Gowanas, Park Slope, Prospect Heights
Gowanas
Gowanas is one of the developing neighbourhoods in Brooklyn attracting singles, professionals and creatives. Gowanus has an average violent crime rate and a below average property crime rate for New York City. Gowanus is bordered on the north by Boerum Hill, on the east by Park Slope, on the south by Sunset Park, and on the west by Carroll Gardens.
Gowanus has a 1.8 mile long canal which is a Superfund site, meaning it is so polluted with industrial waste and sewage that it will cost the U.S. government USD $500 million to clean it up. The water is poisoned and in the summer the canal smells. There are warehouses and light industry along the canal itself, but the government's money has resulted in brand new condos and apartment buildings side-by-side with the historic two- and three-story brick rowhouses. Young professionals are moving in and driving up prices, but much of its established, blue collar population remains.
Wall Street: 4.3 miles / 15-25 minutes by car / 35 minutes by transit / 30 minutes by bike
Rockefeller Center: 8 miles / 30-60 minutes by car / 45 minutes by transit
Jersey City: 10.5 miles / 30-60 minutes by car / 50-60 minutes by transit
Downtown Brooklyn: 2.1 miles / 15-30 minutes by car / 25 minutes by transit / 15-20 minutes by bike
Park Slope
Park Slope is a family-friendly area that also attracts singles, young professionals, creatives and the LGBTQ community. Park Slope has a low violent crime rate and a below average property crime rate for New York City. Park Slope is bordered on the north by Fort Greene and Prospect Heights, on the east by Prospect Park, on the south by South Slope, and on the west by Gowanus and Boerum Hill.
Like other neighborhoods in Brooklyn, the most prominent housing in Park Slope is well-maintained brownstones on leafy streets. There are also elegant pre-war brick apartment buildings and a number of mansions, though many have been repurposed into schools. New development is bringing in luxury condo buildings.
Park Slope is known for brigades of young moms in yoga wear pushing strollers, its utopian food co-op, and the rise of babycinnos (a cappuccino, but just with milk). People here tend to know their neighbors. Park Slope has a small town feel, low crime, and great public schools plus a range of dining and shopping options. It was ranked "Most Liveable Neighborhood" in New York City several years ago. Park Slope is alongside the 585 acres Prospect Park with grassy spaces, walking and running paths, a lake, fishing, athletic fields, horseback riding, nature walks, boating, playgrounds, and a green market.
Wall Street: 4.9 miles / 15-35 minutes by car / 35 minutes by transit / 30 minutes by bike
Rockefeller Center: 8.6 miles / 35-70 minutes by car / 40 minutes by transit
Jersey City: 11.1 miles / 35-70 minutes by car / 50-60 minutes by transit
Downtown Brooklyn: 2.4 miles / 15-35 minutes by car / 20 minutes by transit / 20 minutes by bike
Prospect Heights
Prospect Heights is a family-oriented community also attracting singles, professionals, retirees and empty-nesters. Prospect Heights has a below average violent crime rate and a below average property crime rate for New York City. Prospect Heights is bordered on the north by Fort Greene and Clinton Hill, on the east by Crown Heights, on the south by Prospect Park, and on the west by Park Slope,
Prospect Heights is known for elegant brownstones and leafy streets although new development is spawning a huge number of apartment units, with new restaurants and bars are popping up on the two commercial thoroughfares making the neighborhood increasingly attractive to young professionals.
Residents also benefit from being on top of a transit hub for New York's subway system: nine different subway lines come through here and two more are accessible just a few blocks away.
Wall Street: 4 miles / 20-45 minutes by car / 25 minutes by transit / 30 minutes by bike
Rockefeller Center: 8.6 miles / 35-70 minutes by car / 35 minutes by transit
Jersey City: 10.1 miles / 35-70 minutes by car / 50 minutes by transit
Downtown Brooklyn: 1.7 miles / 10-25 minutes by car / 20 minutes by transit / 15 minutes by bike