Borough Park, Brooklyn, NY
About Borough Park, Brooklyn
Tucked between Sunset Park, Midwood, and Bensonhurst, Borough Park is known for its quiet streets, neat brick row houses, and thriving Hasidic community. There isn’t much nightlife around here, but you’ll find plenty of shops and restaurants along 13th, 16th, and New Utrecht Aves. You’re also only a few steps away from excellent world cuisine in nearby Sunset Park and Kensington.
Locals have access to three subway lines in Borough Park, which can get you to Manhattan in about 30 minutes, however light sleepers beware - the elevated D train rumbles over New Utrecht Ave at all hours of the day.
The History of Borough Park, Brooklyn
The area now known as Borough Park was once home to the Lenape Canarsee, who farmed the hills of South Brooklyn for centuries until the Dutch arrived in the mid 1600s and formed the nearby village of Flatbush. This area remained largely rural until the late 1800s, when middle class families began to settle in Borough Park in order to be near the newly BMT elevated subway line on New Utrecht Ave. (today’s D train). Today, Borough Park is home to one of the largest Orthodox Jewish communities in the world.
Borough Park Demographics
About 70 percent of people identify as white, 20 percent identify as Asian (primarily of Chinese descent), and 10 percent identify as Hispanic (mostly of Mexican origin). The median household income in Borough Park is \$40,250, much lower than the NYC average of \$60,762. There are also far more young children here than in other parts of NYC - 10 percent of the population is below 5 years of age, and more than a quarter are below the age of 18.
Transportation in Borough Park
Borough Park is well-served by the elevated D train along New Utrecht Avenue, which can get you to Lower Manhattan in about about 30-35 mins. Residents in the southern part of the neighborhood can also hop on the N train, whereas homes in the northeastern section are within easy walking distance of the F train at Church Ave. There are local buses along 14th and 18th Aves that are perfect for quick trips around the neighborhood, and the bus along 39th street is perfect for 10-minute trips to Industry City.
Housing in Borough Park
Housing in Borough Park is exemplified but the brick-clad duplex with small front porch, and about a quarter of all households here live in a two-family home. There are also more single-family townhomes here than in other neighborhoods, although most housing units are still located within large apartment buildings.
Neighborhood Life in Borough Park
Borough Park is primarily a residential neighborhood, and you’ll often find neighbors congregated on their front porches and balconies in this tight-knit community. Strict building regulations help ensure that you won’t be saying any big high rises anytime soon, although you may spot a few 4-5 story apartment buildings cropping up along New Utrecht Avenue. 13th Ave forms the commercial backbone of the neighborhood, and serves as the epicenter for Jewish bakeries, grocery stores, and clothing shops. Borough Park is very family oriented, so you won’t find many bars or nightlife around here - instead, head to nearby Ditmas Park for your dose of trendy brunch spots and sleek watering holes.
Similar Neighborhoods to Borough Park
Borough Park Real Estate Trends
Bensonhurst has seen average home prices increase by 30 percent over the past five years, well above the citywide average of 13 percent and the borough-wide average of 10 percent. The lack of new development means there isn’t much new inventory around here. The market has recently favored buyers for two-bedroom homes, where a typical home for sale stays on the market for 115 days. The average home in Borough Park currently fetches $1.1 million.
The Truth You Should Know About Borough Park, Brooklyn
How Safe is Borough Park?
Crime in Borough Park is well below average. The streets are generally safe but pedestrians should exercise caution when crossing Fort Hamilton Pkwy, which can be home to speeding cars and trucks.
Are the Schools in Borough Park Good?
Schools in Borough Park are rated very well. P.S. 131 ranks high on citywide school quality measures, and English and Math test scores are in the top 10% among schools across the city. That said, District 20 (which includes Borough Park) is the most overcrowded school district in Brooklyn, with over a dozen nearby elementary schools either at or over capacity as of the 2017-18 school year. A new 380-seat elementary school is set to open in 2023 at 65th and 14th, which will help alleviate overcrowding in southern Borough Park and northern Bensonhurst.
Popular Eateries in Borough Park?
Although this area is largely residential, there are still some great restaurants around here.
What to Do in Borough Park?
Visit Greenwood Cemetery, designed by legendary Frederick Law Olmstead and home to the highest point in Brooklyn.
Take the family to the Brizzi Playground for inventive jungle gyms and slides.
Visit the Living Torah museum and immerse yourself in the history of theology of your Orthodox neighbors.
Peruse the shops along 13th Ave to find the perfect ingredients for your Matzo Ball soup.
Is Borough Park Dog Friendly?
Not particularly. Dow ownership is very low, and most rentals don’t allow pets, however there are a few dog parks scattered throughout the neighborhood, most notably at Leif Ericson Park near the border with Bay Ridge.
Is Borough Park Good for Cycling?
Unfortunately Borough Park does not have many bike lanes, save for one along the northern border of the neighborhood on 39th St. Lots of households here own cars, so expect lots of slow-moving cars looking to parallel park on side streets. That said, the area is relatively flat, and cyclists can easily get over to protected bike lanes along Ocean Pkwy or through Prospect Park.
4 Things to Know Before Moving to the Borough Park, Brooklyn
The elevated D train is very loud - expect noise and vibrations in homes near New Utrecht Ave.
The area is home to the largest Jewish Orthodox community outside of Israel, and locals are very proud of their heritage. Expect quiet streets and shuttered storefronts on Saturdays.
Maimonides Medical Center is one of the largest hospitals in Brooklyn (and sees the largest number of births in the city) - expect sirens and ambulance traffic at all hours.
A new elementary school is coming to southern Borough Park, set to open for the 2023 school year.