South Brooklyn Apartments for Rent - New York, NY

Not to be confused with Southern Brooklyn, home to Coney Island, South Brooklyn is a historic term rather than a geographic one. The neighborhoods of this borough are actually more to the northwestern part of the modern day borough and share a lot of the same vibes.

These neighborhoods are largely residential, but many have vibrant night lives and plenty of museums and attractions. Many of these neighborhoods are also undergoing massive changes, adding more apartment complexes and single family homes. This has made the area popular with artists, young professionals, and families alike.

The New York City subway provides good service to this area particularly via the F, G, D, N, and R trains. The only neighborhood that is not easily accessible via these lines is Red Hook, but the buses in that area more than make up for the lack of trains.

Biking is popular everywhere in Brooklyn, and South Brooklyn is no different. With miles of bike lane being added every year, as well as tons of Citi Bike docking stations for your convenience, biking in South Brooklyn has never been easier.

Driving in this area is also very easy to do. Traffic is usually light and there’s plenty of parking.

South Brooklyn is an extremely safe area. Crime is constantly on the decline, especially violent crime, which has become extremely rare. Additionally, the area is full of amazing hospitals including NYU Langone Hospital Brooklyn and New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Medical Center.

• Boerum Hill: A trendy neighborhood with a lot of fun bars and restaurants.
• Carroll Gardens: A quiet, yet hip suburban neighborhood.
• Gowanus: An artistic neighborhood with many residential buildings in development.
• Greenwood Heights: Home to the Greenwood Cemetery.
• Park Slope: Home to Grand Army Plaza, the picturesque entrance to Prospect Park
• Red Hook: Home to the Brooklyn IKEA.
• Sunset Park: A diverse neighborhood, home to a bustling Chinatown.
• Windsor Terrace: A quiet suburban neighborhood with easy access to Prospect Park.

• Take a stroll to Grand Army Plaza in Park Slope. This is the entrance to Prospect Park and has beautiful statues and arches that make you feel like you’re entering a wonderland.
• Want some more rigorous exercise? Head to Brooklyn Boulders to get strong and have fun!
• If you love live music, dance, and theater, there’s no better spot in Brooklyn than BAM.
• Love a good view? Walk along the Bush Terminal Piers Park in Sunset Park for some amazing views of the city and the Statue of Liberty.
• Want to grab a bite? Head to Smith Street in Cobble Hill for delicious restaurants and bars.

As stated before, South Brooklyn is a historical term referring to the former southern most part of the Village of Brooklyn. While this area is no longer the southernmost point in the borough, the name stuck.

When the Dutch colonized this land, it was used for trade and farming. That tradition continued when the colony was taken by the British in 1664 and after the American Revolution. When the industrial revolution hit, this land was used for military, trade, and several industrial purposes, greatly polluting the area, especially the Gowanus Canal.

The transition from industrial neighborhoods to residential ones happened quickly for neighborhoods like Boerum Hill and Windsor Terrace. However, the transition was a lot slower for coastal neighborhoods like Sunset Park and Gowanus, much of the latter still being developed to this day. Today, most of the neighborhoods in this area are a fun mix of quiet and trendy, meaning there’s something for everyone.