Williamsburg



  

History



Williamsburg is a neighborhood found in Brooklyn, one of five boroughs in New York. The neighborhood contains a vibrant culture and rich history. Prior to 1638, the Lenape Indians lived in the Williamsburg area. Then, the Dutch West India Company purchased the land from the Lenape Indians in 1638. The town of Williamsburg was originally named "Bushwick" in 1664. The name of "Bushwick" stayed in place for about 150 years.

In 1827, Williamsburg finally received its lasting name as the "Village of Williamsburgh." Many industrialists chose to pursue business in the Williamsburg area and built shipyards. By 1845, over 11,000 people were living in Williamsburg. Throughout the 1900s, industrial development has continued to thrive in Williamsburg. The wealthiest New Yorkers have pursued ventures such as oil companies and the creation of schools in the Williamsburg area. Charles Pratt even built his famous school of art & architecture in Williamsburg. The pharmaceutical company Pfizer was also founded in Williamsburg by German immigrant Charles Pfizer. A plethora of other businesses were created during the late 1800s and early 1900s in Williamsburg.

When the Williamsburg Bridge was built in 1903, thousands of immigrants moved to Williamsburg. Many New Yorkers moved from the Lower East Side in hopes of a better future.

Today, Williamsburg is hope to artists and musicians that are embarking on their careers. The area is especially known for its underground music scene.

Description


Williamsburg borders Greenpoint and Bushwick. Its other boundaries are at East River and Bedford-Stuyvesant. There are plenty of mid-rise and high-rise apartment buildings to be found in Williamsburg. Tribeca-style lofts became especially popular in Williamsburg, after the Gretsch music instrument factory was transformed into an apartment building. While rent continues to increase in pricing every year, there are zoning laws in place to try to stabilize the prices of rentals. The art community continues to thrive in Williamsburg. Indie theater is also heavily popular in Williamsburg, with attractions such as The Brick Theater and The Charlie Pineapple Theater. There are also plenty of record labels with offices in Williamsburg.

Residents


About 103,000 people live in Williamsburg. Many lower income individuals seeking cheaper rent choose to live in Williamsburg. Often, single parents or foreign-born individuals choose to start out their New York experience in New York. The median household income for families in Williamsburg is about $25,000. About 40% of individuals living in Williamsburg are single. Many beginning artists and musicians start out their careers in Williamsburg, due to the affordable rent.

Rental Housing


In the mid-1990s, many flocked to Williamsburg for its affordable rent usually in the $1,400 range. However, rent has increased as the community has become more prominent as an art and music scene. For a studio apartment, the rent starts at $2,500. The price increases for one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. For one-bedroom apartments, rent typically starts at about $2,700. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent starts at $3,200.

Fun Stuff


The night life in Williamsburg offers some of the best music throughout New York. Some of the best music venues to check out are Pete's Candy and Union Pool. Also be sure to check out Truth & Soul Records. There are also many social clubs that can be found in the area.