Home > Moving > City Guides > Safe, Affordable Neighborhoods in Brooklyn
Tall buildings and bridge in Downtown Brooklyn.

Safe, Affordable Neighborhoods in Brooklyn

Thinking about moving to Brooklyn? The most populated NYC borough, Brooklyn is a fantastic place to live in New York City, thanks to ample employment opportunities, affordable homes for rent, and variety of things to do! If you’re looking for safe, affordable neighborhoods in Brooklyn, check out these five places below!

Bay Ridge

Tudor-style home with mulicolored siding. Photo by Instagram user @defrancis_

Photo by @defrancis_

  • Home Price: $631,372 median purchase price; $1,392 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 61% of New York City neighborhoods
  • Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees

Located on the southwestern edge of the borough is Bay Ridge, one of the best neighborhoods in Brooklyn. Far from the hustle and bustle of Downtown Brooklyn, Bay Ridge has plenty of budget-friendly apartments, as well as rowhouses and shotgun houses. The neighborhood also offers easy access to Manhattan and Staten Island via I-278 and is home to highly-rated schools in Brooklyn, such as Bay Ridge Prep and Bay Ridge Elementary School for the Arts.

Things to Do in Bay Ridge

Spend a day at Owl’s Head Park, a huge waterfront green space with a playground, spray pool, and amazing sledding hills. Take a relaxing stroll while enjoying views of the New York Bay at Narrows Botanical Gardens. Or Catch a movie at Alpine Cinema, a 100-year-old theater that shows both blockbusters and classic films. Head out for a night of jazz and great food at The Brooklyn Firefly, an old-timey pizzeria that has live music on the weekends. Dine at Chadwick’s, a long-standing Brooklyn restaurant serving classic dishes such as T-bone Steak, Grilled Lamb Sirloin, or Pan Seared Atlantic Salmon paired with Creamed Spinach or Chadwich Crispy Home Fries. Enjoy fresh seafood dishes like the Fried Bronzino, Grilled Stripped Bass, or Calamari Sandwich at Istakoza. Or pop into The Harp Bar to sip on a cheap cocktail or cold beer on the outdoor patio.

Brooklyn Heights

Light and dark-colored brownstone homes. Photo by Instagram user @qwqw7575

Photo via @qwqw7575

  • Home Price: $1,258,134 median purchase price; $2,027 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 81% of New York City neighborhoods
  • Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families

If you’re looking for a trendier place to live, check out Brooklyn Heights. Although this area of the borough can be a bit pricey with its classic brownstones and incredible views of the bay, it’s not impossible to find more affordable modern apartments and condos here. Young residents in the NYC metro in particular love this neighborhood for its green space, close proximity to the growing tech scene in DUMBO, and quick commutes into Lower Manhattan.

Things to Do in Brooklyn Heights

Grab your fur babies and meet new people at Hillside Dog Park. Explore a unique aspect of New York’s history at the New York Transit Museum, where you’ll see collections of photos, signs, and a vintage fleet of subway cars. Take in some of the city’s best scenery at the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, a gorgeous tree-lined walkway with breathtaking views of the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan skyline. Get your pizza fix at Juliana’s Pizza, a neighborhood staple featuring thin-crust specialties like the Margherita pizza. Pick up some sweet treats at Amy’s Bread, a bakery that offers top-notch artisan breads, as well as Sticky Buns and Red Velvet Cake. A short walk from the Brooklyn Bridge, catch up with friends while sipping on a Juice Bomb, Scottish Ale, or other craft brews at Henry Street Ale House. Or try Brooklyn nightlife staple, The Long Island Bar, one of the neighborhood’s oldest establishments that serves fantastic drinks like The Erin and The Long Island Gimlet.

Dyker Heights

Red brick house with white trim. Photo by Instagram user @rochdalian

Photo via @roachdalian

  • Home Price: $719,727 median purchase price; $1,313 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 85% of New York City neighborhoods
  • Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees

Looking for a quieter, more family-friendly neighborhood in Brooklyn? Give Dyker Heights a look! In addition to being one of the safest neighborhoods in Brooklyn, Dyker Heights is incredibly popular among families looking for more spacious homes with yards and detached garages. The neighborhood is also a hot spot for military personnel since it’s just north of Fort Hamilton. With kid-friendly activities, green spaces like Dyker Beach Park, and some of the best Christmas light tours in the borough, Dyker Heights is an excellent place for your family to settle down as a safe neighborhood in Brooklyn!

Things to Do in Dyker Heights

Tune up your swing or play a round of golf at the picturesque Dyker Beach Golf Course. Chase the kids around on a sunny afternoon at the Patrick O’Rourke Playground. Bring the taste of Greece right to your table with Greek favorites such as Saganaki, Pork Souvlaki, Bifteki, and save room for a piece of Baklava at Meze. Head to the Tasty Pastry Shop if you’re looking for delicious treats like cookies, cake pops, and cannolis. Try Parc Oasis if you’re looking for a new happy hour watering hole. Or grab a bucket of beer and kick back while you watch the big game at neighborhood bar Indigo Murphy’s.

Park Slope

Dark tan rowhouses covered by large green trees. Photo by Instagram user @yourgirlkath

Photo via @yourgirlkath

  • Home Price: $951,201 median purchase price; $2,004 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 69% of New York City neighborhoods
  • Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families

One of the most laid-back and best Brooklyn neighborhoods is Park Slope. With its beautiful tree-lined streets and brownstones, it’s an ideal spot for young professionals and families looking to buy a home in Brooklyn. And while there are plenty of hip restaurants, shops, and bars in this neighborhood, one of Park Slope’s biggest draws is its proximity to Prospect Park, a huge green space that houses the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, an open-air concert venue, playgrounds, the Prospect Park Zoo, and more.

Things to Do in Park Slope

Get a history lesson at The Old Stone House, a neat little Brooklyn museum that looks back at the Dutch Colonial Era, the original Brooklyn Dodgers, and more. Check out a classic Shakespeare play or more contemporary plays like Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at Gallery Players. Devour a tasty creation at Stone Park Cafe, an upscale Brooklyn restaurant offering savory bites like Tempura Fried Oysters, Pan Roasted Half Chicken, or Shrimp Scampi Tagliatelle. Try Chela for traditional Mexican dishes like Enchiladas Suizas or Beef Barbacoa Tacos. Experience the best of Brooklyn nightlife by playing bocce, sipping cocktails, and hanging out on the patio at Union Hall. Or relax at Threes Brewing, a microbrewery that has live music, trivia nights, and tons of other fun events.

Prospect Heights

Brown, pink, and green rowhouses. Photo by Instagram user @andreabakacs

Photo via @andreabakacs

  • Home Price: $663,709 median purchase price; $1,543 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 26% of New York City neighborhoods
  • Perfect For: Singles, young professionals

Next to Park Slope is another one of Brooklyn’s most affordable neighborhoods: Prospect Heights. Easily identified by its southern corners—Grand Army Plaza and the Brooklyn Museum—this Brooklyn neighborhood is ideal for singles and young professionals who want to live in the heart of Brooklyn. With housing options from budget-friendly apartments to classic rowhouses and a good mix of coffee shops, restaurants, bars, and local boutiques sprinkled throughout the area, this Brooklyn neighborhood blends the best of urban and suburban amenities.

Things to Do in Prospect Heights

Team up with your friends to solve puzzles and make your way out of one of the adventures at Brooklyn Escape Room. Visit the Barclay’s Center, where you can catch a Brooklyn Nets basketball game, New York Islanders hockey matchup, or a concert. Kick your day off with a Cold Brew Nitro or Kombucha at Hungry Ghost. Enjoy breakfast dishes like Avocado Toast, Sweet Potato Pan Cake, or Scrambled Eggs on Brioche at Milk Bar. Warm up with a ramen bowl while sipping on a beer or sake at Chuko, a hip Japanese restaurant in Brooklyn. Grab cocktails at Weather Up, a speakeasy-style bar with concoctions like the Royal Bermuda and Revolution. Or round up your furry friends and head to dog friendly bar Washington Commons.

***

Moving to Brooklyn? Extra Space Storage has convenient self storage facility locations throughout the Brooklyn borough that can help with your transition. Find affordable storage units in Brooklyn!

Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes

Pinterest graphics: Brooklyn, NY: 5 Safe, Affordable Neighborhoods