The Columbia Waterfront District (or CWD as people should start calling it) is the smallest area of Brooklyn with the longest name and the least notoriety. It boasts some of the best views of the city as it is located right on the East River and has excellent proximity to places like the LIC Hospital, the Brooklyn Bridge, the BQE, and the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel. Unfortunately the 4 surounding neighborhoods are separated by large avenues and have an entirely different feel (architecture and people) than CWD making the Waterfront District a slightly less desirable place to live. The community has a much larger Hispanic demographic than the surrounding neighborhoods and the medium income is much lower.
CWD is bordered by Atlantic Ave (Brooklyn Heights) to the North; the BQE/278 underpass (Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens) to the East; the Prospect Expressway/478/Hamilton Ave (Red Hook) to the South; and the East River to the West.
Most residents of the CWD feed off the businesses and vibe of whichever neighborhood they are closest to, which isn't hard to do when you have to travel straight through the area you are closest to to get to the subway (the Bergen & Carroll St F/G stops are the closest). If you'd like to avoid the 10min walk to the subway there's always the B61 bus that travels down Columbia and can drop you off at the Jay St A/C/F/G Stop in Downtown Brooklyn (to the NE) or Fairway Supermarket or Ikea in Red Hook (to the SW).
Columbia street about 2 years ago was a horrible back road full of pot holes and dangerous stretches of pavement. They've recently redone Columbia street and is now is brand new complete with a bike lane that travels along the ports on the East River. Unfortunately the East River is lined with shipping yards and you can't get access to the waterfront but NYC Parks Dept is creating a beautiful park stretching from the Manhattan Bridge to Atlantic Ave which with undoubtedly raise property values in the CWD but create a great space to relax and enjoy the proximity to Manhattan. CWD is so close to Manhattan that it only takes a short walk or bike ride to reach the Brooklyn/Manhattan Bridges.
There really isn't a big sense of community in The CWD, at least not like there is in the surrounding areas with their constant block parties and stoop sales. Because the area is technically set apart and not as historic or beautiful as areas like Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, or Carroll Gardens you can get more affordable real estate (a modest 2 bedroom apartment on Kane and Clinton that would go for about $2,500-$3,000/mo would go for $1,600-$2,000 on Kane and Columbia). Of course the new buildings and recent developments like Ikea, the new Columbia St, and the upcoming Park will push both those prices up.
There are a number of businesses in CWD (most of which are on Columbia between Degraw and Hamilton). The best of which is Alma/B61 (Mexican Restaurant/Bar). One of the largest and most important things stationed in CWD is the Long Island College Hospital.
Overall The Columbia Street Waterfront District may not be the most beautiful neighborhood in all of Brooklyn but it's a tiny area surrounded by 4 of the most historic, beautiful, and sought after areas in all of Brooklyn. The CWD is right near Manhattan and is a great way to pay significantly less on living then in Manhattan or even the neighborhoods only a couple blocks away. read more
