How to Move in Brooklyn Heights – A Neighborhood Guide

Known as New York’s first suburb, Brooklyn Heights has consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in New York City. Now more than ever people are flocking to the neighborhood because of its beautiful brownstone buildings, proximity to Manhattan, and waterfront views. So if you’re looking for a place to move in Brooklyn, why not consider Brooklyn Heights as your new neighborhood?

Brooklyn Heights History

One of the features that attracts many residents to Brooklyn Heights are the gorgeous brownstone and brick apartment buildings. However, they’re not just nice to look at, many of these buildings date back to before the Civil War. In fact, almost every corner of Brooklyn Heights has some historic value as it was home to famous writers such as Truman Capote, Walt Whitman and more. George Washington even retreated to this neighborhood during the Battle of Long Island after heavy losses during the Revolutionary War.

Actual Brooklyn Heights development began in 1814 thanks to the ferry service from Manhattan to Brooklyn. By the 1890s the area was almost completely developed with buildings designed in a variety of styles. Since the 19th century Brooklyn Heights has been the center of culture for the rest of Brooklyn and its development led to the rise of both Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens.

Due to the historical value of this neighborhood, it was designated as a historic district in 1965 – the first such district in NYC. As such, it is protected by the Landmarks Preservation Law, which is why there are so many historic buildings still standing.

Brooklyn Heights Cost

As you might imagine, living in Brooklyn Heights isn’t cheap. This sought after neighborhood is one of the most expensive locations in New York City, beating out even some places in Manhattan proper. If you want to buy a place, expect to pay over $1.3 million for a one-bedroom apartment. Renting isn’t much cheaper with median rents for a 1-bedroom priced at around $2,800. 

Still, if you can swing the rents, you can live in one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in NYC. You can choose to live in one of the 600 pre-war houses or opt for a Victorian gothic or classical revival option. One of the great things about Brooklyn Heights is that there are very few high rises, which means you get a more small-town vibe than other areas.

When it comes to other expenses, you can expect to pay around the same as Manhattan when it comes to utilities, but overall things are either on par or a bit cheaper than if you lived in SoHo or the West Village. It’s no surprise that Brooklyn Heights is the richest neighborhood in Brooklyn.

What to Do in Brooklyn Heights

While it might look like a quaint, small neighborhood, Brooklyn Heights offers a lot of activities for people of all ages. There are over 100 restaurants including one star Michelin restaurant Clover Hill. If you want some great views of the Brooklyn Bridge and Lower Manhattan, you can dine at The River Cafe. 

Of course, the biggest draw of the neighborhood is the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, which was opened in 1954 despite apprehension by many Brooklyn Heights residents at the time. Still, the attraction became a popular destination for residents and tourists alike and offers some of the best views not only of Manhattan but of the Brooklyn Bridge and Statue of Liberty. Once you’re done enjoying the views, you can head down and enjoy Brooklyn Bridge Park, an 85-acre park that runs along both Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO. 

If you’re in the mood for some shopping, stop by Montague or Atlantic Avenue and check out some locally owned businesses such as Books Are Magic for some great book finds or Antik if you need to get some new furniture for your apartment. There are plenty of boutique and chain stores to choose from so you can always get what you need/want.

And if you’re up for it, consider doing a walking tour of the area to learn about the history. Sure, you can do a self-guided tour, but there’s nothing quite like hearing the stories and history from an enthusiastic tour guide.

Commuting

It doesn’t get much easier to get around than Brooklyn Heights. The area is serviced by multiple subways including the A and C trains at High Street and the 2 and 3 trains at Clark Street. You can walk a bit further to access more trains including the F, N, R, W and  2, 3, 4, 5 at Jay Street and Borough Hall respectively.

Want an alternate way to get around? You can also take the NYC Ferry at Brooklyn Bridge Park Piers 1 and 6 which will drop you off at Lower Manhattan or 34th street. Unfortunately, there are no bus routes that stop in Brooklyn Heights proper, but you can catch the B25 that stops at Dumbo.

And if you decide to get a car, you can easily get on the Brooklyn Bridge or drive further down to access the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel. With that said, parking is scarce and expensive so you’re better off taking public transportation!

Jobs in Brooklyn Heights

Unlike its neighbor DUMBO, Brooklyn Heights doesn’t boast a lot of companies as it is a mostly residential location. Still, if you decide to live here, you’re not too far away from the hundreds of tech companies in DUMBO. On top of that, you can easily commute to almost anywhere in Manhattan and or Brooklyn thanks to the large number of subways in the area. 

With that said the area isn’t bereft of jobs though they will mostly be in the hospitality or retail sector. Still, there are a few small companies such as:

• Netiapps – a UI/UX design and software development company
• Nuvene – A digital marketing company focusing on biotechnology
• VI – an AI healthcare platform
• Applicate – a mobile development company

As you can see, there are some jobs available in the area, but you can still easily travel to other parts of NYC for your job if you live in Brooklyn Heights.

Make Your Move to Brooklyn Heights

Brooklyn Heights is a great location whether you have a family or are a single, working professional. Despite its proximity to the Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Heights manages to be a relatively quiet neighborhood, making it a great retreat if you want to stay away from the busy energy of Manhattan. If you’re ready to move, make sure to hire trustworthy Brooklyn Heights movers for the job! Good movers will know exactly how to navigate those narrow streets and ensure all of your belongings move into your building without a hitch.

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