There’s no shortage of charming areas to explore in Brooklyn, the only challenge is knowing where to start. Home to a population of nearly 2.6 million people, the borough is massive.
The running joke used to be this. Living in Manhattan until you’re ready to settle down, then move to Brooklyn to raise a family. However, the tides have shifted and Brooklyn has become one of the most desirable places to live in NYC (beating out Manhattan for some folks).
Full of vibrant neighborhoods teeming with charming cafes, impeccable parks and top-notch restaurants, you’ll be spoiled for choice while living in Brooklyn (or merely visiting!).
To that end, let’s cover the most charming Brooklyn neighborhoods worth exploring.
Best Neighborhoods in Brooklyn
Brooklyn has so many unique neighborhoods, each with its own personality. I’ve explored them all extensively, and here are the ones I think are truly worth knowing about.
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#10. Sunset Park
One of the best Neighborhoods in Brooklyn for.Budget-minded families and singles, still a diverse neighborhood, right on the waterfront, good opportunities for outdoor recreation, quiet and safe area.
One of the best things about living in Brooklyn is the irresistible charm of the endearing rowhouses. Nowhere is this more evident than Sunset Park.
You’d think an area this cute would be out of reach! But with a median home price of $612,000, Sunset Park is considered one of the more affordable neighborhoods in Brooklyn,
If you’re trying to break into Brooklyn but don’t have an outlandish sum to spend on a home,we highly encourage you to consider this budget-friendly part of the borough.
Median rent clocks in at $1,700 a month. solidifying Sunset Park as one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Brooklyn. You can always rent if you’re not ready to commit to a home.
Ripe for exploration, the neighborhood is filled with charming streets, historical sights and decent school systems. Unique architectural styles from the 1800s onward make this a great place to stroll around and one of the best places to live in Brooklyn.
#9. Bed-Stuy
One of the best Neighborhoods in Brooklyn for. More affordable cost of living. Diverse and historic neighborhood with a great food scene.
She still talks about it.
No list of the best neighborhoods in Brooklyn is complete without mentioning Bedford-Stuyvesant (colloquially known as Bed-Stuy).
How to we know? Well, for starters, Time Out magazine ranked it as one of the coolest neighborhoods in the world in 2020. Locals love the parks, charming brownstones, quaint cafes and great restaurants.
It’s a rapidly gentrifying part of Brooklyn that’s worth a gander. It’s worth considering for those that want to the perks of living in Brooklyn but find themselves jarred at prices that start at one million.
Make no mistake, with (steep) median home prices of $995,000, living in this Brooklyn neighborhood won’t come cheap. However it’s still considered highly affordable for this part of New York City.
Once the childhood turf of Jay-Z and the Notorious B.I.G., Bed Stuy is still home to many black-owned businesses and neighborhood organizations. The deep cultural history is one of the reasons it’s one of the best neighborhoods in Brooklyn.
#8. Bushwick
One of the best Neighborhoods in Brooklyn for.Young families and artistic types, younger age range, a strong sense of community, lots of opportunities for getting out, easy commute to Manhattan.
Many people expect Bushwick to be expensive because it’s so artistic and in demand. Surprisingly the median home prices currently average $851,000 and it’s one of the best places to live in Brooklyn.
Rent is around $2,800. It’s an area with a lower median household income than other neighborhoods in Brooklyn, making it more welcoming to a wider range of people.
That results in a fun neighborhood with a tight-knit community feeling. And it’s well-connected to Manhattan via public transport for work opportunities.
Street art livens up daily walks and I can’t get enough of the interesting takes on New York style pizza served in this area.
This neighborhood used to have a rather negative association with crime. Thankfully the hard work on the community’s part has led to it becoming one of the safest neighborhoods in Brooklyn today.
It doesn’t quite offer as much for families as it did at one point, but it’s still where my friends have chosen to raise their kids. The access to healthy green spaces and classes on building creative skills are a huge plus. That’s why I think it’s one of the best Brooklyn neighborhoods.
#7. Greenpoint
One of the best Neighborhoods in Brooklyn for.Nightlife lovers, lots of bars and restaurants to choose from, Polish culture, tattoo shops and art galleries, vintage stores full of awesome finds
If you’re looking for artistic neighborhoods in Brooklyn that don’t have the hipster crowds of Bushwick or Williamsburg, try Greenpoint.
It’s still home to the greatest concentration of Polish Americans in the city. You can’t stop by without sampling the delicious pierogies at Karczma!
While I think it’s definitely one of the best neighborhoods in Brooklyn, the median home price of $1.2 million does put it out of the budget of some.
It may very well be one of the best places to live in Brooklyn but it comes at a price. The average rent is $3,500. But if you can afford the price, Greenpoint has a lot going for it.
The scenic parks give you a great place to get out and meet your neighbors. Not to mention, you should never miss a chance to see what’s going on at night in the lively neighborhood.
It’s just north of Williamsburg, another great neighborhood in Brooklyn, making it easy to hit the hipster capital if you need to go to an art gallery opening or street theater performance.
Local tip. Pro tip that most travel blogs won’t tell you. visit on a weekday afternoon for the most authentic experience.
#6. Prospect Heights
One of the best Neighborhoods in Brooklyn for.Growing families and everyone else, supportive community organizations, activities for every age range, beautiful architecture, classic old-fashioned Brooklyn style
It’s rare to find a neighborhood in Brooklyn that has something for families with kids yet plenty to do for the young professional crowd.
Prospect Park has it all! Not only is it one of the best places to live in Brooklyn, it also has an old-school Brooklyn panache you’d be hard-pressed to find in the rest of the borough.
At a median home price of $952,000, it’s one of the more affordable neighborhoods in Brooklyn.
You can stroll Washington Avenue and pick out a fancy new restaurant to try. Or you can spend a lazy Sunday watching your kids get active at one of the numerous children’s play centers.
Access to transit and a very walkable neighborhood layout also makes this one of the best places to live in Brooklyn.
I feel like it doesn’t quite have as many parks, scenic views, or architectural marvels as other parts of the borough. But the median rent of $3,400 makes it more affordable than other parts of the city.
#5. Boerum Hill
One of the best Neighborhoods in Brooklyn for.Artists and actors, many art galleries and exhibits, featured in multiple films, safe but interesting street life, lots of independent stores and restaurants
One of the smallest, most distinct neighborhoods in Brooklyn is Boerum Hill. It often gets overlooked on lists of the best places to live in Brooklyn, but nay nay we’re here to give the neighborhood its well deserved praise.
Just north of Carroll Gardens and Park Slope, this area has some of the best art galleries and independent stores in Brooklyn.
If you want a neighborhood you can roam from brunch to midnight and never get bored, this the place. I find the $1.6 million median home price or average rent of $3,750 a fair investment to gain access to this part of the city.
Don’t forget to stop by the Pacific branch of the Brooklyn Public Library, one of my favorite places to relax.
#4. Carroll Gardens
One of the best Neighborhoods in Brooklyn for.Older professionals and families, stable and relatively quiet, plenty of cafes, highly walkable, good mix of renters and owners, beautiful architecture
Sandwiched between the East River and Park Slope lies Carroll Gardens, a Brooklyn neighborhood once largely overlooked for being simply too quiet compared to its neighbors.
Now that quietness is a selling point as the $1.6 million median home prices prove. Yet it’s not too sleepy or boring thanks to high-end boutiques, quirky gardens full of art, and classic Italian cafes.
The best pizza in New York City is also at Lucali, a Carroll Gardens hotspot.
The streets are tree-lined and easily walked to eliminate the need for a car, especially if you’re a fan of using the buses and subway.
I think some of the most scenic brownstones of Brooklyn can be seen here, and that alone makes it one of the best Brooklyn neighborhoods for me. The average rent of $2,500 for a studio keeps it one of the best place to live Brooklyn for folks on a budget.
#3. Park Slope
One of the best Neighborhoods in Brooklyn for.Growing families with high incomes, great schools, lots of activities for kids, beautiful parks, quiet, safe, almost serene vibe
Park Slope has long been considered one of the best neighborhoods Brooklyn offers. With that said it’s surprising that the median home price is only $1.3 million while other popular areas are significantly more expensive.
It’s long been considered one of the best places to live in Brooklyn for families. Some of the area’s best private schools and early childhood education centers are found here and only serve local families.
The rental average is $4,000, making it more attractive to buy here if you can. Many of my friends wouldn’t consider living anywhere else in Brooklyn.
Safe sidewalks and organic farmer’s markets make you feel at home. I will admit the lack of nightlife may make it less desirable to the younger crowd.
The subway runs along the north and west end of the neighborhood so consider that if you have to commute to Manhattan for work.
#2. Cobble Hill
One of the best Neighborhoods in Brooklyn for.Families and older professionals, good access to the rest of the city, high density of parks and playgrounds, hip but laid-back attractions, not too noisy or active at night
Want a gorgeous view of the city skyline at sunset while relaxing in a laid-back cafe? You’ll love Cobble Hill, one of the best Brooklyn neighborhoods for waterfront lovers.
Just across from the gorgeous Columbia Street waterfront district. Unfortantely Cobble Hill has the highest median home prices on this list at $1.8 million. With that said you get so much for the price, even if you’re renting at an average of $4,500 per month.
Kitchen shops and luxury food stores sit side-by-side with charming bistros and restaurants. Row houses line the streets and the cathedrals and churches anchor it all with a village-like feeling.
Cobble Hill simply is one of the cutest neighborhoods in Brooklyn and find myself gravitating towards this area nearly every weekend.
#1. Fort Greene
One of the best Neighborhoods in Brooklyn for.Everyone, classical buildings with modern features, a wide mix of restaurants and shops, access to good schools, cultural and artistic opportunities, close-knit community organizations
Since it’s home to some of the most well-preserved brownstones and other buildings from the 1800s, I have to give Fort Greene my top rating as the best neighborhood in Brooklyn.
It’s safe, easy to walk, full of scenic spots, and all-around great to live in. Even the median home price of $1.2 million is far more affordable than in other parts of Brooklyn.
Pick up delicious fruits and vegetables at the farmer’s market in Fort Greene Park. Then you can explore the flea markets or pop-up art installations.
Your neighbors will be diverse and welcoming. All the while you’ll have access to some of the top cultural institutions in the area like the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
Once home to Spike Lee, Walt Whitman, and Erykah Badu, there’s obviously plenty of creative inspiration to be drawn from this hip neighborhood.
Average rents are around $3,500. Good transit access connects you with all of Manhattan as well for career opportunities or a night out. You can enjoy all the best of living in Brooklyn in Fort Greene.
Best Places to Live in Brooklyn
In sum, here’s a list of the best neighborhoods in Brooklyn.
- Fort Greene
- Cobble Hill
- Park Slope
- Carroll Gardens
- Boerum Hill
- Prospect Heights
- Greenpoint
- Bushwick
- Bed-Stuy
- Sunset Park
Map of the Best Brooklyn Neighborhoods
Frequently Asked Questions. Living in Brooklyn
Whether Brooklyn is a good place to live depends on individual preferences and priorities, as it offers a diverse cultural scene, vibrant neighborhoods, and convenient access to Manhattan. On the other hand, it can also come with high living costs and varying levels of safety and affordability across different areas.
To comfortably live in Brooklyn, you generally need a salary of at least $50,000 to $100,000 per year. It will all depend on your lifestyle, housing preferences, and other expenses like transportation and food.
Brooklyn Heights and parts of DUMBO are considered some of the wealthiest areas in Brooklyn, characterized by historic brownstones, waterfront views, and proximity to Manhattan.
Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, and Carroll Gardens are often considered some of the safest areas in Brooklyn, known for their low crime rates, well-maintained streets, and strong sense of community.
Williamsburg and Bushwick are often regarded as one of the hippest areas in Brooklyn, known for their trendy bars, cafes, street art, and vibrant music scene, attracting a young and creative demographic.
More Brooklyn Neighborhood Guides
- 15 Best Things to Do in Brooklyn (Helpful Guide & Tips)
- 20 Best Things to Do in DUMBO, Brooklyn (Helpful Guide & Tips)
- 15 Best Things to Do in Brooklyn Heights (Local’s Guide)
- 15 Wonderful Things to Do Williamsburg, Brooklyn (Local’s Guide)
- 15 Great Things to Do in Greenpoint, Brooklyn (Local’s Guide)
- 12 Best Things to Do in Red Hook, Brooklyn (Besides Ikea, Of Course)
And there you have it, folks, our roundup of the best neighborhoods in Brooklyn to live in. We hope you found the article helpful, happy hunting!
Cheers.
Final Thoughts
That wraps up our guide to CHARMING Brooklyn Neighborhoods (Worth Knowing About). Have a favorite spot we missed?
Have you been here before?
If you liked this guide, you might also enjoy exploring my other local recommendations.
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