Population: 2,465,326
Location: Part of New York City, across the East River from Manhattan
History: Named for the Dutch settlement called Breukelen, which meant "broken land." Settled by the Dutch in 1636. Gen. Lafayette laid the cornerstone of Brooklyn's first library in 1825, on Cranberry Street. Among the throngs who came to see him was a young boy named Walt Whitman. The Brooklyn Bridge opened in 1883, to the booming of cannon and whistling of thousands of steamers. It was then the longest suspension bridge in the world. Known in the 1920s as a center of organized crime. Locals are called Brooklynites. Brooklyn is the largest borough of New York City. It is relatively easy to get to Manhattan using mass transportation. However, Brooklyn offers a wide array of interesting activities ranging from The Brooklyn Museum which houses 2 million works of art to the 50 acre Botanic Gardens to The Brooklyn Academy of Music, the oldest continuously operating performing arts center in America. Additionally, there are parks, beaches, and restaurants in ethnically diversse neighborhoods.
Recreation: Prospect Park, Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park, Brighton Beach and Boardwalk, Coney Island Beach and Boardwalk, Manhattan Beach
Attractions: Bay Casino, Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Historic sites and museums: Brooklyn Museum of Art, Brooklyn Children's Museum, Brooklyn History Museum, New York Transit Museum, Waterfront Museum
Medium Household Income: $43,783
Percentage of Households with Children: 60.21%
Average Yearly Utility Cost: $3,161
Average Yearly Household Expenditures: $45,323

Links to more information:
Brooklyn.com
Brooklyn Directory
Community of Bayridge
Craig's List: New York
Tourism Council Places to Visit
CityMaps.com
Article entitled: "Craving New York"
New York Guide

Real Estate and Renting Tips:
Brokers fees usually run 12-15% of your annual rent UP FRONT. That means if you find an apartment that rents for $1200/month, assuming the 15% fee, you will have to pay your landlord 1st and last's months rent and ADDITIONALLY, $2160 to the broker who you'll probably never talk to again. That's a whopping $4560 up front. Duplex means two levels.
Anything advertising a 3-room apartment probable means 1 bedroom, 1 living room and 1 kitchen.
Do NOT pay for a No Fee book of apartments. It's a scam.

Neighborhoods:
Your life in Brooklyn will be determined by two things: your job and the neighborhood you live in. Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope, and Prospect Heights are upscale neighborhoods in Brooklyn (expect to pay at least $1,400 for a 1 bedroom. Bayridge is a more affordable neighborhood (approx. $800 for a 1 bedroom), although it is located further from most hospitals. Brookdale is a somewhat dangerous area, but the metro is right under the hospital, for safer access. This area is not recommended for kids.

Brooklyn is a pretty big place. It is always recommended to live as close as you can afford to your hospital since some rotations only allow a minimum amount of hours for sleep. (If possible, you don't want your student to spend their precious time commuting). Also, do not assume you can sacrifice safety or neighborhood appeal for a better price. You will be MISERABLE if you choose to live in a neighborhood you do not feel comfortable in. Make this choice carefully- it may even be more influential than your hospital choice. It's a great idea to ask other Brooklyn SO's for advice about housing and neighborhoods.