Brooklyn is easily one of New York City’s most creative and diverse boroughs. Offering its residents a thriving arts scene, trendy restaurants, and proximity to Manhattan, it’s no surprise that Brooklyn is a top place to live for young professionals!
As the biggest borough in the city, Brooklyn has plenty of neighborhoods to choose from—70 to be exact. But with so many options, how can you know which Brooklyn neighborhood is right for you? Take a look at our list of top 10 Brooklyn neighborhoods for young professionals to help you decide.
Bedford Stuyvesant
Historically known for its vibrant African American community, this Brooklyn neighborhood exudes culture and elegance at every corner. Young adults entering the workforce enjoy living here because of its rich history and abundant amenities. Bed-Stuy is home to a diverse set of individuals including tech workers and lifelong residents, making it a chic, yet family-friendly neighborhood to live in.
This Brooklyn neighborhood strikes a nice balance between historic and hip. Bed-Stuy offers its residents plenty of cafes, bars, and restaurants to explore such as Lunatico and Basquiat’s Bottle. But it also preserves an abundance of landmarked Victorian brownstones, many of which were built before the 1900s.
It’s the perfect neighborhood for young professionals who would like to be surrounded by Black American culture, timeless Victorian brownstones, and classy, yet upbeat nightlife. Looking to move into the neighborhood? Check out these fully furnished coliving spaces.
Williamsburg
Located right along the East River, Williamsburg is one of the most scenic and conveniently located neighborhoods in Brooklyn. Just a short train ride into the city, it’s the best Brooklyn neighborhood to live in for singles and young professionals who commute.
Williamsburg is home to some of the best bars and nightclubs in Brooklyn such as Avant Gardner and the Brooklyn Mirage 2.0. There are also plenty of places to shop like Monk Vintage where you’ll find unique styles and eccentric accessories, and Concrete + Water which is known for its trendy, femme tops and dresses. Brooklyn Brewery is also a local favorite, serving a wide range of craft ales, lagers, and IPAs. Rest assured there’s never a dull moment in Williamsburg.
Williamsburg is the perfect neighborhood for young professionals who commute into the city, enjoy artistic environments, and want to live close to the best nightlife options in Brooklyn.
Bushwick
Just east of Williamsburg is the thriving and artsy Brooklyn neighborhood of Bushwick. Home to several unique shops, bars, restaurants, and cafes, it’s a great place to live as a 20-something-year-old. Commuting to the city and other Brooklyn neighborhoods from Bushwick is fairly easy because of its northern location and multiple subway lines.
Locals often head over to The Narrows for happy hour after work to enjoy signature cocktails in an artistic setting. On the weekends you’ll find residents at Bushwick’s minimalist collective stores such as Shops at the Loom, where you can find unique artisan goods. This Brooklyn neighborhood is also a great place to go for a bike ride in the middle of the day given the neighborhood’s beautiful, larger-than-life murals decorating its streets.
Bushwick is just as artsy as Williamsburg but less crowded. If you want to live in an artistic neighborhood that’s more laid back but not too far from the city or the best of Brooklyn’s nightlife, Bushwick may be the neighborhood for you.
Park Slope
Considered one of the most desirable neighborhoods to live in Brooklyn, Park Slope has a quaint feel to it but still remains vibrant through its many amenities and entertainment options. It’s a residential neighborhood with tree-lined streets and access to a wide range of independent boutiques, laid-back coffee shops, and casual restaurants.
With Prospect Park just a few blocks away, residents can enjoy an abundance of outdoor activities such as concerts, picnics, and jogging in the warmer months. Park Slope is also close to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, Brooklyn Museum, and the Brooklyn Public Library.
Given its proximity to Manhattan, it’s a great neighborhood for commuters who want to live in a more residential neighborhood but remain close to the upbeat neighborhoods of Williamsburg, Bed-Stuy, and Downtown Brooklyn.
Crown Heights
Located in Central Brooklyn, Crown Heights is one of the area’s newest, up-and-coming neighborhoods. Brownstones, pre-war row houses, and an eclectic mix of ethnic restaurants decorate the neighborhood’s streets.
This Brooklyn neighborhood has experienced a population increase over the last decade due to its affordable living options, unique architecture, and abundance of green areas such as the Brooklyn Botanical Garden and Prospect Park.
Young professionals who are nature lovers but also enjoy the liveliness of living in Brooklyn, call Crown Heights home. Want to join a thriving community in Crown Heights? Check out Crown 907, a spacious coliving home in the heart of Brooklyn.
Prospect Lefferts Gardens
Just south of Crown Heights is Prospect Lefferts Gardens. Like Crown Heights, it borders Prospect Park but is smaller in size. Locals refer to the neighborhood as Brooklyn’s best-kept secret because it almost feels like you’re not in New York.
PLG, as it’s lovingly referred to, is a mostly residential neighborhood with a small-town feel. This Brooklyn neighborhood offers residents an artistic, yet casual vibe that can be enjoyed at one of its many coffee shops and indie boutiques.
Cafes like Loud Baby and Ciao Bella are great places to work remotely, while restaurants such as Zanmi and Culepeppers offer some of the best Caribbean plates in the city. If you’re looking for a small-town feel in the big city where you can walk and work from an abundance of coffee shops, PLG is the Brooklyn neighborhood for you.
Boerum Hill
Boerum Hill is another Brooklyn neighborhood with a slower pace of life. Similar to Prospect Lefferts Gardens, it’s one of Brooklyn’s smaller neighborhoods and is located in a peaceful environment with tree-lined streets. Although most of its residents have been there for years, Boerum Hill has recently experienced a surge of newcomers looking for a less crowded and more affordable place to live.
Despite this population growth, the neighborhood remains cozy and seemingly removed from the hustle and bustle of New York. Locals say it almost gives off an urban “village vibe” because of its indie shops and regular street fairs. Young professionals looking for a quiet neighborhood with a communal vibe will feel right at home in Boerum Hill.
Carroll Gardens
This historic Brooklyn neighborhood is known for its Italian roots which can be observed to this day through its many Italian bakeries and eateries. Grabbing pizza at Lucali’s or cannolis at Mazzola Bakery are regular activities for residents of Carroll Gardens.
Back in the 1800s, surveyors designed large brownstones with plenty of outdoor space to attract wealthy New Yorkers to move to the area. Nowadays, Carroll Gardens continues to attract new residents with its beautiful front yard gardens, setting it apart from other Brooklyn neighborhoods.
This Brooklyn neighborhood is also full of boutiques, quirky outlets, dance studios, and other hobby shops like the Brooklyn Strategist. Carroll Gardens is one of the best places to settle down if you have an appreciation for Italian-American culture and are looking to meet new people through a hobby of yours.
Fort Greene
Fort Greene is a diverse community with a mix of hip bars, laid-back restaurants, and indie shops. The neighborhood hosts seasonal flea markets and has a number of chic businesses dotting the streets of Dekalb and Myrtle avenues.
Music events and sports events are regularly hosted at the Barclays Center and Brooklyn Academy of Music, both of which are nearby. Located next to the Pratt Institute and St. Joseph’s College, this Brooklyn neighborhood has a collegiate feel to it. It’s a great neighborhood to settle down in if you’re a recent grad who wants to form a part of an academic environment.
Gowanus
Gowanus may be one of the most underrated neighborhoods in Brooklyn. The former industrial district has recently become one of the coolest places in Brooklyn to settle down. New residential development within old warehouses has ignited an influx of young professionals in the area. This Brooklyn neighborhood has a nice mix of classic row houses and converted lofts.
Boasting beautiful architecture and affordable living options, Gowanus is home to a number of millennials and Gen Z professionals eager to explore breweries, art studios, coffee shops, and gastropubs. Bordering Park Slope, it’s conveniently situated between the peace and quiet of Prospect Park and the business of Manhattan.
If you’re looking to remain close to the city and live in a beautiful, recently renovated loft, moving to Gowanus is your best bet.
Co-living in Brooklyn neighborhoods
Even when you find the right neighborhood for you, moving to a city as big and diverse as New York is enough to make anyone feel overwhelmed. Coliving offers a safe and inclusive alternative for young professionals who want to move to Brooklyn.
Cohabs currently has three homes in Brooklyn and four more that will be opening soon. Each house has its own vibe, a unique set of roommates, and thoughtfully designed co-living spaces that are sure to make you feel welcome. Apply for a room today to get started on your Brooklyn adventure!
