Bedford-Stuyvesant Neighborhood Review - Brooklyn Moving Guide
Bedford-Stuyvesant, commonly referred to as Bed-Stuy, is a vibrant and diverse neighborhood in New York City in the northern section of Brooklyn.
Bed-Stuy is full of cultural offerings, from theaters and art galleries to parks and restaurants.
It's a central transit hub with access to multiple subway lines and express buses that make getting around Bed-Stuy easy.
Bed Stuy also has a long list of amenities, including grocery stores, shopping centers, and schools. On top of all this, Bed-Stuy has an excellent nightlife scene with many bars and clubs scattered throughout the neighborhood.
Like other parts of Brooklyn, like Bushwick, Greenpoint, and Jackson Heights, Bedford Stuyvesant (or Bed-Stuy) is experiencing an influx of young professionals and artists.
As one of the larger neighborhoods in the Borough, Bed-Stuy is subdivided into smaller neighborhoods--Stuyvesant Heights and Ocean Hill.
Rapid gentrification is taking effect, and demographics are indeed changing.
This historically black community is now experiencing a change in ambiance with rising real estate prices and its very first Starbucks.
Centrally located, it is surrounded by Crown Heights and Brownsville to the south, Bushwick to the north, Clinton Hill to the west, and East New York to the east.
More Manhattan and Brooklyn residents living in pricier areas are discovering the unique architectural significance of brownstones and townhouses.
In fact, the city voted to designate over 800 Renaissance revival style row houses and Neo-Grec brownstones as a historical district.
Preservationists have helped to keep Bed Stuy one of the most picturesque communities in Brooklyn.
Fun Fact: Bed-Stuy neighborhood is home to many hip-hop stars like Jay-Z, Mos Def, Kid Cudi and Biggie Smalls who all incorporated the experiences of growing up in Bed-Stuy in their lyrics.
Real Estate in Bed-Stuy
With its rich history and diverse culture, Bed Stuy has become one of the most desirable places to live in New York City.
The area offers a wide range of housing opportunities, from historic brownstones to modern high-rises and everything in between.
Luxury rentals and condo developments will be located in the more popular areas like Bedford Ave, Fulton St, and Lexington Ave (to name a few).
In other parts of the neighborhood, residents enjoy elegant historical brownstones and Victorian architecture.
Due to the abundance of historic housing, the market for co-ops is limited.
Bed Stuy has also seen an influx of new businesses, restaurants, cafes, and boutiques, making it one of the most popular neighborhoods for residents and tourists.
Even as pricing has risen in Bed Stuy, rental and sale prices tend to be generally more competitive than in neighboring areas like Clinton and Fort Greene, especially when you move out further towards areas like Bushwick and Ocean Hill.
Renting in Bed-Stuy
The Bedford-Stuyvesant is a popular area to rent because of its affordability. Plus, for the price you can often live in a beautiful historic townhouse apartment or a pre-war building.
Still, having roommates in this area is very common, especially with younger adults.
Average Rental Prices in Bedford-Stuyvesant | |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,975 |
| 1 Bed | $2,400 |
| 2 Beds | $2,750 |
| 3 Beds | $3,000 |
| 4 Beds | $4,375 |
Buying in Bed-Stuy
The vast majority of units available in Bed-Stuy are going to be condo apartments in historic brownstones or full townhouses themselves.
There are plenty of multi-family townhouses available, which is a great investment for people who want a home plus earn a passive income with a rental unit.
Sale prices have risen in recent years and are not as low as they once were, but you can generally find real estate in renovated or move-in-ready conditions in this area.
Average Sales Prices in Bedford-Stuyvesant | |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,649,000 |
| 1 Bed | $567,720 |
| 2 Beds | $975,000 |
| 3 Beds | $1,350,000 |
| 4 Beds | $1,799,000 |
Public Transportation in Bed-Stuy
Central Bed-Stuy lacks public transportation options since most trains are located on the neighborhood's borders.
Due to this, many of the stations are more spread out than other Brooklyn neighborhoods.
A network of bus routes and local stops are available for those living in the middle of the neighborhood.
For those lucky enough to live within walking distance of a main subway line, it is ten stops and about a 45-minute commute to midtown on the A and C trains.
Subway lines in neighborhood
- A C
IND Eighth Avenue Line
- G
IND Crosstown Line
- S
Shuttles
| Local Bus | B7, B15, B20, B25, B26, B38, B43, B46, B47, B52, B54, Q24 |
|---|---|
| Select Bus Service | B 44, B 46 |
Bikes and Bike Safety
With poor public transportation options for many residents located in central Bed-Stuy, biking has become a way of life.
Although CitiBike ridership was low when it first arrived, since many residents saw it as a precursor to gentrification expansion, membership has increased faster here than anywhere else in NYC!
In addition to CitiBike stations being situated within a block of the subway stations, coverage is decent from Nostrand to Flushing.
Bedford Avenue, Franklin Avenue, Marcy Avenue, and Tompkins Avenue have bike lanes, and the city is looking into providing more bike lanes since ridership is continuing to increase.
Restaurants & Dining in Bed Stuy
Bed-Stuy has a diverse array of cuisines to choose from, and the best part is that they are super affordable in addition to being delicious.
The number of great restaurants is almost too many to name!
Saraghina is the go-to for amazing brick-oven pizza. This joint does it all as a bakery, tapas bar and restaurant, and pizzeria!
Nearby enjoy some southern cuisine at Peaches and Peaches Hothouse.
Local jazz musicians liven it up while you indulge at Sugarhill Supperclub.
This family-owned and operated (since 1979) southern soul food restaurant offers outstanding crab cakes.
If you're in the mood for French, stop by at L'Antagoniste for some fine cuisine or Chez Oskar for a more laid-back approach.
If you've got a sweet tooth, Bed-Stuy is the place to be!
Just a few neighborhood favorites include Doc D's Southern Desserts, Brooklyn Doughnutry, and the famed Dough.
Attractions & Nightlife
One thing Bed-Stuy does lack is green space.
If you're lucky enough to live by Herbert Von King Park, then you might get to see a tree now and then. The park is equipped with a playground, baseball fields, fitness equipment.
The park's amphitheater hosts the annual Bed-Stuy music festival and other free concerts.
The first annual Bed-Stuy film festival was hosted in 2018 at Richard Beavers Gallery.
Many locals find peace and relaxation in hip candle-lit bars like Doris, which also offer backyard seating and ping-pong tables.
Casablanca Cocktail Lounge offers a full bar and DJ music. It embodies the chill Bed-Stuy neighborhood vibe throughout.
If you love live music, check out Sista's Place where you'll experience live jazz, LunAtico (killer food and a musical brunch), and C'mon Everybody.
You'll find DJ's spinning at Lovers Rock which is known for its authentic Caribbean party and Bed-Vyne Brew, where you'll find craft brews and dj's.
Brooklyn House of Comedy offers both comedy and good musical vibes!
Celebrities Who Live in Bed-Stuy
While many famous people and historical icons have call Bedford Stuyvesant their origin, the list of celebrities currently calling it home is short.
| Celebrity | Information |
|---|---|
| BD Wong | Actor |
Public and Charter Schools
Bed-Stuy contains 55 schools and belongs to District 13 or District 16.
The area has historically struggled with failing schools but has been improving as The Department of Education brings in several new charter schools.
In particular, Success Academy Charter Schools is the largest and highest-performing free public charter school network in New York City.
Below are some of the better-performing public and charter schools in the Bed-Stuy neighborhood
| School | Information | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bedford-Stuyvesant New Beginnings Charter School | Charter - K-8 - 600 students | Spacious building, multiple community service programs, indoor urban farm |
| Brighter Choice Community School | Public - Early childhood-5 - 288 students | Dual language program and enrichment courses. Loved by local families. |
| Leadership Preparatory Bedford Stuyvesant Middle & Elementary Academy | Charter - K-12 - 776 students | Challenging academics, long school day, strict discipline code, teacher-parent involvement |
| Success Academy Bed-Stuy 1 | Charter - K-7 - 433 students | Dedicated staff, close student-teacher bonds, very high performing school, diverse student body |
| La Cima Elementary Charter School | Charter - K-5 - 370 students | Emphasis on character development, 5th grade trip to Paris, students take yoga |
| Bedford Stuyvesant Collegiate Uncommon Charter School | Charter - 5-8 - 477 students | Motivational merit-based system, high test scores, curriculum is rigorous, current and practical |
| Bedford Academy High School | Public - 9-12 - 380 students | Rigorous academics with lots of AP courses. High-level of college readiness. |
| Brooklyn East Uncommon Collegiate Charter High School | Charter - 9-12 - 404 students | High college acceptance rate (100%), high standards, highly structured |
How Safe is the Bed-Stuy Neighborhood?
When looking at safety in Bed Stuy, it’s essential to look at both recent trends as well as longer-term historical data. According to NYPD statistics, there was a decrease in crime overall; however, there was still an increase in violent crimes such as homicides and robberies when compared to a decade ago.
Crime statistics
Overall, Bed Stuy is no more dangerous than similarly sized neighborhoods throughout New York City but it pays to remain vigilant when walking through certain parts of the area after dark or alone.
Getting involved with your local block association or community organizations is also important if you want to keep your neighborhood safe and enjoyable for everyone who lives there.
