family, or friends.

Crown Heights serves Jamaican jerk chicken and roti. You’ll find dim sum at Little Fuzhou in Sunset Park. Craving something sticky-sweet? Try the baklava in Sheepshead Bay.

Character

We are a melting pot, a miniature Manhattan, full of rich history everywhere you look. Even our most popular neighborhoods are famous!

Our borough is not the hustle and bustle you might think of when New York City comes to mind. We are a people defined by incredible diversity, creativity, community, and culture, and we’re proud of it. And unlike many neighborhoods in the Big Apple, we’ve maintained that diversity, that personality unique to each area of Brooklyn.

In the Past

We were once our own city until the late 1800s. And we used to be known as one of the more dangerous boroughs of New York.

Today

Brooklyn is a vibrant and peaceful place. It’s also exciting and family-friendly. And this makes many of our neighborhoods ideal for both families and young professionals.

The Brooklyn borough doesn’t fit any particular stereotype. so it appeals to everyone. We’ve literally transformed into what some say is the hottest, trendiest spot in all of New York City.

I’ve seen a lot of changes over the years, but one thing stays true about Brooklyn, New York. You can go five blocks, and because of the vast diverseness of each of our communities, the vibe totally changes.

Attributes that Make Us a World-Class Destination

We’re proud of Brooklyn, New York! And for good reason. People come from all over for:

• Lively music venues
• Trendy boutiques
• Iconic restaurants
• Independent artisanal coffee bars
• Pro sports
• Immigrant history
• Diversified culture
• Family-friendly activities
• And communities to call home

We offer a large number of amazing parks, walkable sidewalks, and tight-knit communities. And compared to Manhattan, even reasonable rents.

Our Parks

There are over 40 parks in Brooklyn. The top four being Prospect Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Fort Greene Park, and Owl’s Head Park.

Means of Transportation

Brooklyn is incredibly walkable, especially within the neighborhood you call your own. Brooklyn offers many beautiful and safe walking routes.

And here, walking beats owning a vehicle and paying to park on the street, hands down. In fact, according to Tri-State Transportation, more than half of us live in car-free households. Owning a car isn’t necessary when you live in Brooklyn, because you can get anywhere you need to go by subway.

There are other means of public transportation here in Brooklyn, but the subway is still the fastest and most reliable way to get around.

Tight-Knit Communities

Brooklyn has an undeniably strong sense of community. And it is this sense of community that makes our borough not only unique but also popular for families and young professionals.

Also, we Brooklynites tend to define ourselves based on which neighborhood we settle into. We are loyal patrons to the shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars that are local to us.

I remember, as kids, we played street games one block against another. And we built friendships that have lasted a lifetime.

From Coney Island, Sheepshead Bay, Midwood, and Flatbush to Bedford- Stuyvesant, Sunset Park, Park Slope, Red Hook, and so many others, each of our neighborhoods has a distinct history and personality all their own.

Reasonable Rents and the Cost of Living

According to a Streeteasy report put out in October 2019, the average price for a house is around $700,000. And the average cost to rent a place is about $2,700 a month. So compared to other places in the United States, Brooklyn is one of the most expensive places to live. But food, rent, clothing, and a lot of other things are less expensive here than they are in Manhattan. And this makes Brooklyn ideal for you if you’re beginning a career.

With plenty of searching (and a little help from your friend, Charles D’Alessandro), you can find a great place that suits your personality, home life, interests, and your budget.

Brooklyn, New York – Something for Everybody

Brooklyn grows on. People come from all over to be part of it. And I’m proud to be part of that on a daily basis.

We continue to attract new-comers and families from all over with our excellent schools, booming job market, and that strong sense of community we like to own.

But more than anything, we are proud of and celebrate our diversity, our people. There really is something for everybody in Brooklyn, New York, even you!

Moving to Brooklyn

If you plan to move to Brooklyn, you need to experience the unique personalities, charm, amenities, sense of community, and price tags of each one to find “your” place. There’s one that’s just right for you, one that best suits your needs.

Working as a real estate professional for over 30 years, I have seen the transformation of my home. Like the Beatles sang in “In My Life,”

“There are places I’ll remember
All my life, though some have changed
Some forever, not for better
Some have gone, and some remain …”

Brooklyn has grown. Our borough has changed. Some changes have been for the better, others, not so much. But I love her, and I’m proud to share my home, Brooklyn, New York, with you!

Want to build a life you can love in Brooklyn, New York? Contact me, Charles D’Alessandro, your Brooklyn Real Estate Agent with Fillmore Real Estate at (718) 253-9600 ext. 206 or email [email protected]. I’d love to help you find the area that’s just right for you!

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Charles D’Alessandro
Your Brooklyn Real Estate Agent
718-253-9600 ext. 206

There’s no place like home. And there’s certainly no place quite like Brooklyn, New York. So what makes Brooklyn a great place to love?

6 of Many Reasons Why Brooklyn is a Great Place to Love

Whether or not you still live in the place you grew up, there are things about it that make that place your hometown. But some of us have moved from address to address so many times that “home” is a relative term. We use the word “home” to describe a great place we either loved living once or love living in currently.

Brooklyn is my home. And there are plenty of reasons why others who have moved to Brooklyn call it their home, too. Here’s why Brooklyn is a great place to love and call home.

1. Outstanding Coffee Shops

The coffee here is always served with a good attitude and a smile. Here are our five-star rated coffee shops:

• Brooklyn Perk
• Koala Cafe
• PPL
• Brooklyn Tea
• Hungry Ghost Coffee
• Velvette Brew

There are many others with four stars, you’ll certainly have a difficult time choosing. But isn’t that fun to have so many choices for an outstanding cup of brew?

2. World-Class Eateries

We are home to amazing restaurants such as:

• Klein’s
• Misi
• Mission Chinese Food
• Benelux
• Saint Julivert Fisherie
• Peaches HotHouse
• Haenyeo
• Oxalis
• Japan Village
• Teo
• Ramen Danbo

3. Fun Waterfronts

New York has been busy transforming from an industrial wasteland into fabulous green spaces, and it’s taken years. One of three major NYC parks opened in Brooklyn. In Brooklyn Bridge Park, the verdant Pier 3 debuted. If you enjoy panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline, this is the waterfront park to visit.

• Brooklyn Bridge Park
• Gantry Plaza State Park
• Brooklyn Bridge Park – Pier 6
• Stuyvesant Cove Park
• Pier 26 – Hudson River Park
• Swindler Cove Park
• Battery Park
• Brooklyn Bridge Park – John Street Section
• South Street Seaport
• Sutton Place Park – Sutton Sq

4. Amazing Parks

You probably don’t think of anything but a concrete jungle when someone mentions New York. But we’re home to a lot of amazing parks and greenspaces where you can get in touch with nature and enjoy the great outdoors.

• Greenwood Cemetery
• Sunset Park
• Bush Terminal Park
• Owl’s Head Park
• Prospect Park
• McGlorick Park
• WNYC Transmitter Park
• Brooklyn Bridge Park
• Fort Greene Park
• Valentino Pier
• Cooper Park

5. Quiet Streets

Brooklyn is a borough of 30 distinct and unique neighborhoods. They are as diverse as those who live in them and rich with history. And it’s full of quiet streets and safe places to walk about and raise children. There are many excellent public and private schools, too.

6. A Strong Sense of Community

Brooklyn’s neighborhoods have been able to maintain their diversity and unique personalities. Some have even maintained their ethnic personality, like many of Brooklyn’s Italian neighborhoods, for example. They still enjoy their heritage and flavor.

Recent transplants and lifelong residents both share a genuine desire to see their unique neighborhoods thrive to be the best they can be. We care about each other and share important events together, and are hopeful about the future of Brooklyn. When there is a problem, the community rallies together to get it solved.

Much of this strong sense of community is seen in our efforts to provide green markets, community farms and gardens, cultural and historical non-profit organizations. Leaders of our community support and encourage shopping for goods made by local artists and designers.

But Wait – There’s so Much More that Makes Brooklyn a Great Place to Love

Brooklyn is a great place to love. It is a special place with a myriad of reasons to call it home. From community activities, trendy boutiques, lively music venues, amazing rooftop views, fun and diverse nightlife to a culinary scene to rival that of anywhere else in the world. Brooklyn has much to offer that compels us to love calling it our home.

Now that you know why Brooklyn is a great place to love, are you ready to call it your home? Call Charles D’Alessandro,
your Brooklyn Real Estate Agent with Fillmore Real Estate at (718) 253-9600 ext.206. Or you can email him at [email protected].

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 Charles D’Alessandro

Your Brooklyn Real Estate Agent

718-253-9600 ext. 206

[email protected]