Safest Neighborhoods in Brooklyn

Since the early 2000s, Brooklyn has transformed into one of the trendiest and most sought-after boroughs in NYC. And while much of Brooklyn has become safer, Brooklyn itself is quite large and diverse with safety varying between different neighborhoods. Whether you’re a newcomer or NYC native, the list below can help narrow down your choices once you start apartment hunting in Brooklyn. 

Bay Ridge

This residential neighborhood has barely been touched by trends and is a perfect place if you still want that old NYC feel. The area is full of parks, great waterfront views, green spaces, good schools, and some great restaurants. It’s no surprise that many families have lived here for generations. Some points of interest in the neighborhood include the 69th Street Pier which allows fishing along the seawall and is home to the NYC Ferry. There are also several areas that are historical landmarks including the houses along 216-264 Ovington and the Bennet-Farrell-Feldman House.

You’d think that with all of these amenities, rents would be expensive, but it’s still affordable in comparison to the neighborhoods that offer similar attractions. Its lower prices are due to its distance from Manhattan and relatively few public transportation options. There’s only the R train that travels through the neighborhood as well as a handful of express and local buses. You can also hop on the ferry to access lower Manhattan.

DUMBO

If you want to have easier access to Manhattan and tons of restaurants, bars, and jobs at your fingertips, then DUMBO is definitely the place to be. Situated between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridge, DUMBO offers some of the most breathtaking views of Manhattan as well as the most iconic view of the Brooklyn Bridge that you’ve probably seen in movies and social media. This trendy neighborhood used to be the center for manufacturing, but today it has become the center of the Brooklyn Tech Triangle with hundreds of tech startups in the 0.05 square mile neighborhood. Walk along the waterfront to enjoy the views of both bridges and the Manhattan skyline or stroll the historic district, a collection of 95 buildings between John Street and York Street to the north and south and Main Street and Bridge Street to the west and east. There are plenty of amazing restaurants in the area including the original Grimaldi’s if you want a NYC pizza slice and the River Cafe for a dining experience along the water.

DUMBO is definitely one of the safest neighborhoods in Brooklyn, but also the most expensive one and the fourth wealthiest community in NYC. Rents are not cheap here, but for the price you got everything DUMBO has to offer and a very short commute to Manhattan via the F, A, and C trains. There’s also a ferry stop that takes you to lower Manhattan or the Midtown East.

Park Slope

Nestled along the northwestern part of Prospect Park, Park Slope has always been one of the nicer neighborhoods in Brooklyn since the 1880s. When you walk around the neighborhood, you might be forgiven if you forget that you are in NYC as there’s more of a small-town feel thanks to the fact that there aren’t as many high rises here versus other Brooklyn neighborhoods. That doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do here though. In fact, Park Slope is full of amenities. There’s Prospect Park, of course, a 586-acre park that many residents prefer over Central Park. You also have access to cultural institutions like the Brooklyn Academy of Music, The Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the Brooklyn Museum, and more! Besides that, there are plenty of amazing places to dine including al di la Trattoria for some great Italian or Chela for some homestyle Mexican. Park Slope is also known to have amazing schools and easy access to Manhattan via the R and F lines.

As you might expect, rents in Park Slope aren’t cheap. While more affordable than DUMBO, living in Park Slope can be quite expensive although the further south you go, the cheaper it will be.

Boerum Hill

This often-overlooked neighborhood might not offer the waterfront views of DUMBO or the park access of Park Slope, but it does have some beautiful brick row houses and low crime rates. This mostly residential neighborhood is known for its independent boutiques and numerous art galleries sprinkled around the area. There are also a whopping 114 restaurants and 16 nightlife options to choose from so it’s not a bad place for young professionals who want to enjoy a night out without having to go into Manhattan. When you walk around Boerum Hill, you’re walking through a piece of NYC history. Much of the buildings in the area are landmarked and a portion of the neighborhood has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Much like DUMBO and Park Slope, Boerum Hill is not a cheap place to live. In fact, it has the sixth-highest median home prices in NYC and is one of the highest in any neighborhood outside of Manhattan. Still, if you want a good mixture of quiet residential with great amenities, you can’t go wrong with Boerum Hill.

Canarsie

If you’re looking for a safe neighborhood with affordable pricing, you can’t go wrong with Canarsie. Located on the last stop of the L train, Canarsie offers a quiet residential feel with the majority of residents owning their own home. Even if you choose to rent, you can easily find a place that is under $2,000. Yes, it is far away from Manhattan and you only have one train line plus some buses available but in exchange, you have access to waterfront activities like fishing, kayaking, or just hanging out on the beach. You can also hike or run in Canarsie Park, a 51-acre park that includes multiple sports fields, trails, and more. The neighborhood is also home to some amazing public and private schools.

While Canarsie might be residential, it’s still part of NYC, which means you still have access to some great restaurants like Sally’s Fish & Things for some great seafood or De Islands for some tasty Caribbean options.

Gravesend

For history buffs, Gravesend is your place. It was one of the original towns in the Dutch colony of New Netherlands and one of the six original towns of Kings County in colonial New York. Not only that, but it was also one of the first towns founded by a woman! That’s some deep history right there. Located at the south western portion of Brooklyn, Gravesend is just north of Coney Island and Brighton Beach. Despite its location, it’s actually a very safe neighborhood due to the tight-knit community. This residential neighborhood offers some great schools as well as plenty of activities to keep its residents occupied including access to Coney Island, Brighton Beach, the New York Aquarium, and more. Walk along 86th Street to enjoy all the restaurants and boutiques Gravesend has to offer!

In addition to being safe, Gravesend is also affordable! You can easily find an apartment for under $2,000, and usually a bigger space as well. You also have access to several train lines including the D, F, N, and W lines as well as several buses.

Make Your Move to Brooklyn

There are so many neighborhoods to choose from in Brooklyn, but once you find “the one” make your move easier by calling NYC Great Movers. We have helped hundreds of people relocate to every Brooklyn neighborhood. Reach out to us for a free quote and more information.

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