New York Real Estate | Trendiest Neighborhoods in Brooklyn

Why should you choose to live in Brooklyn, NY?

If you’re like me, you might find the current Manhattan real estate prices to be unbearable. Just cross the river, and Brooklyn offers more affordable accommodations and easy commutes to downtown. Lately, Brooklyn has a lot to offer in the real estate department. Their neighborhoods are full of homes at great prices, they are close to an abundance of entertainment, and these great houses are all in a convenient location near many different methods of transportation. If you want to find a Brooklyn neighborhood with plenty of pubs, breweries, bars, and entertainment, you’ve come to the right place. Read more to find out about the trendiest neighborhoods to live in within the Brooklyn area.

1. Williamsburg

Williamsburg is a modern neighborhood full of cool places to eat. There is a place for the music lovers called Baby’s All Right that features many local, and up-and-coming, artists. For the dancers, there is the Battery Harris venue that lets you dance your heart out all night, and the food is really tasty too. If you are more into educational fun for the whole family, you can take a trip to the City Reliquary Museum or even play trivia at the Videology Bar and Cinema. The average value for a medium home in this area is in the $950,000 range, with variation depending on the exact style and amenities that come with the home.

2. Greenpoint

Williamsburg is a little to the south of Greenpoint, which includes so many great things to do around it as well. You can go ice-skating, to indie-inspired bookshops, a place called Peter-Pan Donut and Pastry Shop, and even McCarren park if you want to get active. They offer seasonal things like swimming and even baseball for the kids. The average price point you could pay to live in this area in a medium-sized home is a little under $997,000.

3. Park-Slope

Park-Slope is a fabulous place if you are looking to start a family, or if you have one already. The medium-sized houses are a few million dollars, on average, and the view from each of these homes could not get any better. Park-Slope has plenty of young professionals growing the area and bringing in new things, such as cuisine and Euro-Styled coffee shops, like Cafe Regular. There is a fun place called Union Hall and even a 585-acre park, Prospect Park that resembles the well-known Grand Central Park.

4. Bedford-Stuyvesant

Known for its Victorian architecture, Bedford-Stuyvesant has an average price point for nice homes around $735,000. You may run into a block party, or street fair, here and there or even get to enjoy live music if you stop into a few of its restaurants. Harold & Maude is a great vintage shop located here, and there is also Eugene & Co., which serves high-quality organic meals for affordable prices.

Moving to Brooklyn

If you’ve found the right neighborhood and a cozy home close to all the entertainment hot spots, now all you have to do is move! For cheap rates on local New York moves, talk to the folks at Cheap Movers NYC. This company helps you compare rates from moving companies in Brooklyn, so you can be sure you’re getting the best deal on your move.

What Happens When Your Buddy Moves to Kansas City

Kansas City is famous for its delicious barbecue and vibrant live jazz scene. And with plenty of distilleries and pubs that are located in the area, it’s an excellent place for a road trip with good friends. When our friend Kyle moved to Kansas City a month ago to live closer to his wife’s family, we did what any decent friends would do. We turned his move into the opportunity to explore the best drinks and eats in KC.

He hired an NYC moving company (the same one mentioned here) to pack up their whole apartment and load a huge U-Haul. We had the honor of driving the truck across the country while he followed behind us with his wife and kid. Thankfully, after a grueling 19-hour drive, there was a local mover there ready to help with unloading and unpacking. Once we turned the U-Haul back in, we got some sleep and then hit the town hard the following two days eating and drinking our way across his new hometown. Here are some of the highlights:

Tom’s Town Distilling Co.

This downtown hotspot was the city’s first legal distillery since the Prohibition Era and offers tours and tastings for those interested in the history of Kansas City. With an art deco vibe and a fun atmosphere, visitors can sip on a variety of bourbon, gin, and vodka while chatting with knowledgeable bartenders who know how to whip up a tasty cocktail. And with a menu of small plates, full dinner entrees, and desserts, it’s an excellent choice for a downtown get together with friends.

More than just jazz and barbecue, Kansas City is a great place for a night on the town with a variety of bars and fun hangouts on tap.

McCoy’s Public House

McCoy’s Public House is a Westport neighborhood bar that’s favorited by locals. Featuring over 20-craft beers on tap, a seasonal selection of brews, four different versions of mac-n-cheese, and tasty chicken and waffles, McCoy’s is the ultimate weekend must-see. The bar also offers a comfy outdoor patio that’s perfect for warm Missouri nights and has a laid back atmosphere indoors that lends itself to hanging out and chatting with friends or just stopping in for a drink and snack before heading out for the evening.

SoT Social

With a unique, secret garden feel and eclectic vibe, SoT Social is one of the newest and trendiest bars in the city. And whether you’re a regular or a first-time visitor, SoT’s relaxed atmosphere can make anyone feel right at home. Their cocktails change seasonally based on the availability of fresh, local ingredients and are discounted during happy hour specials that run through the week from 4pm-6pm. SoT also features a small plates menu that serves everything from savory crawfish toast to delicious tasting chocolates and is a great choice for an evening soirée.

Zoo Bar

The Zoo Bar is a hidden gem located in the Central Business District and is an ideal spot for a fun dive bar experience. The bar often gets crowded, noisy, and full of laughter with classic jukebox tunes and live karaoke music and has a gritty vibe and graffiti splattered on the wall. The Zoo Bar also serves a mean tasting flight that samples different craft beers, which is a favorite among locals. And with 30 varieties of bottled beer, plenty of bar food, and a lively atmosphere, it’s a definitely on the to-do list when visiting Kansas City.

Why Moving to the Outer Boroughs Means Better Brews

In New York City, the borough of Manhattan gets a lot of attention from tourists around the world. But to those who venture outside of the main tourist attractions to Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island, get ready to find some of the best cultural and culinary experiences that NYC has to offer! This applies to the expanding microbrewery scene in the outskirts of the city, as well as bars in the outer boroughs that are finding more innovative ways to compete with Manhattan businesses by offering new beer varieties, multi-functional spaces, and delicious food pairings. To prove that no bar hop is complete until you leave the island of Manhattan, here are some of the best breweries in the outer boroughs of NYC.

Singlecut Beersmiths – Astoria, Queens

As rent prices in Manhattan continue to skyrocket, more people are moving to Queens to find affordable space. Enter Singlecut Beersmiths, the brainchild of former advertising executive Rich Buceta, which is a lager-focused brewery in the hip Astoria neighborhood. Located in a beautifully renovated barn structure, the brewery hosts live shows, record nights, community events, and offers tours that examine the inner workings of the brewing process. On your next visit to the area, be sure to try the crisp 1933 Queens Lager for a refreshing pick-me-up.

Gun Hill Brewing Company – Laconia, The Bronx

Although this brewery is a bit of a hike for those not living in Eastchester or Allerton, Gun Hill’s delicious brews are worth the subway ride. This no-frills establishment specializes in limited pours, such as the Cherry Tree Golden Ale, and is located across the street from a tasty Dominican food truck. The bar’s most popular drink is their English Pale Ale, which was the first beer ever brewed here. From delicious takeout menus to brewery tours with the company owners, Gun Hill is an ideal establishment for those who enjoy handcrafted beer.

Flagship Brewery – St. George, Staten Island

With live music, trivia events, and comedy nights, Flagship Brewery is much more than your typical bar. Considered one of Staten Island’s best-kept-secrets, the brewery features the adventurous Flagship Dark Mild brew, which is a relatively rare light-bodied English beer that’s heavy on flavor. While Flagship doesn’t serve food, patrons can order from three nearby pizza joints and receive discounts on many of the neighborhood’s tasty Sri Lankan restaurants. Tours of the brewery are available on the weekends and only cost $5 with a free pint of smooth beer served at the end.

In short, remember that hops, malt, water, and yeast taste just as good (if not better!) outside of Manhattan. And since quality beer is not bound by the Hudson and East rivers, be sure to take a trip to the outer boroughs to experience their fantastic brews for yourself.

Top Tips for Moving and Storing a Wine Collection

I started collecting wine about five years ago to impress my then girlfriend (now wife), who wasn’t impressed by frequenting NYC’s pub scene. On trips and weekend getaways, we started visiting wineries and found ourselves joining wine clubs that would ship us a case or two of wine over the course of the year. My taste for beers with the boys was soon overcome by my love for wine with the wife; it was a new passion the two of us could pursue together.

Owning an extensive wine collection is the ultimate accomplishment for wine connoisseurs. Though I wouldn’t call myself a connoisseur, we have accumulated quite an extensive wine collection over the last few years. While it’s convenient to keep a few bottles chilled in your fridge, storing an entire collection in your home (especially in New York City)  is nearly impossible.  If you’re someone, like me, who’s struggling to keep a sizable collection at home, it might be time to relocate your bottles to a storage facility. To help with the transition, here are a few tips for safely moving and storing a wine collection.

Research Professional Shipping Companies

It can be tempting to ship your wine through FedEx or UPS, but it’s important to note that these companies only accept wine shipments from licensed shippers. This means that your package could be misplaced or thrown out if not mailed correctly. However, when you work with a professional shipping company, they can help you with every aspect of the mailing process. Make sure that you thoroughly research several companies to see which one will best fit your needs.

Take Inventory

To ensure that nothing gets lost or misplaced while packing or moving, take inventory of your entire wine collection. Be sure to note the number of bottles and brands of wine you have by making a list or creating a template. It’s also a good idea to categorize the different bottles before packing and storing them.

Find the Right Storage Facility

There are many different NYC storage facilities you can use to store your wine collection, and it’s best to do your research before picking one out. The most important thing you’ll need to look for in a storage unit is temperature and humidity control, to ensure the quality and safety of your wine collection. If a company doesn’t offer climate control services, it might be good to invest in a humidifier or dehumidifier, depending on the air. Some storage companies might also provide services to move the wine for you, which could save you a lot of time and stress.

Pack for the Move

When packing up a wine collection, make sure you leave yourself a whole day or two for the packing process, as you don’t want to rush and accidentally damage or break a bottle. To begin, make sure that each bottle is clean and dust-free, which will prevent the risk of mold from building up on the glass surface. It’s best to clean with a dry cloth or feather duster to keep moisture away from the bottle. Then, wrap each bottle with polystyrene or bubble wrap, making sure that all surfaces are covered. The moving company I used, imperialmovers.com, recommended placing the bottles in a cardboard box with individual inserts to keep them from jostling during transport. If you’re looking for an all-in-one NYC moving and storage company, I highly recommend these guys. They picked up our boxes and moved them to climate-controlled storage for free when we signed a storage contract.

Store at the Right Angle

While it’s important to store your wine away from light and at the proper temperature, it’s also crucial to store each bottle at the ideal angle. Place bottles with corks at a slight angle with the label facing up and the cork facing down. This will allow you to read a label without moving a bottle, keep the corks wet by the wine, and will prevent the bottles from falling.

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