East Flatbush - Brooklyn, NY

East Flatbush was home to General George W. Wingate who oversaw the construction of the Brooklyn railways. During this time the neighborhood saw an in flux of island immigrants who make up most of today's population here.

The Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum on the southeast side of the neighborhood allows patrons to enjoy touring the oldest farmhouse in New York having been preserved for over 340 years. Several bike trails run behind the farmhouse on the land, and riders can get to the Brooklyn Bridge in 45 minutes.

There are no art galleries inside the East Flatbush neighborhood or major annual events, so residents regularly venture into neighboring communities.

East Flatbush houses many Caribbean-style restaurants which remain well-liked by the residents here. Regulars favor Suede on Clarendon Road. The restaurant serves modern Caribbean cuisine in a beautiful and relaxed setting. The decor in the restaurant appears quite unique and provides a relaxing environment to enjoy some of the best island food around. Try the signature salmon crab cakes and the jerk shrimp skewers. The menu also has options including braised oxtail and curried goat with jasmine coconut rice. The prices sit a little high compared to other Caribbean restaurants, but the food and service can't be beat.

Another local favorite, Trelawni Place Seafood Bar and Grill on Utica Avenue, features outdoor seating that draws in many customers especially in the warm months. Trelawni stays open until 3 a.m. on some nights and until midnight during the first half of the week. The menu has options like tofu and vegetable stir fry for vegans and grass fed jerk rib eye for meat lovers. The restaurant provides an upscale atmosphere with servers dressed in formal attire.

Residents of East Flatbush looking for a chill dining experience with outside seating go to Footprints Cafe on Clarendon Road. Home of the famous Rasta Pasta, Footprints serves all different types of island food. The restaurant has very reasonable prices and very friendly staff. This restaurant also stays open until 2 a.m.

East Flatbush sits directly in the center of Brooklyn with major roadways in surrounding neighborhoods. The Shore Parkway runs along the south three neighborhoods away along the water. To the west, one neighborhood away sits the Prospect Parkway that runs north and south and connects to Interstate 278.

Residents who don't mind walking a block or two can take the subway. On the far west side of the neighborhood residents can find the 5-train and 2-train with tickets starting at $2.75 for a one-way ride.

Call for a cab or simply hail one with ease. Fares vary and start with a base price of around $8. Uber car services work well in East Flatbush with rates starting at $6 to go a few blocks. For those looking for a fancier Uber experience, the SUV premier service starts at around $60 and can go up to over $100 depending on the destination.

Crosswalks and bike lanes exist throughout the neighborhood, providing a safe environment for pedestrians and riders. Parking meters sit along some of the streets, making public parking for drivers easy and cheap at $1 per one hour of parking. Several parking garages in the neighborhood allow for more options, including Kings County Parking on Clarkson Boulevard and Central Parking right on the southwest tip of the neighborhood on Nostrand Avenue. Parking rates vary and usually start around $8 per hour and go up to around $25 per day.

Paerdegat Park on East 40th Street serves as East Flatbush's main park. The park features a clean and modern playground for children of all ages that remains fenced in to keep kids away from the street. Basketball and handball courts can lie within the park. Public restrooms and spray showers are located near the playground equipment as well. The park's renovation saw an addition of outside chess tables and a baseball field. The park remains free of charge, and leashed dogs are permitted in some areas.

A few blocks to the east on East 57th Street residents enjoy the Harry Maze Playground and park. The park features a modern and clean playground for children as well as basketball and handball courts. Spray showers are available near the public restrooms with fitness equipment for adults located nearby. The park costs nothing, and leashed dogs are permitted.

No annual events take place in either of the two small parks located inside the neighborhood.

The cost of living in East Flatbush in Brooklyn runs higher than the city average, 29 percent higher than New York State and 120 percent higher than the national average. A typical one-bedroom apartment in the neighborhood rents for around $1,500 per month.

A beer at a local bar can cost anywhere from $3 or $4 to as much as $8 or $9 for a specialty or imported craft brew. The cost also depends on the establishment and runs cheaper during happy hour.

Gas prices in East Flatbush run about the same as New York City's average and about 25 percent higher than the national average.

Transportation remains a little higher than average compared to other neighborhoods in New York City because the subway sits just outside the neighborhood and not in it, so those choosing not to walk will have to pay more for Uber or a cab.

Several boutiques exist in East Flatbush, including Chouchounette Boutique on the west edge of the neighborhood on Church Avenue. Regulars enjoy the shop because it carries apparel from up-and-coming independent designers from all over the world. Chouchounette carries handmade items and accessories not easily found at other specialty stores or boutiques.

A unique find in the East Flatbush neighborhood, AK Couture Boutique and Beauty Bar on Church Avenue carries handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces from independent designers, as well as handmade beauty and bath products. The boutique serves as a one-stop shop for men and women who want to beautify themselves without having to hop around the city. Store prices remain reasonable, considering a moderate amount of the merchandise and products come from artisans who handcraft their items.

Several grocery stores serve East Flatbush, such as Key Food on Church Avenue. Smaller specialty grocery stores and delis populate some parts the area. Many residents turn to Carib Food Market on Utica Avenue in the heart of the community for fresh produce and meats. Venture a few blocks west to find Greenmarket, a year-round farmers market on Cortelyou Road that is open on Sundays.