Williamsburg, with its mix of immigrant families and young "hipster" artists and musicians, is a neighborhood with two very different sides.
Photo © Daniel Arnold
When the Williamsburg Bridge opened in 1903, immigrants living in Manhattan quickly found their way to Williamsburg. Polish, Hasidic Jewish, and Latino communities developed in the then-industrial area. These diverse cultural groups still make up the neighborhood, despite its changing feel.
Williamsburg has been recognized in recent history as a new haven for young people. A popular destination for recent college graduates, Williamsburg has rapidly evolved, with luxury housing buildings and expensive boutiques cropping up throughout the neighborhood. The area's trendy bars and restaurants are some of the best in New York City, and a thriving arts scene is an homage to the artists who years ago paved the way for gentrification.
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