Williamsburg Neighborhood Review
While Williamsburg was not the first neighborhood that displaced Soho artists escaped to (see DUMBO), it certainly became the very definition of hipster life in the early 2000s and made Brooklyn synonymous with PBR, the beard and bun combo, plaid shirts, and artisanal anything.
Williamsburg has come a long way from even those days as hipsterdom becomes priced-out or institutionalized.
These days you'll find luxury developments, Whole Foods, Starbucks, highly-rated restaurants, major music/concert venues, the hottest brunch spots, and a slew of beautiful high-end hotels near McCarren Park.
While some art galleries remain in Williamsburg, the vast majority have either closed down or moved into East Williamsburg/Bushwick, where a good chunk of the artist/artisan community has moved to.
That said, Williamsburg is still the very definition of energy in Brooklyn.
People move here for the close proximity to the city (including views of the city), the events that take place spring and summer, and the year-round nightlife and great dining and entertainment options.
The reasons people are visiting and moving here are namely places and events like Smorgasburg, Brooklyn Bowl, the Wythe Hotel, Schimanski, Music Hall of Williamsburg, the Brooklyn Brewery, the Nitehawk Cinema, McCarren Park, and much more.
Fun Fact: Willis Carrier, an engineer from Buffalo, NY, invented air conditioning in 1902 for a print shop in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Local Buzz
Celebrities that lives in Williamsburg neighborhood:
| Celebrity | Notes |
| Zoe Kravitz | Actress, Singer, Model |
| Ed Westwick | Actor, Musician |
| James Lafferty | Actor, Director, Producer |
Public Transportation
The L train is the very lifeblood that is pumped into the Williamsburg area from the city, and the reason why the spillover has extended to areas like East Williamsburg, Bushwick, and now Ridgewood, Queens.
As the L train prepares to shut down the tunnel into the city, people are scrambling towards the J/M/Z line.
The G may be helpful to some who might be able to take it to downtown Brooklyn or Long Island City and transfer to the city.
There are ferries that do go directly from Williamsburg to different points of Manhattan. The neighborhood is also very bike-friendly with dedicated bike "greenways" along Kent and bike lanes elsewhere.
The neighborhood's close proximity to the Williamsburg Bridge also makes a biking commute into the city very convenient.
| Type | Notes |
| Subway | L, G, J, M, Z |
| Buses | B13, B24, B43, B44, B46, B48, B54, B59, B60, B61 |
Average Rent Prices
While there might be some deals out there, they are very rare and difficult to find in Williamsburg. You'll find high prices even in the unrenovated older buildings in South Williamsburg.
You're not paying for space in this neighborhood. You're paying for lifestyle and the proximity to Manhattan. Brand new developments or beautiful loft conversions will fetch some of the highest prices in Brooklyn.
Williamsburg is not even a good deal for many Manhattanites at this point. Despite this fact, inventory does not hang around for very long in the area. Note that true lofts are extremely rare in Williamsburg these days.
| Studio | 1 Bedroom | 2 Bedrooms | 3 Bedrooms |
| $2,640 | $3,190 | $4,090 | $4,870 |
Public & Charter Schools
Williamsburg falls into District 14, which provides a huge number of choices, some which are highly rated.
There are a few notable schools in the area like P.S. 132 The Conselyea School, P.S. 196 Ten Eyck, and P.S. 319, which all have Pre-K programs.
Williamsburg also houses one of the best high schools in the city--the Brooklyn Latin School, which provides an academically rigorous curriculum and competitive atmosphere and also brags a 99% graduation rate.
A few other schools to note are Brooklyn Preparatory High School and Brooklyn Arbor School, which remains a favorite among parents who are believers in the school's founders.
| Schools | Notes |
| Brooklyn Latin School | Public - Grades 9-12 679 students - 12 student/teacher |
| Brooklyn Preparatory High School | Public - Grades 9-12 501 students - 13 student/teacher |
| Conselyea Preparatory School | Public - Grades 6-8 497 students - 15 student/teacher |
| El Puente Academy for Peace and Justice | Public - Grades 9-12 243 students - 16 student/teacher |
| Green School an Academy for Environmental Careers | Public - Grades 9-12 275 students - 15 student/teacher |
| High School Of Enterprise Business And Technology | Public - Grades 9-12 983 students - 16 student/teacher |
| Is 318 Eugeno Maria De Hostos | Public - Grades 6-8 1608 students - 15 student/teacher |
| Jhs 50 John D Wells | Public - Grades 6-8 229 students - 13 student/teacher |
| Juan Morel Campos Secondary School | Public - Grades 6-12 690 students - 11 student/teacher |
| Lyons Community School | Public - Grades 6-12 518 students - 15 student/teacher |
| Ms 582 | Public - Grades 6-8 241 students - 11 student/teacher |
| P.S. 257 John F Hylan | Public - Grades PK-5 661 students - 10 student/teacher |
| Progress High School for Professional Careers | Public - Grades 9-12 1099 students - 19 student/teacher |
| Ps 132 The Conselyea School | Public - Grades PK-5 704 students - 15 student/teacher |
| Ps 147 Issac Remsen | Public - Grades PK-5 299 students - 12 student/teacher |
| Ps 16 Leonard Dunkly | Public - Grades PK-5 244 students - 13 student/teacher |
| Ps 17 Henry D Woodworth | Public - Grades PK-5 322 students - 11 student/teacher |
| Ps 18 Edward Bush | Public - Grades PK-5 190 students - 11 student/teacher |
| Ps 196 Ten Eyck | Public - Grades PK-5 332 students - 10 student/teacher |
| Ps 250 George H Lindsey | Public - Grades PK-5 717 students - 15 student/teacher |
| Ps 319 | Public - Grades PK-1 142 students - 9 student/teacher |
| Ps 380 John Wayne Elementary School | Public - Grades PK-5 657 students - 13 student/teacher |
| Ps 84 Jose De Diego | Public - Grades PK-6 687 students - 11 student/teacher |
| School for Legal Studies | Public - Grades 9-12 594 students - 18 student/teacher |
| Williamsburg High School for Architecture and Design | Public - Grades 9-12 593 students - 16 student/teacher |
| Williamsburg Preparatory School | Public - Grades 9-12 683 students - 19 student/teacher |
| Young Women's Leadership School of Brooklyn | Public - Grades 6-12 385 students - 18 student/teacher |
| Beginning with Children Charter School | Charter - Grades K-8 403 students - 16 student/teacher |
| Williamsburg Collegiate Charter School | Charter - Grades 5-12 330 students - 12 student/teacher |
Restaurants
If you’re looking for the next Instagram-able gluten-free meal to enjoy within the confines of a rustic industrial hangout, then look no further!
In Williamsburg you can take your pick of unique cuisines that are sure not to disappoint - whether it’s New York City’s #1 Zagat-rated steakhouse (Peter Luger), some good ole’ Southern fried chicken and biscuits (The Commodore) or a French bistro adorned with an indoor “garden” room and roof deck (Juliette).
In the warmer months, the Williamsburg Smorgasburg is literally a foodie’s heaven on earth, with over 100+ food vendors within a block radius serving different cuisines.
Located on the Williamsburg waterfront, customers get to enjoy the luxury of trying the many tastings Brooklyn while taking in the awesome views of the Manhattan skyline.
Be sure to bring cash (vendors only accept cash) and a huge appetite!
