That Hipster Trying to Look European Might Actually Be One

Now that hipsters have gentrified the neighborhood, the Times is reporting that a new group is moving into Williamsburg and undoubtedly endearing themselves just as much to longtime New Yorkers--immigrating Europeans. Europeans have accounted for one-third of those who have scooped up the 2,000 new condos in Williamsburg in the last two years. Europeans say the neighborhood resembles the areas they left behind--like Brighton in England and Marais in Paris. They also find its residents less career-driven than Manhattanites. One Brit who hangs out at the bar Spike Hill tells the paper, “There isn’t that same kind of talk about money and jobs. People leave work at work. It’s more like friends back home.”

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By Billy Parker in News on November 22, 2008 5:55 PM

Comments [rss]

grifforama

Most of us come over with our European companies. Then decide to stay.

It's quite nice here.

cncrocket

whats a hipster?

soopaman

I say if people are moving from across the globe because they like Williamburg we should let them have it.

JMH

No, Williamsburg does not resemble Brighton, which is a beach town. (Thus, Brighton Beach in Brooklyn.) That doesn't really seem to be what the NYT article said either.

hubcap

euros welcome to the US, would you like to trade passports?

virgil

I prefer foreign hipsters--it's easier to tune out someone speaking in a foreign language.

NannyState

^ Howdy stranger. Y'all come to ma church 'cuz we's havin' rattler worship toonite!

ixvnyc

New York doesn't like immigrants?

Is this this Alabama now?

STFU!

Think2wice

Well said JK in NYC.

Gasp! The awful truth...arrrgh...it burns!

JK in NYC

Everyone should quit whining.

There are just as many "Brooklyn" hipsters from America moving to Berlin right now. On the street it's often hard to tell Williamsburg from Prenzlauer Berg.

What remains consistent throughout the centuries is some primitive need for the last arriving person in the door to complain about the others waiting outside...

NannyState

^ Let's hope they take kickball back with them.

sinisterteashop

The Euros might not be here for much longer. The exchange rate isn't the bargain it used to be for them and their home economies are tanking just like ours.

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

yes, I noted an influx of Europeans and I wondered why all these jobs were extended to them instead of American citizens. In Europe, it is very difficult to obtain a work visa. But U.S. just keep giving away our resources

schizofriendly

Can't speak for W'burg, but Cobble Hill has become overrun with Europeans. Brits, French and Germans. Most are pretty nice but clearly monied.