The best neighborhoods in Brooklyn come with a mix of cultural history, natural green spaces, and exciting culinary experiences. Many of the best neighborhoods are a short distance from Downtown Brooklyn but still have a small-town feel.
Some of the safest and most affordable places to live in Brooklyn include:
- Park Slope
- Brooklyn Heights
- Williamsburg
- Dumbo
- Carroll Gardens
- Cobble Hill
- Red Hook
- Bushwick
If you’re considering moving to New York City, take a look at these quaint neighborhoods before you make your decision.
| Neighborhood | Average Rent | Average Home Value |
| Park Slope | $4,132/month | $1.5 million |
| Brooklyn Heights | $4,002/month | $1.5 million |
| Williamsburg | $4,300/month | $1.5 million |
| Dumbo | $5,495/month | $2.5 million |
| Carroll Gardens | $4,735/month | $2.8 million |
| Cobble Hill | $4,000/month | $1.8 million |
| Red Hook | $4,000/month | $2.2 million |
| Bushwick | $3,000/month | $898,000 |
#8: Park Slope
- Average Rent: $4,132 per month
- Average Home Value: $1.5 million
Park Slope, nestled in northern Brooklyn, is a haven for families seeking the perfect blend of city life and suburban tranquility. It features a safe environment and excellent schools, such as PS 122 Mamie Fay and M.S. 51 William Alexander, which were ranked as some of the best in the state.
The beauty of Park Slope is not just in its atmosphere but also in its architecture. Turn-of-the-century brownstones reflect the area’s rich history and development. These homes offer a unique charm that attracts a diverse array of residents, from young families to professionals. Just a stone’s throw away from Prospect Park, Park Slope is a quiet neighborhood and a great place for families.
The neighborhood also offers an array of upscale restaurants and boutiques, making everyday living feel like a luxury. Whether you’re indulging in elegant Italian dining at Fausto or delighting in contemporary Mexican cuisine at Fonda, Park Slope promises a culinary adventure at every turn.
| Pros | Cons |
| • Prospect Park is within walking distance • Home to one of the three NYC arches • Accredited schools for K-12 available • 7th Avenue subway station nearby | • Rent is up 12% in the past year • Homes can be fairly expensive |
#7: Brooklyn Heights
- Average Rent: $4,002 per month
- Average Home Value: $1.5 million
Brooklyn Heights, a historical gem in New York City’s crown, is located just a short distance from Dumbo. It’s one of the oldest neighborhoods in Brooklyn, and in 1965 city officials created the Brooklyn Heights Historic District to help keep the historical architecture intact.
This delightful Brooklyn neighborhood is close to the waterfront Brooklyn Bridge Park and boasts a number of trendy shops and chic cafes.
The Brooklyn Heights Promenade offers stunning views of the Manhattan skyline, a sight that will leave you breathless. Clark’s Restaurant and Dellarocco’s each offer unique experiences and tastes of the local culture, adding to the neighborhood’s charm and appeal.
| Pros | Cons |
| • Waterfront view of Manhattan • Lower rent prices than other Brooklyn neighborhoods • Great schools (St. Anne’s K-12, St. Francis College, Brooklyn Law School) • Lower crime rate overall | • Higher property crime • Still pricey overall |
#6: Williamsburg
- Average Rent: $4,300 per month
- Average Home Value: $1.5 million
Known for its artistic spirit, Williamsburg has become a hub for young professionals and artists. Its tree-lined streets are dotted with trendy cafes, artisanal shops, and unique art galleries, contributing to a thriving arts and music scene that truly sets it apart.
Williamsburg also boasts an array of high-end eateries. Chef Missy Robbins’s two Italian restaurants, Lilia near McCarren Park, to Misi on Kent Avenue, are in Williamsburg. Plus, you can get a taste of ethnic Peruvian cuisine at the Llama Inn or an authentic French pastry from Marlow & Sons.
The neighborhood is also brimming with a variety of exciting entertainment and recreational options. Whether you’re enjoying a leisurely afternoon in McCarren Park, catching a concert at Brooklyn Steel, or indulging in some retail therapy on Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg promises to keep you entertained.
| Pros | Cons |
| • Lots of shops, parks, restaurants, and music events to attend • Much more laid back than other Brooklyn neighborhoods | • The L Train that connects Williamsburg to the rest of NYC is often delayed or sporadic, especially on weekends |
#5: Dumbo
- Average Rent: $5,495 per month
- Average Home Value: $2.5 million
“Dumbo” is actually an acronym for “Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass.”
Once an industrial area, Dumbo has evolved into a luxury enclave and is celebrated for its flourishing residential and commercial community. You’ll find a diverse range of stylish shops, renowned restaurants, and lively bars.
The neighborhood is also home to numerous tech startups, including Atomic, Zipari, Vice Media, Etsy, and Songkick. This thriving tech scene has earned Dumbo a reputation as a hub for innovation and creativity but also has driven up the housing cost well above the average for Brooklyn neighborhoods.
Despite the high cost of living, Dumbo has a lot of great attractions, including the Brooklyn Roasting Company, the Brooklyn Flea Market, Powerhouse Arena, and Pebble Beach.
| Pros | Cons |
| • Home to big-name tech startups • Numerous waterfront parks • Views of the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan | • Significantly more expensive than any other residential neighborhood in Brooklyn |
#4: Carroll Gardens
- Average Rent: $4,735 per month
- Average Home Value: $2.8 million
Carroll Gardens is a delightful blend of Irish, Italian, and French cultures, which have shaped its character.
Much like other residential neighborhoods in Brooklyn, Carroll Gardens is pretty quiet, with tree-lined streets and a green space at Carroll Park.
Carroll Gardens also has some great food options, with brunch at Buttermilk Channel, pizza at Lucali’s, and ice cream sundaes at Brooklyn Farmacy and Soda Fountain. It also has exciting entertainment venues like Bar Great Harry, known for its craft beer and pinball machines, and the Smith Street Stage, where classic stories such as Shakespeare’s plays are presented to a new audience.
| Pros | Cons |
| • Easy access to Red Hook, Fort Greene, and other Brooklyn neighborhoods • Calm and clean environment • Short walk from Fort Greene Park | • Not as many parks as other neighborhoods |
#3: Cobble Hill
- Average Rent: $4,000 per month
- Average Home Value: $1.8 million
Cobble Hill is probably one of the best neighborhoods in Brooklyn because it’s so laid back. Not to mention, it’s known for its cobblestone streets, beautiful churches, and neighborhood parks.
If you’re a foodie, Cobble Hill’s diverse culinary scene is just for you. Smith Street used to be known as Brooklyn’s Restaurant Row, but now Court Street is where many of the great restaurants reside. Experience the tastes of Ethiopia at Awash, Italian cuisine at Sociale, and a robust coffee or cocktail at Amano Cafe.
Outside of food, this neighborhood has a bunch of leisure spots to hang out, like the Invisible Dog Art Center, Collyer’s Mansion, and Cobble Hill Park.
And with the F train providing a direct link to Manhattan and the G train offering a connection to Greenpoint, transportation in Cobble Hill is a breeze.
| Pros | Cons |
| • Lower rent than other neighborhoods in Brooklyn • Laid-back lifestyle | • Real estate is more expensive than other neighborhoods • Most people rent their homes. |
#2: Red Hook
- Average Rent: $4,000 per month
- Average Home Value: $2.2 million
Known for its historic charm and character, Red Hook is one of the best Brooklyn neighborhoods where you can escape the hustle and bustle of city life. Its cobblestone streets and industrial warehouses create a unique charm that’s hard to resist.
Despite its tranquil atmosphere, Red Hook is also an affordable and attractive neighborhood for families, offering reasonable pricing compared to other neighborhoods in Brooklyn. Plus, it has a robust food scene, with seafood restaurants like Brooklyn Crab and Red Hook Lobster Pound, as well as a growing alcohol scene with Red Hook Winery and Widow Jane Distillery.
Adding to its charm, Red Hook has seen several exciting infrastructure developments, such as a new ferry service to Manhattan and other parts of Downtown Brooklyn, including the East River, as well as the introduction of Citi Bikes. These improvements have made the neighborhood even more accessible and convenient, making it a popular choice among locals and visitors alike.
| Pros | Cons |
| • Lower rent than other neighborhoods in Brooklyn • Family-friendly • Waterside park and pier (Louis Valentino Jr. Park & Pier) | • A bit isolated from other parts of Brooklyn because of the Red Hook Channel on one side. |
#1: Bushwick
- Average Rent: $3,000 per month
- Average Home Value: $898K
Bushwick has undergone a remarkable transformation, becoming renowned for its flourishing art and cultural scene. It’s particularly well known for its street art, with abstract murals and life-acurate portraits along streets like Starr, Troutman, Jefferson, and Bogart.
The neighborhood is also home to amazing attractions like Maria Hernandez Park, charming coffee shops along Knickerbocker Avenue, and popular spots such as the indoor-outdoor dance club, “Nowadays”, as well as Roberta’s Pizza and the 70s inspired night club, Mood Ring. Bushwick is for those residents who want every day to feel like a celebration.
But it’s not just the art and culture that make Bushwick special. The neighborhood is also bustling with young professionals and a diverse community, including a significant Hispanic population. Its vibrant housing market offers a diverse range of homes, from historic buildings to modern boutique condo developments, catering to a variety of lifestyle preferences.
| Pros | Cons |
| • One of the most affordable neighborhoods in Brooklyn • Boasts a diverse community of artists • Has a subway station at Bushwick Avenue & Aberdeen Street | • Bushwick is not as clean as some of the other neighborhoods in Brooklyn • Only recently made its transition from a poorer residential area to an up-and-coming neighborhood |
Moving to Brooklyn: The Next Steps
Whether you’re moving to the idyllic brownstone streets of Park Slope or the eclectic art scene in Bushwick, you’re probably going to be downsizing from your current residence. The average size of a starter home in Brooklyn is 924 square feet, which is pretty tiny, especially for a family.
So if you’re moving to a smaller house in a Brooklyn neighborhood, you might need to rent out a storage space to keep your belongings. Storage unit prices in Brooklyn can easily cost more than $300 for a 10’x10′ space, so it’s important to find a budget-friendly option.
Thankfully, Neighbor offers affordable storage solutions locally through a network of vetted hosts. This peer-to-peer storage solution is safe, nearby, available in all 50 states, and great for storing everything from books and clothes to classic cars. Before you start unpacking, maximize space in your new home by keeping some belongings with a Neighbor.
