Flatlands

Located between Canarsie and Marine Park, Brooklyn's Flatlands neighborhood boasts a well-maintained community with multicultural residents and businesses. This community also has a very interesting history. It was once an important stop on the Underground Railroad and was later a favorite hangout for the Mafia. Today, it is a very peaceful and safe community with eclectic stores and restaurants that demonstrate its diversity. The Flatlands is known as a "double ticket" town, where residents have to take the bus in order to get to the subway. The commute to Manhattan takes about an hour, which does deter some daily commuters from choosing to live here. There are private express buses that make daily trips to the city, but they are much more expensive than public transportation (and in effect, they take longer - especially when there is traffic). Most residents get around by driving or taking the bus. Although this isn't the best choice for commuters, this town has a lot to offer. There is a lot of shopping nearby, particularly at Kings Plaza Mall, but the area around the mall isn't the greatest or safest. There is a very wide range of pricing for homes in the Flatlands, but overall, it's very affordable.

The neighborhood of Flatlands is located in southeastern Brooklyn and is surrounded by Midwood, Marine Park, and Bergen Beach to name a few. Flatlands was one of the original five Dutch towns founded on Long Island. This neighborhood was originally named Nieuw Amersfoot after the Dutch city of Amersfoot. I have always found it interesting that settlers who were trying to escape the confounds of one community, settle in another and name the new area after the old. When the Brits captured the area, the name was promptly changed to Flatlands - and that name stuck. Flatlands was a flat area used for farming tobacco, squash, and beans.

A lot has changed to date in Flatlands. Shopping can be done at the Kings Plaza Shopping Center where you can pull up in car or boat. The mall offers many retail stores, eateries, and some service centers like banks/ATM machines, nearby laundry facilities, and the like.

Transportation in the area can be done best by car, but there are local buses servicing the area as well. The nearest subway stations are the 2 and 5 lines in the Flatbush Junction area near Brooklyn College. The city and private buses will get you anywhere if you don’t have your own transportation.

Several historic landmarks the very old Hendricks Lott House (built in 1720, give or take a year) and the Wyckoff House Museum (the oldest building still standing in New York City). Expect a lot of culture and diversity in the Flatlands, and if that is the scene you are looking for, this is your neighborhood. Home prices are more than reasonable and rent can’t be beat!

I have to admit I’m pretty confused as to how this neighborhood actually has residents – unless they all have cars. In order to even get here without a car you have to catch a bus from a train station – and who wants to do that after a long day at the office. Not me, which is why I will never live here and am unlikely to be a frequent visitor. It’s true, though, that residents here love their neighborhood – they say there’s hardly any crime, which is probably because it’s tough for criminals to even get there.