Everything you should know about Crown Heights
ZIP Code: 11213, 11216, 11233, 11238, 11225
Think of Crown Heights as a microcosm of New York: a place where the old and new exist side by side. From the dynamic and energetic commercial district of Utica and Nostrand to the laid back residential area of Eastern Parkway, Crown Heights offers a great mix of dining options, commercial establishments, and affordable housing.
Why you should move to Crown Heights
Just like many other nearby districts in Brooklyn such as Bay Ridge or Park Slope, Crown Heights has undergone many transitions through the years. Once an immigrant destination that was appealing because of low housing prices, it has now become one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Brooklyn.
The community is made up of a mix of city workers and local business owners, making Crown Heights a literal melting pot of cultures, professions, and backgrounds. People in Crown Heights are community-oriented, and yes, you’ll immediately feel like you belong from the moment you arrive in this district.
What you can do in Crown Heights
LIfe in Crown Heights is a never-ending adventure for those who love taking strolls around their neighborhood. There’s always a new restaurant to try or a new boutique shop to check out, as well as historical sites to admire. When the weather is pleasant, you can spend the day with your family at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, or if it’s raining, visit the Brooklyn Children’s Museum.
No matter what time of the day you step out, there’s always something to do, see, and experience in Crown Heights. The bustling areas of Washington, Franklin, and Nostrand avenues boast a myriad of cafes, restaurants, and shops. At night, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to bars and nightclubs. Whether you want to dance the night away or find a quiet place to have a first date, there’s always a great bar to grab a table and order a delicious round of drinks.
If you’re visiting Crown Heights, make sure to time your visit with Labor Day. Crown Heights is the location of the West Indian Day Parade, one of the largest annual street festivals in New York City!
The Vibe
Residents and tourists alike will get swept up with the life and color of Crown Heights. It feels like one never-ending party!
The Heart
If you want to experience the best of Crown Heights, head on over to Nostrand Avenue. Here, you’ll see restaurants serving food from all over the world side by side with locally-owned businesses, while trendy cocktail bars blast the latest music.
Best known for
The food scene in Crown Heights stands out even by New York standards! Whether you’re in the mood for Caribbean fare, Jewish cuisine, Italian comfort food, or Japanese-Mexican fusion, the restaurants in Crown Heights offer a virtually endless selection.
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This is what Crown Heights is like
A stroll down any street in Crown Heightswill get you smiles and friendly greetings from the locals. Once you’ve filled your heart with the warm atmosphere, it’s time to fill your tummy! Tom’s Diner is one of the oldest restaurants in the district, serving up classic American comfort food. Their pancakes are just the thing you need to start your day right!
Lifestyle in Crown Heights
Here’s what you can expect if you decide to rent an apartment in Crown Heights. From the busy Nostrand Avenue to the tranquil Eastern Parkway, life in this district is both fast-paced and laid back, depending on where you go.
What is it like to live in Crown Heights
Imagine living in a place where every business and restaurant owner knows your name -- that’s what it’s like to stay in Crown Heights! A majority of the shops are owned by locals, and once you become a regular, you’ll be greeted by name every time you come in.
You’ll never get tired of the green spaces in Crown Heights. With the Brooklyn Botanic Garden so close by, you can easily walk, take a bite, or ride one of the numerous buses servicing the city whenever you want to relax in the park. What’s more, Prospect Park has easy access to numerous dining and shopping options, so you’ll never run out of things to do.
Getting around Crown Heights is a breeze! It has several subway lines (New York Subway’s IRT Eastern Parkway Line and IRT Nostrand Avenue Line, to name a few), as well as several bus lines.
What is the nightlife like in Crown Heights
If you love Crown Heights during the day, then you’ll love the district even more when the sun goes down! This district has a lively and energetic nightlife scene, and bar-hopping is a time-honored tradition for both locals and tourists alike.
Grab some tiki-themed drinks at Super Power, where their signature Super Fashioned is the go-to drink. Don’t forget to order some banh mi hot dogs and nachos to pair with your drink.
For those looking for a more quiet and exclusive bar, head on over to King Tai. They might have a small menu, but if you want the best of the best, make sure to order the mezcal drink of the season.
Monthly average rent in Crown Heights
Crown Heights Housing, Rooms, Apartments, Sublets
Crown Heights Benefits
Upside
Crown Heights is a nice neighborhood where you can find great schools, parks, and restaurants. However, the best thing about the district is their stoop culture: people connect, hang out, and create a sense of community from their stoops! In fact, you’ll probably get to know most of your neighbors from conversations that you’ll have while hanging out on your stoops.
During the weekends, there’s a bustling farmer’s market at the Eastern Parkway where you can sample local fare, buy fresh produce, or simply sit on a bench and go people watching.
Downside
There’s no denying that Crown Heights is an attractive place to live in because of the diverse culture and great food scene, but this also means that rent prices have steadily increased in recent years. If you’re starting out in your career, you might find it a bit difficult to live and rent in Crown Heights.
Public places in Crown Heights
Colleges / Universities
- Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch
- Medgar Evers College
- Medgar College CUNY
- Talmudical Seminary Oholei Torah
- University of Business and Technology
Hospitals
- Crown Heights Animal Hospital
- Crown Heights Medical
- Interfaith Medical Center
- Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center
- Maimondies Hospital
- New York City Health & Hospital
- NYC Health+ Hospital
- St. Mary’s Hospital for Children
Parks & Recreation
- Brower Park
- Hamilton Metz Field
- Mount Prospect Park
- Parkside Playground
- Prospect Park
- St. John’s Park and Recreation Center
- Wingate Park
Places you should visit in Crown Heights
Barclays Center
A massive sports arena, Barclays hosts several professional sporting events throughout the year. Whether you’re a hockey, basketball, or boxing fan, you’ll be sure to find something to watch. Barclays also hosts other huge events such as concerts and boxing matches.
Jewish Children’s Museum
Learn more about Jewish heritage and culture at the Jewish Children’s Museum. Afterwards, head on over to Benz’s Fish for some of the best Jewish cuisine, such as smoked fish, pickled herring, and gourmet olives.
Video Revival
On Rogers Avenue, there’s an art-house movie theater hidden inside a former beauty salon. Video Revival regularly shows short films from independent directors and small production houses. If you have a penchant for indie films, this is a great place to visit on a lazy weekend.
Weeksville Heritage Center
The Weeksville Heritage Center is one of the most important historical sites for the African-American community. It was one of the first free black communities that was formed before the Civil War. According to legend, it was also a stop on the Underground Railroad.
How to get around in Crown Heights
Subway
Botanic Garden
Clinton - Washington Aves
Crown Hts - Utica Ave
Eastern Pkwy - Bklyn Museum
Franklin Ave
Franklin Ave - Fulton St
Kingston - Throop Aves
Kingston Ave
Nostrand Ave
Park Pl
President St
Prospect Park
Ralph Ave
Sterling St
Sutter Ave - Rutland Road
Utica Ave
Transit Score: 98
Crown Heights has world-class public transportation with 5 subway lines and 14 bus lines servicing the city. You can easily get around the district via public transportation, with most major attractions being near terminals.
Bike Score: 85
Crown Heights has a relatively higher bike score compared to neighboring districts because most of the terrain in the area is flat and easily accessible for bikers. You can ride a bike for most trips, whether you’re running errands, going to the gym, or headed to the park.
Walk Score: 95
Walking through Crown Heights is a pleasant affair. Many small shops and eateries are close to residential areas, and you can take a short stroll between stops.
Learn more about Crown Heights
Neighborhoods nearby Crown Heights you might also like
If you love great food, friendly people, and a close-knit community, here are nearby neighborhoods to Crown Heights that have a similar vibe: