Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, NY
About Brighton Beach, Brooklyn
Brighton Beach is a residential and commercial neighborhood in southern Brooklyn. It’s bounded by Ocean Parkway to the west, Corbin Place to the east, Belt Parkway to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the south. It’s also surrounded by Coney Island to the west, Manhattan Beach to the east, and Sheepshead Bay to the north.
Brighton Beach is a quaint, beach community, known for its large Russian population. It’s also a popular destination in the summertime due to its beaches and proximity to Coney Island. There are plenty of ethnic restaurants and authentic New York City markets. Flashy night clubs can be found along Brighton Beach Ave. Brighton Beach has the ambiance of a summer beach town with all the grit and character for which Brooklyn is famous. Often known as Little Odeza it’s one of the largest concentrations of Eastern European residents in all of New York City.
History of Brighton Beach, Brooklyn
Brighton Beach was largely farmland until the mid 19th Century. In 1868, a developer named William Engeman created a resort in the area. The opening of the Brooklyn, Flatbush, and Coney Island Railway – an early predecessor to the NYC subway – opened in 1878 which spurred the development of the neighborhood. The Brighton Beach Bathing Pavilion and Brighton Hotel were also erected in 1878. A few years later, Engeman built the Brighton Beach Racecourse, which attracted even more vacationers. In the early 20th Century Brighton Beach became a neighborhood of Jewish immigrants and Holocaust survivors following WWII. In the mid-1970s the area saw an influx of Soviet immigrants, mostly Jewish Russians and Ukrainians. Over the past decade, the area has gone through a resurgence and has become a vacation destination for Russian businessmen and New York City residents.
Demographics of Brighton Beach, Brooklyn
About 50,000 residents live in Brighton Beach. It’s primarily a white neighborhood – 82% of residents identify as such. Residents are primarily Russian, Ukrainian, or Central Asian. It tends to be an older neighborhood. However, 8% of residents are Hispanic and 6% are Asian. Thirty-two percent of residents are over the age of 65, only 16% of residents are under the age of 18. It’s working- and middle-class neighborhoods and the median household income is around $42,000 per year.
Transportation in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn
Transportation in Brighton Beach is somewhat limited but there are a few options for residents. The Q train makes stops at Brighton Beach Station and Ocean Parkway. The B train stops at Ocean Parkway. The B1, B36, and B68 buses also make stops in Brighton Beach. Shore Parkway – which is a part of the Belt Parkway Highway system, runs through Brighton Beach and provides access to other major highways.
Housing in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn
Housing in Brighton Beach is a mixture of large, brick multifamily apartment complexes and luxury high rises. The area was hit hard by Hurricane Sandy, and many older developments near the shore have been replaced by new high rises. These developments are designed to be storm-resistant. Properties in Brighton beach range from affordable to luxury. Closer to the shore you will find glass adorned high rises with luxury condos. When you travel more inland, you find more barebones, yet sturdily built units that are quite affordable for Brooklyn standards.
Neighborhood Life in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn
Life in Brighton Beach is centered around the shore and the local ethnic haunts that define the neighborhood. It’s beginning to gentrify, and you’ll find plenty of upscale restaurants and ritzy nightclubs. It’s less of a tourist attraction than neighboring Coney Island and beach goers tend to be locals and NYC residents from other neighborhoods. Brighton Bazaar is a notable supermarket on Brighton Beach Ave that features a diverse array of Soviet goods – like ice creams, minced meat, and Russian beer. Brighton Beach has a mixture of old world and new world charm – authentic ethnic restaurants sit beside new developments and hip nightclubs. It’s a neighborhood that is quintessentially New York in its melting pot culture that reinvents traditional ideas.
Similar Neighborhoods to Brighton Beach, Brooklyn
Real Estate Trends in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn
Home prices in Brighton Beach vary. The median property value is around \$460,000. More expensive, luxury condos can be found closer to the beach, while more affordable units can be found farther inland. For instance, condos along Brighton Beach Ave can be as high as \$1.5 million, while co-ops near Neptune Ave can be as cheap as \$250,000. Both high end and affordable units can be found everywhere in the neighborhood, but the boardwalk tends to attract pricier development. Property values in Brighton Beach have decreased by about 20% over the past five years, making right now a great time to buy.
The Truth About Brighton Beach, Brooklyn
Is Brighton Beach Safe?
Yes, Brighton Beach is safe. The area is patrolled by the 60th Precinct of the NYPD who has reported a steep drop-off in crime since the 1990s. In the 1970’s and 80’s the area was notorious for being the home base of the Russian mafia in New York City, but that element has disappeared. However, there is a lot of foot traffic along the boardwalk which can lead to petty crime. Residents should always be alert and aware of their surroundings. But overall, it’s a safe neighborhood.
Are the Schools in Brighton Beach Good?
The schools in Brighton Beach are somewhat limited. PS 253 on Oceanview Ave caters to grades PK -5 and PS 225 The Eileen E Zaglin School – which is also on Oceanview Avenue – caters to student’s PK – 8. Both are decently rated in terms of test scores and student to teacher ratio. The William E Grady Career and Technical Education High School is also in Brighton Beach and offers grades 9-12. Plus, PS 771 is a K-12 school that caters to children with disabilities.
Popular Restaurants in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn
Things to Do in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn
Spend the day relaxing on the beach or take a stroll down the boardwalk
Head over to Coney Island and check out the amusement park or other attractions the neighborhood has to offer.
Check out Saint Petersburg Bookstore, a great local spot that features Russian books, music, movies, and assorted memorabilia.
See a concert at Master Theater on Brighton Beach Ave, the 1300+ seat concert hall features live performances from a variety of acts.
Go clubbing at popular hotspots like Velvet Rope and Vis a Vis, Brighton Beach has a vibrant nightlife
Is Brighton Beach Dog Friendly?
Yes, Brighton Beach is mostly dog friendly. Every property has its own rules when it comes to pets, but in general, it’s a dog-friendly area. Leashed dogs are allowed on the boardwalk and beach areas and canine companions can often be seen romping around in the water. There is limited green space, so residents are reliant on the streets and coast when it comes to exercise. Skittish dogs may be overwhelmed by the amount of pedestrian traffic in busy areas. But overall, it’s a dog-friendly neighborhood.
Is Brighton Beach Good for Cycling?
Brighton Beach is not bad for cycling. It’s a small neighborhood with limited transportation options, and therefore residents must get creative. Many locals choose to bike to the beach on a nice, summer day. Plus, there is a bike trail along Ocean Parkway for those looking to venture into other Brooklyn neighborhoods. Some inexperienced bikers may find the beach traffic overwhelming and there are few bike lanes on side streets. But those who possess the skill to deal with New York City pedestrian and vehicle traffic will be fine.
2 Things to Know Before Moving to Brighton Beach, Brooklyn
Most residents speak Russian and you will see signs and menus that use the Cyrillic alphabet. If you are unfamiliar with the language it will help to learn some basic words and phrases
The population of the neighborhood tends to be older, so those looking for a young, trendy neighborhood should look elsewhere in Brooklyn