I knew it! I know it’s not my illusion that it seems like I have seen more Europeans in Williamsburg than before!  Now New York Times back me up saying that Williamsburg is going through a Europeanization now that newly arrived starving artists and musicians can no longer afford the neighborhood!  The Europeans like the neighborhood because it’s still some what cheaper than the City, the abundant of newly built condos with larger square footage than Manhattan, the cafes and it’s artistic vibe that remind many of them neighborhoods back in Europe.  Not to mention once you have a significant number of European population, the sense of community comes in and plays a even bigger role at attracting more Europeans.  And as their number grows, businesses started to cater to their needs, and some of these Europeans start their own business as well, which makes the neighborhood even more European friendly.

Before I read the article I can pretty much guess which European ethnicity are concentrated in Williamsburg based on the shops and restaurants I have seen: There’s definitely Swedish because of the shop Scandinavian Grace, there’s French because of all the French restaurants I can count plus Fabian’s Cafe. And I believe there is also British bars as well.  And indeed the article confirmed that these are the new wave of settlers to Billyburg, along with the Germans, the Dutch, and even the Japanese (well, they are not European, but let’s group them together as wealthy foreigners!)

I think it’s only fitting for this to happen to the neighborhood because even before this wave of settlers, Williamsburg and Greenpoint already feels like a little town in Europe to me thanks to the great number of local Polish population. And if this new wave brings in even more European shops and restaurants, I am all for it! (Not to mention all the cute Europeans!!) It’s just one more reason for me to love this neighborhood~

Related posts:

1. Boring form filling drove me out
2. Divided up Greenpoint
3. Williamsburg Walks
4. North end of Gantry Plaza State Park
5. The 3 counters

Tagged: Brooklyn · Europeans · New York · Williamsburg