Cypress Hills
Ranked 9th best neighborhood in Brooklyn
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Great for
- Parks & Recreation
- Resale or Rental Value
- Internet Access
- Public Transport
- Cost of Living
Not great for
- Childcare
- Medical Facilities
- Parking
- Pest Free
Who lives here?
- Professionals
- Singles
- Families with kids
- Retirees
- Hipsters
Got a burning question? Why not ask the locals! Simply ask your question below
Reviews
Cypress Hills
rating details
2yrs+
- Neighborly Spirit
- Safe & Sound
- Clean & Green
- Pest Free
- Peace & Quiet
- Eating Out
- Nightlife
- Parks & Recreation
- Shopping Options
- Gym & Fitness
- Internet Access
- Parking
- Cost of Living
- Resale or Rental Value
- Public Transport
"Brooklyn's Next neighborhood"
I've lived here a little over 3 years. The neighborhood has definitely changed. I've never felt unsafe, although I don't go south of Atlantic Ave. Friendly neighbors who watch out for each other. Really affordable compared to other neighborhoods especially if you want to buy a place; there's a lot of upside in this neighborhood as it grows. New places are popping up and there's an art gallery called Norte Maar that's on Pine street (they have cool events happening all the time)
Pros
- Highly diverse population
- Amazing park
- Friendly local library
- Very affordable housing
Cons
- No upscale or trendy stores
Recommended for
- Professionals
- Singles
- LGBT+
- Hipsters
- Students
- Trendy & Stylish
Cypress Hills
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
- Medical Facilities
"Gentrifying neighborhood with a ton of natural amenities"
I have lived here for four years - The area is generally quiet, working-middle class, and my neighbors have been lovely and welcoming. The area is safer than many of the comments would have you believe - gangs and drugs? I haven't seen any of that (south of Atlantic Ave, that's another story). Highland Park is an amazing asset - a really large park with trails, a bird sanctuary, and free athletic activities like basketball, tennis, handball, etc. I believe they are also building a dog run there as part of the rezoning. There is good latin food, but there isn't a lot of diversity in other restaurant options yet; I do believe that will come. The neighborhood has the framework for a great future.
Pros
- Friendly welcoming neighbors
- Rezoning is bringing improvements
- Close to train
- Highly diverse population
- Lots of ethnic food & shopping options
- Amazing park
- Friendly local library
Cons
- No upscale or trendy stores
- loud car stereos
Recommended for
- Professionals
- Singles
- Families with kids
- LGBT+
- Hipsters
- Trendy & Stylish
- Beach Lovers
Cypress Hills
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
"Gentrification is Good"
Its needs to be gentrified, its third world at best on the weekends, still lots of drugs and gangs. its loud, the recent rezoning seems to be making a difference, the new residents that are buying homes really make a difference. 4 homes sold on my block, Pine street near crescent street J line, this summer alone. Silver lining it seems to be improving this summer. Out with the old and in with the new, residents that is.
Pros
- Great park
- local CSA at the YMCA
- Improving
- Amazing park
- Friendly local library
Cons
- too many Dominicans and Guyanese, they are loud and unfriendly
- too many illegal basement apt
- Too many illegal immigrants
- Bad reputation for safety
- loud car stereos
- loud dirt bikes
Recommended for
- Singles
- Families with kids
- LGBT+
- Hipsters
- Students
Cypress Hills
rating details
2yrs+
- Neighborly Spirit
- Safe & Sound
- Clean & Green
- Eating Out
- Parks & Recreation
- Gym & Fitness
- Lack of Traffic
- Cost of Living
- Resale or Rental Value
- Public Transport
"The last affordable neighborhood in Brooklyn"
This is a great neighborhood that is often left out of the discussion about Brooklyn real estate. We bought a home here last year and we are loving the access to public transportation, friendly neighbors, great local library and wonderful YMCA. We often take walks in Highland Park to watch the swans take off and land. There are tons of interesting restaurants and we just hop on over to Bushwick if we are craving something a bit "trendier" to do.
Pros
- Amazing park
- Friendly local library
- Highly diverse population
- Lots of ethnic food & shopping options
- Very affordable housing
Cons
- loud car stereos
- loud dirt bikes
- No upscale or trendy stores
Recommended for
- Professionals
- Singles
- Families with kids
- Retirees
- Hipsters
- Students
- Beach Lovers
bonnie-ecclesb
Thank you so much for the positive commenting about Cypress Hills. My cousins and I are renting a part of a rowhouse there in August and I just heard so not-so-nice things from a friend of mine about it. You have just set my mind at ease.
2yrs+
Add a comment...
Cypress Hills
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
"Cypress Hills Then & Now"
I have been a resident of Cypress Hills for 25 years. I read the reviews and I am sad to see people have actually posted comments about where I live without facts. First I will deal with the attractions.The City Line Shopping area along Grant Avenue has so many shops. We also have a cooperative building on Highland Blvd across from the mansions that are located along Highland Blvd. Highland Blvd gives the view of Brooklyn.The average resident has a place to go away from everything. Highland Blvd has its own park as well. We have a free golf course and a huge park named Highland Park which is one of the largest in Brooklyn. The YMCA provides fitness for the young, seniors, families, and everyone else. The YMCA caters to everyone that lives in this neighborhood. I have been through the good times and the bad times in my neighborhood. It is quieter than the other side of Atlantic Avenue. For the people that posted that the Housing Projects were near. The housing projects Cypress Hills, Pink Houses, & Linden Plaza are actually more than two miles away. They are not in close proximity. The 75 precinct has the Compstat reports and guess what Cypress Hills is the lowest crime rate out of all of them. There are 3 sectors that the 75 precinct split East Brooklyn in half by. City Line, Cypress Hills, and then East New York. Cypress Hills has a low level crime rate. In all the years I lived here I can never remember hearing gun shots as I leave my front door. Matter fact walking over dead bodies or people involved in fighting in the middle of the street. The key is to mind your business. There are a number of cab stands that will take you where ever you want to go. The B13 bus takes you to the Shopping Mall(Targets, Red Lobsters, Home Depot etc.)It is quiet however just like other neighborhoods you will have civil issues. Be it loud music, or dog poop. This is expected considering there are close to 40,000 people that live in the community. In addition everyone is not on food stamps or welfare...We have politicians, doctors, lawyers and other professionals who live in this neighborhood and call it home. There are college graduates and higher that choose to live here. It is a residential community close to the border of Woodhaven Queens. The schools some are good and some are not. The Cypress Hills Development Corporation has been in existence for 30 years. During this time with the help of the community coming together it now has a strong bond between businesses and the community residents. Yes we have our issues no different than any other neighborhood yet I would not trade the peace and quiet here for any place else in NYC. Finally the population is divided between Spanish, Guyanese, Bangladesh, Black, & Chinese. People do not move from here. When there is an apartment they always move in someone they know to keep the culture going for the community.
Pros
- Highly diverse population
- Lots of ethnic food & shopping options
- Very affordable housing
Cons
- No upscale or trendy stores
Recommended for
- Professionals
- Singles
- Families with kids
- Retirees
- Students
bonnie-ecclesb
Thank you so much for your beautiful write-up about Cypress Hills. My cousins and I will be renting a part of a rowhouse there in August and a friend of mine just told me some not-so-nice things about it. I appreciate your being positive about your hometown and its' community.
2yrs+
bettyc1
I've lived in City Line...just south of Cypress Hills for more than 60 years...and there are still some old timers like me of Italian, Irish, and German descent. Much of the area is Hispanic...all very fine family folks who work and own and maintain their own homes. I've watched it change from Puerto Rican to Dominican and now we are seeing many Bangladeshi folks moving in. While there is a housing project called Cypress Hills it is NOT in this community...it is several miles south and not representative of those who live here. Cypress Hills and City LIne are almost all one and 2 family homes and some small apartment houses. In the 60s the area was pristine, but it has had its problems through the years...it is on its way back to the wonderful neighborhood I fondly remember and continue to live in. It is the best kept secrete in NY...Just hoping the city doesn't change that and increase the property taxes driving good families and long established businesses out. The area borders Queens to the north and east...fantastic neighborhoods. We are also less than 1/2 hr from Rockaway Beach and we have some great parks...and the Ridgewood Reservoire...tops in the city! Live here...yes...some crime late at night, but this is NY and for the amount of folks who live here...it is safe. PS Cityline has the J/z train and the A train in walking distance besides the buses...now where do you get that...and both go to Manhattan within 30 to 40 minutes.
2yrs+
victor-quinonezv
Thanks for your review. I moved to Cypress Hills a little over a year ago from 2018 till now. We bought a single family home on Etna st between Autumn and Lincoln. We're close to the J train, Fulton, Crescent, Jamaica ave, and Highland Park. I'm latino and have kids a wife and a dog. Yes Cypress Hills is not perfect but no Neighborhood is. Our family feels safe and it's a friendly community with mostly working class families. There has been a lot of improvements to the train stations, repaved streets and many homes are being renovated for buyers eager to own an affordable newly renovated home. I see a ton of potential here and really glad we purchased a home before Cypress Hills becomes gentrified and no longer affordable.
2yrs+
francescas3
I have been looking for a community in which to purchase. I am priced out of where I currently live - Gowanus near Park Slope. Reading your posts has given me hope that I might find a home that I can afford in a community where people connect. Thank you for your honest evaluations.
2yrs+
Add a comment...
Cypress Hills
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
"Cheap & affordable, but not very safe"
Located on the Queens-Brooklyn border, Cypress Hills is a vibrant immigrant community where residents have worked to reform the town's negative image. When I was younger (about 15 years ago), my father worked near Cypress Hills. Whenever I went to visit him at work, he would tell me to take a cab there because it wasn't safe to walk around alone - even during the day. Even today, Cypress Hills is part of a larger area of Brooklyn that has a terrible reputation for public safety and consistently sees increases in robberies. This may be caused by the fact that Cypress Hills is generally a lower class neighborhood with many public housing projects and affordable housing developments. Rentals are hard to come by; most of the housing here is in private homes. Many of the homeowners were able to purchase their homes because the prices are very cheap and because they have received subsidies from the government. You'll see that the majority of people here use food stamps. The schools in Cypress Hills are mediocre at best, so I am not convinced that this is the best place to raise your kids. However, there are plenty of recreational activities, such as visiting Highland Park, which is huge and filled with great amenities.
Pros
- Highly diverse population
- Lots of ethnic food & shopping options
- Very affordable housing
Cons
- Bad reputation for safety
- Weak school district
- No upscale or trendy stores
Recommended for
- Professionals
- Families with kids
- Retirees
cypress-hills-resident
There is a public housing project -called- Cypress hills, but it is farther south a few neighborhoods over. I do not believe there are -any- public housing projects in Cypress Hills - mostly single and two-family homes, with a few apartment buildings.
2yrs+
Add a comment...
Cypress Hills
"Overcoming graffiti and crime"
Cypress Hills is located in northeastern Brooklyn surrounded by such neighborhoods as East New York, Cypress Hills Cemetery, Ozone Park, and Woodhaven. It is bounded to the north by the Queens County line.
Housing in Cypress Hills consists of one, two, and three family houses. Housing prices are relatively low in comparison to other neighborhoods in Brooklyn and could attribute to Cypress Hills lying next to high-crime area of East New York. Burglary in the area seems to be the biggest problem, but police force is improving this problem through many projects and anti-crime committees. The Cypress Hills housing projects or “Cypress Hills Houses” are also in the southern part of the neighborhood and ran by the New York City Housing Authority.
Fulton Street is the main commercial thoroughfare and here you will find just about any service and store you are looking for. From manicure/pedicure shops to real estate offices, you will find what you need on Fulton Street. There is also a great deal of graffiti that pops up frequently. There is a clean-up committee that takes on this huge task in Cypress Hills.
Cypress Hills is served by the J and Z trains, BMT elevated rail lines of the Metropolitan Transit Authority. Conduit Boulevard also passes through the neighborhood.
Schools in the area consist of Franklin K. Lane High School, P.S. 108 Sal Abbracciamento School (200 Linwood Street), IS 171 (on Euclid), and IS 302 (on Linwood between Atlantic and Liberty Avenues).
Housing in Cypress Hills consists of one, two, and three family houses. Housing prices are relatively low in comparison to other neighborhoods in Brooklyn and could attribute to Cypress Hills lying next to high-crime area of East New York. Burglary in the area seems to be the biggest problem, but police force is improving this problem through many projects and anti-crime committees. The Cypress Hills housing projects or “Cypress Hills Houses” are also in the southern part of the neighborhood and ran by the New York City Housing Authority.
Fulton Street is the main commercial thoroughfare and here you will find just about any service and store you are looking for. From manicure/pedicure shops to real estate offices, you will find what you need on Fulton Street. There is also a great deal of graffiti that pops up frequently. There is a clean-up committee that takes on this huge task in Cypress Hills.
Cypress Hills is served by the J and Z trains, BMT elevated rail lines of the Metropolitan Transit Authority. Conduit Boulevard also passes through the neighborhood.
Schools in the area consist of Franklin K. Lane High School, P.S. 108 Sal Abbracciamento School (200 Linwood Street), IS 171 (on Euclid), and IS 302 (on Linwood between Atlantic and Liberty Avenues).
Recommended for
- Professionals
Cypress Hills
"Midway between Manhattan and Long Island"
Cypress Hills is an alright neighborhood, albeit a little far from the Manhattan. This is made up for by its proximity to the Broadway Junction station, which will give you access to the A, L and J trains. This is great for commuting, and it opens the option of an easy commute to Long Island as well because you can catch the Long Island Railroad from the Atlantic Avenue station. The quality of life here is varied. If a block is near an undesirable element like a major highway or right beside a train track, it’s usually a little run down and inhospitable. Otherwise, the north of Cypress Hills is bordered by cemeteries and parks, which provide a nice quiet backyard to many streets. On a related note, Harry Houdini is buried in Machpelah cemetery in Cypress Hills, and this is worth a visit for those touring New York cemeteries.
Recommended for
- Professionals
- Singles
- Families with kids
- Retirees
