Downtown Brooklyn
Ranked 29th best neighborhood in Brooklyn
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Great for
- Childcare
- Neighborly Spirit
- Eating Out
- Shopping Options
- Internet Access
Not great for
- No ratings yet
Who lives here?
- Singles
- Professionals
- Families with kids
- Retirees
- Hipsters
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Reviews
Downtown Brooklyn
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
"Rapidly growing into a hotspot"
In the past, downtown Brooklyn was mainly known for being Brooklyn's civil, retail, and business center. However, private investors have spent billions of dollars on developing new apartment complexes and encouraging new businesses to build here as well. More than half of the homes created by the development boom are rentals, which have been in high demand after the foreclosure crisis hit many parts of Brooklyn. The apartments here range from affordable to upscale. The area's increasing popularity isn't surprising considering the area's numerous attractions. Residents have easy access to some of Brooklyn's finest neighborhoods, including Carroll Gardens and Brooklyn Heights. It is also a commuter's dream: a dozen subway lines run through downtown Brooklyn. There is no shortage of places to shop or eat; downtown Brooklyn includes the Fulton Street Mall, the farmer's market in front of Borough Hall, and the Metro Tech center, where a lot of bankers and financiers now work. Starting next year, residents will also be able to watch the Nets play at the new Barclays Center. You can take your kids to the BAM Cultural District for music lessons or to the YMCA on Atlantic Avenue for swimming classes. There are no public schools at the primary level in this area, but there are private schools and there is a pretty good school nearby in Brooklyn Heights.
Pros
- Relatively low housing costs
- Lots of recreational activities
- Incredible variety of subway options
- Junior's
- plenty of places to spend money
Cons
- No public elementary schools
- too many chain stores and restaurants
- traffic/lack of parking
Recommended for
- Professionals
- Singles
- Retirees
- Hipsters
- Trendy & Stylish
Downtown Brooklyn
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
"Off the beaten path destination for tourists"
Close to Brooklyn Heights - one of my favorite areas in the entire city - Downtown Brooklyn has much to offer, but the bustling area closely resembles the busier streets of Manhattan. This is not so surprising, as the moniker "downtown" is meant to imply such things. Anyway, while I wouldn't want to live in the area I visit often, and I still haven't completely explored the area.
There are a lot of restaurants and bars on my to-do list, and I would recommend this neighborhood to tourists who like to wander without any set plans. It's easy to do here and still manage not to misstep with an unknown restaurant or nightspot.
There are a lot of restaurants and bars on my to-do list, and I would recommend this neighborhood to tourists who like to wander without any set plans. It's easy to do here and still manage not to misstep with an unknown restaurant or nightspot.
Pros
- Junior's
- plenty of places to spend money
Cons
- traffic/lack of parking
- too many chain stores and restaurants
Recommended for
- Professionals
- Singles
- Families with kids
- Retirees
Downtown Brooklyn
"Huge Downtown with so much to offer"
Downtown Brooklyn is located in northwestern Brooklyn and is the third largest central business district in all of New York City (following Midtown Manhattan and Downtown Manhattan). Numerous office buildings in the area include Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower, MetroTech Center, and the classic skyscrapers of Court Street and Flatbush Avenue Extension Corridor - which give Downtown Brooklyn its own distinctive skyline separate from Manhattan.
Shopping in Downtown Brooklyn must include a Fulton Street Shopping District experience. There are over 150 retailers and numerous sidewalk sales starts in spring - weather permitting. The Fulton Street Mall is widely considered one of the most successful shopping districts in the New York City metropolitan area and attract over 100,000 shoppers a day. Among the 17 block-shopping district, you will find retailers like Macy’s, Jimmy Jazz, Zales, and Mirage Boutique. This area is also a hub for restaurants, café’s, and coffee shops.
The Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge connect downtown Brooklyn to Manhattan. There is extensive public transportation in this area, including service by the New York City Subway. The Long Island Railroad at Flatbush Avenue also provides transportation services. Numerous bus lines serve Downtown Brooklyn, as well as the NY Water Taxi at Fulton Ferry Landing.
Prominent schools in the area include Brooklyn Law School, Polytechnic University, NYC Technical College, and Long Island University. Students from all over the country apply to these prestigious NYC schools with hopes of acceptance. The rate for acceptance is minimal, as they take only the elite.
Shopping in Downtown Brooklyn must include a Fulton Street Shopping District experience. There are over 150 retailers and numerous sidewalk sales starts in spring - weather permitting. The Fulton Street Mall is widely considered one of the most successful shopping districts in the New York City metropolitan area and attract over 100,000 shoppers a day. Among the 17 block-shopping district, you will find retailers like Macy’s, Jimmy Jazz, Zales, and Mirage Boutique. This area is also a hub for restaurants, café’s, and coffee shops.
The Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge connect downtown Brooklyn to Manhattan. There is extensive public transportation in this area, including service by the New York City Subway. The Long Island Railroad at Flatbush Avenue also provides transportation services. Numerous bus lines serve Downtown Brooklyn, as well as the NY Water Taxi at Fulton Ferry Landing.
Prominent schools in the area include Brooklyn Law School, Polytechnic University, NYC Technical College, and Long Island University. Students from all over the country apply to these prestigious NYC schools with hopes of acceptance. The rate for acceptance is minimal, as they take only the elite.
Recommended for
- Professionals
- Singles
Downtown Brooklyn
"Clean but somewhat boring business district"
It may seem strange that New York City has so many downtowns, but this one is just what you’d expect from any area labeled with a “downtown,” it’s Brooklyn’s business district. It’s not as all-encompassing as the Financial District, located in Manhattan’s downtown, but it features some interesting examples of architecture, like the Williamsburg Savings Bank Tour and the MetroTech Center office park. This area isn’t exactly teeming with tourists, though, and probably for good reason – no one is going to care to see a picture of you in front of the Chase bank building at the office park!
