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

2525 Nostrand Avenue

$425,000

2 |

1

Midwood

800 Ocean Parkway

$490,000

2 |

1

Midwood

1615 Avenue I

$495,000

2 |

1

Midwood

1615 Avenue I

$500,000

2 |

1

Midwood

1401 Ocean Avenue

$430,000

1 |

1

Midwood

2425 Kings Highway

$369,000

2 |

1

Midwood

1530 East 8th Street

$409,000

2 |

1.5

Midwood

820 Ocean Parkway

$499,000

2 |

1

Midwood

1075 Ocean Parkway

$450,000

3 |

1

Midwood

915 East 17th Street

$479,000

2 |

1

Midwood

1673 Ocean Avenue

$519,999

1 |

1

Midwood

915 East 17th Street

$445,000

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

414 Elmwood Avenue

$1,495 No Fee

Studio |

1

Midwood

1145 East 35th Street

$2,235 No Fee

2 |

1

Midwood

3211 Avenue I

$2,125 No Fee

1 |

1

Midwood

618 Avenue H

$2,300 No Fee

Studio |

1

Midwood

1850 Ocean Avenue

$1,795 No Fee

1 |

1

Midwood

1532 Ocean Avenue

$1,430 No Fee

1 |

1

Midwood

1870 Ocean Avenue

$2,350 No Fee

2 |

2

Midwood

1360 Ocean Parkway

$1,875 No Fee

Studio |

1

Midwood

1608 Ocean Parkway

$2,000 No Fee

1 |

1

Midwood

825 Ocean Parkway

$1,650 No Fee

Studio |

1

Midwood

1500 Ocean Parkway

$1,875 No Fee

1 |

1

Midwood

3221 Avenue L

$1,600 No Fee

Studio |

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

Flatlands

1360 East 57th Street

$569,000

3 |

1

East New York

390 Essex Street

$675,000

5 |

3.5

Fort Hamilton

9425 Shore Road

$725,000

2 |

2

Prospect Park South

232 East 18th Street

$610,000

1 |

1

Park Slope

195 Garfield Place

$625,000

1 |

1

Williamsburg

231 Maujer Street

$570,000

1 |

1

Prospect Park South

221 East 18th Street

$750,000

2 |

1

City Line

726 Hemlock Street

$615,000

3 |

1.5

Bensonhurst

1560 West 6th Street

$688,000

2 |

2

East Flatbush

3311 Newkirk Avenue

$650,000

2 |

2

Homecrest

1733 East 14th Street

$750,000

3 |

2

Fiske Terrace

800 East 17th Street

$720,000

2 |

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

Bedford-Stuyvesant

279 Kosciusko Street

$2,995 No Fee

2 |

1

Bushwick

340 Evergreen Avenue

$2,750 No Fee

1 |

1

Stuyvesant Heights

401 Macon Street

$2,550 No Fee

1 |

1

Bergen Beach

1253 East 69th Street

$2,900 No Fee

3 |

1.5

Sunset Park

762 41st Street

$2,600 No Fee

2 |

2

Kensington

540 Ocean Parkway

$2,299 No Fee

2 |

1

East New York

19 Malta Street

$2,500 No Fee

2 |

1.5

Brooklyn Heights

49 Willow Street

$2,500 No Fee

Studio |

1

Ocean Hill

202 Hull Street

$2,750 No Fee

3 |

1

Flatbush

124 Erasmus Street

$2,400 No Fee

1 |

1

Flatbush

1498 Nostrand Avenue

$2,550 No Fee

1 |

1.5

Flatbush

1498 Nostrand Avenue

$2,650 No Fee

1 |

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.