DUMBO Neighborhood Review - Brooklyn Moving Guide
Once visitors get the chance to walk around the DUMBO area and see the jaw-dropping views of Lower Manhattan and the East River, they instantly understand why it's one of the most visited spots in Brooklyn.
This DUMBO neighborhood review will look into public transportation, restaurants, average apartment rent, and home sale prices.
DUMBO, an acronym for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, is known for its proximity to the 85-acre waterfront area Brooklyn Bridge Park, historic warehouses, and cobblestone streets.
Located just north of Brooklyn Heights, residents and visitors can enjoy the best skyline views, indulge in homemade ice cream from Ample Hills Creamery, ride on Jane's Carousel, and picnic by the waterfront.
A must-do for visitors is to take a selfie on the most photographed street in the country--Washington Street, which features the famed angled view of the Manhattan Bridge from a cobblestone street.
Fun Fact: DUMBO is the birthplace of both the cardboard box and the domestic coffee shipping industry.
Turned hip by many artists priced out of SoHo, DUMBO still has a thriving art scene despite the high real estate prices, abundant with art galleries, art festivals, and resident artists.
There's never a dull moment in DUMBO, which is home to several different dance/musical theater companies and St. Ann's Warehouse.
On the industry side, DUMBO is best known for being home to a significant number of start-ups and as the tech hub in Brooklyn.
Some companies based in DUMBO are Etsy, Gothamist, Huge, and Brooklyn Digital Foundry.
If you take a walk through the neighborhood, you might notice one or two movie or TV shoots that are always happening, not to mention the constant stream of photo shoots going on.
DUMBO House offers its private club members good eats in beautiful spaces with spectacular views.
Now with revamped historic warehouses in Brooklyn Bridge Park, housing new retail businesses, and a new DUMBO museum, there are more ways to play than ever.
Real Estate in DUMBO
DUMBO, or Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, is a vibrant neighborhood located in north Brooklyn, New York.
DUMBO is well-known for its stunning views of the Manhattan skyline as well as its unique mix of old and new buildings that give it a unique blend of history and modernity.
DUMBO is home to numerous tech startups, co-working spaces, and eateries, making it an ideal spot for entrepreneurs and young professionals looking to live near the heart of NYC.
Apartments available for rent & sale in DUMBO offer some of the best real estate deals in New York City.
DUMBO apartments come in various styles ranging from the classic walk-up lofts to modern high-rise buildings with all the amenities one would expect from living in a major city like NYC.
Prices can range anywhere from $3,000/month for a studio apartment to $10,000/month for luxury rentals with sweeping views of Manhattan.
Average Rental Prices in DUMBO | |
|---|---|
| Studio | $3,000 |
| 1 Bed | $4,150 |
| 2 Beds | $6,995 |
| 3 Beds | $9,500 |
| 4 Beds | $5,000 |
Average Sales Prices in DUMBO | |
|---|---|
| 1 Bed | $1,200,000 |
| 2 Beds | $1,975,000 |
| 3 Beds | $2,995,000 |
Public Transportation in DUMBO
The DUMBO neighborhood of Brooklyn is not very convenient when it comes to the number of subways in the area.
However, the walk you will experience on your way to your destination will make you grateful you stayed above ground.
To get here by subway, you can take the A/C train to High Street, the 2/3 train to Clark Street, or the F train to York Street, and it's about a 7-15 minute walk from both.
It's about a quarter of a mile to Brooklyn Bridge Park from all subway lines.
By bus, the B25 is a good option for those living in the Brooklyn area since the bus route goes from Bedford-Stuyvesant to Fort Greene to Downtown Brooklyn to Fulton Ferry and back.
Alternatively, you can take the B67 Bus to Jay Street/ York Street or the B69 bus from Park Slope to the last stop at Sands Street.
Depending on how adventurous you're feeling, you can also take the East River Ferry, which operates from the Fulton Ferry Landing, to several different locations in Manhattan.
| Subway | A, C, F |
|---|---|
| Buses | B25, B67, B69 |
Public & Charter Schools
DUMBO, which is Brooklyn's wealthiest neighborhood, falls into District 13.
In recent years, rezoning laws have gradually mixed area schools with a predominately white population like Public School 8 into Vinegar Hill area schools, like P.S. 307, with predominately black and Hispanic children.
Though DUMBO area schools hold higher-than-average academic standards, the schools have lately faced a growing problem with overcrowding and segregation.
Here are some of the most popular area schools in DUMBO:
| School | Info | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| P.S. 307 | Public - PreK-5 - 372 students | Small classroom sizes with at least two adults in most. |
| P.S. 8 | Public - PreK-8 - 947 students | Located in quiet area of Brooklyn Heights. Active parents, imaginative curriculum and a special focus on social studies. |
| Satellite West Middle School | Public - 6-8 - 195 students | Provides challenging, well-rounded curriculum. Very supportive group of parents. |
| Science Skills Center High School for Science, Technology and the Creative Arts | Public - 9-12 - 541 students | Technology and creative arts strikes a nice balance. Science and engineering courses including a robotics team |
Restaurants & Dining in DUMBO
Dining in DUMBO is an experience like no other; not only can you enjoy breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline, but you also have a great selection of restaurants to choose from.
Here are some of the best restaurants & dining spots in DUMBO:
Gran Eléctrica: Gran Eléctrica is a Mexican restaurant that offers authentic cuisine and creative cocktails. The interior features decor made with Mexican art and vibrant colors, creating an inviting atmosphere that will make you want to stay all night long. They offer a wide selection of tacos, burritos and quesadillas as well as several traditional dishes such as enchiladas verdes, pollo en mole poblano and more. Plus, they have a fantastic patio that overlooks the beautiful DUMBO waterfront.
Vinegar Hill House: Vinegar Hill House serves seasonal American cuisine that focuses on locally sourced ingredients from farms nearby DUMBO. The delicious menu includes smoked bacon-wrapped dates, roasted chicken with celery root puree, and grilled octopus with fennel cream sauce. They also have a great brunch menu, including ricotta pancakes with fresh berries or a buttermilk fried chicken sandwich served with tarragon slaw.
Superfine: Superfine is a cozy neighborhood spot serving delicious pizza pies and other Italian classics like spaghetti carbonara and tiramisu for dessert. This DUMBO gem has been a local favorite since 2001; their wood-fired pizzas are made with freshly sourced ingredients from local markets around Brooklyn. In addition to their popular pizzas, they serve craft beer on tap and spicy wings perfect for snacking while watching the game!
Front Street Pizza: Front Street Pizza is a no-frills pizza spot right next to the famous Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 1 entrance – it’s actually one of the first places people see when they enter Dumbo. It’s renowned for its classic New York-style pizza slices; each one is served on paper plates ready to be devoured within minutes! In addition to their tasty slices, Front Street Pizza serves calzones stuffed with mozzarella cheese and your choice of toppings, such as pepperoni or mushrooms – talk about deliciousness.
Atrium DUMBO: Atrium DUMBO offers diners an unforgettable experience every time they visit this impressive restaurant inside Empire Stores Building at Dock Street Market Place in Dumbo, Brooklyn, NYC! With delicious Mediterranean fare prepared by Executive chef Dani Garcia - who has cooked for some big names like Prince Felipe & Princess Letizia - this spot has something for everyone thanks to its “tapas buffet” concept where guests can sample small plates of different flavors prepared daily by Garcia himself! They offer incredible food and drinks at their bar, offering signature cocktails such as Summer Sangria & Big Apple Margarita made with house-infused vodka, among others.
How Safe is the DUMBO Neighborhood?
The DUMBO neighborhood of New York City is a vibrant and exciting area to live in, with plenty of culture, entertainment, and dining options. But how safe is DUMBO for residents? While many areas are safer than others in DUMBO, overall, the neighborhood is relatively safe.
There have been reports of property crime in DUMBO, such as theft and vandalism, but these crimes are not rampant or widespread.
Violent crime is very uncommon in DUMBO. The New York City Police Department has regularly patrolled DUMBO’s streets since the late 1990s, keeping residents safe and helping to deter any potential criminal activity.
Crime statistics
In addition, DUMBO has several private security firms that patrol the area at night to ensure safety.
The city government is also implementing several safety initiatives to make DUMBO a safer place to live.
These include increasing police presence on the streets during hours of darkness and adding more street lighting in areas with higher levels of reported crime.
The DUMBO Neighborhood Association works closely with local law enforcement agencies to provide safety tips and resources to its members on staying safe while living in DUMBO.
They also provide various activities throughout the year, such as community walks and educational programs to reduce crime within the community.
Overall, DUMBO provides an overall secure environment for its residents due to its low levels of crime, presence of private security companies patrolling the area at night, increased police patrols as well as safety initiatives initiated by the city government. With all these measures combined, Dumbo offers a safe place for its residents to call home.
