Just had a week in New York, one of those lifetime holidays for us as a family. We had to be cautious of budget and wanted an Airbnb, almost impossible to find one in Manhattan on our money so we had to look in Brooklyn or New Jersey.

As we flew into JFK we thought Brooklyn would be a better option coupling that closeness to the airport and also more to see and do round there and easy access to Manhattan. The gaffs in Jersey were nicer but worse locations and transport so we opted for Bushwick. The new Williamsburg if you will. By chance we happened to be in one of the liveliest areas in the city but we were just away from the clubs and bars by a few blocks so was really relaxed.

The area runs from Montrose Avenue (East Williamsburg) to the Mount Judah Cemetery in the East. And has Bed Sty below and Ridgewood above. It's a semi industrial, semi residential area that was in the 70's and 80's an absolute hell hole no go area due to crack and social deprivation.

(Lifted from Google) "has a rich and varied history, evolving from a Dutch settlement to a diverse, vibrant neighborhood. Initially part of the larger Dutch town of Boswijck (also spelled Bushwick), which included present-day Williamsburg and Greenpoint, it became a distinct area with its own identity. The area has seen waves of immigration, from Dutch and German settlers to Italian and Hispanic communities, each leaving their mark on the neighborhood's culture and development"

The only other non Hispanic faces other than us were young people who cant afford rent in Williamsburg or Manhattan. A Bo ho post uni/college Im a DJ vibe. Williamsburg feels more like tatts and rock kids certainly East Williamsburg.

We stood out like 4 white tourists who got lost on the Subway. The fuck ups on Wyckoff round the Subway stops and the young clockers round the shops were puzzled by us and mostly left us alone. I get that vibe for all the other new arrivals. The Puerto Ricans, Dominicans and now Ecuadorians seem to live fine side by side with the Bo ho brigade. Which creates a lovely neighborhood for the most part.

The View from Wyckoff towards Manhattan.

Our gaff is the 1st Floor, 2 bed apartment with a balcony area at the back. It was either too wet or too hot. Found a massive cockroach in the bedroom, thankfully only me saw it. Tried standing on it, those fuckers are built.

Roackaway Beach

    Placid I was in Greenpoint this week. Loved it, but starting to get a bit Williamsburg-ish with “vintage” stores on most every corner, etc. Saw the Mets get absolutely tonked, so that was a bit like old times. Still love New York.

        fulmine

        I once cycled through Greenpoint on a day Poland won a football match in Europe and there were cars in convoy up and down with flags and horns etc. Must have been 2010 ish. Saw a Leeds fan on Pulaski Bridge

        New York is tiring, defo a young persons place.

            Placid New York is tiring, defo a young persons place

            Amen

              MolOverBeethoven Magenta De Vine never used Chat GPT.

              Was one paragrpah I couldn't be arsed re typing about the history. Corrected it for you.

                  Placid I saw a Brighton sticker on Pulaski Bridge, on some sort of manhole, and kept getting in peoples way while trying to stamp on it.
                  I don’t find it any more tiring than anywhere else, really. But I do find things tiring in general.

                      fulmine and kept getting in peoples way while trying to stamp on it.

                      Commendable behavior.

                        Probably better in the Fall / Spring but Brighton Beach, under the train tracks is mint if you want to go eat Russian food in very authentic places.
                        Went with Mrs YP years ago... walked in the place, pissing it down outside, she wants to keep her coat as its cold and the restaurant is like a social club / canteen. Reception 'insist' on taking coat ... No smuggling weapons in I guess. We ate pretty much verything they brought out ... half pint glasses of wine to the brim, double pints of lager , Chernobyl sized schnitzel ...
                        ACE

                          Placid She died before Chatgpt was invented Kev.

                          That would explain it alright.

                          Placid Corrected it for you.

                          Entirely unnecessary. I was just highlighting how easy it is to spot, for now anyway.

                          The pics are ace btw.

                                YoungParisian_inExile

                                Did think about Brighton Beach but couldn't be arsed with the schlep on the Subway. But weirdly we did get the ferry to Roackaway Beach from Wall Street Pier 11. That ferry system is brilliant and something I was totally unaware of until this trip, used it loads.

                                Did a ferry journey up the East river to Bronx and back, weather was crap but it was really interesting. For $4 per person its great value.

                                  What struck me about New York more than ever before was the diversity is like nowhere else on earth Ive ever been to. It's incredible.

                                  When going to large cities that are hubs of previous empires; Paris, London, Madrid, Lisbon for example. There is a cross section of the countries that those nations colonised. In New York, its literally every country in the world is represented there. It's truly remarkable.

                                  Where we stayed it was a typical inner city area but had a funny mix of Mexican, Domincan, Puerto Rican and more. Near the subway at Wyckoff and Myrtle it was mental. Like being in South American looking at the faces of people but in this Inner City setting, like someone had dropped all these Mayan/Inca faces under the Elevator Subway and amongst all the detritus of Brooklyn. Loads of South American looking women selling fruit all over NY, near us, Battery Park, Wall Street, Central Park etc.. Hustling to live and survive.

                                  I bought loads of dried Chillies to re hydrate and use in cooking. Ancho ones mainly. Smokey and subtle they're ace.

                                    Placid Haven't been in too long and even longer since I actually went and spent time there, not working.
                                    YP Jnr , who went loads as a baby, toddler, kid (but remembers nothing ) is asking to go some will maybe do after Black Friday / Thanksgiving .
                                    Shopping from an early age ... and eating at Esquina 😁

                                        I saw on insta that it had been taken over by some pop up Taco place. We walked past it but was too early for tacos.

                                        The food choices in New York are utterly unbelievable. It's mind boggling

                                          fulmine I was in DC for the second half of the '90 world cup after leaving Brussels for the first half. FFS 35 years ago. It was tough to find anywhere showing the games in those days. The US channels were hopeless - middle of the match they'd just fuck off for a massive advert session. Ended up watching on Spanish channels - at least they showed the whole game - I could live with a banner shooting across the screen advertising Ed McKay's Chevrolet. Usual dollar corona shit as we avoided Bud and its tiny alcohol content.

                                              Those pictures are great. The best place in the world. I went to Brooklyn, manhattan & the bronx for the yankees whilst there.

                                              Cool as fuck. I love these stories