This Brooklyn "neighborhood village" is the perfect blend of serene streets and avenues replete with restaurants, shops, and cultural outposts. Here, mine for your own gems. On Smith Street, listen to live jazz at Bar Tabac (sister restaurant to Soho's Café Noir), drop a pretty foodie penny at restaurant Saul, shop Free People and indulge at One Girl Cookies. Being near downtown Brooklyn means you're just a short trip to the Brooklyn Children's Museum, restaurants lining Atlantic Avenue, movies on Court Street, or an old school Ted & Honey breakfast on Clinton Street.

Hit the waterfront and the options are endless. Just one block south of Columbia Commons, the mile-long stretch of Columbia Street is a mixture of clever green spaces, vintage goods, hot restaurant spots, and delicious sweet treats. Try the acclaimed rugelach at Margaret Palca Bakes, or experiment at Nine Cakes bakery,

where cupcakes are dreamed up in flavors of chocolate earl gray and lemon lavender. For something savory, try Alma's modern Mexican fare or Petite Crevette's fresh catch of the day.

The waterfront provides a whimsical after hours. Head to B61 for pint-sized margaritas and microbrews, Moonshine for the best in dollar brew and late night pool, and Sugarlounge for hints of Morocco and Thailand in the well of your glass. Check out a trove of vintage-style shopping on Columbia Street, from unmentionables at Winkworth Ladies Goods to a rare novel at Freebird Books. Peek around General Nightmare Antiques, where dining room tables, intricate handkerchiefs and Mad Men- worthy side tables sit stoically behind wide panes of glass.

Check out a trove of vintage-style shopping on Columbia Street, from unmentionables at Winkworth Ladies Goods to a rare novel at Freebird Books. Peek around General Nightmare Antiques, where dining room tables, intricate handkerchiefs and Mad Men- worthy side tables sit stoically behind wide panes of glass.

This neighborhood will be your new playground. Just one block away enjoy thoughtfully-planned parks and long stretches of bike paths. Sail from Columbia Commons down to Red Hook, travel east and dine at Zagat-rated Grocery restaurant in Cobble Hill, or peruse the aisles of Atlantic Avenue's international food shops. Discover Brooklyn Bridge Park and catch softball, basketball, tennis, and soccer one block away on the greens of Van Voorhees Park.