Neighborhood recommendations

I’m looking to buy a place in Brooklyn and could use some neighborhood recommendations. I’ve been renting in the Lower East Side for the past two years, and I’m ready to get out of Manhattan and stop wasting money on rent. I’d love to find a place with some greenery around, but also where I won’t feel out of place. I’m a single guy in my early 30’s, and while I’m not a huge party-er, I do like to have options around in terms of bars and restaurants. I also don’t want to be caught in the middle of a sea of strollers. Right now I’m concentrating on Brooklyn Heights and the southern end of Park Slope since it would be easy to get to my office in Dumbo from there. But I’m a little worried those areas are too residential for me. Leaning towards Brooklyn Heights right now since it’s a bit quicker to get into the city from there. But I’d love to hear others’ thoughts. Thanks!

dalstonloans7777

in About Brooklyn 10 years and 3 months ago

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majorhints | 10 years and 3 months ago

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If you actually want to save money on rent and still have a bar/social scene and close to good trains and the park definitely check out Crown Heights around Franklin ave. The hood isnt quite as polished as most listed above but definitely has the better places to go out. If you live in BK Hts you’ll pay about the same as Manhattan with way less to do at night. Sunset Park is kinda far away from where you want to be and PLG is a great neighborhood but again not a ton of places to go out to.

dalstonloans7777 | 10 years and 3 months ago

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@NeoGrec I’ve actually been finding the price differences aren’t that big. Pretty much just everything is expensive =p. Crown Heights/Prospect Heights near Franklin is a good idea though. Thanks! @Bob Marvin, @Rick I didn’t even know about those areas. Brooklyn has so many neighborhoods… Thanks for the suggestions. @dorkofwindsor Ya, I definitely realize I can’t have it all. Just looking for the best compromise. I haven’t completely ruled anything out though. I’d even consider staying in “the city” if I can find a nice place that’s not out of my budget.

dorkofwindsor | 10 years and 3 months ago

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Yeah, you’re probably in for a life adjustment period. Seriously i’d do cobble hill btw smith and court way before B Heights and S Slope. After a dozen years or so in manhattan, i get why they call manhattan “the city” in these parts. For my recommendations, either Williamsburg or Cobble Hill. The truth ain’t pretty, but that’s why they call it the truth. Many commenters here have not spent a decade or more in manhattan and therefore do not understand the major downshift. Dumbo obvi a prime contender, but you seem to be ruling that out.

Rick | 10 years and 3 months ago

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If you want to get ahead of the curve, check out Sunset Park. Just south of Greenwood. Lots happening. We have a new park on the water.

BobMarvin | 10 years and 3 months ago

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My neighborhood, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, might meet your needs. So would Ft. Greene.

NeoGrec | 10 years and 3 months ago

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Huge price differences between some of these neighborhoods and presumably like most mere mortals you have a budget! DUMBO most expensive nabe in Brooklyn (along with Williamsburg), shortly followed by the Heights. South Slope more affordable. Have you looked at the Crown Heights/Prospect Heights border around Classon and Franklin Aves — which is even more affordable and arguably better housing stock than South Slope. Good restaurant and bar scene; close to the museum, the botanical gardens and the park; good subway access (express 4/5 at Franklin Ave).

dalstonloans7777 | 10 years and 3 months ago

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Thanks for the replies all! @resident2 That’s a great idea. @carmenf Awesome. Really helpful stuff. Thanks! @rh Dumbo is kinda dead at night. I don’t know much about Vinegar Hill. I’ll have to go explore it some time.

landlord | 10 years and 3 months ago

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I would say Park Slope….but south slope is also a great choice.

rh | 10 years and 3 months ago

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What about Dumbo?? Or Vinegar Hill? You want green? Brooklyn Bridge Park is right there. Or…Bed Stuy or Crown Heights on the A line.

carmenf | 10 years and 3 months ago

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If you?re looking for a neighborhood with any sort of ?action?, Brooklyn Heights is probably not for you. It?s beautiful and has a lot of trains, but there is NOTHING going on there in the evenings and on weekends. It is very quiet. Granted, Smith Street is not far, but it?s still a bit of a hike. You would be paying an insane premium to get virtually none of the benefits that people move there for (proximity to great schools, LOTS of kids, quiet/suburban feel?) I?m going to second Greenwood/South Slope. I lived in south slope for 6 years and we bought in Greenwood last year. I love the neighborhood- my husband and I are (now) in our late 20s/early 30s and it?s the perfect spot for us- it?s quiet enough that we can enjoy our home but there?s also plenty of bars/restaurants with a very ?locals? vibe. The stretch of 5th ave from prospect to the cemetery is rapidly turning into a serious restaurant/bar row- I can?t believe how much it?s changed in the last 5 years. The prices for both renting and buying are way cheaper than park slope proper (prices to buy drop dramatically just one block past prospect once you leave ?south slope,?) and there?s a good mix of property types including brownstones (less than PS proper,) lots of woodframes and some cool industrial lofts. Socially, I love the neighborhood as well. We literally cannot walk more than 2-3 blocks without seeing either a neighbor or a friend that we know. When we sit outside on the porch and drink coffee, the neighbors wave when they walk by. Everyone is super friendly and the sense of community is very strong (I think partially because there are less apartment buildings and more 1-3 family homes.) Some people might find that environment cheesy but we love it. We have access to a few grocery stories, drug stores, etc and all of fifth ave is close by either walking or via the B63. As an aside, we were both single living in the neighborhood for many years and our friends are a mix of single and coupled folks, so it?s not all married couples with kids and doublewide strollers. Anyway, good luck on your search. I am a total fangirl for south slope/greenwood, if you couldn?t tell!

sqhaexgkh | 10 years and 3 months ago

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I would say South Slope or Greenwood – BK Heights is more laid back/kid friendly. South of Prospect Avenue has lots of bars an is not overtaken by strollers.

resident2 | 10 years and 3 months ago

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Only you know you! You will have to go out and look for yourself. I always tell people that Brooklyn has something every one and anyone that does not like Brooklyn, it is because you ended up in the wrong neighborhood for you. That said. Take one neighborhood a weekend, go on Saturday to walk the parks, the local shops, farmers markets, brunch spots, stop for dinner etc. Saturdays are when you will typically see the locals out doing their chores etc. The same weekend go on Sunday to look at every Open House you can find advertised in the neighborhood, it does not matter if it is studio apartment for rent or a penthouse for sale or a 4 family house for sale, you are going to look and get a sense of the neighborhood. With the concentrated visits of the whole weekend, you will get a good sense of if you feel comfortable and a connection to neighborhood. It will then make it much easier to focus when it comes to buying, because you will be comparing within the same market. Start by looking at maps, subway, commuter maps as well as maps for parks, major institutions, schools, Colleges etc. Keep an Open mind and relax….