Red Hook Neighborhood Review - Brooklyn Moving Guide
While Red Hook is known to many as being inaccessible by train, it's this very trait that gives the neighborhood very unique feel and character. It's also the primary draw for many who find this a charming seaside town sorts with its cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and stunning waterfront views. This Red Hook neighborhood review will examine public transportation, restaurants, average apartment rent, and home sale prices.
Red Hook is THE ONLY neighborhood in NYC with a full frontal view of The Statue of Liberty. It's also the base for many artists and local artisans, which include metal and woodworkers.
Famously, the neighborhood is home to the only New York City IKEA location, which draws many people from the five boroughs. The neighborhood also features one of the few farms in five boroughs--Red Hook Farms.
The best part is that the farm sells its organic produce back to the community at affordable prices.
Fun Fact: Red Hook is named for the red clay soil and the pointed peninsula into Upper New York Bay.
Real Estate in Red Hook
Red Hook is a vibrant, diverse Brooklyn neighborhood with a strong sense of community and tons of offerings for its residents. The waterfront location has long been an attraction for those seeking access to the East River or the New York Harbor, as well as stunning views from the Red Hook waterfront promenade.
Red Hook's real estate market caters to a wide array of buyers, both young professionals and families alike. Red Hook apartments are known to be spacious and well-maintained, offering an ideal lifestyle in one of Brooklyn's more unique neighborhoods. Renters looking for an apartment in Red Hook will find plenty of options.
There are many newly constructed units available, some with high-end finishes such as hardwood floors and modern kitchens with stainless steel appliances.
For those searching for more affordable options there are older buildings with more basic amenities and a range of rent prices. Many tenants choose to take advantage of Red Hook's unique architectural features by renting loft spaces that come equipped with exposed brick walls, large windows, and wood ceilings – all adding to the charm of this historic neighborhood.
Average Rental Prices in Red Hook | |
|---|---|
| 1 Bed | $2,500 |
| 2 Beds | $3,150 |
| 3 Beds | $3,700 |
| 4 Beds | $9,250 |
Average Sales Prices in Red Hook | |
|---|---|
| Studio | $6,500,000 |
| 2 Beds | $899,000 |
| 3 Beds | $1,400,000 |
| 4 Beds | $1,729,000 |
Transportation
Access by car is somewhat easy since the Gowanus Expressway runs through it, separating it from the rest of Brooklyn. It is connected to Manhattan by the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel.
IKEA also provides a complimentary shuttle service that runs to the following stops:
- Smith-Ninth Streets
- Fourth Avenue/Ninth Street
- Court Street-Borough Hall
Services are provided Monday-Friday every half hour from 3-9 PM and weekends every 20 minutes from 11AM-9PM. Non-shoppers also use this service.
The New York Water Taxi runs daily from Wall Street's Pier 11 in Manhattan to IKEA Home furnishings store.
Weekdays: $2.75 each way
Weekends: FREE
Unfortunately, the subway and bus service in Red Hook is sparse.
| Subway | F,G |
|---|---|
| Bus | B57, B61 |
Public & Charter Schools in Red Hook
While Red Hook is a small community, it offers a number of public and charter school choices for its residents.
Red Hook falls within geographical district #15, so neighborhood students can apply to unzoned schools in the wider part of the district.
Besides the public and charter school selection, Red Hook is home is BASIS, a private school offering rigorous academics in a state-of-the-art building.
| Summit Academy Charter School | Charter: 6-12, 329 students | Challenging curriculum, students get plenty of attention from teachers, many clubs and extracurricular activities. |
|---|---|---|
| PAVE Academy Charter School | Charter: Pre K-8, 486 students | The school follows a philosophy of highly structured academics. Standards are high, but students are offered plenty of support from the teachers in the classroom and from other staff. |
| South Brooklyn Community High School | Public: 9-12, 201 students | Designed for young people who have struggled in a traditional high school setting, the small school helps teenagers find their way to college or a career with an accelerated academic program and individual counseling. |
| P.S. 15 Patrick F. Daly | Public: Pre-K-5, 452 students | Small class size, a diverse and friendly student body, caring and progressive teachers and a motivated principal. Art and community partnerships. |
| Red Hook Neighborhood School | Public: Pre-K-5, 193 students | Red Hook Neighborhood School is a tiny school serving pre-kindergarten through 5th grade. It has an after school program for pre-kindergartners until 5 pm, which is rare, and a LEGO room as part of its STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) program. |
Restaurants & Dining in Red Hook
Red Hook is continuing to expand its cuisine choices for residents.
Tradition will have you visiting one of Red Hook's longest-lasting establishments - Defonte's Sandwich Shop. Since 1922 this old-school Italian deli has been a destination for many.
Fresh seafood is a staple for this waterfront neighborhood. It's only fitting for people to want to enjoy a lobster roll and cheese fries at Red Hook Lobster Pound.
For more seafood and fun, check out Brooklyn Crab, which imparts sweeping views of the harbor, killer drinks, and a miniature gulf, as well as other forms of recreation.
While seafood may be a more natural fit, a pit-smoked BBQ joint--Hometown has made a splash, whose melting pot menu features tacos, Vietnamese wings, and Korean ribs.
Red Hook is also home to one of Brooklyn's oldest bars-- Sunny's Bar, which has over 100 years of history as a watering hole.
Once a popular spot for longshoremen, you can now enjoy happy times and live bluegrass/folk music at the spot, memorialized by Anthony Bourdain on his show No Reservations.
Attractions & Nightlife
To keep things interesting, there are all kinds of art and history events going on in the historic warehouses during the year.
You'll be able to find art exhibitions year-round among its galleries like North Inuit Art Gallery, Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition, and Pioneer Works, to name a few.
Visitors can have a novel experience at the Waterfront Barge Museum which is actually housed in a barge right on the water.
It's not just a museum, but also a performance and event space. Hook Arts Media is the other performance arts space to check out.
Red Hook is home to a number of artisanal businesses, such as Van Brunt Stillhouse, Red Hook Winery, Raaka Chocolate, and Sixpoint Brewery.
Besides Sunny's, Red Hook is home to a myriad of amazing bars to visit such as Brooklyn Ice House, Seaborne, Botanica, and Jalopy Tavern/Theater usually features live music.
How Safe is Red Hook Neighborhood?
Crime rates in Red Hook have been trending downwards in recent years, with the overall index crime rate dropping. While this is encouraging news, some areas still warrant caution.
Overall, Red Hook is generally a safe place to live and visit as long as you stay mindful of your surroundings and aware of safety risks.
Crime statistics
The NYPD also maintains a strong presence in the Red Hook neighborhood.
Two police precincts serve Red Hook - the 76th Precinct and the 84th Precinct - both located on Smith Street.
It’s reassuring to know that law enforcement is actively patrolling this area for any suspicious activity or criminal behavior.
Additionally, several CCTV cameras have been installed throughout Red Hook to help prevent crime and keep an eye on potential trouble spots.
When visiting Red Hook's popular attractions like Brooklyn Crab or IKEA Brooklyn, locals should take certain precautions, such as not leaving belongings unattended or walking alone at night.
It's essential to be aware of your surroundings at all times and stick to well-lit areas when possible.
However, if you are aware of potential risks and take the necessary steps to stay safe while enjoying everything that Red Hook has to offer, then you shouldn't have any worries about your safety while visiting this vibrant neighborhood!
