Flatlands
Ranked 35th best neighborhood in Brooklyn
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Great for
- Public Transport
- Eating Out
- Internet Access
- Nightlife
- Shopping Options
Not great for
- Lack of Traffic
- Peace & Quiet
- Parking
- Pest Free
Who lives here?
- Families with kids
- Professionals
- Singles
- Retirees
- Tourists
Got a burning question? Why not ask the locals! Simply ask your question below
Reviews
Flatlands
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
"Fairly typical Brooklyn neighborhood"
Located between Canarsie and Marine Park, Brooklyn's Flatlands neighborhood boasts a well-maintained community with multicultural residents and businesses. This community also has a very interesting history. It was once an important stop on the Underground Railroad and was later a favorite hangout for the Mafia. Today, it is a very peaceful and safe community with eclectic stores and restaurants that demonstrate its diversity. The Flatlands is known as a "double ticket" town, where residents have to take the bus in order to get to the subway. The commute to Manhattan takes about an hour, which does deter some daily commuters from choosing to live here. There are private express buses that make daily trips to the city, but they are much more expensive than public transportation (and in effect, they take longer - especially when there is traffic). Most residents get around by driving or taking the bus. Although this isn't the best choice for commuters, this town has a lot to offer. There is a lot of shopping nearby, particularly at Kings Plaza Mall, but the area around the mall isn't the greatest or safest. There is a very wide range of pricing for homes in the Flatlands, but overall, it's very affordable.
Pros
- Relatively low housing costs
- Diverse population
- Lovely tree-lined streets
Cons
- Boring
- Fairly long commute to Manhattan
Recommended for
- Families with kids
- Retirees
Flatlands
"A reasonable place to live"
The neighborhood of Flatlands is located in southeastern Brooklyn and is surrounded by Midwood, Marine Park, and Bergen Beach to name a few. Flatlands was one of the original five Dutch towns founded on Long Island. This neighborhood was originally named Nieuw Amersfoot after the Dutch city of Amersfoot. I have always found it interesting that settlers who were trying to escape the confounds of one community, settle in another and name the new area after the old. When the Brits captured the area, the name was promptly changed to Flatlands - and that name stuck. Flatlands was a flat area used for farming tobacco, squash, and beans.
A lot has changed to date in Flatlands. Shopping can be done at the Kings Plaza Shopping Center where you can pull up in car or boat. The mall offers many retail stores, eateries, and some service centers like banks/ATM machines, nearby laundry facilities, and the like.
Transportation in the area can be done best by car, but there are local buses servicing the area as well. The nearest subway stations are the 2 and 5 lines in the Flatbush Junction area near Brooklyn College. The city and private buses will get you anywhere if you don’t have your own transportation.
Several historic landmarks the very old Hendricks Lott House (built in 1720, give or take a year) and the Wyckoff House Museum (the oldest building still standing in New York City). Expect a lot of culture and diversity in the Flatlands, and if that is the scene you are looking for, this is your neighborhood. Home prices are more than reasonable and rent can’t be beat!
A lot has changed to date in Flatlands. Shopping can be done at the Kings Plaza Shopping Center where you can pull up in car or boat. The mall offers many retail stores, eateries, and some service centers like banks/ATM machines, nearby laundry facilities, and the like.
Transportation in the area can be done best by car, but there are local buses servicing the area as well. The nearest subway stations are the 2 and 5 lines in the Flatbush Junction area near Brooklyn College. The city and private buses will get you anywhere if you don’t have your own transportation.
Several historic landmarks the very old Hendricks Lott House (built in 1720, give or take a year) and the Wyckoff House Museum (the oldest building still standing in New York City). Expect a lot of culture and diversity in the Flatlands, and if that is the scene you are looking for, this is your neighborhood. Home prices are more than reasonable and rent can’t be beat!
Recommended for
- Professionals
- Singles
- Families with kids
- Retirees
Flatlands
"Flatlands, a diverse and up and coming neighborhood in Brooklyn"
Flatlands was originally a series of farms settled by Dutch Farmers in the 1600's. Since that time, the area has seen massive development, gentrification, and increasing diversity. Real estate in the area is diverse as well, featuring mainly attached homes with lawns. Home prices range anywhere from $330,000-$600,000 for some 3 and 4 bedroom homes, while renting or subletting an individual unit in the neighborhood is generally around $900-$2,100.
Flatlands is a beautiful neighborhood with a lot of great offerings. The Kings Plaza Shopping center is a major hub for residents and visitors of the neighborhood, as the mall has several stores, restaurants, and even good places to park a boat, with boat slips available on the southwest corner to connected to the beautiful Mill Basin, which can take a small ship straight to sea, after eating junk food in a food court and shopping in Macy’s.
Flatlands, once a predominantly Jewish neighborhood, saw an influx of mainly middle and working class West Indian and Carribean residents who comprise the majority of homeowners in the neighborhoods. This has heavily impacted the offerings of the neighborhood, in terms of public schools vs. Yeshivas, and falafel restaurants vs. Haitian retreats. The cultures seem to mesh well in this scenic neighborhood.
Transportation is done mainly by car and bus in the neighborhood, as the nearest subway stop is for the 2 and 5 local trains on Flatbush Avenue, which is a bit of a walk from Flatlands. Adding to its almost suburban feel, Flatlands is much less like Brooklyn than other sections of the borough. With its wonderful homes, unique people, wonderful schools, and sights, Flatlands is a staple in Brooklyn living.
Flatlands is a beautiful neighborhood with a lot of great offerings. The Kings Plaza Shopping center is a major hub for residents and visitors of the neighborhood, as the mall has several stores, restaurants, and even good places to park a boat, with boat slips available on the southwest corner to connected to the beautiful Mill Basin, which can take a small ship straight to sea, after eating junk food in a food court and shopping in Macy’s.
Flatlands, once a predominantly Jewish neighborhood, saw an influx of mainly middle and working class West Indian and Carribean residents who comprise the majority of homeowners in the neighborhoods. This has heavily impacted the offerings of the neighborhood, in terms of public schools vs. Yeshivas, and falafel restaurants vs. Haitian retreats. The cultures seem to mesh well in this scenic neighborhood.
Transportation is done mainly by car and bus in the neighborhood, as the nearest subway stop is for the 2 and 5 local trains on Flatbush Avenue, which is a bit of a walk from Flatlands. Adding to its almost suburban feel, Flatlands is much less like Brooklyn than other sections of the borough. With its wonderful homes, unique people, wonderful schools, and sights, Flatlands is a staple in Brooklyn living.
Recommended for
- Families with kids
- Retirees
Flatlands
"Strangely secluded NY neighborhood"
I have to admit I’m pretty confused as to how this neighborhood actually has residents – unless they all have cars. In order to even get here without a car you have to catch a bus from a train station – and who wants to do that after a long day at the office. Not me, which is why I will never live here and am unlikely to be a frequent visitor. It’s true, though, that residents here love their neighborhood – they say there’s hardly any crime, which is probably because it’s tough for criminals to even get there.
