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

1916 Avenue K

$449,000

2 |

2

Midwood

2425 Kings Highway

$499,999

3 |

2

Midwood

1673 Ocean Avenue

$350,000

Studio |

1

Midwood

1673 Ocean Avenue

$400,000

1 |

1

Midwood

915 East 17th Street

$639,000

2 |

2

Midwood

1680 Ocean Avenue

$515,000

2 |

2

Midwood

618 Avenue H

$619,000

2 |

1

Midwood

618 Avenue H

$529,000

1 |

1

Midwood

618 Avenue H

$510,000

1 |

1

Midwood

414 Elmwood Avenue

$489,900

1 |

1

Midwood

918 East 14th Street

$399,000

2 |

1

Midwood

1180 Ocean Parkway

$439,000

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

1440 Ocean Parkway

$1,695 No Fee

1 |

1

Midwood

1413 Kings Highway

$2,400 No Fee

1 |

1

Midwood

1170 Ocean Parkway

$2,000 No Fee

1 |

1

Midwood

1800 Ocean Avenue

$2,479 No Fee

1 |

1

Midwood

1602 Ocean Avenue

$2,395 No Fee

2 |

1

Midwood

1609 Ocean Avenue

$2,350 No Fee

1 |

1

Midwood

1532 Ocean Avenue

$1,850 No Fee

1 |

1

Midwood

1440 Ocean Parkway

$1,650 No Fee

1 |

1

Midwood

1730 Ocean Avenue

$1,950 No Fee

Studio |

1

Midwood

1489 East 8th Street

$2,200 No Fee

2 |

1

Midwood

1609 Ocean Avenue

$2,500 No Fee

2 |

1

Midwood

3009 Avenue I

$1,875 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

Sunset Park

414 61st Street

$589,000

3 |

1

Bergen Beach

7274 Royce Place

$699,000

3 |

1.5

Dyker Heights

1379 70th Street

$708,000

2 |

2

Canarsie

8121 Avenue L

$629,000

3 |

1.5

Flatbush

2107 Bedford Avenue

$575,000

2 |

1

Prospect Heights

375 Lincoln Place

$675,000

1 |

1

Bushwick

373 Palmetto Street

$625,000

1 |

1.5

Williamsburg

74 Richardson Street

$600,000

Studio |

1

Cobble Hill

121 Pacific Street

$575,000

1 |

1

Park Slope

225 Lincoln Place

$675,000

1 |

1

Ditmas Park

631 East 18th Street

$695,000

1 |

1

Crown Heights

954 Bergen Street

$610,000

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

Park Slope

308 Prospect Avenue

$2,750 No Fee

2 |

1

Midwood

1800 Ocean Avenue

$2,950 No Fee

1 |

2

Bensonhurst

1539 Bay Ridge Parkway

$1,750 No Fee

Studio |

1

Cobble Hill

30 Cheever Place

$2,700 No Fee

Studio |

1

Ocean Hill

206 Sumpter Street

$2,200 No Fee

2 |

1

Prospect Heights

195 Underhill Avenue

$2,376 No Fee

Studio |

1

Weeksville

1576 Lincoln Place

$2,795 No Fee

3 |

1

Ditmas Park

385 East 16th Street

$2,750 No Fee

1 |

1

Crown Heights

1846 Prospect Place

$2,800 No Fee

2 |

1

Bushwick

35 Aberdeen Street

$2,499 No Fee

1 |

1

Sunset Park

754 40th Street

$2,250 No Fee

2 |

1

Greenpoint

199 Freeman Street

$2,599 No Fee

Studio |

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.