I've lived in NYC for almost four years. I currently live in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The neighborhood is a primarily Polish enclave with an ever increasing influx of young folks like myself who are trying to live the NYC life without paying the price. I lucked out with my apartment and plan on staying put for awhile. First rule of NYC life: find the best place you can without bankrupting yourself!!
My neighborhood is full of cool spots to grab a meal. Cheap and fast or expensive and stuffy, the choice is yours. My two favorties are 'Erb thai on Manhattan Ave in Greenpoint and Sea on N6th in Williamsburg. Cheap, fast and really good. You might recognize Sea from and episode of "Sex and the City."
For the nightlife fiends out there I would suggest the following spots- Boulevard Tavern and Royal Oak, both in Greenpoint are quiet, cheap and have great music. Matchless on the corner of Driggs & Manhattan is another place that I tend to end up in on a weekend night.
Thats a quick primer to my neighborhood. Of course there are many more restaurants and bars in the area, but it's a start for those adventurers who want to break out of Manhattan