Dyker Heights, Brooklyn

Located between Bay Ridge and Bensonhurst, Dyker Heights is a quaint suburban town with a primarily Italian population, numerous Catholic churches, an abundance of mom-and-pop shops, and a reputation for its Christmas light extravaganza. Most of the action in Dyker Heights takes place on 13th Ave, but don't expect anything too trendy or big-box. The businesses here are small family-owned places where the owners know your name. While most of the residents here are Italian, there are small clusters of Asian and Hispanic residents as well. The majority of the homes here are simple single and two-family homes, but Dyker Heights is also known for the strip of elaborate mansions on 11th Avenue. Bound together by their pride in their community, the residents work hard to maintain their homes. They also take pride in the Dyker Lights, the countless extravagant and ornate Christmas lights and decorations that Dyker Heights residents put up each year. These lights and festivities attract thousands of tourists each holiday season. In other seasons, residents relax and have fun at Dyker Beach Park or they hit the neighborhood's public golf course. There is also the junior golf center, where kids can learn to play for free. The major problem with living in Dyker Heights is that there is no subway service here. There are express buses to Manhattan, but they cost more and are subject to traffic conditions.

"Dyker Heights" is synonymous with "holiday decor" - so much so that people from all over the city flock to the neighborhood to check out the historic mansions draped in strings of light bulbs. It's rather unexpected that a neighborhood so far from the bustling center of Midtown Manhattan could manage such a draw, but mid December begins to see the commuters stream into this old school Brooklyn area nonetheless. (The attraction of the neighborhood was once spoofed on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, in a segment in which the comedian informed viewers: "Apparently this house can be seen from the space shuttle in orbit. Several astronauts have called it tacky from 15 miles up.") The over-the-top light displays are often professionally assembled, and it is apparent that each house tries to outdo its neighbors with its holiday cheer. (See: http://gonyc.about.com/od/christmassights/ig/Dyker-Heights-Christmas-Lights/)

The population in Dyker Heights is predominantly composed of Italian-Americans, and while residents aren't opposed to having a few new neighbors, they work hard to keep condos from going up in the area. Indeed, if high rises were to be built there the neighborhood would lose much of its charm - this area is packed with sprawling stand-alone homes that offer something most New Yorkers will never know: space. In addition to such amenities, home owners work at keeping their grand-standing homes in excellent condition (which adds to the overall effect of the Dyker Lights displays). Eleventh Avenue is perhaps the highlight of the neighborhood as it features a row of mansions (as opposed to the one- and two-family homes found elsewhere in the area) that are the main attraction each Christmas season.

Being an Italian-American neighborhood, the local amenities involve exactly what one would expect: pizzerias, delis, meat markets, Catholic churches. Dyker Heights is very much an enclosed area - the locals don't see a lot of outsiders except when they have their Christmas lights displays up, and this can not only be attributed to a lack of tourist attractions, but to a lack of subway stops as well. In order to get to Manhattan from Dyker Heights, one has no option but to take a bus.

Living in Dyker Heights was one of the great times in my life. It was just like my experience in Little Italy, just cheaper. It is full of Italian Americans, so the food is a great mix of both cultures. There are great pizzerias, trattorias, and dessert places. The houses are very old fashioned, but many are restored inside and look modern. It gives a nice relaxing feel though seeing those types of houses. It is very quiet which was great for my work. We were close to everybody and it was easily accessible to New York City where I worked. The Christmas decorations that are put up are a big tradition there and I still go back there to visit friends during the festivities.

Dyker Heights is located in southwestern Brooklyn and is bordered by neighboring communities like Bath Beach, Bensonhurst, Borough Park, and Bay Ridge. Dyker Heights encompasses Dyker Beach Park on Gravesend Bay and the huge Dyker Beach Golf Course to the north.

The neighborhood is best known for the extravagant display of Christmas lights and decorations erected each year by its local residents. Its elaborate Christmas lights, popularly known as the “Dyker Lights,” draw visitors from all over the city. During the winter season, and some of the locals start very early, it is not unlikely to see a huge talking Santa and electronic figures moving in the well-manicured lawns.

Dyker Heights is markedly well to do, with many of the homes representing mansions and mini-mansions. You won’t find any estates in the area, but mansions off 11th Avenue from 86th Street to 79th Street are quite lovely. This area has been deemed, “mansion row.” Low brick walls and high black fences contain the lawns. A typical house, on a corner lot at 84th Street and 11th Avenue, has two gated entrances, one guarded by a pair of tigers, the other by lions.

The neighborhood’s main commercial street is 13th Avenue (also called Dyker Heights Boulevard). Along this busy street you will find mom-and-pop pizzerias, the Salon Gio Day Spa, and many gourmet food shops. You can also hear music emanating from the Shrine Church of St.Bernadette.

There are good schools in the area, including Public School 127 (elementary) on Seventh Avenue, Junior High School 201 on 12th Avenue, and Utrecht High School on 80th Street.

The only complaint is that there is no subway access in Dyker Heights, but there are two express buses that will deliver commuters to and from Manhattan.

Dyker Heights is a beautiful neighborhood in the wonderful borough of Brooklyn, New York. One of the first traditional suburbs of Brooklyn, Dyker Heights today still maintains the handsome detail it did when it was first erected.

Historically, Dyker Heights was created as a suburban enclave of the growing borough of Brooklyn during the 1800s. Strict residency requirements as well as building guidelines, not to mention the very clear vision of the neighborhood architect helped to construct the large and decadent homes which are the hallmark of this affluent neighborhood. Dyker Heights has always been home to an upper middle class population, mainly of Italian descent. In Dyker Heights, the homes are large, as some eight bedroom homes sell for $800,000 or more, which is exponential cheaper in comparison with the 1 bedroom/ 1 bath units throughout the neighborhood that sell for more than $300,000. Subletting and renting are options as well, and as with most neighborhoods in Brooklyn depending on the quality and location of the apartment or home, rent can range anywhere from $1,000-$6,000. The most recognizable of the historic Dyker Heights homes, the Sietta House, is remarkable with fantastic details both in and outside.

The population of the neighborhood relishes in the exclusivity of their suburban palace, as well as their vicinity to the city. Though Dyker Heights is not directly serviced by the New York City subway system, public buses are available and trains are located in nearby neighborhoods and namely the D & M trains on New Utrecht Avenue.

Dyker Heights is a family-oriented neighborhood, home to several parochial schools and churches. With a feeling reminiscent of an upstate New York village, Dyker Heights is a nice oasis from city living. Community groups, clubs, and organizations make Dyker Heights the great neighborhood that it is, focusing on issue other sections of Brooklyn are often forced to neglect. Beyond these social groups, Dyker Heights is also home to a few wonderful parks and recreation areas, namely Dyker Park Golf Course and Dyker Beach Park located on the waterfront.

Shopping and restaurants in Dyker Heights is somewhat limited to upscale fare, with most commercial businesses located on the neighborhood’s main thoroughfare, .

Dyker Heights is a timeless neighborhood, a suburban heaven conveniently located in the sprawling metropolis of New York City.

This is a super residential neighborhood way down on the Gravesend Bay, in the southwest corner of Brooklyn. Some of the neighborhood’s original homes are still there today – cottage-like buildings with peaked roofs. I’m not sure if that’s something anyone would venture so far from civilization to go see, though. I wouldn’t recommend this neighborhood to any of my friends who were planning to visit the city, so I won’t recommend it to you, either. But if you are looking for tree-lined streets and want to invest in a fancy historic home, you should go down there and check it out.