Thanks to its low-key, residential atmosphere — a charming dose of suburbia within New York City — it’s no wonder many people find Midwood, Brooklyn, an attractive place to live. Located in south-central Brooklyn, this quiet neighborhood is a peaceful area with wildly affordable real estate, a few bustling commerce centers, and easy access to Manhattan.

“It’s fairly quiet,” explains Douglas Elliman broker Rebekah Carver, “but also has plenty of desirable amenities.” From shops and restaurants (including stellar pizza — we’ll get to that later) to sprawling single-family homes, this diverse Brooklyn area is a haven for residents and just a quick trip to the city. 

Midwood Homes Under $650K on StreetEasy Article continues below

Midwood

820 Ocean Parkway

$649,000

3 |

2

Midwood

1171 Ocean Parkway

$415,000

2 |

1

Midwood

1673 Ocean Avenue

$379,000

Studio |

1

Midwood

1587 East 19th Street

$629,000

2 |

1.5

Midwood

1075 Ocean Parkway

$450,000

3 |

1

Midwood

820 Ocean Parkway

$479,000

2 |

1.5

Midwood

1610 Avenue I

$648,000

3 |

2

Midwood

1615 Avenue I

$635,000

2 |

2

Midwood

1170 Ocean Parkway

$589,000

2 |

2

Midwood

1408 Avenue O

$649,000

2 |

2

Midwood

1350 Ocean Parkway

$435,000

2 |

1

Midwood

1615 Avenue I

$449,500

2 |

1

Midwood, Brooklyn’s History & the Notorious RBG

Midwood, Brooklyn got its name from the Dutch word midwout, meaning middle woods, which indicates how forested the neighborhood was when settlers first arrived. Although you probably won’t spot many woodland creatures anymore, many of the area’s streets are still shaded and tree-lined — ideal for strolling.

Beyond the tranquility, Midwood, Brooklyn has been home to some of our country’s most important cultural places and figures, including Vitagraph Studios, an iconic and prolific film production company of the early 20th century. Not to mention former Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who grew up in Midwood. Her impactful life and legacy will soon be honored with a statue and memorial in Brooklyn. Another notable past resident is Senator Bernie Sanders. 

Midwood Rentals Under $2,500 on StreetEasy Article continues below

Midwood

1145 East 35th Street

$1,850 No Fee

Studio |

1

Midwood

1279 East 17th Street

$2,300 No Fee

1 |

1

Midwood

1431 East 2nd Street

$1,925 No Fee

1 |

1

Midwood

915 East 7th Street

$2,200 No Fee

1 |

1

Midwood

2010 Ocean Avenue

$2,283 No Fee

1 |

1

Midwood

1171 Ocean Parkway

$2,200 No Fee

1 |

1

Midwood

3008 Avenue K

$2,499 No Fee

2 |

1

Midwood

970 East 29th Street

$2,400 No Fee

2 |

1

Midwood

1544 Ocean Parkway

$2,500 No Fee

Studio |

1

Midwood

1464 Ocean Avenue

$2,350 No Fee

2 |

1

Midwood

1518 East 19th Street

$1,900 No Fee

1 |

1

Midwood

1202 Avenue K

$2,295 No Fee

2 |

1

What Are the Housing Options in Midwood, Brooklyn?

Here you will find lots of detached homes and older co-ops with generous floor plans and affordable price points. As of December 2021, the median sales asking price in Midwood, Brooklyn was $632,000, with a median rental price of $2,116 — an absolute bargain compared with the median asking sales and rental prices for the rest of Brooklyn, which are $925,000 and $2,675, respectively. Expect plenty of greenery and driveways too. Sounds too good to be true? Take a peek at the area’s current available real estate to see for yourself.

What About Midwood Manor?

The area nicknamed Midwood Manor, between Avenues I and K and East 7th and East 10th streets, has some of the most beautiful and lavish houses in Brooklyn. Expect perfect lawns, lush shrubbery, and wide tree-lined streets, alongside single-family homes — an aesthetic that could easily be mistaken for the suburban streets of Westchester County. Because Midwood does not fall under any landmarks or historic zoning, it’s common to see homes of entirely different styles and sizes sitting side by side, including an assortment of modern, Mediterranean, Greek Revival, and Tudor houses. Outside of Midwood Manor, the houses are more modest, with apartment buildings and condos increasingly common as you head south.

Brooklyn Homes Under $750K on StreetEasy Article continues below

Williamsburg

65 North 8th Street

$629,000

2 |

1

Downtown Brooklyn

10 Nevins Street

$679,000

Studio |

1

Midwood

820 Ocean Parkway

$649,000

3 |

2

Crown Heights

1496 Bedford Avenue

$699,000

2 |

2

East New York

178 Crystal Street

$749,000

5 |

2

Gravesend

2546 Stillwell Avenue

$550,000

2 |

1

Gravesend

2546 Stillwell Avenue

$550,000

2 |

1

Kensington

428 East 9th Street

$519,000

1 |

1

Kensington

428 East 9th Street

$530,000

1 |

1

Homecrest

1753 East 12th Street

$749,000

2 |

1.5

Brighton Beach

14 Brighton 7 Walk

$700,000

4 |

2

Williamsburg

63 Conselyea Street

$749,000

1 |

1

What Is There to do in Midwood, Brooklyn?

Despite its residential feel, Midwood’s main thoroughfares — notably Avenue J and Coney Island Avenue — boast just about every restaurant and shop that residents could need, says Rebekah Carver, including an array of kosher restaurants, florists, clothing shops, and beyond. For some of the city’s absolute best pizza, don’t miss Di Fara, known for their mouthwatering slices and pies. Other neighborhood staples are Mechy’s Gourmet, a kosher-style deli and restaurant, and Jerusalem Steakhouse II, known for their generous portions of Israel-style grub. 

Beyond the culinary offerings, Midwood is also fortunate enough to be located right near lively Brooklyn College, which means locals can take advantage of the Center for the Performing Arts’ productions. Those living near the college are eligible for a discounted gym membership — which includes an impressive Olympic-sized pool — by just showing proof of a residency, like a water or electricity bill. Keep in mind, not all facilities are open to the public during COVID-19.

Brooklyn Rentals Under $3,000 on StreetEasy Article continues below

Prospect Park South

1735 Caton Avenue

$2,650 No Fee

1 |

1

Bushwick

917 Willoughby Avenue

$1,600 No Fee

Studio |

1

Bedford-Stuyvesant

349 Nostrand Avenue

$2,400 No Fee

1 |

1

Flatbush

186 Lenox Road

$2,506 No Fee

2 |

1

Bedford-Stuyvesant

460 Throop Avenue

$2,361 No Fee

1 |

1

Marine Park

2175 East 37th Street

$2,200 No Fee

2 |

1

Bedford-Stuyvesant

709 De Kalb Avenue

$2,900 No Fee

2 |

1

Flatbush

2915 Albermarle Road

$2,700 No Fee

1 |

1

Stuyvesant Heights

340 Vernon Avenue

$2,132 No Fee

Studio |

1

Coney Island

2828 West 16th Street

$2,500 No Fee

1 |

376

Weeksville

1188 Saint Mark’s Avenue

$2,521 No Fee

2 |

1

Prospect Lefferts Gardens

227 Winthrop Avenue

$2,898 No Fee

2 |

2

How Do You Get to Midwood?

With the B/Q subway lines, express buses BM1, BM3, and BM4, and proximity to the freeway, commuting to Midwood is a breeze. “It’s deceiving how easy it is to reach Manhattan,” Carver says. Although Midwood might look far away on a map, “you can be in Chelsea in less than 15 minutes.” It’s incredibly accessible by car because so many homes have driveways, making owning a vehicle much more attractive and more manageable than in many other parts of the city. By subway, the trip to Midtown only takes about 45 minutes. Additionally, during the pandemic, the MTA has added the B99 overnight bus service, connecting Midwood to Columbus Circle.

Whether you’re looking to rent or to buy, find your next NYC apartment on StreetEasy.