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

1401 Ocean Avenue

$419,000

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1

Midwood

820 Ocean Parkway

$529,000

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1

Midwood

1673 Ocean Avenue

$524,998

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1

Midwood

1620 East 2nd Street

$588,000

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1

Midwood

618 Avenue H

$520,000

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1

Midwood

915 East 17th Street

$425,000

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1

Midwood

1620 Avenue I

$525,000

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2

Midwood

1180 Ocean Parkway

$389,000

2 |

1

Midwood

920 East 17th Street

$440,000

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1

Midwood

2068 Ocean Avenue

$499,000

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1

Midwood

1810 Avenue N

$475,000

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1

Midwood

1620 Avenue I

$395,000

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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

1360 Ocean Avenue

$1,700 No Fee

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1

Midwood

1375 Ocean Avenue

$1,575 No Fee

Studio |

1

Midwood

2400 Nostrand Avenue

$1,950 No Fee

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1

Midwood

1414 East 12th Street

$1,750 No Fee

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1

Midwood

1155 East 35th Street

$2,100 No Fee

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1

Midwood

1155 East 35th Street

$2,500 No Fee

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1

Midwood

1717 E 8th Street

$2,500 No Fee

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1

Midwood

1301 Avenue K

$1,949 No Fee

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1

Midwood

1532 Ocean Avenue

$2,180 No Fee

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1

Midwood

1413 Kings Highway

$2,200 No Fee

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1

Midwood

1494 Ocean Avenue

$1,999 No Fee

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1

Midwood

3804 Avenue L

$2,200 No Fee

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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

East Flatbush

536 East 51st Street

$749,999

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2

Sheepshead Bay

2654 East 18th Street

$540,000

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1

Gravesend

2546 Stillwell Avenue

$528,000

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1

Gravesend

2546 Stillwell Avenue

$538,000

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1

East Flatbush

283 East 42nd Street

$549,000

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1

Bergen Beach

1068 East 73rd Street

$599,000

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3

Canarsie

271 East 86th Street

$645,000

2 |

1

Midwood

1620 Avenue I

$750,000

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2

Park Slope

440 9th Street

$750,000

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1

Boerum Hill

256 Bergen Street

$579,000

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1

Homecrest

1495 East 28th Street

$565,000

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2

East Flatbush

1655 Flatbush Avenue

$598,000

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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

East Flatbush

5212 Church Avenue

$1,895 No Fee

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1

Bushwick

1134 Jefferson Avenue

$2,499 No Fee

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1

Homecrest

2650 Ocean Avenue

$1,800 No Fee

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1

Flatbush

169 Lott Street

$2,750 No Fee

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1

Stuyvesant Heights

291 Pulaski Street

$2,700 No Fee

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1

Williamsburg

110 Broadway

$2,999 No Fee

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1

Stuyvesant Heights

206 Lewis Avenue

$2,950 No Fee

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1

Stuyvesant Heights

903 De Kalb Avenue

$2,704 No Fee

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1

Homecrest

2300 Kings Highway

$1,800 No Fee

Studio |

1

East Flatbush

824 East New York Avenue

$2,400 No Fee

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1

Bedford-Stuyvesant

689 Park Avenue

$2,500 No Fee

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1

Bedford-Stuyvesant

70 Kosciusko Street

$2,500 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.