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The 20 Best Places to Live in Brooklyn

Brooklyn

Brooklyn is a borough of New York City that is divided into 38 neighborhoods, each of which offers something different in terms of lifestyle. Which of these neighborhoods is best is partly a matter of personal preference, depending on the type of lifestyle you enjoy and what you consider the most important factors when choosing somewhere to live. Some of these factors include hosing, cost of living, leisure activities, safety, schools, employment opportunities, and commutability. Taking these factors into consideration along with the experiences of those who live in Brooklyn, the following are widely considered the 20 best places to live in Brooklyn.

20. Fort Greene

An up-and-coming area of Brooklyn that is becoming increasingly popular is Fort Green, says Street Advisor. This neighborhood has lots of culture, a great arts scene, and it is a culinary hotspot, which means that it attracts artists, hipsters, and foodies. The area has also maintained a sense of its history, and this is evident as many of the properties are traditional brownstones. Three of the best features of this area are the outstanding schools, the strong transport links, and the parks and recreation areas.

19. Manhattan Beach

Although Manhattan Beach is one of the most affluent areas in Brooklyn, it is a beautiful place to live if you have the money. In this area, most of the properties are large detached homes with land, and many of these are mansions. It is also one of the cleanest, greenest, and safest parts of Brooklyn. There are excellent schools in this area and lots of open spaces, so it is a popular place for affluent families. The beach is another appealing feature of this neighborhood, and many people who move here want to enjoy the coastal lifestyle. There is a strong sense of community in this area, which feels slightly isolated from the rest of Brooklyn. Other than the house prices, the other downside to this area is the lack of shopping options. However, commuting to the surrounding area to access shops is relatively easy.

18. Park Slope

Park Slope is an area of Brooklyn that has many benefits that contribute to an excellent standard of living. There are lots of nice outdoor spaces, it is one of the safest places in Brooklyn, and it is a very clean area. It also has a vibrant nightlife and lots of opportunities for socializing. The major downside to living in Park Slope is the cost of living and the high property prices. However, the high cost of living is the price that you will pay for living in a desirable area. Park Slope appeals to a diverse range of people, including retirees, families, and young professionals.

17. Sheepshead Bay

Sheepshead Bay is a neighborhood in Southern Brooklyn that sits on the Atlantic Ocean, so it is ideal for those who enjoy coastal living. Historically, this area was known for its Russian community, but the community is now much more diverse in Sheepshead Bay. It is a quiet waterfront community that has a village feel, which appeals to families and retirees. The cost of living in this area is lower than most other neighborhoods in Brooklyn, and it is a great place for dining out.

16. Cypress Hills

Affordability is a primary reason to consider living in Cypress Hills, as both renting and buying a property is cheaper here than many other Brooklyn neighborhoods. The cost of living is also low in comparison to the surrounding area. There are lots of pretty parks and recreation spaces in this neighborhood, which is another appealing factor. The transport links are excellent, so it is a good option for those who commute to Manhattan or other areas of New York for work. The major downside of this district is the lack of parking.

15. Brighton Beach

Those who enjoy the beach lifestyle should consider moving to Brighton Beach. There is a large Russian community in Brighton Beach, and many Russian restaurants and delis. One reason that this area is so popular is the affordable housing, as it is possible to buy a co-op for as little as $200,000. On the other hand, there are also many mansions along the waterfront, so this area provides diverse housing options.

14. Canarsie

One aspect of this area that appeals to many people is the spacious properties, most of which have their own off-street parking. Despite the size of the properties, it is considered an affordable part of Brooklyn that has a good neighborly spirit. Due to the size of the properties, it is popular amongst families. The quiet vibe of this neighborhood means it also appeals to retirees, while the many outdoor activities are something that those who enjoy an active lifestyle love about Canarsie.

13. Kensington

Street Advisor says that Kensington is a safe place to live that has a neighborly. It is also considered a very clean area and it has plenty of green spaces for residents to enjoy. Kensington is a popular place to live for a wide range of people, including young professionals, families, singles, retirees, and hipsters. It is less crowded than many other areas of Brooklyn, and this up-and-coming area is attracting many new businesses that are providing employment opportunities for the local residents.

12. Dyker Heights

Located in Southwestern Brooklyn, Dyker Heights is where you will find some of the most stunning properties anywhere in New York City. It has a suburban, small-town feel and a strong sense of community. It is one of the safest areas to live in Brooklyn, which is something that appeals to many people. There is a large Italian community in Dyker Heights, along with many Chinese, Lebanese, and Greek communities. This diversity is reflected in the varied dining options in this neighborhood. There are plenty of leisure activities in this area, and residents have access to a range of shops and amenities. It is also a great place to live for golf enthusiasts as there is an 18-hole golf course in this part of Brooklyn.

11. Crown Heights

According to Street Easy, one of the best places for people to live if they have a limited budget and cannot afford many of the other Brooklyn neighborhoods is Crown Heights. This area boasts a good balance between a busy vibe and a feeling of neighborliness. It is predominantly a residential area that attracts a lot of young professionals because of the low cost of renting or purchasing a house. It is a culturally diverse area with large communities of Caribbean and Orthodox Jewish people.

10. Flatbush

Flatbush is a fantastic area for young professionals, says Dorothy and Marth Moving. The prices of properties do not reflect the fact that this neighborhood is just a 30-minute commute to Manhattan. It is a diverse community with a strong Caribbean influence, both in terms of those who live there and the restaurants in the area.

9. Sunset Park

Sunset Park is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in New York, and it is located between Bay Ridge and Park Slope. It is home to Brooklyn’s Chinatown, and there is also a large Latin American community in the area. The popularity of this area has increased in this area in recent years for two reasons. First, families are being priced out of the more expensive neighboring Park Slope. Second, there has been a revitalization of the waterfront area of Sunset Park. A further reason that this area is popular as it is one of the most affordable options with the average house price below $550,000.

8. Clinton Hill

Close to Prospect Heights and Fort Greene, Clinton Hill is one of the most affordable options in Brooklyn and house prices are continuing to fall. Properties are varied, ranging from brownstones and Victorian houses to modern apartment buildings. This neighborhood has a unique personality and is considered an artsy and cultural area in which to live. It is a quiet, residential area that has a strong sense of community. Clinton Hill is also a pretty area to live as many of the streets are lined with trees.

7. Greenpoint

Neighboring Williamsburg is Greenpoint, which has a similar vibe but lower house prices and a lower cost of living. However, it is still a pricey place to live with house prices averaging $1 million. On the other hand, experts are predicting that house prices will fall in this area over the next few years. The area is predominantly residential, with the commercial strips focused on Manhattan Avenue and McGuinness Avenue.

6. Bedford- Stuyvesant

Known by the locals as Bed-Stuy, this neighborhood sits between north and south Brooklyn. Many of the houses are brownstones, and some have been split into apartments. It is a fantastic place to live for those who enjoy a busy social life as there are lots of restaurants and the nightlife is vibrant. It is a relatively expensive area to live with median house prices around $800,000.

5. Brooklyn Heights

Cube Smart says that Brooklyn Heights is a cozy, charming, and affluent neighborhood of Brooklyn. It sits directly opposite Manhattan across the East River, and it was the first neighborhood added to the New York City’s 1965 Landmarks Preservation Law. This is because of the historic nature of the area as you will still find cobbled streets, beautifully restored homes, and the historic waterfront promenade. This is an expensive area to live, but it is a good option for those who commute to Manhattan for work.

4. Prospect Heights

A reasonably affordable and predominantly middle-class area of Brooklyn, Prospect Heights has a casual vibe. It is a stone’s throw away from Prospect Park, which is considered the best park in Brooklyn, and it is home to the New Jersey Nets and the New York Islanders sports teams. This area is undergoing a $4.9 billion development project that will create plenty of new housing in the area. This neighborhood has plenty of dining and retail options, and it is good for people who enjoy an active social life.

3. Bay Ridge

A popular area among those for whom affordability is a primary consideration is Bay Ridge. It is also popular among families as there are good schools and plenty of leisure activities. This is a diverse area with Middle Eastern, Italian, Greek, Norwegian, and Irish communities living in this area. The area is not overdeveloped. and nor does it have skyscrapers because the long-time residents are very protective of the unique nature of the neighborhood. Commuting to Manhattan from Bay Ridge is problem-free thanks to the R train and the rapid transit buses.

2. Carroll Gardens

If you prefer living in a historic area, then there are few places better than Carroll Gardens. It is considered one of the most beautiful areas and sits at the heart of what is known as Brownstone Brooklyn because there is a large number of brownstone properties in this neighborhood. Both young professionals and trendy families enjoy living in this area because there is only a short commute to Manhattan and there are many family-friendly activities in the area. This area has a top-notch culinary scene and plenty of boutique shops and bars.

1. Williamsburg

According to List With Clever, the best neighborhood to live in Brooklyn is Williamsburg. This is one of the most expensive areas of Brooklyn to live, but you get a lot for your money in terms of both properties and the lifestyle the area offers. It is a hip, urban, walkable area that attracts both young professionals and families. There are plenty of amenities in the area along with pretty outdoor spaces, such as McCarren Park. Apartments are the most affordable options for most people as the median house prices are close to a million dollars.

Liz Flynn

Written by Liz Flynn

Liz Flynn has worked as a full-time writer since 2010 after leaving a career in education. She finds almost all topics she writes about interesting, but her favorite subjects are travel and food. Liz loves the process of researching information, learning new things, and putting into words what others who share her interests might like to read. Although she spends most of her time writing, she also enjoys spending time with her husband and four children, watching films, cooking, dining out, reading, motorsports, gaming, and walking along the beach next to her house with her dog.

Read more posts by Liz Flynn

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