Population: A little over 8,400,000 people.
Where we’re living: Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Our apartments are around the corner from each other, off the Lorimer L stop. The neighborhood is synonymous with “hipster,” but we love it for the easy commute to Manhattan, delicious restaurants, outrageous nightlife, and yes, even the fedoras.
Our favorite places (are mainly in the ‘Burg, so apologies for the lack of neighborhood diversity):
Battery Harris: Great anytime, but the DJs are particularly good on Friday nights. Try the frozen Dark & Stormy.
Reclamation Bar: Excellent cocktails and hot bartenders.
Union Pool: Go on Monday nights for Reverend Vince Anderson and his Love Choir; avoid on the weekends.
BagelSmith: A fantastic deli at any time, but particularly when hungover and unsuitable for brunch in a public place. Also at 4am.
Nitehawk Cinema: Our favorite local movie theater plays indie hits and serves food during the flick.
Brooklyn Bowl: Bowl Train on Thursday nights with Questlove! Enough said.
McCarren Park: This small oasis offers free movies in the summer, sports fields, dog parks, the pool, and plenty of green grass for lounging.
Cameo Gallery: Consistently great music in a dark, intimate, laser-filled back room. Perfect for a big night out.
Brooklyn Star: Delicious for any meal, anytime. If you’re going with a group, try the famous family-style chicken dinners served on Sunday and Monday nights.
Median household income: Approximately $50,000 per year.
Government: New York City government is run by a centralized mayor-council system, which is responsible for public education, correctional institutions, libraries, public safety, recreational facilities, sanitation, water supply, and welfare services. The current Mayor of NYC is Bill DeBlasio.
Weather: Summer is hot and sticky – your air conditioner will break, the subway is unbearable, the beaches are packed with humanity, and you’ll curse your job for not paying you enough to afford a summer rental in Fire Island. Autumn is perfect. Sometimes in the winter, you’ll be walking crosstown and a brisk wind will rush in off the water, and you’ll be struck with the terrifyingly plausible realization that you will never be warm again – and the few tears that managed to escape will freeze on your face. Spring is perfect.
Fun facts:
- New Yorkers walk fast – move with traffic if you want to be friendly. They also love giving directions.
- Cab drivers are some of the most interesting people to talk to, and will always change the radio station if you ask nicely.
- Penn Station on a Friday afternoon; SoHo on a sunny Saturday; the L train between 8-9am, Times Square always: places New Yorkers try to avoid at all costs.
- Contrary to popular belief, it only takes 7 minutes to commute from Brooklyn to Manhattan. Williamsburg is the best!
- There are over 27,000 people per square mile.
