A Look at Life in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

A Look at Life in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

When you step off the G train at the Greenpoint/Manhattan Avenue stop, you’ll detect a slower pace than what you’d find across the river. Residents who call this neighborhood home love the laid-back vibe, not to mention the mom-and-pop businesses, particularly the selection of Polish-owned shops that remain. You are in New York City, but definitely not in Manhattan any longer. Welcome to life in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

Greenpoint might not be the easiest section of town to get to from much of Manhattan. But no matter, it’s become one of New York City’s most desirable neighborhoods to live. Adjacent to Williamsburg, Greenpoint has hipsters rubbing elbows with the working class, which, for some, makes the area all the more attractive.

Gentrification has been in the works since the early 1990s, continuing into the 2000s. Despite Greenpoint’s now overpriced high-rises and trendy bars, restaurants, and boutiques, the neighborhood somehow still manages to hold on to its small-town charm.

Living in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

The importance of Polish food and culture undoubtedly endures in this part of Brooklyn. But there’s also some of the city’s best pizza at Paulie Gee’s and one of New York’s best spots for craft beer Threes Brewing Greenpoint and Brouwerij Lane. On the whole, Greenpoint features a pretty solid food and drink scene, especially considering its size.

Unbelievably, but like other areas of NYC, Greenpoint used to be farmland. So some streets, such as Meserole and Calyer, take their names from the farmers. While sections still remain industrial, much of the neighborhood is residential. Expect to pay upwards of $3,000 per month to rent a one-bedroom apartment, with more elaborate units pricing higher. Condos start in $800,000 range and increase from there, depending on the square footage and amenities. Those prices make you wonder how Hannah Horvath on Girls could afford such a groovy place to live. Well, it is television after all.

Because its public schools are some of the highest rated in Brooklyn, if not in NYC, families are choosing Greenpoint to settle down and raise their kids. Plenty of singles live in the area too. That’s likely because the neighborhood is less expensive than Williamsburg, but close enough to nightlife.

As I mentioned earlier, Greenpoint isn’t the most convenient commute to and from Manhattan. However, you can take the Q/R to the L from Manhattan and walk about 15 or 20 minutes. The other option is to ride the 7 to the G train, which is often considered to be one of the slowest and most unreliable subway lines in NYC. (Just a heads-up.)

Here’s a look at life in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. You can see how livable this neighborhood is and what all the buzz is about.

Thanks to Eric Barao for the photos in this post.

Also, here’s what you need to know about walking across the Brooklyn Bridge.