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

1972 Ocean Avenue

$650,000

2 |

2

Midwood

763 Ocean Parkway

$650,000

2 |

1

Midwood

1680 Ocean Avenue

$399,000

2 |

1

Midwood

2113 Kings Highway

$375,000

1 |

1

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

$625,000

2 |

2

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

1673 Ocean Avenue

$2,200 No Fee

Studio |

1

Midwood

1325 East 19th Street

$1,850 No Fee

1 |

1

Midwood

855 East 7th Street

$2,000 No Fee

1 |

1

Midwood

1728 Coney is Avenue

$2,026 No Fee

Studio |

1

Midwood

1250 Ocean Parkway

$1,800 No Fee

Studio |

1

Midwood

1648 East 14th Street

$1,980 No Fee

1 |

1

Midwood

3008 Avenue K

$2,299 No Fee

2 |

1

Midwood

1202 Avenue K

$2,210 No Fee

2 |

1

Midwood

1277 E 14th Street

$2,438 No Fee

1 |

1

Midwood

1866 Ocean Avenue

$1,499 No Fee

1 |

1

Midwood

1620 Avenue I

$2,500 No Fee

2 |

1

Midwood

1802 Ocean Avenue

$2,499 No Fee

1 |

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

Sheepshead Bay

2841 Ford Street

$699,000

2 |

2

Kensington

110 Ocean Parkway

$535,000

1 |

1

Greenpoint

1059 Manhattan Avenue

$675,000

Studio |

1

Fort Hamilton

350 91st Street

$649,000

1 |

1

Ditmas Park

400 East 17th Street

$565,000

2 |

1

Bedford-Stuyvesant

479 Lexington Avenue

$525,000

1 |

1

Williamsburg

480 Kent Avenue

$715,000

Studio |

1

Brighton Beach

1014 Banner Avenue

$569,000

1 |

1.5

Brownsville

289 Remsen Avenue

$659,000

3 |

2.5

Midwood

1972 Ocean Avenue

$650,000

2 |

2

Brighton Beach

1311 Brightwater Avenue

$575,000

1 |

1

East New York

851 Glenmore Avenue

$589,000

Studio |

2

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

Crown Heights

1448 Dean Street

$2,800 No Fee

2 |

1

Fort Hamilton

146 92nd Street

$1,899 No Fee

1 |

1

Prospect Park South

570 Ocean Avenue

$2,100 No Fee

Studio |

1

Greenpoint

127 Guernsey Street

$2,650 No Fee

1 |

1

Stuyvesant Heights

498 Jefferson Avenue

$2,449 No Fee

2 |

1

Bedford-Stuyvesant

455 Lexington Avenue

$2,842 No Fee

1 |

1

Bushwick

1001 Bushwick Avenue

$2,750 No Fee

1 |

1

Bay Ridge

7501 Ridge Boulevard

$2,400 No Fee

Studio |

1

Bushwick

27 Arion Place

$2,800 No Fee

Studio |

1

Flatbush

245 Martense Street

$2,750 No Fee

2 |

1

Flatbush

2734 Snyder Avenue

$2,450 No Fee

2 |

1

Greenwood

195 22nd Street

$3,000 No Fee

2 |

1

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.