Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY
About Park Slope, Brooklyn
Located on a gentle incline between Prospect Park and 4th Avenue, Park Slope has a small town feel thanks to its tight-knit community and abundance of local shops and restaurants. It also has about a dozen subway lines running through it, which makes commuting to Manhattan a breeze.
The neighborhood is known for its stately brownstones, tree lined streets, high-quality schools, and proximity to Prospect Park. It is one of the most desirable neighborhoods in NYC for young families so the homes here don’t come cheap.
The History of Park Slope
Park Slope was home to the Lenape Canarsee tribe until it was colonized by the Dutch and British in the 1600s. A hundred years later Park Slope was the site of the Battle of Long Island, the largest and bloodiest battle of the Revolutionary War. The area remained farmland until the mid 1800s, when Park Slope became a glamorous streetcar suburb with elegant mansions lining the newly formed Prospect Park. Developers began to build the iconic rows of brownstones after the Civil War and the area quickly flourished. Although the neighborhood experienced some decline in the 1970s and 80s, by the late 1990s Park Slope was once again the most sought after neighborhood in Brooklyn.
Park Slope Demographics
In 2018, there were about 65,000 people living in Park Slope. The neighborhood has a higher percentage of young children than other NYC neighborhoods, and the median age is 36. Residents in Park Slope are primarily white but the area also has a sizable latino population, particularly in the southern part of the neighborhood. The median income here is more than double that of NYC, and people here are much more likely to hold a Bachelor’s degree.
Transportation in Park Slope
Park Slope is very well served by the subway, although the length of your commute will vary depending on where you are in the neighborhood. On the south and western sides, commuters can catch the R and F trains, which will get you to Manhattan in approximately 25 minutes. Residents in the northern part of the neighborhood can hop on the 2,3, Q or B trains along Flatbush Avenue for 15-20 minute trips into the city, or can walk a few blocks further to Atlantic Terminal to access nearly every train in the subway system. Buses along 5th and 7th avenues are also great choices for moving around the neighborhood or for easy trips into Downtown Brooklyn.
Housing in Park Slope
Park Slope’s housing stock is epitomized by the famous Brooklyn brownstone, concentrated on the sloping streets between 5th and 7th avenues. Park Slope has more single family townhomes than your average NYC neighborhood, and almost half of all households here own their own home. Most buildings were built before 1939 and have between 3 and 9 units, which contributes to Park Slope’s cozy neighborhood feel. Larger multi-family buildings are less common but can be found along Prospect Park West or Flatbush Avenue. Some high rise condos have been cropping up along 4th Avenue as part of the housing boom in neighboring Gowanus.
Neighborhood Life in Park Slope
With its world class restaurants, iconic tree-lined streets, and proximity to Prospect Park, it’s no wonder that people love living in Park Slope. The neighborhood is very popular with young urban families, and many businesses cater to the area’s hip young clientele, such as Kidville and the Brooklyn Game Lab. Block parties are a regular occurrence here during the summer months, when the party from the area’s many bars spills out onto the streets. Park Slope is home to several LGBTQ businesses, including Excelsior gay bar and Ginger’s, one of the oldest (and last) lesbian bars in the city. The neighborhood prides itself on its small mom and pop shops, however rising commercial rents are starting to threaten many beloved neighborhood institutions.
Similar Neighborhoods to Park Slope
Park Slope Real Estate Trends
Park Slope has been in high demand with homebuyers for decades,and the housing prices have seen consistent growth during this time. The biggest changes have occurred in the area south of 9th street which until recently was regarded as less desirable. Most new multifamily construction is concentrated along 4th Avenue.
Dumbo Median Sale Price (USD):
1bd 700,000
2bd 1,195,000
3bd 2,240,000
Dumbo Median Rent Price (USD):
Studio 2025
1bd 2,700
2bd 3,400
3bd 4,600
The Truth You Should Know About Park Slope, Brooklyn
How safe is Park Slope, Brooklyn?
Crime in Park Slope is well below average for NYC. The neighborhood is generally very safe for pedestrians, however expect to see speeding vehicles on streets near the Prospect Park Expressway. Prospect Park is considered safe by locals however park goers should always exercise caution when visiting after dark.
Are the Schools in Park Slope Good?
Park Slope is home to some of the best ranked schools in the city, including PS 39 Henry Bristow and PS 321 William Penn. Millennium Brooklyn High School is also very highly ranked, and the Hellenic Classical K-8 Charter School gets high marks for successfully closing the achievement gap.
Middle Schools in District 15, which includes Park Slope, are lottery-based as of 2020, following a change to foster integration and eliminate test-based admissions.
Popular Eateries in Park Slope, Brooklyn?
Park Slope is home to a wide variety of cuisine, ranging from Michelin-starred wine bars to neighborhood burger joints. @grid
Blue Ribbon Brasserie
American Fusion
280 5th Ave Brooklyn NY 11215Miriam
Middle Eastern
79 5th Ave Brooklyn NY 11217Al di la Trattoria
Italian
248 5th Ave Brooklyn NY 11215Fonda
Mexican
434 7th Ave Brooklyn NY 11215Korzo
Polish
667 5th Ave Brooklyn NY 11215Fausto
Italian/Wine Bar
348 Flatbush Ave Brooklyn NY 11215
What to Do in Park Slope, Brooklyn?
Bring your family to the Prospect Park Zoo, home to the only Siberican Pallas cat in North America.
Check out the eclectic musical offerings of Barbes, a beloved jazz and world music venue.
Get steeped in early Brooklyn History by visiting the Old Stone House, site of the most infamous battle of the Revolutionary War.
Become a member of the Park Slope Food Coop, one of the oldest and largest food cooperatives in the country.
Visit the nearby Greenwood Cemetery, designed by legendary Frederick Law Olmstead and home to the highest point in Brooklyn.
Enroll your family in one of the many youth programs at the castle-like Park Slope YMCA, located in a former armory.
Take a stroll across Prospect Park to the Brooklyn Museum or the Brooklyn Botanical Garden.
Is Park Slope, Brooklyn Dog Friendly?
Absolutely! Park Slopers love their dogs, as evidenced by the bevy of dog groomers and pet shops along 7th Avenue. The Washington Park dog run is always popular on weekends, and the Prospect Park Dog Beach is a great way to watch your furry neighbors frolic in the water. Prospect Park itself is a dog walkers paradise, and your dog will absolutely love running off leash in its expansive meadows. Even bars here are dog-friendly - the patios at Mission Dolores and The Gate are famously welcoming to pets.
Is Park Slope, Brooklyn Good for Cycling?
Park Slope is home to a very active community of cyclists. Bike Lanes were recently installed along 7th Avenue, and protected bike lanes are coming to 4th Avenue. Park Slope has over 25 bike share stations, and you can find plenty of charming bike shops scattered throughout the neighborhood. Prospect Park West boasts the borough’s first protected cycle track, and of course Prospect Park is home to a paved 3.5-mile loop through forests, meadows, and lakes.
5 Things to Know Before Moving to Park Slope, Brooklyn
The elevated BQE can be heard from blocks away, and nearby homes may experience vibrations due to passing trucks.
Park Slope is under airplane and helicopter flight paths and some locals have complained about aircraft noise.
The area near 5th Ave. and Flatbush Ave. can get very crowded after events at the nearby Barclays Center.
Homes in the eastern part of Park Slope may fall under a Historic District designation where home maintenance can be costly. That said, homeowners can rest easy knowing that the neighborhood character is protected.
A re-zoning plan for neighboring Gowanus may bring thousands of new people to the area - if approved, expect more foot traffic along 5th Avenue and bigger crowds on the F/G/R trains.