Bushwick Brooklyn, NY

The area now known as Bushwick remained farmland for centuries after the arrival of Dutch colonists in the 1600s. Not until the 1850s did developers begin to sell the land for homes, after which the population of the area more than doubled every 20 years. Throughout the latter half of the 19th century, more than one million Germans and Austrians settled in the area.

These settlers built breweries that helped propel the neighborhood well into the 1900s. By the 1970s, most of the breweries were gone. Another development surge came in the early 2000s, when New Yorkers, especially artists, began to move to the area. The particular prominence of artists can be seen in the neighborhood’s numerous galleries.

With several restaurants near the top of Brooklyn’s must-try list, Bushwick has become a respected dining destination. Many of the best restaurants sit on the western edge of the neighborhood near the Morgan and Jefferson Street subway stations. Nightlife revolves around this area too; plenty of bars and lounges stay open to the wee hours, long enough to keep even the most die-hard night owls entertained.

A true star of the Brooklyn dining scene, Roberta’s on Moore Street near Bogart Street bakes some of the best pizza in the city in a trendy, hipster-influenced setting. In keeping with the gritty aesthetic of the neighborhood, the nondescript exterior leads to a dining room of exposed duct work and communal tables. Though pizza proves the main draw (order the Famous Original with tomato, mozzarella, caciocavallo, oregano and chili), the pasta dishes and Wagyu steak do not disappoint. In the backyard, two converted shipping containers house Heritage Radio Network, a food-focused organization that airs programs such as Cutting the Curd, a weekly show about all things cheese.

For a taste of the South, check out Tchoup Shop at Heavy Woods Bar on Wyckoff Avenue. This pop-up restaurant, open seven days a week, may share space with a bar, but it pumps out food that is head-and-shoulders above many traditional restaurants. Regulars love the chicken biscuit and duck liver boudin balls, both inspired by the Creole cuisine of New Orleans. If you find yourself paralyzed by all of the options, start with the gumbo, a classic dish cooked to perfection.

A little later on in the evening, grab a few friends and head to Lone Wolf on Broadway near Dodworth Street. A bit farther south of the main nightlife action, Lone Wolf sits under the J, M and Z subway tracks and offers a dark but welcoming ambiance to a young crowd. Friendly bartenders offer value-priced drinks, and a stage near the back features live music from local bands.

Bushwick residents find the area quite walkable, though certain streets can feel desolate, especially after dark. Biking also proves popular, especially during the summer, and several major streets have bike lanes, including Central Avenue.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) subway system provides service to Bushwick with four train lines, all of which operate 24 hours a day. The L train runs from Manhattan and eastern Brooklyn, and the J, M and Z trains travel from Manhattan to Queens. Residents also have access to numerous bus routes, which can help fill in the gaps in train service. With all of these options, the journey to midtown Manhattan can take as little as 20 minutes, though crowded trains can sometimes increase that time significantly.

Car owners do not face much competition for street parking, and those looking for a guaranteed spot can pay for space in one of several area parking garages. Drivers facing longer commutes can follow Broadway northwest to the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway or southeast to the Jackie Robinson Parkway. For convenience and speed, hail a green city taxi, most often found near the eastern edge of the neighborhood, or, better yet, reserve an Uber.

Maria Hernandez Park is the central green space at 6.87 acres, bounded by Knickerbocker, Irving, Starr, and Suydam, with basketball and handball courts, a dog run, and a plaza used for community events — though open space overall is limited, with roughly 1.4% of Bushwick's land designated for recreation and no large park inside the boundaries. The Bushwick Collective murals cluster around Troutman Street and St. Nicholas Avenue near the Jefferson Street L.

The cost of living in Bushwick approaches the New York City average and rivals some of the most desirable Manhattan neighborhoods. Renters face average monthly rates of $2,600, though large groups of friends often share apartments to reduce their costs considerably. Rental rates also drop significantly as you move east.

Given the neighborhood’s desirability and proximity to like neighborhoods in both Brooklyn and Manhattan, prices for groceries and other everyday items hover around the New York City average. A typical beer in the neighborhood costs about $6, and hiring a car service to midtown Manhattan sets you back around $20. Gas prices sit below the New York City average but 6 percent higher than the national average.

Retail concentrates on four corridors: Knickerbocker Avenue, Broadway, Myrtle Avenue, and Wyckoff Avenue. Knickerbocker south of Maria Hernandez Park is the main shopping street, mixing longtime bakeries, bodegas, and grocers with newer boutiques and vintage shops, while the food and drink scene runs from taquerias to wine bars and warehouse breweries.