New York - Brooklyn neighborhoods

You are planning a trip to New York and you want to stay in Brooklyn one of the 5 New York neighborhoods. Suddenly, you wonder what are the dangerous neighborhoods in Brooklyn and where are the best places to stay.

Located South West of Manhattan and adjoining Queens, Brooklyn does indeed have beautiful, friendly and authentic neighborhoods. But Brooklyn also brings together certain sensitive or dangerous areas for tourists.

Find out how to spot neighborhoods to avoid and the best areas in Brooklyn for tourists below. An interactive map will allow you to locate them better.

Is Brooklyn dangerous?

YES according to the site crimegrade-org which gives it a D rating (crime rate much higher than the average in American cities).

Moderately dangerous according to the site Numbeo.com which gives it a crime index of 45.35 what is below the crime indices of Miami, Los Angeles or San Francisco.

In fact, even if Brooklyn has become a trendy district of New York, this borough is still more dangerous than Manhattan or Queens.

Why this insecurity in Brooklyn? In fact, this New York borough had developed with the industrial age but after WWII unemployment and poverty set in. Along with social misery, drugs, violence and crime have increased.

Brooklyn neighborhood map

I'm not going to detail all of Brooklyn's many neighborhoods: Downtown, Brooklyn Heights, Canarsie, Cobble Hill, DUMBO, Park Slope-Carroll Gardens, Williamsburg, East Williamsburg, Bushwick, Prospect Heights, Red Hook, Fort Greene, Coney Island, Brighton Beach, Bay Ridge, Sunset Park, Greenpoint, Flatbush, Midwood, Sheepshead Bay. It would be too long and too complex!

Here, first, is a Google Map to help you locate the most dangerous neighborhoods in Brooklyn, the tourist neighborhoods and the best neighborhoods to stay (see list below).

Most dangerous neighborhoods in Brooklyn

It is important to know that Brooklyn has always had a bad reputation even though some neighborhoods there are now very safe.

Indeed, tourists should avoid neighborhoods located in the North Brooklyn area. here are the 3 neighborhoods deemed to be the most dangerous :

Brownsville - Brooklyn's most dangerous neighborhood

North of Brooklyn, Brownsville is a ghetto that has the reputation of being one of the most most dangerous in New York. Its level of violence all together (crimes, misdemeanors, assaults, drugs, shootings) is among the highest in New York. See DNAinfos.com report relating to the crime in Brownsville.

East New York: Dangerous neighborhood of Brooklyn

Since the 60s, this neighborhood has experienced the highest crime rates in Brooklyn. Some see East New York as the murder capital of Brooklyn on par with Brownsville.

Along with the social problems generated by poverty, drug addiction crime (crack and heroin) has grown in this area.


Bedford-Stuyvesant: area to avoid in Brookyn

Bedford-Stuyvesant (Bed-Sty) is also a historically violent neighborhood. In the 60s, it was the largest and most violent ghetto in the United States. Fortunately, its crime rate is declining. But this neighborhood is still considered dangerous, especially at Myrtle Avenue.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Brooklyn?

Here are the neighborhoods in Brooklyn that have the reputation of being the safest (click for their location):

Best neighborhoods to stay in Brooklyn

There are many interesting neighborhoods that one can recommend for choosing a hotel. Among the most beautiful, safest and most touristic places, here are the 3 most popular areas for tourists:

Brooklyn heights

Brooklyn Heights is a chic residential area with many period buildings but above all with incredible views of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. This area is very popular for its promenade along the East River. New Yorkers love to hang out in the lively bars and restaurants of Henry Street.

It is in this very pretty district that one of the most beautiful hotels in Brooklyn is located:

HOTEL BROOKLYN BRIDGE

Hotel far from the dangerous neighborhoods of Brooklyn in New York

DUMBO

DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) is an affluent neighborhood. Like Brooklyn Heights, it's a neighborhood from which you have a breathtaking view of southern Manhattan.

downtown brooklyn

Located in the Northwestern part of Brooklyn, Downtown Brooklyn ou DoBro is a commercial district but also a large business district. It looks like the majority of downtown areas in large American cities with its huge buildings and malls. It is the most touristic district of Brooklyn (museums, good restaurants, bars, shops…).

Where to choose your hotel in Brooklyn?

For its proximity to Manhattan, I recommend choosing your hotel in downtown brooklyn. Indeed, you will find a fairly diversified hotel offer there and more interesting in terms of price than in Manhattan.

Downtown Brooklyn Hotel

HOTEL DOWNTOWN

7 thoughts on “Neighborhoods New York – Brooklyn”

  1. Ping: New York in 2 days - New York walking itinerary + tourist circuit card

    1. Hello Bénédicte,
      I do not know this district of Brooklyn but on the map that you can use below, it is indicated in yellow so not very dangerous. A note only indicates that (like everywhere else) beware of pique pockets!
      https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?msa=0&dg=feature&mid=1TOOhlgGoaANKGleiKq1FweTD3Y0&ll=40.717414500000004%2C-73.95649916666667&z=16

      If you need more information, you can ask your question on the travel forums: routard.com or voyageforum.com

  2. Hello,
    We are moving to NYC next year (5 adults) and we have found an Airbnb rental and the owners live on the second floor
    In the Crown Heights district, is this district dangerous during the day and at night?
    Thank you very much for your response.

  3. Hi,
    We want to go to New York on All Saints' Day 2019. I found a nice apartment in Flatbush - Ditmas Park. Could you tell me if this district is safe and if it is close enough to the monuments to see in New York?
    We are 4 and we are looking for an apartment for 1500 € for a week. Do you have a place to advise us?

    Thank you for your reply.

    Sincerely.

    1. Hello,
      Personally, I don't know this neighborhood. On the other hand, by going to the American forums, I was able to find this comment which is not very reassuring:

      “Anyway, my advice is to leave Flatbush as soon as possible. It is not a good area and is actually one of the worst crime hit areas in Brooklyn. There is always a decent amount of affordable safe zones in Brooklyn or elsewhere in the city that will be much better for you.

      More: http://www.city-data.com/forum/new-york-city/1944469-flatbush-safe.html#ixzz5XkqJcGwW« 

      To help you find cheap hotels or apartments and in safe neighborhoods and near the sites to visit, here is the article you need to consult:

      https://sacavoyage.fr/hotels-pas-chers-new-york/

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