Relocating to Brooklyn – What to Know

Relocating to a new city can be a daunting prospect, particularly if it’s the first time you’ve been on the move for a prolonged period of time.Brooklyn is one of the most vibrant and exciting cities in the United States. It’s a great place to start a new life: with culture, amazing sites and attractions and an unbeatable sense of community.To help you make the most of your relocation to Brooklyn, this guide is designed to provide you with comprehensive advice on how to settle in quickly and make the most of your new home.

Visa Requirements

If you’re not a US Citizen, or a resident already, then you’ll need to ensure you obtain the right visas to enter and stay in the USA. There are several types of US Visas, though which one is right for you will depend on what kind of work visa you require and the length or your stay. Fortunately, the USA has an excellent set of resources available to guide you through the process of applying for the right one. Visit the Department of State site for detailed instructions on how to obtain a visa that fits your needs.

Choosing Where to Live

One of the key decisions you’ll need to make when moving to Brooklyn is which neighbourhood is best for you. Brooklyn has eight distinct neighbourhoods – all with their own unique character and appeal. Before deciding on which area to live, take some time to look around each one. Consider factors like affordability, proximity to green spaces, access to transport and which parts of the city are more suited to your tastes.

Greenpoint

Greenpoint is located in the northern tip of Brooklyn and is enjoying a surge in popularity due to its variety of trendy cafes, pie-in-the-sky apartment developments and access to some of Brooklyn’s most spectacular parks. It also has one of the best populations and ethnic diversity in the city.

Williamsburg

Williamsburg is a cultural hub, full of bustling coffee shops, (incidentally the birthplace of coffee chain Starbucks) and independent stores. It’s also home to Brooklyn Bowl, an event space known for some of the city’s hottest performances and music events.

Park Slope

Park Slope has been nicknamed as Brooklyn’s family-friendly neighbourhood due to its excellent selection of schools, green parks and plenty of options for children’s activities. The area is also home to some stunning late 19th century architecture.

Bushwick

Bushwick is one of Brooklyn’s trendiest neighbourhoods, thanks in part to its exploding art scene, lively nightlife and close proximity to trendy east Williamsburg. It’s also the closest point in Brooklyn to Queens.

Fort Greene

Fort Greene is somewhat underrated but increasingly in vogue thanks to its historically important architecture and leafy streets brimming with bars and cafes. Fort Greene’s main attraction has to be its famous park – one of the oldest green spaces in Brooklyn.

Bedford-Stuyvesant

Bedford-Stuyvesant is renowned for its concentration of African-American culture – it does not disappoint. The area has some excellent eateries, music venues, markets and art galleries – making it a must visit for anyone interested in experiencing a different type of Brooklyn highlife.

Cobble Hill

Just south of Park Slope, Cobble Hill is known for its well preserved leafy streets lined with townhouses. Instead of high-rises dominating the skyline, Cobble Hill is home to iconic historic brownstones that transport you back in time. The neighbourhood may be considerably quieter than some of its nearest peers but it still offers seafood restaurants and plenty of bars and pubs to keep things interesting.

Brooklyn Heights

Nearby Brooklyn Heights is arguably one of the prettiest neighbourhoods in New York City with gorgeous row homes and cobbled streets for as far as the eye can see. Before you begin apartment hunting, take some time to take in Brooklyn’s oldest neighbourhood from one of its many parks or promenades along the East River for a truly stunning view of Manhattan’s skyline.

Eating Out

No matter where you are living in Brooklyn, chances are you won’t be stuck for places to eat out nearby. Brooklyn boasts an incredible selection of cafes, bars, restaurants and bakeries – with something to suit all tastes and budgets. Here are some of our top picks:

• Loot Grill & Sourdough Bar
• Spinasse
• Building on Bond
• Tumblr Diner Bar
• Little Dove
• Vegan Vibes
• Dina Tabes
• Taco’s Moreno’s

And if nothing takes your fancy when you’re inside Brooklyn’s city limits – just hop over into Manhattan where the culinary options are seemingly endless.

Fun Things to Do

As one of America’s most vibrant cities, there’s certainly no shortage of things to do in Brooklyn for residents or visitors alike! Here’s a rundown on some of our favorite ways to spend our leisure time:

Parks & Nature Spots

Brooklyn is one of America’s greenest cities – with no shortage of places perfect for spending some quality time outdoors Brooklyn Bridge Park, Prospect Park or Prospect Park Zoo or Bushwick Inlet Bushwick Inlet Park.. Enjoy unparalleled views from atop 100-year-old trees in Prospect Park or frolic among Wildflower Meadows at Dominico Field.. And if you’d like even more nature without having to leave Brooklyn, then visit Greenwood Cemetery – the city’s largest historical burial ground with over 560 acres of landscaped grounds complete with scenic walks, gardens and sculptures all guaranteed to induce peaceful contemplation.

Art & CultureBrooklyn Museum, as well as smaller venues like Williamsburg Waterfront.. Catch live music concerts at venues like The Knitting Factory., or attend film screenings at independent cinemas such as Nitehawk Cinema.. For a night out full of entertainment – then there’s nowhere better than Littlefield., an independent venue and performance space featuring live music, stand up comedy, theatre and more all under the same roof – giving you plenty of options for an enjoyable evening out in Brooklyn!

Exploring Neighborhoods & Getting Around

With all these great things happening around Brooklyn – it would certainly be a pity if your first few weeks here were spent cooped up inside your new apartment! Fortunately as with most cities there are plenty of ways to get around and explore borough’s different neighborhoods at your own pace and convenience – from using public transport like the subway (subway map), full fare only $2.75 USD per trip – riding a bicycle, car sharing services like Uber and Lyft or even joining one of Brooklyn’s many guided . There’s no better way to discover Brooklyn than seeing it firsthand – whether through visiting tourist attractions like Coney Island or just getting off public transport at stations off the beaten track – taking in small restaurants, colorful street art or chatting with locals – the experience is entirely up to you and can be whatever level adventurousness you’re comfortable with!