East New York

East New York is located on the eastern edge of Brooklyn, with twenty-five percent and growing of its dwelling units 1-2 family houses. There is a 14 screen movie theater on Linden Boulevard that is now about ten years old and in need of a little updating. The large Gateway Estates retail center off of the Belt Parkway at Fountain Avenue boasts fifty acres of your retail pleasure. This area is where you will find most of your eateries, café’s, and coffee shops. Near the mall is Spring Creek, a residential area that over recent years has provided over 230 new homes to the area.

Schools in the neighborhood are plentiful with over thirty local elementary and intermediate schools. There are also two Beacon Schools and three high schools, as well as Transit Tech and several private schools.

Transportation is well covered in the East New York area. Commuters are served by the A, C, J, L, and Z subway lines as well as numerous buses.

The neighborhood is diverse and rich in ethnicity. European immigrants flooded the area in the 1960s, African Americans arrived about this time as well, and the 1980s and 1990s marked the arrival of Caribbean and Central American immigrants. They have come and stayed and given this area a culture rich in ethnic charm.

East New York is a historically diverse neighborhood, impacting its restaurants, shops, and the overall vibe of the area. It is one of the most classically Brooklyn areas of the boroughs, with big apartment buildings, people on the street in the summertime, and a reminiscent ambiance to pre-war New York City. Though the neighborhood is somewhat rundown, it is still a hallmark of Brooklyn living.

East New York was originally a mainly Italian and Jewish enclave at the turn of the 20th century, but as time progressed began to see an influx of Spanish and African residents. After the 1970s’, East New York has undergone extensive revitalization. Throughout its history, it was considered a ghetto, home to crime and widespread poverty. Schools in East New York have been ravaged by crime and violence, making this district one of the lowest performing in New York City, though efforts are being made to revitalize the schools in the neighborhood. Today, more stores are being built as well as apartment buildings being refurbished, as the reputation of the neighborhood slowly improves as well as crime rates and progress.

Real Estate in East New York is primarily comprised of single-family row homes, as well as a series of public housing communities. Apartments can be rented for as little as $900 and purchased for as little as $130,000 for 2 bedroom 2 bathroom units.

East New York is filed with rec centers, playgrounds, and park, built to help encourage and engage the youth of the neighborhood. Many of the centers have state-of-the-art equipment, making them popular with kids of all ages. These parks are a great place for families during the summer months. Entertainment and dining in the neighborhood is impacted by its Spanish and African occupants, with several ethnic cuisine restaraunts with cheap prices and wonderful and authentic cuisine. Shopping in the neighborhood is best done at the Gateway Center Shopping Mall.

East New York is a hub for transportation with various subway lines running through the neighborhood as well as the East New York Bus Depot being conveniently located in this neighborhood.