Flatbush, Brooklyn, NY
About Flatbush, Brooklyn
Flatbush is a large neighborhood in central Brooklyn. It’s a busy, commercial residential neighborhood home to large African American and Caribbean communities. The neighborhood is bounded by Empire Boulevard to the north, New York Avenue to the East, Avenue H to the South and Coney Island Avenue, and Prospect Park to the West.
Flatbush is a dense, urban neighborhood with tons of towering, brick apartment buildings and small businesses along major roads. Parts of the neighborhood are more suburban and feature detached single-family homes along with picturesque tree-lined blocks. It’s a large, densely populated neighborhood that houses communities of working- and middle-class residents. It’s a cultural melting pot that is slowly becoming a desirable location for native Brooklynites looking to escape the gentrification sweeping into the Western part of the burrough.
History of Flatbush, Brooklyn
Flatbush was originally part of the Dutch colony of Nieuw Nederland, which was chartered in 1651. The colony was surrendered to the English in 1664. Flatbush was the location of several small battles in the Battle of Long Island during the Revolutionary War. The neighborhood was officially incorporated into the City of Brooklyn in 1894. Originally, Flatbush was a community of Irish, Italian and Jewish residents. But beginning in the 1970s, Caribbean immigrants began to move into the neighborhood and buy up property. During the ’80s and ’90s, the neighborhood suffered from social issues like crime, poverty, and homelessness. However, the area began to rebound in the early 2000s and is slowly becoming a hot location in Brooklyn real estate.
Flatbush Demographics
There are just over 100,000 people who live in Flatbush. It’s a very ethnically diverse neighborhood. Residents who identify as black make up 52% of the population, residents who identify as Hispanics make up 20%, residents who identify as white make up 18% of the population and residents who identify as Asian make up 7% of the population. Within those groups, there are also communities of Caribbean, African, South Asian, Jewish, Italian, and Irish residents. It’s a neighborhood of families and young adults, and age ranges are evenly distributed across groups. It’s a middle- and working-class neighborhood and the median household income is just shy of 60,000 per year.
Transportation in Flatbush
Flatbush is quite deep in the borough of Brooklyn, so transportation options are somewhat limited. The B and Q trains make stops at New Kirk Plaza and other stations in the neighborhood. The 2 and 5 trains run through East Flatbush, just a few blocks away from Flatbush proper. Several New York City buses make stops in Flatbush, like the B6, B7, B8, B12, B35, B41, B44, and B49 buses. Several major highways run through Flatbush, including Flatbush Ave, Ocean Ave, and Nostrand Ave.
Housing in Flatbush, Brooklyn
Housing in Flatbush is a combination of large, art-deco apartment complexes, brick rowhouses, brownstones, and Victorian, single-family homes. Property values are cheaper than many areas of Brooklyn, so it attracts middle- and working-class families. Apartments tend to be spacious but bare bones. Multifamily apartment buildings are more common in the center of the neighborhood, while detached single-family homes are more prevalent along the border of Prospect Park South. Brick row houses and brownstones are prevalent along the borders of Midwood and Kensington.
Neighborhood Life in Flatbush, Brooklyn
Flatbush is a hotbed of the Caribbean and African American culture. Flatbush Ave is a major commercial thoroughfare that features tons of bodegas and mom and pop restaurants. It’s a dense, residential neighborhood with very little green space. Residents are known to congregate at local watering holes and community centers. Brooklyn College is in Flatbush, which serves as a major point of convergence. Kings Theater, an iconic music Hall on Flatbush Ave is another major attraction in the area. Ultimately, Flatbush is an urban neighborhood with a suburban lifestyle. There are a few high-end boutiques and more chain retailers. Some of the best Caribbean restaurants in the city can be found in Flatbush and the area has an intense cultural pride.
Similar Neighborhoods to Flatbush, Brooklyn
Flatbush Real Estate Trends
Flatbush is still an affordable neighborhood, but it’s beginning to gentrify. The median property value in the neighborhood is around $682,000 and prices have increased steadily by 23.6% over the past 5 years. Most of the apartment buildings are pre-war but several new developments are starting to pop up here and there. It’s a great neighborhood for those looking to buy a home in an affordable neighborhood that is on the rise. Flatbush is increasing in popularity, however, as of yet, it hasn’t become overly developed.
The Truth About Flatbush, Brooklyn
Is Flatbush a Safe Neighborhood?
Overall, Flatbush is generally safe. The neighborhood is patrolled by the 70th and 67th precincts of the NYPD. These precincts have reported a significant decrease in overall crime since the 1990s and the rate of violent crime is lower than the city as a whole. Certain areas are more dangerous than others. There are several public housing projects in Flatbush, especially near East Flatbush that can be rough. Residents should be on alert as Flatbush is still plagued by some of the social issues that made it a major crime area in the ’80s and ’90s. But today, Flatbush is a safe neighborhood as long as residents stay on alert.
Are the Schools in Flatbush Good?
Yes, there are several good public schools in Flatbush. For elementary school, Flatbush students may attend PS 249 The Caton, PS245, PS217, PS 315, PS139 or Explore Charter School. All of these schools are generally well-rated and report competitive test scores. Explore Charter School also offers middle school as does Fahari Academy Charter School. The Erasmus Hall High School is also in Flatbush, as is Kings College.
Popular Eateries in Flatbush, Brooklyn
Things to Do in Flatbush, Brooklyn
Check out the Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts, the renowned performance venue features performances from amazing world-class musicians
See a performance at Kings Theatre, the live music venue features gorgeous French revival architecture and performances from famous bands and artists
Stop by the Cortelyou GreenMarket and pick up some fresh ingredients to cook dinner
Visit Flatbush Reformed Church, a historic Dutch Church on Flatbush Ave
Have a drink at the Sycamore Bar and Flower Shop, a hip bar behind a flower shop on Cortelyou Road
Is Flatbush Dog-Friendly?
Yes and no. The detached Victorian homes that can be found near Prospect Park South are good for canines. But the large prewar apartment building common in the Eastern part of the neighborhood may be too densely populated. There are few parks in the neighborhood so exercise may be difficult. It’s not the worst neighborhood for dogs, but whether or not it will be feasible depends on the size of the animal and the resident's living situation.
Is Flatbush Good for Cyclists?
Flatbush is not a bad neighborhood for confident cyclists. It’s a spread-out area with limited transpiration options. Those who don’t drive may choose to ride a bike instead. However, the densely populated streets and heavy traffic may prove to be challenging for some cyclists. Bike lanes are scarce except on major roads and it’s not known to be a cyclist’s neighborhood. However, those who are confident bike riders will be fine.
3 Things to Know Before Moving to Flatbush
The commute to Manhattan from Flatbush is quite far. Those looking to commute may choose to look elsewhere.
It’s primarily a residential neighborhood, so don’t expect tons of shops, bodegas, and restaurants on every block
Flatbush is a neighborhood where hidden gems can easily be found. Quirky, Victorian homes and spacious pre-war apartments are common.