48th St, Borough Park

48th Street is pretty much the heart of Boro Park, a very ethnic neighborhood that is comprised of Orthodox Jews, so you have to know up front that most stores and services will be closed from Friday sundown to after sunset on Saturday. This street is filled with mostly private homes that have been converted to multiple family dwellings, or small, low-rise apartment buildings. There is a large Jewish Center on this street which is home to a Rabbinical College, so you will find a lot of activity during times that classes or services are in session. Parking is also problematic, but once the Sabbath arrives, no vehicles will be moved. There are not a lot of services on 48th Street, but you will find robust activity on the Avenues, especially on 13th Avenue, which is the central shopping area for Boro Park. Here you will find mostly privately own stores selling everything from deli items to fabrics, from fine china to wigs. This is a safe neighborhood but it is very conservative. Although there is tolerance for all religious groups in Boro Park, non-Jews might find it more comfortable to live elsewhere if their habits will clash with Sabbath activities.