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Moving to a new city is always challenging. And a large part of that challenge is looking for a place to live. There are so many things to consider when weighing your options—house styles, neighborhood safety, quality of schools, the convenience of location—it all can be quite overwhelming.
That’s why we’ve researched the best neighborhoods in Brooklyn for you, so you don’t have to (and by the way of introduction, we’re Bellhop—your friendly Brooklyn movers). We’ve examined what it’s like living in each of these highlighted neighborhoods and created in-depth guides with insider scoops on close-by, popular destinations. Soon, you’ll be living like a local.
A Little About Brooklyn and its Neighborhoods
When most outsiders think about New York, they picture the streets and skyline of Manhattan. But while Manhattan is its big, glamorous sibling, Brooklyn is the cooler younger brother.
Sitting southeast of Manhattan, Brooklyn has become a haven for people looking for a little more space at a little lower price in the Big Apple. Locals don’t have to compromise either when it comes to amenities. Between its many restaurants, bars, lounges, thriving art scene, and even some pockets of affordability, Brooklyn is one of the best boroughs to live in across New York City.
This borough has a lot to offer, and it might seem overwhelming to a newcomer. So we’ve narrowed in on 5 of Brooklyn’s 38 neighborhoods that we think show off Brooklyn’s best. From hip avenues to historic brownstones, these are the five best neighborhoods in Brooklyn.
WILLIAMSBURG
Home to eclectic restaurants, bars, cafes, vintage shops, markets, and music shows, Williamsburg has become more popular over the past few years. Rent here is cheaper than closeby Manhattan. And the grungy, graffiti-laden vibe draws a lot of young artists and creatives. But it’s not only young professionals moving to the area. Williamsburg has seen a surge of young families who are looking for great amenities, local parks, and friendly neighbors.
What’s Happening in Williamsburg
This corner of Brooklyn is booming, it’s drastically changed since the ‘90s and is still growing. To get an overview of some of Williamsburg’s best, grab a pint at Brooklyn Brewery, bike across the Williamsburg Bridge, visit Domino Park, or explore the myriads of vintage shops in the area. For top restaurants, check out The Elm, Allswells, and Roberta’s.
Schools in Williamsburg
Schools in the area include Williamsburg Northside Lower School, Intermediate School 318, and Williamsburg Preparatory High School among others.
Homes in Williamsburg
While this area is still on the rise, we’re past the cheapest season. You’ll have to do a little more digging, but you can still find some great deals in the area. The nearby Bushwick community is filling up with some of Williamsburg’s spillover, offering more housing and local shops for artsy New Yorkers.
PARK SLOPE
Park Slope has been popular among young adults and families for over three decades—but only for those especially well-off. In its past, this neighborhood was once one of the richest neighborhoods in the world. And to this day, it’s still one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Brooklyn.
Park Slope is also one of the safest neighborhoods in Brooklyn. Stroller dodging on these neighborhood streets is the norm, but that’s great news for Brooklyn families looking to set up playdates. Quiet streets, good restaurants, great schools, and nearby parks make this one of the most desirable Brooklyn neighborhoods to live in.
What’s Happening in Park Slope
Despite its slower pace, Park Slope has plenty to do and experience. The neighborhood sits close to the Brooklyn Museum and Botanical Gardens. During warmer months, you’ll find farmers’ markets and flea markets along 5th and 7th avenues.
For a break from the city, Prospect Park features over 586 acres of green space. And with Park Slope’s easy public transportation, residents can access a number of subway lines running throughout the neighborhood.
Schools in Park Slope
Park Slope’s public schools are excellent and the area sits close to plenty of highly touted private schools. These include Park Slope Elementary School, Berkeley Carroll School, P.S. 295 Art School, and P.S. 10 Magnet School of Math Science and Design Tech. among others.
Homes in Park Slope
Famed for its multi-million-dollar Victorian mansions and historic brownstones, Park Slope has earned its reputation as one of the most beautiful places to live in Brooklyn. Along Park Slope’s beautiful streets, gas-powered lamps flicker on front porches and trees line the historic sidewalks. Rent in this area varies, but averages around $2,600 a month.
BUSHWICK
Bushwick was one of Brooklyn’s best-kept secrets. Now, over 100,000 people fit within Buswick’s two-square-miles. But that number is only going to grow over the next few years. In the early stages of redevelopment, Bushwick is an ideal spot for single professionals.
That said, locals in Bushwick are working hard with the community board to make sure their neighborhood doesn’t end up turning into a swarth of swanky new restaurants and bars. They (and we) love their neighborhood’s unique mood and want to protect it.
This edgy neighborhood is still relatively affordable. Its vibrant and diverse residents enjoy their neighborhood’s wealth of activities and amenities. Here and there, a new colorful mural will spring up on one of Bushwick’s buildings.
What’s Happening in Bushwick
While Bushwick has seen a fair share of upgrades recently, it still maintains that homey feel. Residents have great access to green spaces. They can stop in at any of the locally-owned restaurants and bars. Activities range from an educational tour through local art galleries to a dip in the public pool.
Bushwick residents love spending sunny days at Maria Hernandez Park, which houses a playground, sports courts, and a dog-walk section. Bushwick’s diverse cuisine only adds to its appeal. Head to Ichiran for authentic Japanese ramen. For Ethiopian cuisine, stop in at Bunna Cafe.
Schools in Bushwick
Bushwick offers its residents great education opportunities via its several local schools including P.S. 376, The Evergreen Middle School, Bushwick Leaders’ High School, Bushwick Ascend Charter School, and Bushwick Community High School among others.
Homes in Bushwick
The beautiful homes of Bushwick display modern and updated interiors while still showing off stunning historic exterior details. Here, you can find much more affordable homes with prices lower than Brooklyn’s median home value (which is $975K). As prices inch up, you’ll find soaring ceilings, window-filled turrets, and rooftop patios.
FORT GREENE/CLINTON HILL
These two next-door neighborhoods sit right along the Brooklyn Navy Yard and East River. The up-and-coming area is home to a mix of old-timers who’ve lived here for years and young professionals that are new arrivals. And while Fort Greene and Clinton Hill are becoming hot spots in the city, there’s still room for investment.
Throughout Clinton Hill, creatives have moved to the area and established cultural institutions and a diverse entertainment scene. As a designated historic district, Fort Greene is home to lots of classical sites and contemporary spots. But if locals of either neighborhood ever want a change of pace, they can easily take one of the area’s 10 subway lines to bustling Downtown Brooklyn in no time.
What’s Happening in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill
Fort Greene and Clinton Hill are full of culture, a great arts scene, and culinary hotspots. Expansive green space, urban venues, nightlife, and job opportunities attract artists, hipsters, and foodies to move in. The local Pratt Institute is home to the largest sculpture garden in New York City. The Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Peter Jay Sharp Building puts on live music, theater, and dance performances on the regular.
The area is full of trendy bars and rooftop vineyards along the navy yard. Locals can grab coffee and breakfast at Maison May or Bittersweet. Petee’s Cafe satisfies residents’ sweet tooths with their long list of creative pies. During a visit, make sure to sample the fresh oysters and cocktails at Karasu—a secret Japanese bar and restaurant hidden behind Walter’s (which has an awesome French Dip on the menu, btw).
On sunny days, locals can wander through Fort Greene’s famous park and the Prison Ship Martyrs Monument. In the evenings, the prohibition-inspired bar Dick & Janes serves creative cocktails. But little can compete with the local favorite watering-hole, Frank’s Cocktail Lounge.
Schools in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill
This area of Brooklyn is home to several schools including Green Hill Private School, Community Roots Charter School, Success Academy Fort Greene Charter School, and P.S. 20 Clinton Hill School, among others.
Homes in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill
Cool architecture and tree-lined streets set these two neighborhoods apart. Brownstones, rowhouses, and Victorian homes display the area’s historical character. Modern apartment buildings are now part of the mix.
In Fort Greene, prices have continued to trend upward by almost 28% year-over-year. Investors are still swooping in. Today, the median home price in Fort Greene is over $650K. But Clinton Hill is still full of affordable options. The area’s median monthly rent is right around $1500.
GREENPOINT
Once a cattle-speckled farmland, Greenpoint shifted its neighborhood feel in the late 18th century. The area became a thriving industrial hub. This worker bee had many irons in the fire—shipbuilding, waterborne commerce, printing, pottery, glasswork, and foundries. The first ironclad warship—the USS Monitor—was built in Greenpoint’s very dockyards during the American Civil War.
Years ago, immigrants from Germany, Ireland, and Poland settled in the area. Today, the neighborhood maintains its diversity, and it’s still referred to as “Little Poland.”
What’s Happening in Greenpoint
Greenpoint is full of eastern European delis and restaurants. In Greenpoint, pierogies are more prevalent than pigeons. But the favorite local polish hub is, without a doubt, Karczma.
Manhattan Avenue is lined by top-pick joins like Peter Pan Donut and Pastry Shop or The Glasserie. Some of the area’s most charming local shops include Wolves Within, Home of the Brave, and Pas Mal.
Families love to gather at the waterfront playground at Transmitter Park. For a feel of Greenpoint’s rich maritime history, walk along the East River waterfront. Or enjoy the fresh air at McCarren Park. End the night with a cocktail on the boat-bar, Brooklyn Barge.
Schools in Greenpoint
Locals of Greenpoint have access to several great schools, like P.S. 110 Monitor Elementary School, P.S. 31 Samuel F Dupont, and Williamsburg Preparatory High School among others.
Homes in Greenpoint
Elegant and spacious homes fill up the real estate offerings in Greenpoint. Beautiful brick Italianate houses, rustic townhomes, and modern condos can also be found in this leafy neighborhood.
There you have it: 5 of the best places to live in Brooklyn!
We hope this was helpful, and if you decide to take the plunge soon, don’t forget we offer last minute moving services in Brooklyn! So don’t hesitate to reach out to your friends here at Bellhop. As we said, we coordinate local and long-distance moving services in Brooklyn, and we would love to help.
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