What caused gentrification in Brooklyn

Gentrification is a complex issue - the one with which New Yorkers are well acquainted. Gentrification is a process of an area's revitalization, which is often characterized by changing the racial composition in a certain neighborhood. This is best seen in New York's borough Brooklyn. From the year 2000 to this day, almost 70% of Brooklyn's neighborhoods have had significant shifts in the composition of residents. However, gentrification does not mean changing the predominant race only - it means changing the overall lifestyle in a particular area. Most of those changes are positive and welcoming too! For instance, many of Brooklyn's neighborhoods have experienced an improved business climate, rising incomes, a better selection of houses, more reliable transportation, etc. And here is what caused gentrification in Brooklyn.

Brooklyn's Affordability 

Brooklyn has been one of the most affordable boroughs in the state of New York for decades. And, because of that fact, this borough was populated by the working class only. Those were usually manual workers with low incomes. They usually worked in factories, lived in small minimalistic apartments, bought food at farmer's markets, and sent their children to public schools. And, while the rest of the state was becoming more and more expensive, Brooklyn remained the same. However, boroughs like Manhattan and New Jersey became obnoxiously expensive over time, so people from there had to look for a more affordable place to live. Brooklyn seemed like a good choice to everyone!

So, that is how gentrification first started in Brooklyn. It is also worth mentioning that residents from other boroughs were not the only ones looking for an ex-pat's guide to Brooklyn, so were the people from all over the world! Brooklyn had the best of both worlds - the Big Apple and affordability.

Renewed Architecture 

While the rest of New York built skyscrapers and worked its way up to becoming a concrete jungle, Brooklyn remained simple. Again, this is because its residents were mostly factory workers. It was impossible for them to develop their city with minimal wages. However, with that improved business climate that we have mentioned before, there came people who wanted more. More houses, more buildings, more parks, more schools, more recreational places, etc. They have built a beautiful place. And, guess what - that has made a lot more people come and live here. Moving companies such as Brooklyn Movers New York have been working around the clock! And, they still do! Nowadays, Brooklyn has some of the most beautiful architectural pieces - those that invite tourists all year round and improve the borough's economy. 

Improved Business Climate 

The world revolves around money! That is, it revolves around people needing and wanting new and better things. And, the only way to fulfill those needs and wants was with a good job. In the past, the best and the highest paying job positions could be found only in those more developed boroughs. Brooklyn was, as previously mentioned, 'reserved' primarily for working in factories.

However, as Brooklyn developed, its business climate improved significantly. There was a demand for workers in almost all economic fields - health, education, construction, engineering, etc. This is what caused gentrification in Brooklyn! Since the residents of Brooklyn did not have the proper skills nor the necessary experience to do these jobs, people from other parts of the state started coming. Nowadays, this borough is famous for having a fantastic business climate and high incomes. Talented people all over the world are preparing interviewing techniques for success so that they can land a job in this growing business climate.

Better Selection of Homes 

Previously we talked about how the renewed architecture caused the gentrification in Brooklyn. The same thing applies to the better selection of homes nowadays. Namely, in the past, people in Brooklyn mainly lived in small buildings. Communal spaces were the norm. That was the cheapest and the easiest solution for the working class. But that too had to change. People started expanding, building new homes, taller buildings, invested in amenities, etc. This caused Brooklyn to become what it is today - a place where you can find the best selection of homes. Whether you are looking for a family home, a downtown studio, or a shared communal space in a big building, you can find it here.

Moreover, what made Brooklyn inviting for so many ex-pats was the affordability of homes. There was something for every budget. Whether renting or buying, it is easy not to break your budget here. So, if you plan to move to Brooklyn because of this, plan your budget carefully, but do not worry too much as Brooklyn has the best selection of homes and the most affordable prices for them (compared to other boroughs of New York).

Improved Transportation 

Last but certainly not the least thing that caused gentrification in Brooklyn was the improved transportation. All means of transportation -busses, trains, subways, etc. - were replaced or improved. Of course, this eased the life of the residents. Junk cars and trucks were sold as soon as the subway was introduced. However, this improved means of transportation also enabled commuting! First, the locals started commuting to other boroughs looking for a job. But, later on, people from other boroughs realized what a money-saving opportunity this can be. They were able to move to Brooklyn and remain working for their old companies. By subway, it was possible to reach Manhattan in just half an hour. This is how Brooklyn experienced a rise in population, a population of different backgrounds, ethnicity, culture, and more.