Williamsburg

Williamsburg sits right across the East River from Manhattan, and it still feels like the center of everything happening in Brooklyn. Old factories have become loft apartments with tall windows, while newer buildings along the waterfront come with gyms, roof decks and skyline views.

The streets are packed with coffee shops, music venues, vintage stores and some of the most talked-about restaurants in the city. On Saturdays, Smorgasburg fills the waterfront with food stalls, and Domino Park is where everyone goes to sit by the water.

Renters here are usually looking for a short commute, a modern apartment and a lot to do after work. Expect rents at the higher end of Brooklyn, with the best value a few blocks inland from Bedford Avenue.