Fort Greene Neighborhood Review - Brooklyn Moving Guide

Explore Fort Greene with PropertyNest's guide. Discover its draw for residents, dining, parks, nightlife, and available homes for rent and sale.
Brooklyn Fort Greene, New York
Editors Rating (3 stars out of 5)
6.2 Overall
Average Rent Prices 4
Public transportation 5
Schools 6
Lifestyle 8
Crime 8

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.

Fort Greene streets

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
PropertyNest Real Estate Data As of September 2023

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
PropertyNest Real Estate Data As of September 2023

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 Lines in Fort Greene
BusLocation
B69Downtown Brooklyn Sands St via Vanderbilt
B62Downtown Brooklyn Fulton Mall
B54Myrtle Av/Prince St
B38Downtown 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 Residents
CelebrityNotes
Christina RicciActress
Uzo AdubaActress
Wyatt CenacComedian Writer
Ulla JohnsonFashion Designer
Holly HunterActress
Jeffrey WrightActor

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.

Local Schools
SchoolNotes
Brooklyn Technical High SchoolPublic - Grades 9-12
5447 students - 22 student/teacher
Urban Assembly Academy Of Arts And LettersPublic - Grades K-4, 6-8
486 students - 15 student/teacher
Ps 20 Clinton HillPublic - Grades PK-5
377 students - 14 student/teacher
Satellite West Middle SchoolPublic - Grades 6-8
104 students - 11 student/teacher
Science Skills Center High School for Science Tech and CreaPublic - Grades 9-12
540 students - 21 student/teacher
Ps 46 Edward C BlumPublic - Grades PK-5
401 students - Unknown student/teacher
Ps 67 Charles A DorseyPublic - Grades PK-5
236 students - 10 student/teacher
Brooklyn International High School at Waters EdgePublic - Grades 9-12
338 students - 17 student/teacher
Ps 287 Bailey K AshfordPublic - Grades PK-5
194 students - 16 student/teacher
Ps 307 Daniel Hale WilliamsPublic - Grades PK-5
409 students - 8 student/teacher
Ms 113 Ronald Edmonds Learning CenterPublic - Grades 6-8
562 students - 14 student/teacher
The Urban Assembly School Of Music And Art At WatePublic - Grades 9-12
387 students - 16 student/teacher
Fort Greene Preparatory AcademyPublic - Grades 6-8
242 students - Unknown student/teacher
Dr Susan S McKinney Secondary School of the ArtsPublic - Grades 6-12
423 students - 12 student/teacher
Ps 753 School For Career DevelopmentPublic - Grades 9-12
224 students - 8 student/teacher
The Brooklyn Waldorf SchoolPrivate - Grades PK-8
175 students - 7 student/teacher
Queen Of All SaintsPrivate - Grades K-8
211 students - 24 student/teacher
Hanson Place Elementary SchoolPrivate - Grades PK-8
109 students - 11 student/teacher
Bishop Loughlin Memorial High SchoolPrivate - Grades 9-12
736 students - 17 student/teacher
Community Roots Charter SchoolCharter - Grades K-8
451 students - 10 student/teacher
Compass Charter SchoolCharter - Grades K-5
241 students - 14 student/teacher
Success Academy Fort GreeneCharter - 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

Crime rate: 6 out of 10
Approximately 25.0896 crimes (felony) per 1000 residents
Low Medium High

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.

Ruth Shin
About the author

Ruth Shin is the Founder and CEO of PropertyNest. She shares in-depth insights on real estate, personal finance, and home improvement drawing from her experience as a licensed real estate agent, editing personal finance publications, and managing many home renovation projects. Ruth graduated with a BA from Hunter College in Writing, History, and Special Honors.