New York City is full of patterns, shapes, colors, and angles in almost any direction you look. There’s no need to wait on line at all of the famous museums, the real art is in the streetscapes and architecture. Greenpoint is at the very north end of Brooklyn, right on the border of Queens. It’s close enough to Manhattan to have that epic view of the skyline, but far enough away that you still have a real neighborhood feel. Brownstones and row houses like these line most of the streets, and speaking Polish is a definite plus. Your one subway option is the dreaded G train, and yes, it is as bad as everyone says.

The east end of Greenpoint is home to movie studios, a wastewater treatment center, recycling plants, and the loudest garbage trucks in the history of humanity. Despite all of those things, it’s still the best neighborhood I’ve found in my 15 years in New York City.

The perfect day for me starts with a good coffee at Charlotte Patisserie and a good book in their back garden. After that I like to put the headphones in and just wander for hours and hours with my camera in hand. Hopefully I got a few good pictures, then some lunch with friends at Cafe Mogador, a nap, and a good party at night.

Food, party, people, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Food, party, people, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Greenpoint is home to the largest oil spill in U.S. history.

Any character who is better than your city.