Downtown Brooklyn Neighborhood Review - Brooklyn Moving Guide 2024
Downtown Brooklyn is truly the center of it all. Bordered by Brooklyn Heights, Fort Greene, and Boerum Hill, the area is a central hub for businesses, retail, and a spectacular art and culture scene.
This Downtown Brooklyn neighborhood review will examine public transportation, restaurants, average apartment rent, and home sale prices.
Historic brownstones, attractive new residential buildings, corner stores, coffee shops, and discount stores fill the area, as well as many brand-name outlet stores such as Banana Republic, Gap, Macy's, and Century 21.
Although Downtown Brooklyn is not a huge neighborhood, over 150 retailers operate on the eight blocks of Fulton Street, appropriately named Fulton Mall.
The cultural district is a significant hub for artists, housing The Theater for a New Audience, the BRIC Arts Media House, and the New York Transit Museum.
The City Point Mall houses New York's only Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, which features in-theater dining and premium seating.
Many top institutions in Downtown Brooklyn, like NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering, NYC College of Technology, Pratt Institute, and Long Island University.
Once, the Downtown area was seen as a center for offices, government buildings, and courthouses.
Today, the neighborhood is a scurry of urban bustle and activity, full of entertainment, good eats, a growing skyline, luxury housing, and hotels.
The last decade has seen a significant boom in construction, particularly in the retail and luxury housing sector, with an unofficial highest-skyscraper-in-Brooklyn contest going on.
One of the features of this neighborhood that makes it truly attractive to many is its proximity to Manhattan and the convenience of the many ways you can get to and from the city.
Fun Fact: Downtown Brooklyn is the third largest central business district in NYC, following Midtown Manhattan and Lower Manhattan
Real Estate in Downtown Brooklyn
The Downtown Brooklyn neighborhood of New York City is ideal for those looking for a great place to rent or buy an apartment.
This area has a lot to offer, from its proximity to all the city's best attractions, restaurants, and shopping places to its vibrant culture and unique character.
For those looking for apartments in Downtown Brooklyn, plenty of options are available that cater to different needs and budgets.
From luxury studio apartments to larger multi-bedroom units, you can find something that will fit your lifestyle perfectly. Most neighborhoods have a mix of rental units and units for sale, so it's easy to find something that meets your budget and preferences.
One of the great things about living in Downtown Brooklyn is that you don't have to worry about being too far away from the action. It's close enough to Manhattan and other boroughs like Queens and Staten Island that you can easily make short trips or take public transportation whenever necessary.
The area also has several parks, such as Prospect Park, which provides plenty of recreational activities for residents.
Plus, plenty of stores sell local products such as produce and apparel, making shopping easy without traveling far away.
Average Rental Prices in Downtown Brooklyn | |
|---|---|
| Studio | $2,600 |
| 1 Bed | $4,100 |
| 2 Beds | $5,895 |
| 3 Beds | $7,995 |
Average Sales Prices in Downtown Brooklyn | |
|---|---|
| Studio | $698,000 |
| 1 Bed | $1,095,000 |
| 2 Beds | $2,008,240 |
| 3 Beds | $2,105,000 |
| 4 Beds | $2,595,000 |
Transportation
One of the area's best features is its walkability.
There are many bike lanes and Citi-bike stations, and because the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges lie at the edge, walking across and biking across the East River are pleasant options.
Conveniently located near all major subway lines, the Fulton Mall is an ideal meet-up spot for shopping or to enjoy an upscale, dine-in movie experience at The Alamo movie theater.
Almost any subway line can be reached at this major hub, and the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) is just a short walk to Atlantic Barclays Center.
Downtown Brooklyn is served by trains at the following stations:
- Jay St MetroTech
- Dekalb Ave
- Fulton Street
- Hoyt-Schermerhorn
- Atlantic Av-Barclays Center
- Borough Hall
| Bus | B3, B25, B44, B57 |
|---|
Subway lines in neighborhood
- 2 3
IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line
- 4 5
IRT Lexington Avenue Line
- A C
IND Eighth Avenue Line
- B D F
IND Sixth Avenue Line
- N Q R
BMT Broadway Line
Restaurants & Dining in Downtown Brooklyn
With a large population coming into the Downtown Brooklyn area every day, choices must be catering to every taste.
The Dekalb Market Hall at City Point allows visitors to sample nearly every cuisine, from Jamaican jerk to Vietnamese, Polish to Middle Eastern.
Shake Shack and Five Guys are local favorites for burgers and fries.
Nearby is Hill Country BBQ Market for authentic Texas-style barbecue.
Save room for dessert; you'll enjoy what many people hail as home to the best cheesecake in New York City - Junior's Cheesecake. Located at the corner of Flatbush and DeKalb Avenues since the 1950s, this landmark restaurant has been a favorite for celebrities, singers, presidents, and hall-of-fame athletes alike.
Public & Charter Schools
Downtown Brooklyn is a highly sought-after neighborhood for parents, mainly due to the wide variety of quality public, private, and charter schools accessible via short commute distances.
Due to the high international population in Downtown Brooklyn, many schools have ethnically diverse student bodies and staff.
The schools in downtown Brooklyn are zoned for District #13.
| School | Info | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Explore Charter School | Public Charter, K-8, 521 students | Community feel, diverse staff in a low-key and warm atmosphere. |
| Science, Language & Arts International School | Private - PK-5 - 105 students | Math and art-based language immersion school, individualized stimulating curriculum. |
| Fusion Academy Brooklyn | Private - 6-12 - 55 students | Personalized curriculum, all courses are one-to-one: one student and one teacher per classroom |
| City Polytechnic High School of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology | Public - 9-12 - 458 students | Stimulating curriculum, opportunity to earn two college credits, specialized training |
| George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School | Public - 9-12 - 609 students | Students may learn to wire electrical circuits, repair computers or prepare food along with regular academic classes. They may receive industry certifications and CTE diplomas. |
| Brooklyn Prospect Charter School Elementary | Public Charter - K-1 & 6-11 - 769 students | IB program begins in kindergarten. Multiracial student body and staff. Highly sought-after school. |
| International Charter School of New York | Public Charter - K-2 - 300 students | New charter school with global outlook. Outdoor space for play, surrounded by public art. |
| The Brooklyn International High School | Public - 9-12 - 340 students | Blend of academics and arts education. All students complete a 12-week internship in a field in which they are interested. |
How Safe is the Downtown Brooklyn Neighborhood?
The Downtown Brooklyn Neighborhood is known for its vibrant culture and diverse community.
Located in the heart of New York City, it has become an attractive place to live and work. Despite being a densely populated, the Downtown Brooklyn neighborhood remains an incredibly safe place to live.
The neighborhood is served by the New York City Police Department's 84th Precinct, which boasts one of the highest clearance rates in the city and continues to maintain low crime rates despite its size.
The area also features a variety of safety measures, including 24-hour surveillance cameras, increased police patrols, and a 311 system to report any suspicious activities or crimes that occur in the area.
Crime statistics
In addition to police presence, multiple private security companies operate throughout Downtown Brooklyn and provide additional security for businesses and residences.
These services include onsite guards, alarm systems, video surveillance systems, access control systems, and remote monitoring capabilities.
Moreover, Downtown Brooklyn has implemented various public safety initiatives such as Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs), which local police officers train in first aid and disaster preparedness; this allows residents to respond quickly during emergencies without relying on law enforcement alone.
Additionally, many neighbors participate in programs like “Neighbors United,” encouraging individuals living in Downtown Brooklyn to look out for each other’s safety by creating a unified front against crime.
An active crime prevention program also provides tips on staying safe while walking around or going about their daily routines within the neighborhood.
Overall, Downtown Brooklyn is a remarkably safe neighborhood with various measures taken by law enforcement agencies and citizens who want their community to be secure from harm or danger.
With strong efforts from all involved parties and ongoing public safety initiatives and education campaigns, residents can rest assured knowing that they can enjoy all the benefits of living within this urban paradise without worrying about their safety or security at any time of day or night.
