Fort Greene Neighborhood Review - Brooklyn Moving Guide
Fort Greene is a vibrant, thriving, diverse community only about 15 minutes from the city. It lies just east of DUMBO and Downtown Brooklyn and north of Prospect Heights and Boerum Hill, which lends it a central location within North Brooklyn. It also lies directly south of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, with many new and exciting commercial developments. There's access to the public for the first time in many decades.
This Fort Greene neighborhood review will look at public transportation, restaurants, average apartment rent, and sale prices.
This historic district's (along with its sister neighborhood Clinton Hill) streets are tree and brownstone-lined, offering a beautiful and quaint neighborhood feel. Fort Greene is also home to the "Best Brownstone Street" in New York on S. Oxford Street, between Dekalb and Lafayette Aves.
It's a tight-knit community of entrepreneurs, artists, and film/TV industry professionals, which includes people from all walks of life and different parts of the world.
Some points of interest include the monument for Prison Ship Martyrs in Fort Greene Park, the Brooklyn Masonic Temple, and Queen of All Saints Church.
It's a great neighborhood for both single professionals and families alike.
Fort Greene's community is also a microcosm of New York City's diversity in one neighborhood!
Fun Fact: Originally built as Fort Putnam in 1776 under the supervision of Major General Nathanael Greene, Fort Greene is Brooklyn's oldest park designated by the city.
Real Estate in Fort Greene
Fort Greene is a treasured borough of New York City located in the heart of Brooklyn.
As one of the oldest neighborhoods in Brooklyn, it has a vibrant history and culture that has created a unique character.
Fort Greene is home to numerous historic buildings, landmarks, and monuments, including the iconic Brooklyn Academy of Music and Pratt Institute's campus.
It is also home to some of the city's most well-known restaurants, bars, art galleries, music venues, and more.
When it comes to apartments for rent in Fort Greene, there is something for everyone, whether you are looking for modern and luxurious spaces or charming pre-war-style buildings with vintage details.
Many apartments have spectacular views over Prospect Park or across the Manhattan skyline.
Those living in Fort Greene can enjoy the variety of green spaces within easy reaches, like Fort Greene Park (a 25-acre public park), Commodore Barry Park (with its sports fields), or Walt Whitman Park.
The neighborhood offers a great selection of supermarkets and shops to fulfill any shopping needs and plenty of delicious eateries where you can find food from around the world, such as Italian pasta, Middle Eastern kebabs, and Chinese dumplings.
The area also provides many conveniences like banks, cinemas, and gyms, as well as transportation options such as bus routes that will take you directly into Manhattan or access to nearby subway stations like Fulton Street station on the A/C trains.
If you're looking to move, Fort Greene, like much of North Brooklyn, apartments are on the pricey side.
Rental prices will generally be lower than those in DUMBO or Williamsburg, but higher than in areas like Bed-Stuy and Bushwick.
Although, due to its popularity, prices have steadily increased, particularly in the sales area.
Apartment styles range from new luxury developments to charming historic brownstone apartments and enchanting garden units.
Because of the smaller size of this area compared to other neighborhoods, inventory tends to be on the lower end, and residents tend to stay in the neighborhood long-term.
Average Rental Prices in Fort Greene | |
|---|---|
| Studio | $2,395 |
| 1 Bed | $2,950 |
| 2 Beds | $4,200 |
| 3 Beds | $4,900 |
| 4 Beds | $17,500 |
Average Sales Prices in Fort Greene | |
|---|---|
| Studio | $550,000 |
| 1 Bed | $849,000 |
| 2 Beds | $1,495,000 |
| 3 Beds | $1,125,000 |
| 4 Beds | $1,997,000 |
Transportation in Fort Greene
Regarding transportation, you'll find the G, A/C lines running through the neighborhood frequently.
It is also conveniently located by most major train hubs at Metrotech in Downtown Brooklyn and Atlantic Terminal.
Several bus lines run through the area also.
Fort Greene, in addition, is very bike-friendly, with numerous bike lanes, as well as Citi-Bike Stations, set up all over the neighborhood.
Subway lines in neighborhood
- 2 3
IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line
- 4 5
IRT Lexington Avenue Line
- A C
IND Eighth Avenue Line
- B
IND Sixth Avenue Line
- G
IND Crosstown Line
- Q
BMT Broadway Line
| Bus | Location |
|---|---|
| B69 | Downtown Brooklyn Sands St via Vanderbilt |
| B62 | Downtown Brooklyn Fulton Mall |
| B54 | Myrtle Av/Prince St |
| B38 | Downtown Brooklyn Tillary St |
Restaurants & Dining in Fort Greene
Fort Greene is known for its diverse restaurants and dining options, ranging from classic American comfort food to eclectic international fare.
The area's atmosphere is always lively, with many cafes, bars, and lounges to choose from when deciding where to eat.
Fort Greene offers some of the city’s best burgers and steaks for those who enjoy classic American cuisine.
Sal’s Steakhouse is one popular spot for juicy cuts of prime steak cooked to perfection. The restaurant has been operating since 1943 and provides a unique atmosphere with its retro decor.
Another great option is Burger Joint – an unassuming eatery serving delicious craft burgers with fresh-cut fries made in-house.
Fort Greene also provides plenty of international dining options if you’re looking for something a bit more exotic.
Rosalynn Thai Kitchen & Bar has become a local favorite among Thai food connoisseurs thanks to their flavorful dishes prepared with the freshest ingredients around.
For Mexican fans, El Coyote Restaurant serves up some of the best tacos and burritos in town.
And if Italian is your thing, look no further than Ristorante Casina del Bosco for classic Italian dishes made with traditional cooking techniques.
Fort Greene also has plenty of interesting cafes and bars offering a range of drinks and snacks.
The Loom Bar & Cafe specializes in craft beer from all over the world as well as locally-brewed ales on tap – perfect for enjoying while engaging in conversation with friends or colleagues.
You'll easily access many of these businesses along Myrtle Ave., Dekalb Ave., and Fulton Street. Some notables are:
- Roman's
- Miss Ada
- Olea
- Karasu
- Black Forest
- Colonia Verde
- Walter's
If wine is your preference, head to Wine Not? – one of the city’s most popular wine bars for an extensive selection of vintage wines from around the globe along with creative small plates to share.
No matter what type of cuisine you prefer, there are endless options when it comes to eating out in the Fort Greene neighborhood! With its unique blend of restaurants, cafes, and bars – plus beautiful views overlooking the Manhattan skyline – it's easy to see why this area has become such a popular destination among locals and visitors.
Attractions & Nightlife
In addition to being conveniently close to all major attractions in NYC, Fort Greene also offers residents a great community vibe with events such as farmers markets every Saturday during summer months with local produce from Upstate NY farms; street fairs; book readings; music festivals; various seasonal events; art shows; public lectures; children’s programs – there’s always something going on.
With its rich cultural heritage, amazing parks & recreational activities, convenient transportation links, and various amenities, Fort Green is a fantastic place to call "home".
Residents have access to gorgeous Fort Greene Park, Barclay's Center, Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), Bric House, and the Museum for Contemporary African Diaspora Arts (MoCADA) for entertainment and culture.
Barclay's features everything from sports games (Brooklyn Nets and NY Islanders), to concerts, conventions, and community events.
BAM is the oldest theater in New York and regularly features dance, opera, and theater. BAM also houses the only movie theater in Fort Greene proper.
Bric House is an arts and media venue displaying works from contemporary artists and hosting media events.
It also houses Urban Glass, a studio and gallery that holds workshops on glass blowing and glass arts and also exhibits works from artists and artisans.
MoCADA is an implant from the Bed-Stuy area. They focus on arts by the African diaspora as well as art that centers around African diasporic issues.
Getting to larger shopping venues is a snap, with the City Point Mall in Downtown Brooklyn and the Atlantic Terminal Mall at the neighborhood's south end.
City Point Mall is home to New York's only Alamo Drafthouse cinema and the House of Wax, a cocktail bar and museum which features a vintage wax collection of medical oddities.
Whole Foods 365 and Apple store are also in the area and numerous stores.
Catching a drink in the area won't be a problem as there are plenty of watering holes in the neighborhood.
Some neighborhood favorites include but are not limited to Brooklyn Public House, Dick and Jane's, Mo's, Alibi, and Frank's Cocktail Lounge.
There are two great options for beer garden lovers. The Black Forest and Die Stammkneipe/Der Schwarze Koelne (DSK) are on Fulton Street within blocks of each other.
Local Buzz
Celebrities that lives in Fort Greene neighborhood
| Celebrity | Notes |
|---|---|
| Christina Ricci | Actress |
| Uzo Aduba | Actress |
| Wyatt Cenac | Comedian Writer |
| Ulla Johnson | Fashion Designer |
| Holly Hunter | Actress |
| Jeffrey Wright | Actor |
Public & Charter Schools
Fort Greene falls in school district 13, with many choices of public and charter schools in the area from K-12.
Fort Greene also has a lot of private school choices for preschools and daycares.
P.S. 20 also offers a very in-demand free pre-kindergarten class. Some other in-demand schools include Arts and Letters, Community Roots, as well as Compass Charter.
The neighborhood is most notably home to Brooklyn Technical High School, which is one of the city's specialized high schools and one of the highest-performing public high schools in the country.
| School | Notes |
|---|---|
| Brooklyn Technical High School | Public - Grades 9-12 5447 students - 22 student/teacher |
| Urban Assembly Academy Of Arts And Letters | Public - Grades K-4, 6-8 486 students - 15 student/teacher |
| Ps 20 Clinton Hill | Public - Grades PK-5 377 students - 14 student/teacher |
| Satellite West Middle School | Public - Grades 6-8 104 students - 11 student/teacher |
| Science Skills Center High School for Science Tech and Crea | Public - Grades 9-12 540 students - 21 student/teacher |
| Ps 46 Edward C Blum | Public - Grades PK-5 401 students - Unknown student/teacher |
| Ps 67 Charles A Dorsey | Public - Grades PK-5 236 students - 10 student/teacher |
| Brooklyn International High School at Waters Edge | Public - Grades 9-12 338 students - 17 student/teacher |
| Ps 287 Bailey K Ashford | Public - Grades PK-5 194 students - 16 student/teacher |
| Ps 307 Daniel Hale Williams | Public - Grades PK-5 409 students - 8 student/teacher |
| Ms 113 Ronald Edmonds Learning Center | Public - Grades 6-8 562 students - 14 student/teacher |
| The Urban Assembly School Of Music And Art At Wate | Public - Grades 9-12 387 students - 16 student/teacher |
| Fort Greene Preparatory Academy | Public - Grades 6-8 242 students - Unknown student/teacher |
| Dr Susan S McKinney Secondary School of the Arts | Public - Grades 6-12 423 students - 12 student/teacher |
| Ps 753 School For Career Development | Public - Grades 9-12 224 students - 8 student/teacher |
| The Brooklyn Waldorf School | Private - Grades PK-8 175 students - 7 student/teacher |
| Queen Of All Saints | Private - Grades K-8 211 students - 24 student/teacher |
| Hanson Place Elementary School | Private - Grades PK-8 109 students - 11 student/teacher |
| Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School | Private - Grades 9-12 736 students - 17 student/teacher |
| Community Roots Charter School | Charter - Grades K-8 451 students - 10 student/teacher |
| Compass Charter School | Charter - Grades K-5 241 students - 14 student/teacher |
| Success Academy Fort Greene | Charter - Grades K-5 376 students - 14 student/teacher |
How Safe is the Fort Greene Neighborhood?
According to statistics from the NYPD’s CompStat program, crime in Fort Greene has been steadily declining over the past several years. This includes a sharp decrease in robberies, assaults, burglaries, and thefts.
Crime statistics
The safety of Fort Greene can also be attributed to its strong sense of community. Residents often get together for block parties or other social events in order to create a unified front against any potential criminal activity in the area.
Furthermore, local businesses are constantly collaborating with one another and law enforcement agencies to ensure that their establishments remain safe for patrons.
Overall, it is clear that Fort Greene is a very safe neighborhood for both residents and visitors alike. With its low crime rate and a strong sense of community spirit, it makes for an ideal place to live or visit if you're looking for peace of mind along with all the benefits of city living.
