New York Living Solutions

After the 1915 subway expansion in Brooklyn, many immigrants fled the Lower East Side and relocated to more affordable Bensonhurst. During the 1930s, high-rise apartments were the norm, but today, single and multi-family, detached and attached, homes are prominent in this middle-class neighborhood. However, Bensonhurst’s recent makeover includes the addition of three-story residence buildings and multi-family condos. The neighborhood has been traditionally populated by multi-generational Italian and Jewish families, although the recent influx of Chinese and Russian families is slowing changing the area’s cultural landscape. The area’s claim to fame, the “end of summer” Italian cultural bash known as the Santa Rosalina Festival, still draws thousands of visitors yearly.

The first neighborhood protected by the 1965 Landmarks Preservation Law of New York City, Brooklyn Heights is among the most popular of Brooklyn neighborhoods. With its spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline, Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge, the prominent neighborhood draws an interesting mix of older residents, families, and Jehovah’s Witnesses. As if the breath-taking views were not enough, magnificent brick Greek and Gothic Revival houses, brownstones and mansions are found throughout the historic district. Given the high demand for residency, developers have focused on the addition new condos and apartment complexes in recent years. Surprisingly, despite these developments, the area retains its “small town” charm.

In 1846, Richard Butts designed the famous expansive front gardens that adorn the middle-class neighborhood’s numerous brownstones. The splendidly decorated gardens attract many visitors during the Christmas holiday season. Yet, Carroll Park offers additional green spaces year-round, providing opportunities for recreation, including the usage of its ever-popular ball courts and play areas. Settled by the Irish Americans during the early nineteenth century, Italian American families now populate most the area. The friendly ambiance attracts a mix of younger and older, working class and professional residents. Residents are known to frequent the charming local boutiques, pastry shops, and restaurants.

TriBeCa is actually an acronym for "Triangle Below Canal" - TriBeCa. Since the 1970s, Tribeca has experienced a renaissance, as artists, retailers, and even families, have populated the neighborhood's large warehouse buildings and lofts. The area’s cobblestone streets, impressive warehouse buildings, and world-class dining, uniquely blend the old and new.

Virtually uninhabited less than twenty years ago, TriBeCa has become one of the hottest real estate areas in Manhattan. Struggling artists flocked to TriBeCa when the rent in SoHo became too high. With a similar building makeup (low-rise cast iron buildings with large windows and interior walls), TriBeCa quickly became the interest of professionals and businesses alike. Although TriBeCa is home to artists, celebrities and industrial types, it is also an ideal place for family living. With fewer tourists than SoHo, but with the similar building layouts and spacious designs, families have discovered TriBeca to be the perfect blend of convenience and location.

Fort Green is home to the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA), the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Urban Glass, and the prestigious Brooklyn Technical High School. Although brownstones are prevalent throughout the area, potential residents are often charmed by 19th century mint-condition Italianate, Greek Revival, Romanesque and Renaissance row houses that remain. Residents enjoy weekend flea market excursions, purchasing produce from the local farmer’s market, or going for a peaceful stroll in Fort Greene Park. Designed by the same team responsible for Manhattan’s famed Central Park, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the park’s blossoming chestnut trees and spacious grassy areas have become a local staple.