6.8 out of 10

Fort Greene

Ranked 16th best neighborhood in Brooklyn
40.6907942191995 -73.9751253345379
Great for
  • Public Transport
  • Neighborly Spirit
  • Parks & Recreation
  • Clean & Green
  • Schools
Not great for
  • No ratings yet
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
Who lives here?
  • Singles
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Hipsters

Reviews

4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 3/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Parking 3/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 4/5
2yrs+

"Great residential area"

Fort Greene is an incredibly hip, up and coming area in Brooklyn that attracts hipsters, artists, and foodies. At the same time, Fort Green maintains its sense of history with well maintained brownstones and the oldest park in Brooklyn. The population is a pretty good mix of Caucasian and African American, with a smaller percentage of Asian residents. While this area offers relative affordability, it certainly isn't cheap, with some of the higher end properties starting in the millions. In fact, as the area gains popularity, prices are continuing to rise. Still, many feel that it's worth it because of the area's incredible array of restaurants (especially along DeKalb Avenue and Fulton Street). There is also the BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) theater and Fort Greene Park, where many of the locals take their kids when the weather is nice. The school district in Fort Greene is pretty good; many parents speak highly of the Ronald Edmonds Learning Center. However, the area is best known as the home of Brooklyn Technical High School, one of the few schools in New York City that bases admissions decisions on the results of the Specialized High School Admissions Test. Public transportation is very convenient; residents have access to the Long Island Rail Road, 9 subway lines, and a couple of buses.
Pros
  • Very convenient transportation options
  • Great schools
  • Highly diverse population
  • cool bars, restaurants
  • cool cat neighborhood personality
Cons
  • Overpriced in some areas
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Hipsters
  • Trendy & Stylish
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 3/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 4/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Internet Access 3/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Parking 3/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
2yrs+

"Quiet, clean (for New York), things to do"

Fort Greene is full of prime real estate - though obviously this will make it a bit pricier than many Brooklyn neighborhoods. That being said, Fort Greene is a great area that is surrounded by other great neighborhoods - which is something of a rarity in Brooklyn. It's a rather small neighborhood, but residents enjoy much of the perks that Manhattanites take for granted, such as close proximity to good shopping and decent restaurants.

There are a number of wine bars and lounges springing up in the neighborhood, and residents have a range of things to choose from on their own streets when it comes to nightlife. If you are visiting from out of town, you may not find Fort Greene as exciting as Times Square, but a seasoned New Yorker can't fail to appreciate such a quiet, clean and commercially stocked neighborhood.
Pros
  • cool bars, restaurants
  • cool cat neighborhood personality
Cons
  • apartments can be on the expensive side
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Tourists
  • Students
3/5
2yrs+

"Well renowned school system"

The Fort Greene neighborhood lies at the foot of the Manhattan Bridge in northwestern Brooklyn. The area is bounded by East River, Vanderbilt Avenue, Atlantic Avenue, and Flatbush Avenue. The area is home to Fort Greene Park which includes the Prison Ship Martyr’s Monument and crypt honoring some 11,500 patriots who died aboard British ships during the American War of Independence.

Rich in history, the neighborhood contains many examples of mid-19th century well preserved Italian and Eastlake architecture. Fort Greene is also home to the Williamsburgh Savings Bank which is the tallest building in all of Brooklyn.

Fort Greene is geographically desirable and very close to the Atlantic Avenue train station. There is also access to most major subway lines. Bus lines also service the Fort Greene well.

Several important cultural centers exist in the local neighborhood, including the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Brooklyn Music School, The Paul Robeson Theater, and Urban Glass Works (well worth a visit). Also in the area is the 651 Arts Performing Center for African-American presenters.

Schools in the neighborhood are well-renowned, including Brooklyn Technical High School - one of New York City’s most competitive public schools. The world renowned Pratt Institute is located in neighboring Clinton Hill, and is one of the leading art schools in the United States.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
3/5
2yrs+

"Fort Greene - Tree lined streets and beautiful architecture"

Fort Greene area is a great neighborhood, due to its beautiful architecture and proximity to transportation. With great proximity to Manhattan and other boroughs of the city, Fort Greeene is a prime place for people of all walks of life and virtually all income brackets.

Real Estate in Fort Greene is amongst the most beautiful as its opulent brownstones line the streets with a distinctive flare. Many of the brownstones have been refurbished and are a coveted nesting spot for flighting Manhattanites as well as those new to the city. The spacious provide privacy while still offerring a uniquely NYC feel. Houses in the Clinton Hill neighborhood generally sell for $350,000 at the least, with some large and extensively renovated homes selling for well over $2 million. Renting and subletting in this neighborhood is extremely possibly, and can be done for as inexpensively as $1,000.

Public transportation is expansive and with subway lines (2, 3, 4, 5, A, B, C, D, F, G, M, N, Q, and R), about 20 bus lines, and the LIRR, Fort Greene is fantastically convenient.

Fort Greene features several attractions. Firstly, dining and entertainment are a must in this neighborhood (mainly on as Lafayette, Fulton, Myrtle, and DeKalb Avenues), as the proximity to Manhattan keeps this section Brooklyn extremely chic and hip. Several eateries as well as cool shops and stores are speckled throughout the neighborhood making this a wonderful place to live or to visit on a night out in Brooklyn.

Other sights include the beautiful Brooklyn Bridge. Walking on the Bridge is a must do when visiting New York, as the views from the Bridge of the Manhattan skyline are one of the most popular photographs taken on a visit to the city. Another great place to visit is the Brooklyn Academy of Music and renown director Spike Lee’s Film Studio, 40 Acres and a Mule.

Despite its somewhat touristy nature, Fort Greene is still wonderful place for families, with great schools, both private and public offered throughout the neighborhood, not to mention institutions of higher learning including the prestigious Brooklyn Law School. Fort Greene is a wonderful parallel of the city and a wonderful place to raise a family in a cultured area, while still able to maintain some of the comforts of living in a smaller community. Fort Greene is a comfortable home to many and for good reason.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
4/5
2yrs+

"Nice residential spot for all"

This neighborhood is different from many others in the city in that it is very racially diverse, even in the face of recent gentrification worries. The area is a historic district of the city, and it has long been a place where music and art flourished (though it is not exactly a trend-setting neighborhood – for such a place see Williamsburg). There are some bars in the area that are generally lounge/pub sort of places that cater to their neighborhood crowds. This is a nice place to live if you are looking for a mixed place, though I wouldn’t recommend it to the younger crowd.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids

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Best Streets in Fort Greene

1

Willoughby Ave

3.5/5
"Up and coming, lively connected neighborhood."
40.6916212266041 -73.9710365137709
2

Clermont Ave

3/5
"Great residential street"
40.6969420001476 -73.9716054974628
3

Dekalb Ave

3/5
"There is so much here"
40.6896402162198 -73.9735578296363

Unranked Streets in Fort Greene

Rockwell Pl

2.5/5
"Industrial and full of construction"
40.6864989999996 -73.9790725000545

Adelphi St

3.5/5
"A decent, quiet street with plenty to do."
40.6969805001453 -73.9726164974636
"On Cumberland Street"
40.6974790738351 -73.9746914345146
"In the Shadow of an Expressway"
40.6970995001386 -73.9756074974946
"what a wonderful street"
40.6969010001332 -73.9705794974181
"Tiny street to the south of Atlantic Center -- not much going on"
40.6838940011652 -73.974546667919
"Street bustling with high schoolers, lined with pretty apartments"
40.686553468611 -73.9764571048693

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