Welcome to Park Slope, one of the best places to live in New York City. A charming residential neighborhood filled with trees and historic homes, Park Slope is roughly bounded by Prospect Heights and Prospect Park to the east, Prospect Expressway to the south, Fourth Avenue to the west, and Atlantic Avenue to the north. First settled by the Lenape, this neighborhood was once a heavily wooded area until the early 19th century, when the land was parceled out and developed into farmland. In 1847, more than ten years after Brooklyn became an independent city, plans for Park Slope as a neighborhood began to take shape. However, it was not until the creation of Prospect Park did this neighborhood become a highly sought-after location. The opening of the Brooklyn Bridge in 1883 further increased traffic to the area and spurred interest in what would soon become the richest community in the United States. Urban sprawl throughout the early 20th century led many wealthy families to Park Slope, but by the 1940s, this area had become a predominantly working-class neighborhood. Apartment buildings slowly replaced decadent Victorian-era mansions and rowhouses. Several decades of neglect were followed by a period of revitalization towards the end of the 20th century, as property values had sunk and became attractive to affluent professional couples.
Park Slope today is marked by beautiful brownstone buildings and pedestrian-friendly streets. The thoroughfare of Prospect Park West is especially picturesque with its lovely views of this area’s famous urban green space, Prospect Park. With proximity to many exciting commercial districts in Brooklyn, Park Slope is considered one of New York City’s most desirable neighborhoods. The housing stock in Park Slope today primarily consists of rowhouses and mid-rise apartment buildings with relatively affordable price tags compared to those you will find in Manhattan’s more posh neighborhoods. The avenues of Fifth and Seventh serve as the two main commercial thoroughfares in this neighborhood. You will find a plethora of cafes, bars, and restaurants along these avenues, as well as mixed-use residential structures with businesses occupying the ground floors.
An open-minded community with a high number of college-educated residents and good public schools, Park Slope is home to an eclectic demographic of young families and working professionals. Indie boutiques, trendy restaurants, and the scenic Prospect Park attract New Yorkers from neighboring Crown Heights and Sunset Park. Park Slope is well-served by the New York City Subway, making it an easily accessible neighborhood and an ideal place to live if you are a commuter that works in Manhattan. Numerous bus stops and trains stations can be found along the bordering avenues and commercial thoroughfares of this laid-back residential paradise.