Tucked in the beating heart of Brooklyn is an enclave known for airy lofts and convenient proximity to Williamsburg. Welcome to Bushwick, Brooklyn. Here you will find art galleries, restaurants, and vibrant street art that appears tailor-made for Instagram.

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In this episode of our YouTube series, Know the Neighborhood, we give you an inside look at Bushwick and sit down with a resident to talk about what it’s really like to live there.

As of April 2023, the median asking price in Bushwick was $1.2 million, but the neighborhood has properties available across a wide range of price points. The median asking rent was $3,250 as of April 2023, which is just below Brooklyn’s median ask rent of $3,300. There’s more to know about this NYC neighborhood.

Why Is Bushwick, Brooklyn a Great Place to Live? 

Color brick row houses in Bushwick Brooklyn. Some were homes for brewers in the 1800s.
Colorful row houses in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Some were once home to brewers in the 1800s. (Getty Images)

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First, let’s talk about location. Bushwick is one of Brooklyn’s northernmost areas, near two popular neighborhoods, Greenpoint and Williamsburg. Another huge draw? Many streets have an industrial look punctuated by an artistic vibe, says Ali Raza, a licensed real estate salesperson at R New York. He recently had a Bushwick, Brooklyn listing in contract in just seven days — a sign that the market there is bustling.

There’s much to do and see in Bushwick, Brooklyn. For instance, Raza touts the nightlife options, like dance club and performing arts venue House of Yes, which Time Out once called one of the 50 best things to do globally (it’s currently hosting virtual events only, as of press time). Of course, people who enjoy time outdoors will appreciate the area’s green spaces: Maria Hernandez Park and Irving Square Park.

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Brooklyn Is Brimming With Breweries

No guide about Bushwick, Brooklyn is complete without mentioning the many watering holes. All are a nod to its roots as a brewery mecca. In fact, Brooklyn was home to some 45 breweries between the 1890s and 1915, with many brewmasters constructing their homes in Bushwick. One great place to grab a brew is King County Brewers Collective. It’s inside a 5,000 square foot warehouse and offers cheekily named offerings on tap, like ‘Superhero Sidekicks’ and ‘Penguin vs. Hipster.’ Did we mention comedian Eddy Murphy was raised here — and actor Jackie Gleason attended Bushwick High School?

Where Did Bushwick, Brooklyn Get Its Name? 

vibrant murals lining a street in Bushwick Brooklyn
You’ll find many street murals in Bushwick, Brooklyn. (Getty Images)

In 1638, Dutch settlers purchased what’s now known as Bushwick, Brooklyn, from the indigenous Canarsie tribe. Back then, the land was all trees. When Governor Peter Stuyvesant chartered the plot in 1660, he bestowed the name Boswyck, Dutch for “refuge or town in the woods.” The moniker stuck. Eventually, the area’s name evolved into “Bushwick.”

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How Long Does It Take to Get to Bushwick, Brooklyn?

A mix of old and new housing stock in bushwick brooklyn
Bushwick offers a mix of old and new housing types. (From a listing: 908 Bushwick Avenue #4B)

If you love the “me time” you get from a commute, living in Bushwick will be your happy place. For instance, you can hop on the L train, transfer to the F at 14th Street, and be in Midtown Manhattan in nearly 40 minutes. However, if you work from home, you may never want to leave. There’s so much to do in the area, especially with all the hotspots of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, just a few blocks walk away.

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What Are the Housing Options in Bushwick, Brooklyn?

newly renovated townhouses in bushwick brookyn'
Newly renovated townhouses on Covert Street in Bushwick. (From a listing: 36 Covert Street #1)

You can expect to find old industrial warehouses converted into apartment buildings. Many of these spaces offer units with lots of room for both work and play. “The housing stock in Bushwick comes in three different types: 20% single-family homes, 30% multifamily buildings, with the remainder as new development condos and luxury rental buildings,” says Raza. The plethora of options provide something for everyone, as you’ll see if you look at the currently available real estate. (Psst, here are more affordable Brooklyn neighborhoods.)

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Notable Historical Buildings

The area’s historic buildings are eye-catching. Architecture buffs flock to Bushwick to ogle the Greek Revival Reformed Church of South Bushwick. It’s on the National Register of Historic Places thanks to its fluted columns and jaw-dropping spire. Similarly, there’s also the Flemish Revival firehouse, Engine Company 252. The structure has a red sandstone, brick, and terracotta facade built circa 1896.

The Best Restaurants in Bushwick, Brooklyn

Robert's Pizzeria is famous bushwick brookyn restaurant
Roberts’s Pizzeria in Bushwick arguably serves best pizza in NYC. (Getty Images)

Many celebrities (hello, Beyoncé!) flock to Bushwick, Brooklyn, for delicious eats. For example, Roberta’s, which churns out some of the best pizza in NYC. Raza’s go-to order is the “Bee Sting” pizza, which includes a thick drizzle of honey. Another local favorite? Faro, a locavore pasta joint known for its Michelin-starred chef. For summery surf shack vibes, proceed directly to the Bushwick, Brooklyn’s outpost of Sea Wolf. Delectable dishes include wood-fired lobster tacos and lobster and bacon cheeseburgers. The best part? No sand in your shoes!

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