Brownsville
Ranked 45th best neighborhood in Brooklyn
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Great for
- Public Transport
- Internet Access
- Cost of Living
- Parks & Recreation
- Neighborly Spirit
Not great for
- Nightlife
- Safe & Sound
- Eating Out
- Clean & Green
- Childcare
Who lives here?
- Singles
- Professionals
- Families with kids
- Hipsters
- Retirees
Got a burning question? Why not ask the locals! Simply ask your question below
Reviews
Brownsville
rating details
2yrs+
- Neighborly Spirit
- Safe & Sound
- Clean & Green
- Pest Free
- Peace & Quiet
- Eating Out
- Nightlife
- Parks & Recreation
- Shopping Options
- Gym & Fitness
- Internet Access
- Lack of Traffic
- Parking
- Cost of Living
- Resale or Rental Value
- Public Transport
- Medical Facilities
- Schools
- Childcare
"No Matter What...Don't Move Here"
I moved to Brownsville because the apartment I found (on Grafton Street) was relatively close to the train, in what I thought was a quiet, residential area and dirt cheap considering what I was paying in Crown Heights. The apartment itself had all the amenities and I was sold on the idea of an up-and-coming neighborhood I could grow with. The reality was quite different. There are no bars, restaurants or nightlife here - its not a matter of adding some, its that the poverty is so entrenched. Even if your personal living space is nice, you will be a hostage in it. This is a depressing, ugly place. There is no art here or culture, per se. That is not a disrespect to the people who live there, its just the reality. Don't believe the realtors - they are absolutely lying. There is no "development boom" right around the bend. And there will be no great neighbors or up and coming social scene. Just block after block of poor, discouraged, depressed people who don't talk to you except to treat you as an annoyance. Lastly, my apartment was robbed while I was at work one day. My roommates and I felt it wasn't the neighbors and that it was maybe the uber-skeevy landlord or the super, who both told us about a string of other robberies that nobody we asked had heard about. In short, there are too many other neighborhoods to choose from in NYC to move here. Don't believe what you read on the realtor websites or what the realtors tell you. I don't have any children to say anything about the schools but what I read in the papers do not pacify me. I would NEVER move here with a family, NO MATTER WHAT. Do your own due diligence and thoroughly research Brownsville, and move somewhere else.
Pros
- Cheap housing
Cons
- high crime rate
- impoverished area
- Ugly
patriciaw7
Maybe this is just me... but a map could've told you that information without actually moving there. Don't be so naive and look at only the price of the apartment to determine where you move. This is actually highly disrespectful to the people that live there, because you, with your wallet, made a decision, and did not care to look into the culture, the people, the neighborhood as a whole... because you didn't NEED to... and now you are stuck somewhere you definitely don't belong.
2yrs+
phild6
d
2yrs+
phild6
patriciaw7 obviously doesn't know how a map works. That just tells you the location. It sounds to me like karyns did do their research but was misguided by the people of this god forsaken town.
2yrs+
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Brownsville
rating details
2yrs+
- Neighborly Spirit
- Safe & Sound
- Clean & Green
- Pest Free
- Peace & Quiet
- Eating Out
- Nightlife
- Parks & Recreation
- Shopping Options
- Gym & Fitness
- Internet Access
- Lack of Traffic
- Parking
- Cost of Living
- Resale or Rental Value
- Public Transport
- Medical Facilities
- Schools
- Childcare
"OK Place"
an average place
Pros
- easy access to public transportation
Brownsville
rating details
2yrs+
- Neighborly Spirit
- Safe & Sound
- Clean & Green
- Pest Free
- Peace & Quiet
- Eating Out
- Nightlife
- Parks & Recreation
- Shopping Options
- Gym & Fitness
- Internet Access
- Lack of Traffic
- Parking
- Cost of Living
- Resale or Rental Value
- Public Transport
- Medical Facilities
- Schools
- Childcare
"Brownsville move to the Moon !"
Not dissing my old hood.Brownsville is not what it once was. It's certain sections of Brownsville I wouldn't recommended to live there unless you need to.Housing Projects in not a nice place to raise kid's.Too many negative things going on.Like shootings,drugs,gangs and crack heads.Even though they have camera around the buildings and Police walking through the projects it has limited the crime but not eliminated it.But anyway if you mine your business you should have no problems.But I would concentrate on private homes if you budget can afford it.
Pros
- Cheap housing
Cons
- high crime rate
- impoverished area
Recommended for
- Singles
- Retirees
- Hipsters
Brownsville
rating details
2yrs+
- Neighborly Spirit
- Safe & Sound
- Clean & Green
- Pest Free
- Peace & Quiet
- Eating Out
- Nightlife
- Parks & Recreation
- Shopping Options
- Gym & Fitness
- Internet Access
- Lack of Traffic
- Parking
- Cost of Living
- Resale or Rental Value
- Public Transport
- Medical Facilities
- Schools
- Childcare
"Dont live here unless you have to"
Located in east Brooklyn, Brownsville is a tiny area of about one square mile. Interesting fact: Brownsville had the first birth control clinic in the nation. Today, Brownsville is well known for pretty negative reasons. With eighteen public housing projects that house about a quarter of the town's population, Brownsville has the largest concentration of public housing developments in the United States. The rest of the town's population mainly lives in low cost housing developments. Since this is such a low income area, Brownsville has one of the highest crime rates in New York City. While the city is working to improve the town's safety rating, progress has been slow. The city is also promoting change by allowing developers to bring more businesses to the area. However, it will take much more time before Brownsville is up to par with the rest of the city. The main reason why people choose to live in Brownsville is that it is cheap. While $1,500 can usually get you a one-bedroom apartment in most of the outer boroughs, it can get you a three-bedroom in Brownsville. Two subway lines run through Brownsville, and it only takes about a half hour to get to midtown Manhattan.
Pros
- Cheap housing
- City is trying to develop the area
- Historically significant area
Cons
- Ugly
- high crime rate
- impoverished area
Recommended for
- Singles
RogerC1
It takes longer than a half-hour to get to midtown Manhattan; it's more like 50 min. to an hour.
2yrs+
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Brownsville
rating details
2yrs+
- Neighborly Spirit
- Safe & Sound
- Clean & Green
- Eating Out
- Nightlife
- Shopping Options
- Lack of Traffic
"Unsafe and Ugly"
I agree with the previous Streetadvisor reviews on Brownsville - this is a pretty nasty place. The area is poor and rundown and consistently tops the list of Brooklyn neighborhoods with the highest crime rates (along with East New York). I've actually only been here once - and it, incidentally, was because I didn't have much of a choice in the matter.
The are quite a few public housing projects out here, and the rest of the area is lined with the sort of row houses commonly seen in poor Brooklyn neighborhoods. Brownsville is actually the neighborhood with the highest concentration of public housing in the entire city. There are also a lot of empty lots where housing projects have been torn down - it's not an ideal landscape, and surely not one that I would want to live anywhere near.
Problems with crime and drugs keep many away from this neighborhood - it's one of those places where kids have to go through metal detectors just to get to class in the morning. Hospitals are filled with a high concentration of stab and gunshot victims. There are few Brooklyn neighborhoods that I would be reluctant to visit, but this is definitely one of them.
The are quite a few public housing projects out here, and the rest of the area is lined with the sort of row houses commonly seen in poor Brooklyn neighborhoods. Brownsville is actually the neighborhood with the highest concentration of public housing in the entire city. There are also a lot of empty lots where housing projects have been torn down - it's not an ideal landscape, and surely not one that I would want to live anywhere near.
Problems with crime and drugs keep many away from this neighborhood - it's one of those places where kids have to go through metal detectors just to get to class in the morning. Hospitals are filled with a high concentration of stab and gunshot victims. There are few Brooklyn neighborhoods that I would be reluctant to visit, but this is definitely one of them.
Cons
- impoverished area
- high crime rate
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Brownsville
"Two stars may be one too many!"
Brownsville is located in southeastern Brooklyn and is named for Charles S. Brown who built over 250 homes in the neighborhood back in 1865. Since then, considerable improvements to the area have taken place - especially in recent years. Private developers are doing some serious work in this community and giving it a complete overhaul. Some vacant sites that have been around for years are now being transformed into attractive community gardens.
Brownsville’s main drag is Pitkin Avenue and there is much transportation available to the neighborhood’s residents. Subway stations at Sutter Avenue-Rutland Road, Saratoga Avenue, Rockaway Avenue, and Junius Street all exist. There is also an A and C line station at Broadway Junction and L Stations at Atlantic Avenue. The Long Island Railroad also services the area with its station at East New York (Broadway Junction). Numerous bus lines also service Brownsville.
Although Brownsville is being constantly renovated, it is still not the best place to live. Lots of crime, gangs, and thuggery still exist in the area. Cosmetic rejuvenation can occur, but the City needs to get to the root of the problem.
Fine restaurants are limited and shopping is done best elsewhere. There are the necessities that are provided for in Brownsville, but if you are looking for boutiques and café’s, you need to travel outside of this neighborhood. The New York Fish and Chips Corp on Rockaway Avenue has good reviews, but if you want real fish and chips travel more seaward. Most shops and diners are located along Rockaway and you are sure to find some sort of grub, and if you don’t care about the atmosphere you will be in luck.
Brownsville’s main drag is Pitkin Avenue and there is much transportation available to the neighborhood’s residents. Subway stations at Sutter Avenue-Rutland Road, Saratoga Avenue, Rockaway Avenue, and Junius Street all exist. There is also an A and C line station at Broadway Junction and L Stations at Atlantic Avenue. The Long Island Railroad also services the area with its station at East New York (Broadway Junction). Numerous bus lines also service Brownsville.
Although Brownsville is being constantly renovated, it is still not the best place to live. Lots of crime, gangs, and thuggery still exist in the area. Cosmetic rejuvenation can occur, but the City needs to get to the root of the problem.
Fine restaurants are limited and shopping is done best elsewhere. There are the necessities that are provided for in Brownsville, but if you are looking for boutiques and café’s, you need to travel outside of this neighborhood. The New York Fish and Chips Corp on Rockaway Avenue has good reviews, but if you want real fish and chips travel more seaward. Most shops and diners are located along Rockaway and you are sure to find some sort of grub, and if you don’t care about the atmosphere you will be in luck.
Recommended for
- Professionals
Brownsville
"Brownsville - A tough neighborhood"
Brownsville is one of the older neighborhoods in the bustling borough of Brooklyn, New York. With neighborhood Bedford-Stuyvesant and East Flatbush, Brownsville is a neighborhood with a history steeped in struggle, but with a future filled with wonderful promise.
Brownsville is comprised mainly low income African American and Latino families. The neighborhood has had a tumultuous history, though its future shines bright and the culture here has heavily impacted the offerings in this Brooklyn neighborhood. Brownsville is the sight of eighteen public housing developments. Historically, Brownsville was always prone to crime and destitute living, as when it was populated with a largely Jewish community during the nineteenth and early twentieth century. An influx of crime, drugs, and joblessness plagued the neighborhood throughout the latter part of the twentieth century, impacting its present condition. Poverty is endemic in this neighborhood as well as low educational opportunities and opportunities for the youth of the community.
Despite major issues, community organizers and urban developers have placed an increased focus on redeveloping this dilapidated neighborhood. Despite the crime and poverty rate, real estate in this neighborhood is still optimum in some sections, though the overall reputation of the neighborhood deters “Manhattan flighters” from settling in Brownsville.
Real Estate:
As stated before, real estate in this neighborhood is somewhat restricted as many of the residents live in public housing. The other properties in the neighborhood are nice and spacious however, with homes and apartments selling for an average of $320,000 or more. Rental units could range anywhere from $3,000-$10,000.
Dining:
The restaurants in this neighborhood reflect the culture of their owners and of the residents in the neighborhood. In Brownsville, you’ll find several Latin and Afro-inspired restaurants, as well as a vast amount of seafood restaurants, not to mention your simple fast-food fare. The following are amongst the best reviewed and most frequented:
1 Restaurant -1007 Clarkson Ave
Villa Castillo Restaurant - 1474 Pitkin Ave
Prince Jamaican Restaurant - 1139 Clarkson Ave
Pitkin Seafood -378 Stone Ave
New York Fish and Chips Corporation -444 Rockaway Ave
Shopping
K Trimming is a great place for both clothes and housewares- 1151 E. New York Ave
Happy Days Children's Wear: the name says it all. -50 Belmont Ave.
Brownsville is comprised mainly low income African American and Latino families. The neighborhood has had a tumultuous history, though its future shines bright and the culture here has heavily impacted the offerings in this Brooklyn neighborhood. Brownsville is the sight of eighteen public housing developments. Historically, Brownsville was always prone to crime and destitute living, as when it was populated with a largely Jewish community during the nineteenth and early twentieth century. An influx of crime, drugs, and joblessness plagued the neighborhood throughout the latter part of the twentieth century, impacting its present condition. Poverty is endemic in this neighborhood as well as low educational opportunities and opportunities for the youth of the community.
Despite major issues, community organizers and urban developers have placed an increased focus on redeveloping this dilapidated neighborhood. Despite the crime and poverty rate, real estate in this neighborhood is still optimum in some sections, though the overall reputation of the neighborhood deters “Manhattan flighters” from settling in Brownsville.
Real Estate:
As stated before, real estate in this neighborhood is somewhat restricted as many of the residents live in public housing. The other properties in the neighborhood are nice and spacious however, with homes and apartments selling for an average of $320,000 or more. Rental units could range anywhere from $3,000-$10,000.
Dining:
The restaurants in this neighborhood reflect the culture of their owners and of the residents in the neighborhood. In Brownsville, you’ll find several Latin and Afro-inspired restaurants, as well as a vast amount of seafood restaurants, not to mention your simple fast-food fare. The following are amongst the best reviewed and most frequented:
1 Restaurant -1007 Clarkson Ave
Villa Castillo Restaurant - 1474 Pitkin Ave
Prince Jamaican Restaurant - 1139 Clarkson Ave
Pitkin Seafood -378 Stone Ave
New York Fish and Chips Corporation -444 Rockaway Ave
Shopping
K Trimming is a great place for both clothes and housewares- 1151 E. New York Ave
Happy Days Children's Wear: the name says it all. -50 Belmont Ave.
karyns
This is an example of the kinds of things realtors tell people to get them to move here. Don't forget- realtors make their money on commissions!
2yrs+
charlesc7
Seems to me that your the only person to write a positive posting of Brownsville. If I was looking to move there, I would probably believe all the other posts. Why would all these people lie?
2yrs+
charlesc7
Also, if someone could afford to pay rent between $3,000 - $10,000 a month, why would they go to Brownsville?
2yrs+
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Brownsville
"No one goes here unless they have to"
This neighborhood’s nickname (well, one of them) will give you a great picture of it: The Wasteland.
Oh, are you still reading? Well, this neighborhood offers plenty of low income housing projects, if that’s what you’re into (or, more likely, what you’ve been forced into), and there’s, um, a park that features a sculpture dedicated to the fallen of World War I (the Zion Triangle of Zion Park)…
This area has had its share of crime and violence – the kind of things that are usually associated with poverty and drug abuse, both of which you can find here.
Just don’t go.
Oh, are you still reading? Well, this neighborhood offers plenty of low income housing projects, if that’s what you’re into (or, more likely, what you’ve been forced into), and there’s, um, a park that features a sculpture dedicated to the fallen of World War I (the Zion Triangle of Zion Park)…
This area has had its share of crime and violence – the kind of things that are usually associated with poverty and drug abuse, both of which you can find here.
Just don’t go.
