Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn

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.

Carroll Gardens is a neighborhood seemingly out of a movie. The neighborhood is enchanting, with it’s beautiful brownstones and autumn-colored trees.

In October the locals break out some of the most epic Halloween decorations in New York City, so I’ve made it tradition to make an annual trip to the neighborhood.

If you’re looking to start off strong I suggest bee-lining to Scotto Funeral Home at 106 Court Place. They put up some of the best decorations in New York City, and on Halloween give out candy to trick-or-treaters.