East Flatbush

East Flatbush is located in northeastern Brooklyn. Within its confines are the Holy Cross Cemetery Church on Brooklyn and Tilden Avenues. The area is bounded to the north by East New York Avenue and to the east and south by Kings Highway.

The neighborhood is mostly populated by working class Brooklynites, but there are a few affluent residents in the area – most of which come from “old money.” The overall feel for the neighborhood is very “Flatbush” and locals refer to East Flatbush and Flatbush as one big neighborhood. The area is primarily Black, Caribbean, and West Indian. One major difference between East Flatbush and Flatbush is that East Flatbush does not glean from the same level of subway access as Flatbush. Many of the neighborhood’s residents are forced to take a train or bus to commute to and from their workplace.

East Flatbush is home to two major hospitals, Kings County Hospital and SUNY Downstate Medical Center. SUNY is home to the only medical school in the Brooklyn borough.

You won’t find any four and five-starred restaurants in East Flatbush, but you will locate your fair share of average eateries. With a strong Caribbean air to the community, island dishes can be had at most restaurants in the neighborhood.

It is rumored that Michael Jordan once lived in East Flatbush, although this is not confirmed. I find it hard to believe that the “famous” MJ would have or could have lived in this area due to his superstar status. East Flatbush does not provide anything in terms of celebrity status. Maybe Michael Jordan as a child grew up in this rough neighborhood and attended Tilden High School. Worth looking into.

East Flatbush is an ever-changing neighborhood located south of East New York Avenue between Nostrand Avenue and Kings Highway. With an interesting history, pretty homes, and connectivity with the rest of the New York City, East Flatbush is a desirable location for both residents and visitors.

The history of East Flatbush is closely related with the history of its diverse residents. Originally called Rugby, East Flatbush has seen a change in its majority. Having been a predominantly Jewish neighborhood up until the 1960's, East Flatbush was then met by an increasing number of Africans of a Carribean descent, greatly affecting restaurants, shops, and the overall look and feel of the neighborhood. The culture of this neighborhood through music and expression is phenomenal, listing such famous past residents as famed rapper Busta Rhymes, and the Basketball player who walked on air, the one and only Michael Jordan.

In East Flatbush, one of the highlights when visiting or living are the sights located within its streets. The Wyckoff Family Museum is the oldest structure in New York City, a farmhouse built in 1652 which housed the original Wyckoffs and their descendants for over 250 years, until 1901. The home has been preserved wonderfully and is a great spot to see in the city, especially for history buffs and those interested in pre-Revolutionary American life.

Restaurants and dining are also a major aspect of life here, as the Carribean culture is as fresh in East Flatbush as it must be on the shores of Jamaica. Though the neighborhood is overrun with fast food restaurants, this is the home of hole-in-the-wall authentic cuisine. One popular restaurant is the Bajan Caf, with an interesting menu and nice patronage, this is a staple in the East Flatbush neighborhood.


In East Flatbush

Transportation:
The neighborhood of East Flatbush is loosely serviced by the 2 and 5 trains on Nostrand Avenue as well as the 3 train on Livonia. Various public buses run throughout this section of Brooklyn, as well.

Real Estate:
Real Estate here sells for as low as $250,000 in some parts of the neighborhood and easily some houses go for more than $1 million dollars.

Sightseeing:
Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket
Grand Army Plaza
Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum- The oldest house in New York City. - 5816 Clarendon Rd.

Dining
Bajan Caf - 456 Schenectady Ave
New Combination Restaurant - 568 Utica Ave
Negril West Indian Cafe - 841 Utica Ave
Zip Burger - 300 E. 52nd St.
Allan's Quality Bakery - 1109 Nostrand Ave.

This neighborhood is thriving with Afro Caribbean culture if you can dream up an island cuisine, you can probably find it here. People have it out over whether this neighborhood is safe or not, since culture whores want to promote it as being thriving. Let me put it to you this way: Im not dying to go there for any reason, especially not when its dark and definitely not if I am alone. If you love rap, then youve probably heard mention of this neighborhood more than once and there is history here, but not the kind of history that old white couples with cameras around their necks would be interested in. Steer clear unless youre with someone that really knows the area, and even then be careful.