Manhattan Beach

One of the most affluent neighborhoods in Brooklyn, Manhattan Beach is home to Kingsborough Community College and a huge beach park. The housing in Manhattan Beach mostly consists of huge detached single-family homes with green lawns and private garages. Many have beautiful views of the water, and some even have their own swimming pools. This is a fairly isolated town, as it's mainly surrounded by water. The properties that are referred to as "ocean-block" are the most expensive. This town has a strong, unified community; many of the families here have been around for generations. However, in recent years, there has been an influx of Russian developers who buy homes to "flip" them. One of the biggest problems with living here is that it is very isolated and it's a highly residential area... which means that there are very few restaurants and even fewer stores. There are some staples on Oriental Boulevard and West End Avenue, but it's a pretty sad variety. So, while it's not for everyone, the people who do live here usually like that it's so quiet. Another thing to note is that during the summer, the beach gets very crowded, making parking impossible. However, most private homes have their own garages, so it isn't too much of a problem - unless you want to go to the beach.

Manhattan Beach, with its beautiful waterfront scenery and laid-back residents, is a wonderful spot in Brooklyn. The ocean is a sight for sore eyes for the typically city dweller, and this piece of beach splendor is only a subway ride away from what some consider to be the most cosmopolitan city in the world. Manhattan Beach has not only historically wonderful place for its residents, but a popular spots from visitors from around the city, the country, and the world.

Real estate in this neighborhood is expensive, mainly due to the beach front appeal and beautiful mansions and homes. Condos sell for no less than $300,000 in this spunky neighborhood, and some of the most spectacular homes sell for well over $1 million. Renting in Manhattan Beach is also an option. Some of the more opulent units featuring amenities such as marble floors and ocean views rent for upwards of $10,000 per month, while the more modest 2 bedroom 1 bath units rent or sublet for $1,900 or more.

Manhattan Beach is not as diverse as other neighborhoods in Brooklyn, as it traditionally home to a heavy Russian Jewish population. It is a family neighborhood, with several wonderful schools throughout the neighborhood, including the Kingsborough Community College and various religious-based private schools.

When visiting Manhattan Beach, one won’t be disappointed. The main promenade is filled with food and shops, and during the summer, with people looking for a little fun in the sun. Transportation to the beach, which is located on Oriental Boulevard at Irwin Street, convenient with the B and Q subway trains stopping at Brighton Beach. Residents of the neighborhood use a mixture of public and private transportation.

There is a park here that actually resembles a sandy beach – it’s not Puerto Rico or anything, but this might be as close as it gets inside the city. There’s a boardwalk for strolls (if you are not the type to just go barefoot in the sand – which can be work), and there is a bit of a crowd during warmer months. This is a park, so don’t expect the usual American commodities (hot dogs or whatever) – pack a picnic instead. Surrounding the park is a residential neighborhood that has long been populated by a Jewish community. There are a lot of huge homes out here that offer waterfront views – if you don’t mind the constant crowd that pours in from the rest of the city to utilize that strip of sand.