Thinking about moving to Brooklyn? Boasting tons of restaurants, bars, lounges, and a thriving art scene in bustling New York City, Brooklyn is one of the best NYC boroughs to live in! Check out these five exciting Brooklyn neighborhoods for singles and young professionals.
Neighborhood | Boerum Hill | Bushwick | Fort Greene | Park Slope | Williamsburg |
Safer than % of City | 5% | 29% | 26% | 67% | 39% |
Median Home Price | $1,506,009 | $869,402 | $663,709 | $1,541,846 | $1,095,912 |
Median Rent Price | $2,495 | $1,722 | $1,543 | $2,452 | $2,163 |
Median Household Income | $135,172 | $64,602 | $71,767 | $155,486 | $75,970 |
Median Age | 35.3 | 32.2 | 34.4 | 37.3 | 29.8 |
Boerum Hill
Trees and beautiful brownstone homes line the cobblestone streets of Boerum Hill. Located just south of Downtown Brooklyn, this small “Village in a City” is big on unique things to do—from axe-throwing to gallery hopping and beyond! Boerum Hill residents don’t have to go far for work either, thanks to the neighborhood’s proximity to employment opportunities throughout Downtown Brooklyn and in nearby Manhattan. On top of all that, singles and young professionals living in this Brooklyn neighborhood will appreciate easy access to transit options from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)—including bus routes along Atlantic Ave and Smith Street, as well as the Bergen St subway station!
Things to Do in Boerum Hill
Spend the day antiquing at the industrial-chic cityFoundry. See interdisciplinary art or find seasonal pop-up events at the Invisible Dog Art Center. Check out another multi-faceted venue, where live music, avant-garde sets, and more are always on the calendar at Roulette. View exhibits like Ticket to Ride, Pure Vision Arts Express, or Reign of the Redbirds at the New York Transit Museum. Brunch with friends over Bloody Marys or an Espresso Martini with a Mushroom Scramble at French Louie. Indulge in Buffalo Wings or Southern Fried Chicken with Sweet Corn on the side at The Soul Spot. Grab a Shrimp Roll, Fried Calamari, or Wonton Soup at Lemongrass. Or revel in the leisurely side of Brooklyn nightlife with cocktails like the Down Bad, Absolute Discretion, or Nervous Bride at Livingston Manor.
Bushwick
Young adults can find rapid cultural growth and abundant job opportunities with local businesses in Bushwick, a trendy North Brooklyn neighborhood. Art is everywhere you look in this vibrant community, as are unique local restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars. New residents can buy or rent a rowhouse, townhome, condo, or apartment in Bushwick. You’ll also find several Bushwick parks and green spaces like Maria Hernandez Park, Irving Square Park, and Thomas Boyland Park that are perfect for outdoor recreation. And if you need to commute to other areas of Brooklyn or even into Manhattan, there are several local bus routes and subway lines to take you there!
Things to Do in Bushwick
Check out larger-than-life Bushwick murals on your own, or sign up for a guided tour of the neighborhood’s public art at the Bushwick Collective. Take a rock climbing, bouldering, or personal training class at MetroRock Bushwick. Attend a circus, theater, or cabaret performance at the funky House of Yes. Get a taste of local nightlife with indie music sets, local musicians, dance events, and more at the RAKit CLUB. Start your morning with an Espresso, Cold Brew, or Brown Sugar Latte at Lazy Suzy Cafe & Shop. Reserve a table for date night to share slices of the Famous Original, Bee Sting, or Margherita pizza at the original location of Roberta’s. Chat with friends over cocktails like the Frozen Negroni, Bushwick Proper, and Babushka during happy hour at Art Deco-inspired The Narrows. Or listen to live jazz performances while sipping on a Mojito or Flower Power Margarita at the Ornithology Jazz Club.
Fort Greene
As a designated historic district, Fort Greene is home to a mix of classic cultural sites and contemporary hot spots—and you can call a piece of architectural history your own when you rent or buy one of the brownstones or rowhouses this neighborhood is known for! You might even end up living near former homes of famous writers who once inhabited this area, like Walt Whitman, Truman Capote, or John Steinbeck. In addition to job opportunities at major employers like Brooklyn Community Services and Fort Greene Council, this Northwestern Brooklyn neighborhood also boasts expansive green spaces, urban venues, and exciting nightlife. Or if you’re in the mood for a change of pace, you can always take one of Fort Greene’s many subway lines to bustling Downtown Brooklyn.
Things to Do in Fort Greene
Marvel at rotating public art displays that blend architectural pieces with the great outdoors while visiting the Pratt Institute’s Sculpture Park—the largest of its kind in NYC. View local wildlife, stop by the Fort Green Park Greenmarket each Saturday, or attend events like Volunteer Days at the tree-filled Fort Greene Park. Experience live music, theater, and dance performances at BAM Strong, one of Brooklyn Academy of Music‘s three venues. Shop for books or attend in-store events at the Greenlight Bookstore. Order a Cappuccino, Dirty Chai, or Mocha made from fair-trade, organic beans at Bittersweet. Satisfy your sweet tooth with slices of Hudson Valley Apple Pie, NY Sour Cherry, Farm Fresh Pumpkin, and more at Petee’s Cafe. Try the Wagyu French Dip at Walter’s, or go to the back of the restaurant to access the speakeasy-like bar Karasu—known for its fresh oysters and cocktails like the Velvet Crush. Or duck into a prohibition-inspired bar for classic cocktails and bites like Rosemary Fries and a Bar Room Burger at Dick & Janes.
Park Slope
Located in western Brooklyn, Park Slope is perfect for singles and young professionals who want a change of pace from big city life. This walkable Brooklyn neighborhood is quaint and vibrant, offering tree-lined streets filled with brownstones, high-rise apartments, and townhouses for rent or sale. The area also has plenty of local food markets, coffee shops, boutiques, nightlife, and excellent eateries. Plus, with the massive Prospect Park located along Park Slope’s southeastern edge, residents are in close proximity to tons of outdoor activities and notable Brooklyn attractions like the Brooklyn Museum, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and the Prospect Park Zoo!
Things to Do in Park Slope
Go for a walk, view the sculptures, or check out the weekly Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket at the historical Grand Army Plaza. Grab tickets to the latest movies or play retro video games at Nitehawk Cinema – Prospect Park. Learn about Colonial Brooklyn and the Battle of Brooklyn, check out the gardens, or view exhibits featuring the work of emerging artists at the Old Stone House of Brooklyn. Peruse historical collections of books or participate in a Slip Stitch Knitting Group at the Central Library. Order a Latte, Red Eye, or Dirty Chai at the Brooklyn board game cafe Sip & Play. Feast on Italian cuisine like Grandma’s Meatballs, Slow Cooked Bolognese, or Louise’s Caesar Salad at Pasta Louise. Enjoy Mexican favorites like Carnitas De Fonda, Tacos De Pescado, or Tostadas De Carne at Fonda Restaurant. Or listen to live music while trying specialty cocktails like Barbes Brooklyn, The Rondo Spritz, or La Madre Mala at a local favorite, Barbes.
Williamsburg
Located on the banks of the East River, Williamsburg is one of the best Brooklyn neighborhoods for singles and young professionals. While this area has a rich local history, it’s best known today for being a trendy hub of nightlife and entertainment. Whether it’s partying until dawn at some of Brooklyn’s best bars and clubs, having a meal at one-of-a-kind local restaurants, or browsing vintage finds at neighborhood shops, there are plenty of things to do in Williamsburg. And with Manhattan just a short train ride away, young professionals in Williamsburg can easily commute outside of the borough to make the most of NYC living!
Things to Do in Williamsburg
Adopt the local style by shopping an expansive collection of unique clothes and eccentric accessories at Monk Vintage Thrift Shop. Stock up on home decor and women’s, men’s, and kid’s apparel at Concrete + Water. Let live music be the soundtrack to your weekend by catching an act at National Sawdust. See where inspiration takes you with a pottery class at Choplet Ceramic Studio & Gallery. Get a delicious farm-to-table lunch with the Gruyere & Butter Sandwich, Chicken Salad, or Broccoli Rabe at Marlow & Sons. Order fresh Oysters, Grilled Market Fish, or Grass Fed Steak for a meal with friends at Lighthouse BK. Sip hand-crafted drinks like the Vanilla Espresso Martini, Hot Mulled Wine, or Cilantro Bloody Mary on the rooftop lounge at Night of Joy. Or sample craft ales, lagers, IPAs, and some of BK’s best beer at Brooklyn Brewery.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes