Thinking about moving to Brooklyn? Between its many restaurants, bars, lounges, and thriving art scene, Brooklyn is one of the best boroughs to live in across New York City—especially for singles and young professionals. Check out these five fun, affordable Brooklyn neighborhoods!
Boerum Hill
Photo via @lesserkanthateam
- Home Price: $977,361 median purchase price; $1,830 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 13% of Brooklyn neighborhoods
Picturesque brownstone housing and trees line the cobblestone streets of Boerum Hill. Nestled in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn, this small neighborhood is big on unique things to do—from axe-throwing to gallery hopping and beyond! And given the close proximity to employment opportunities throughout Downtown Brooklyn and in nearby Manhattan, Boerum Hill residents don’t have to travel far for work. The balance between recreational and employment opportunities in Boerum Hill make it a popular neighborhood for singles and young professionals, as does the area’s easy subway commute to Manhattan.
Things to Do in Boerum Hill
Spend the day antiquing at industrial-chic local favorite cityFoundry. See performance art acts or take a figure drawing class at the Invisible Dog Art Center, a space designed for artists of all kinds. Get tickets to a show at Roulette, another multi-faceted venue, where live music, avant garde sets, and more are always on the calendar. Indulge in BBQ wings and other authentic soul food bites at The Soul Spot. Get your sugar fix with a vegan Chocolate Cookie Dough Chunk cone at Van Leeuwen. Or brunch with friends over bagel-flavored Bloody Marys at French Louie. Revel in the more leisurely side of Brooklyn nightlife with a drink at Livingston Manner—don’t forget to ask your bartender about the Cocktail of the Day!
Bushwick
Photo via @danielcohencorcoran
- Home Price: $467,116 median purchase price; $1,194 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 29% of Brooklyn neighborhoods
Abundant job opportunities with local businesses and rapid cultural growth meet in this trendy North Brooklyn neighborhood, making Bushwick perfect for young professionals and singles. Art is everywhere you look in this vibrant community, as are unique local restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars. Buy or rent a rowhouse, townhome, condo, or apartment in Bushwick and see for yourself what the neighborhood has to offer. And if you need to commute to other areas of Brooklyn or even into Manhattan, there are several local bus routes and subway lines that make commuting easy!
Things to Do in Bushwick
Check out larger-than-life murals around Bushwick on your own, or drop by the Bushwick Collective for a guided tour around the neighborhood. Spend the day shopping for artisan goods at the minimalist collective Shops at the Loom. Experience a more intimate side of Bushwick’s art scene at Centotto, the home art gallery of Paul D’Agostino. Start your mornings off right with a bagel and latte at Wyckoff Starr. Chat with friends over art deco cocktails during happy hour at The Narrows. Reserve a table for date night at Roberta’s and split slices of their Favorite Original pizza with someone special. Or get a taste of local nightlife at the RAKit CLUB, which hosts indie music sets, activism-centered community conversations, dance events, and more.
Fort Greene
Photo via @theryanandryanteam
- Home Price: $663,709 median purchase price; $1,543 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 28% of Brooklyn neighborhoods
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! Expansive green space and urban venues can both be found in this active Northwestern Brooklyn neighborhood, as can nightlife and job opportunities. Of course, if you’re in the mood for a change of pace, you can always take one of the neighborhoods 10+ subway lines to bustling Downtown Brooklyn in no time.
Things to Do in Fort Greene
Visit the Pratt Institute’s Sculpture Garden—the largest of its kind in New York City—and marvel at rotating public art displays that blend architectural pieces with the great outdoors. Watch art in motion with live music, theatre, and dance performances at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Peter Jay Sharp Building. Order a cappuccino made from fair-trade, organic beans at Bittersweet. Satisfy your sweet tooth with a slice of Apple, Cherry, Pumpkin, Pecan, or plenty of other delectable pies at Petee’s Cafe. Try the French Dip at Walter’s, or walk through to the back of the restaurant to get to speakeasy-like cocktail bar Karasu, which is known for its fresh oysters and cocktails like the Hawkeye Highball. Or duck in to prohibition-inspired bar Dick & Janes for a Fort Greene cocktail and a good time.
Sunset Park
Photo via @lolitasellsny
- Home Price: $583,673 median purchase price; $1,237 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 43% of Brooklyn neighborhoods
Home to the fastest-growing Chinatown in all of New York City, as well as a large Latinx population, Sunset Park personifies New York City’s multi-cultural roots and boasts a wealth of international cuisine, art, and history right outside of residents’ front doors. This diverse Brooklyn neighborhood offers stunning views of the Statue of Liberty, Staten Island, and Lower Manhattan, thanks to its close proximity to the Upper New York Bay. And as the home of Industry City, a 6-million-square-foot shipping, warehousing, and manufacturing complex conveniently situated along the waterfront, the local job market is as booming as the local culture!
Things to Do in Sunset Park
Attend an art opening at Tabla Rosa Gallery, a carriage house turned multi-media exhibition space. Sit in on a community conversation, a showing, or another local event at New York Art & Residency Studios Foundation. Take up residency or participate in a small-group art critique session at Trestle. Make reservations at East Harbor Seafood Palace for some Har Gow, Peking Duck, or a taste of some of the most delicious Dim Sum in the city. Order authentic hand-pulled noodles, Xiao Long Bao, and more at Fei Long Supermarket. Take your tastebuds on a trip to Ecuador with a plate of Pollo al Ajillo at La Carreta Restaurant. Chat with some friends over Ginger Liqueur drinks in the distillery tasting room at Barrow’s Intense. Or sip on trendy cocktails and snack on some popcorn at L’Wren Bar.
Williamsburg
Photo via @rifky_jacobowitz
- Home Price: $357,174 median purchase price; $1,338 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 38% of Brooklyn neighborhoods
Located on the banks of the East River, Williamsburg is one best Brooklyn neighborhoods for singles and young professionals. While this area has a rich local history, it’s best known today for being on the cutting edge of up-and-coming NYC trends. 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 and see in Williamsburg. Plus, Brooklyn’s booming job market is perfect for working close to home. And with Manhattan just a short train ride away, young professionals in Williamsburg can easily commute outside of the borough!
Things to Do in Williamsburg
Adopt the local style by shopping Monk Vintage‘s expansive collection of unique clothes and eccentric accessories. Stock up on chic tops and dresses at women’s apparel store Concrete + Water. Let live music be the soundtrack to your weekend by catching an act at National Sawdust. Take a pottery class at Choplet Ceramics and see where inspiration takes you. Enjoy hand-crafted cocktails like the Basil-Lime Gin Gimlet on Night of Joy‘s rooftop lounge. Sample some of BK’s best beer at Brooklyn Brewery, where craft ales, lagers, IPAs, and more are always on tap. Fuel your body with a farm-to-table lunch at Marlow & Sons—make sure to try the Crispy Rice Bowl! Or grab a dinner with friends at one of the best restaurants in the neighborhood, Lighthouse, where you can order the Charred Eggplant Tahini.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
