Bburg: Not Just for [American] Hipsters Anymore
If you thought the main populations of Williamsburg were Polish-American and hipster, you’re wrong. New Western Europeans have invaded the neighborhood — that’s right, it’s been “Europeanized” — and some businesses cater to the distinctive nationalities now maintaining a presence there. “The French stake out the terrace of Fabian’s Cafe, the Brits convene at the…
If you thought the main populations of Williamsburg were Polish-American and hipster, you’re wrong. New Western Europeans have invaded the neighborhood — that’s right, it’s been “Europeanized” — and some businesses cater to the distinctive nationalities now maintaining a presence there. “The French stake out the terrace of Fabian’s Cafe, the Brits convene at the Spike Hill Bar & Grill to watch Manchester United soccer matches, and the Swedish parents meet at one another’s apartments for a coffee-and-buns break called ‘fika,'” writes the NY Times. The weak dollar surely helped encourage the demographic shift, but if in some parts of the city Europeans were purchasing second homes, in Williamsburg they’re actually settling in for the long haul. “Other neighborhoods that have been reshaped by the condo boom of recent years have also seen influxes of foreign buyers investing their yen, pounds and euros in real estate. But the trend has been most visible in Williamsburg, where the newcomers are establishing deeper roots and are not simply looking for weekend pieds-Ã -terre or investment properties.” Why Bburg? Cheaper, and more like home — easy to find European specialties like HobNobs or find a spot to watch Football… the European kind. “They say they like its cafes, its more muted displays of wealth (well, more muted than Manhattan’s) and an artistic vibe that reminds some of the Marais neighborhood in Paris, or Brighton, England.”
Old Europe and New Brooklyn in Williamsburg [NY Times]
Photo by galvarez51.
“except your misinformed notion that everyone in the burg longs to move to Park Slope, and is a 21 year old hipster.”
Actually the opposite of this is true. I hope those in Williamsburg stay where they are! I dislike the neighborhood and I despise almost everyone I’ve ever met who lives there.
Wine lover pretty much sums up the attitude of those who live in Williamsburg. They think it’s the only place on earth and even he just slammed Heather, someone who has always spoke very highly of Williamsburg and he had nothing but trash to talk about her.
A sign of someone who’s really into himself. Very much like every person I’ve met who lives in Williamsburg.
I agree…some people like it…clearly. But I don’t have to and I’m allowed to state my opinion.
Btw, 3 people on my block moved to the U.S. from abroad in the past year or so..one couple from the U.K…one from France with a little girl and another couple (2 girls) from Berlin.
Can we get the NYTimes over here STAT!!!
In case you missed it, that was sarcasm. The whole freakin city is made of of people from other places…I find this particular article trashy just like most of the other NYTimes real estate “pieces”
Girls, girls, you’re *both* pretty!
11217 – You should really stick to the Park Slope threads since once again you have added nothing to a Williamsburg post except your misinformed notion that everyone in the burg longs to move to Park Slope, and is a 21 year old hipster.
We have previously agreed that in the current economic climate real estate prices will more than likely hold up better in PS than WB, but it ends there. Newsflash: Many people choose to live in Williamsburg. Not because they can’t afford PS (take a look around craigslist, rentals in williamsburg are comparable to PS, and it’s not cheap to buy either) but because they actually like it. Myself included. For every “friend” you have that lived in Williamsburg and hated it, and retreated for the tree lined blocks of brownstone brooklyn, I have a friend who lived in Fort Greene, Park Slope or Cobble Hill and realized after a year or two, that it was not their cup of tea, and chose to move somewhere that was more in line with their lifestyle – including my French born, UK educated roommate.
That is what’s great about this city – there is something for everyone!!!
whatever heather – i’ve lived in Brooklyn for 12 years. been hanging out in williamsburg for forever. also, i am not even remotely a real estate broker. i work in the photography industry, but have bought and sold 3 times in brooklyn. how long have you lived in Brooklyn? where do you own? and, if you don’t own property, then I am certainly more invested in Williamsburg than you. you obviously are not too connected to the area if you are only renting. i am committed to the neighborhood, my neighbors, the local businesses and schools. are you?
fyi – the europeans i know in williamsburg seem like they are in for the long haul. you’d have to ask someone directly for more details.
Wine Lover, I have been extolling the charm of Williamsburg longer than you have had your real estate license, or, possibly, lived in Brooklyn. However, I’ve also seen that charm dramatically decrease recently, as much of what made it charming has been replaced with vacant lots and half-built construction projects that, even if they are ever finished, will contain crappy apartments that all look exactly the same. (If the apartments were larger and less crappy, I’d be a lot more understanding.)
I still love my old neighborhood–I always will. But I am not immune to the issues. And there are many.
Seriously, what would happen if the European money pulls out of Brooklyn and goes back to the continent? What happens to a mortgage when you can’t sell and you lose your work visa? Rentals? Sublets? What happens when the dollar strengthens and your exchange rate arbitrage becomes less of a bargain?
We’ve all noticed, Billyboomer. Everyone except wine lover that is!
Has anyone noticed that the NY times never puts any negative articles about the current Real Estate market in the real estate section?
“it’s the best neighborhood in NY”
Your desperation in talking about your neighborhood makes me nauseous.
I would never claim that Park Slope is the “best neighborhood in NYC.” Yes, in my opinion it is the best for ME, but I would never suggest it is simply THE BEST.
It is so obvious you are terrified of your new white box being worth half of what it is now by this time next year. Could you at least TRY to be a little less transparent?!
I love that you think a neighborhood infested with cloned 21 year olds from the Midwest is the be all end all neighborhood in New York City. I think THAT says a lot about you.
The NYTimes piece was a fluff piece paid for by real estate agents to get a couple more Europeans (suckers) to buy a couple more rapidly deflating condos in your hood. It’s sad that you don’t realize that.
Nothing you say is going to change the fact that your hood is going to resemble Miami’s housing market by this time next year. 10,000 new condos coming online with NO buyers!!
My husband asked why all the Europeans are moving to Williamsburg. I asked him why he and all of his Dublin buddies had to move to the East Village when they fell off the potato truck in the 80’s. Different era, different neighborhood. Europeans like the next hip thang. Nobody told them Williamsburg was the last hip thang. Oh, don’t take offense, Wine Lover….chill out and drink some more wine. You’re too defensive.