7.5 out of 10

Brighton Beach

Ranked 10th best neighborhood in Brooklyn
40.5809108614625 -73.9602146189142
Great for
  • No ratings yet
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
Not great for
  • Parking
  • Lack of Traffic
  • Childcare
  • Clean & Green
  • Eating Out
Who lives here?
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Singles
  • Retirees
  • Trendy & Stylish

Reviews

2/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 2/5
  • Safe & Sound 2/5
  • Clean & Green 1/5
  • Pest Free 1/5
  • Peace & Quiet 1/5
  • Eating Out 1/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 3/5
  • Shopping Options 3/5
  • Gym & Fitness 2/5
  • Internet Access 1/5
  • Lack of Traffic 1/5
  • Parking 1/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 1/5
  • Public Transport 1/5
  • Medical Facilities 1/5
  • Schools 1/5
  • Childcare 1/5
2yrs+

"The Beach Is Nice and the Supermarkets Are Interesting"

Lots of people from the former USSR live here so the food is mostly from those areas and is interesting. You won't find most of it elsewhere.

The beach is fine if you're a beach person. But living right on the edge of the coast seems kind of risky these days and I can't imagine what the insurance costs are now that there with all of the damage from the storm a few months ago.

Maybe some investment in seawalls would help this. Don't know. In any case, for those who like living on the shore this neighborhood can offer that kind of ambiance.
Pros
  • Interesting food in grocery stores (Russian and former Soviet republics)
  • Diverse population
Cons
  • Very vulnerable to storm surges and hurricanes because of low elevation and closeness to coast
  • A lot of the restaurants are expensive and "fancy" but the food is only okay
  • Too many high rises - takes away from seaside appeal
  • Rather long commute to Manhattan
Recommended for
  • Beach Lovers
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 4/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Parking 2/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
  • Medical Facilities 5/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 4/5
2yrs+

"One of my favorite areas in Brooklyn"

Located near Coney Island in south Brooklyn, Brighton Beach is a popular oceanfront community with a lovely boardwalk. Just over one square mile, this is one of the only affordable waterfront communities in New York. Its quirky charm also helped maintain property prices during the recent foreclosure crisis and recession. While prices dropped in most places, they actually went up in Brighton Beach. The population in this town is primarily Russian, but there are good numbers of Hispanic, Middle Eastern, and Caribbean residents too. Most businesses here feature Russian signs, and there are a lot of small Russian stores and restaurants. One of the problems with this neighborhood is that there isn't enough parking. This becomes even more of an issue during the peak summer months when outsiders flock to the beach. There are a lot of doctor's offices in this town, so you don't have to worry about health care. There are co-ops that start below $200,000 and private homes that run into the millions. Brighton Beach has excellent schools: P.S. 225 and I.S. 303 have great reputations. The high school isn't as good though. There are diverse stores, great restaurants, and a nice nightlife. Public transportation options include two subway lines and a number of buses. The commute to Manhattan takes under an hour.
Pros
  • Relatively low housing costs
  • Diverse population
  • Beautiful beach
Cons
  • Rather long commute to Manhattan
  • Mediocre high school
  • Overcrowded during the summer
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Trendy & Stylish
5/5
2yrs+

"The Russian Chinatown"

Perhaps most famous to outsiders as the setting of Neil Simon's Brighton Beach Memoirs, Brighton Beach, located in south Brooklyn near Coney Island, is a middle-class residential community known specifically for its immigrant enclaves and close communities. Sometimes Brighton Beach is called "Little Odessa," an appellation that reflects its enormous traditional Ukranian population. Residents also include groups of Polish, Russian, East European, Georgian, and Turkish residents, as well as a sizeable Pakistani enclave. Brighton Beach is a fantastic venue for families still seeking the old New York of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn - the book's heroine Francie Nolan may have herself lived in Williamsburg, but it's Brighton Beach that captures the best of the New York immigrant spirit. With a number of cafes and restaurants, many reflecting the neighborhood's ethnic feel, Brighton Beach is very much a self-contained neighborhood, rather than a purely residential section of the city, giving it the sense of being a complete and thriving community. The Beach of Brighton Beach is another draw - perfect for warm midsummer days in the city.
4/5
2yrs+

"A large Russian community that's great for weekenders"

Brighton Beach is along the southwestern portion of Brooklyn and is sandwiched between Coney Island and Manhattan Beach. Brighton Beach sits with its frontage to the Atlantic Ocean making this a great beach community.

The neighborhood is replete with Russian restaurants and Russian grocers. The overall feel of this community is widely ethnic and during the day most people are filling the streets. The estimated population is just over 150,000 making the neighborhood somewhat homey with a beach front attitude - not too urban and not too small. The proximity of Brighton Beach to the city beaches makes it a popular summer weekend destination for thousands of New Yorkers wanting to escape the Big Apple and get away. The main street to the beach runs parallel to the Coney Island beach area and the Boardwalk, which also makes this a hopping destination for weekend travelers.

Stereotypical beach front shops align the area and this is a great place to get your fill of fish and chips. Also, due to the large population of Russians there are some good places to eat. Try Primorski Restaurant, which calls itself Russian but is Georgian owned - still a great place for walnut-stuffed eggplant and meat filled xhingali dumplings. Also, be sure to check out the famous National at 273 Brighton Beach Avenue, where if you are prepared to pay, you can enjoy a Vegas-style line-up of entertainment. For something a little more low key, but oh so kitsch, try the nautical themed Gambrinus bar on Ocean Parkway.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
3/5
2yrs+

"Brighton Beach or Little Odessa, named after the local Ukrainian population"

Brighton Beach or Little Odessa as it is called after a city many of its Ukrainian residents originally called home is an ethnically diverse neighborhood on Coney Island located in Brooklyn, New York. Its residents, traditions, and proximity to the limitless ocean bring visitors from near and afar to enjoy its delightful fare.

Brighton Beach was developed as a beach resort in the mid-1800s. This area has always been a prime place to live with the water an amazing contrast to the city life of Manhattan and more populated sections of Brooklyn. Real Estate in Brighton Beach has always been expensive, as owning a home, condominium or apartment costs well over $350,000. Renting and subletting in this neighborhood is fairly inexpensive, similar to other neighborhoods in Brooklyn, ranging anywhere from $600 for a room to $4,000 for an apartment, a price that could be more depending on the vicinity to the beach.

Brighton Beach has always been home to a predominantly Jewish population, post World War II especially. Their culture is ever-presently, and with influx of Russian Jews, and other Central European immigrants, this neighborhood is a monument to their cultures. Other cultures reside in the neighborhood, adding to its wonderful fluidity and the friendly feel.

This is a family oriented neighborhood and a happy escape for Manhattan residents. The beach, as well as the shops and restaurants that surround it, are located mainly on and around 5th Avenue. There, you will find a variety of offerings, including a Russian Bookstore, reflecting the distinctive culture found here.

Brighton Beach is conveniently serviced by the D and M trains, this neighborhood is a great place to live and to visit.

Dining

Primorski Restaurant - 282 Brighton Beach Ave.
Gina's Café- Russian diner at 409 Brighton Beach Ave.
Ocean View Café- delicious and refreshing spins on dessert at 290 Brighton Beach Ave.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
4/5
2yrs+

"Interesting scene, lots of Russian food"

This neighborhood is home to more Eastern European restaurants and even more Russian restaurants than you can count. But you’d have to really be craving the Russian food to journey way out here to get it – more likely you’ll have come to Coney Island to check out the amusement park, and if so feel free to venture to Café Glechik in Brighton Beach for some pretty good Eastern European fare. The main attraction at this restaurant is their dumplings – they are pretty (locally) famous.
This neighborhood is ethnically diverse, even if it was once termed “Little Odessa” because of its plethora of Ukraine immigrants. It’s not even close to Midtown, so if you are planning on traveling to the city for work or with any kind of frequency, look for a neighborhood a little closer to the island.
5/5
2yrs+

"Fun in the sun"

I loved visiting the beach in the summer time with my friends and enjoying the sun. Many people don't realize that Brooklyn has many beaches including Reese Beach, Coney Island, and Manhattan Beach.

Brighton Beach is one of my favorite, especially since the water on this part of the strip of beaches is cleaner than Coney Island's side. Technically Mahattan Beach, Brighton Beach, and Coney Island are on the same strip of land, but there are water filters that exist and Manhattan Beach happens to be the closest to that side of the beach. Brighton Beach is in between Manhattan Beach and Coney Island.

The beach is often crowded in the summer, but why wouldn't it be. This adds to the excitement of living in the city. And besides when you grow up in Brooklyn, you become used to this.

Otherwise, if you want to go to the beach it is very excessible by the B train. Just go ahead and have fun. Enjoy the sand, water, and all the people.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees

Travelling to Brighton Beach?

Find Hotels

Best Streets in Brighton Beach

"The feel of Beach"
40.5799772006354 -73.9597942308661

Unranked Streets in Brighton Beach

Blake Ct

0.5/5
"I Was Underwhelmed"
40.5843810023526 -73.9583735008414
"On Brighton 10th Street"
40.5808467728218 -73.958215537733
"On Brighton 11th Street"
40.5795948872951 -73.9579680259073
"On Brighton 12th Street"
40.5807262385046 -73.9560669557598
"On Brighton 13th Street"
40.5797016768652 -73.9557165533544
"In Brighton Beach"
40.5800348367458 -73.9652883912536
"Brighton 4th Street"
40.5792408836419 -73.9640263297601
"On Brighton 5th Street"
40.5792322628216 -73.9630526013762
"Brighton 6th Street"
40.5802197477891 -73.9624400663176

Best Neighborhoods to Live In

Best Cities to Live In

Tell everyone what you love about your neighborhood!

Leave a Review

Have a question?

How are schools? Is the area safe? What about public transit options?" Why not ask our community of locals!

Ask Now

Selling or Renting Your Home?

Maximize the selling price of your home by sharing what you love about your suburb to increase its appeal...

Leave a Review

Corporate Relocation Manager?

Enable your employees to share local knowledge in a private, trusted environment with those relocating... while building community.

Learn More