East New York, Brooklyn, NY
About East New York, Brooklyn
East New York is a large, residential neighborhood in the eastern portion of Brooklyn. East New York occupies a large territory of land in the farthest part of the borough from Manhattan. The Queens border forms the neighborhood's eastern and northern borders, Jamaica Bay forms the neighborhood’s southern border and the eastern border is generally along Van Sinderen Avenue and the Bay Ridge Railroad Train tracks.
East New York is a large territory that is made up of smaller subsections. These subsections include City Line, New Lots, Spring Creek, Cypress Hills and the Hole. It’s a residential area that is primarily an African American and Hispanic community. Historically, East New York was a working-class neighborhood that suffered from social problems like crime, poverty, and drug abuse. However, in recent years it has shown improvements in crime rate and there has been a push by developers to rebuild the district.
History of East New York
The area was originally known as the New Lots, and was considered an eastern section of the town of Flatbush in the 17th Century. The land was purchased by a developer named John Pitkin in 1835, who dreamed of turning the district into a bustling port city. These plans never fully materialized as an economic panic in 1837 forced him to scale back development. However, he did manage to create a modest factory district that housed Italian, Irish, and German immigrants. The neighborhood was eventually annexed as part of Brooklyn in 1886. Following WWII, Puerto Rican, African American, and Caribbean communities began flooding into New York seeking job opportunities and settled in the neighborhood. The lack of job opportunities leads to social dysfunction in the neighborhood for several decades, however, since the 1990’s East New York has shown improvement.
Demographics of East New York
East New York is a large neighborhood and approximately 128,000 people live there. The neighborhood is primarily African American, with 67% of residents identifying as such. A large portion of the neighborhood is also Hispanic, with 25% of residents identifying as such. The age ranges of the neighborhood are fairly consistent across groups. Twenty-six percent of residents are under 18, 25% are between 18 and 34 and 26% are between 35 and 54. It’s generally a low-income neighborhood, with the median household income being around \$38,000 per year. Forty percent of residents make less than \$25,000 per year.
Transportation in East New York
There are many transportation options available to residents of East New York. The 2, 3, 4, 5, L, A, C, J, and Z trains all make stops in East New York. Many MTA buses like the BM2, BM5, B6, B12, B13, B14, B15, B20, B25, Q8, Q24 and Q56 among others make stops in the neighborhood. The LIRR makes a stop in East New York. Plus, Linden Boulevard and Belt Parkway are two major thoroughfares that run through the area.
Housing in East New York
The housing in East New York is a mixture of different styles. Detached single-family homes, duplexes, multi unit apartment complexes, and brick row houses are prevalent. Both condos and co-ops are available and there is an abundance of public housing. Housing in the neighborhood is affordable for Brooklyn standards and certain parts are beginning to gentrify. Many of the buildings are prewar, but new developments are beginning to pop up especially in the northern and western parts of the neighborhood. Starrett City is a notable housing development in East New York that is the largest subsidized rental complex in the United States and contains 5,881 units in 46 buildings.
Neighborhood Life in East New York
East New York is a secluded, residential area. Parks, baseball fields, public concert spaces, and other community attractions are prevalent, and residents are often outdoors. The Gateway Shopping Center is an actual mall – something that’s rare in New York City – and features stores like Target, JCPenney, and Outback SteakHouse. It’s not a neighborhood known for glitz and glam, you’re more likely to find local restaurants and bodegas than high-end boutiques. However, it’s a proud community that has a deep love of it’s local culture and traditions.
Similar Neighborhoods to East New York, Brooklyn
Real Estate Trends in East New York
Real estate in East New York is on the rise. The median value for a home in East New York is approximately \$510,000, while five years ago the average property value was around \$375,000. Its distance from Manhattan keeps it from being a commuter community, but there is a push to redevelop the neighborhood as an area for middle-class families fleeing the skyrocketing prices of other parts of Brooklyn. It’s a good time to buy in East New York because values are still relatively cheap but increasing in value rapidly.
East New York Median Rent Price (USD):
1bd 1,500
2bd 2,000
3bd 2,400
4bd 2,700
The Truth About East New York
How Safe is East New York?
East New York still suffers from a high rate of crime, but it’s improving. The area is patrolled by the 75th Precinct of the NYPD. Total crime has decreased dramatically since the 1990’s however it’s still higher in the area than the city as a whole. Cypress Hills tends to be quieter and experience less incidents than other areas. Many residents report that crime in the neighborhood does not detract from the livability of the area. But residents should be aware that East New York can be dangerous in certain areas and should always be on alert, especially after dark.
Are the Schools in East New York Good?
East New York is a large district and there are many schools in the area. There are several highly rated charter schools like Brooklyn Scholars Charter School and the Achievement First East New York Charter School in the neighborhood. Many of the public schools in the area suffer from lack of funding and high dropout rates. However, many top transfer schools in NYC are available to students in East New York and there are many options parents may choose from.
Popular Eateries in East New York
Things to Do in East New York
Spend the day in Linden Park, the park has a football field, tennis courts, playgrounds, and a track
Check out the Fresh Creek Nature Preserve, a preserved marshland offering hiking trails and bird watching opportunities
Go see a movie at the Linden Boulevard Multiplex Cinemas
Go see a concert at Betsy Head Park, the live outdoor concert venue hosts free shows in the summer
Is East New York Dog Friendly?
It depends on the pet. East New York features different styles of housing and many units in the neighborhood do allow dogs. There are several parks that can be good for walking canine companions. However, it is a densely populated urban area that may be intimidating to some animals. Those who live in a home and have a backyard or enough square footage for dogs to run around will be fine. But other areas that feature less space and access to parks may be tough for a larger dog.
Is East New York Good for Cyclists?
Not particularly. Public transportation options in the neighborhood are abundant and bike lanes are scarce. Most residents choose to walk or drive within the neighborhood, although biking is common among younger residents. Avid cyclists will not have issues navigating the streets of East New York, but it’s not a neighborhood known for cycling.
3 Things to Know Before Moving to East New York
East New York is on the rise, but still developing, restaurants, shopping, and other amenities can be scarce in certain parts of the neighborhood
There is a neighborhood startling the border of Queens called The Hole, known as a lost area that has been submerged by frequent flooding.
Cypress Hills is a quieter section of East New York that is good for families with children