You’ve likely heard of Central Park and Prospect Park… but what about Sunset Park? This idyllic Brooklyn spot provides lush, steep hills that give way to breathtaking Manhattan views. The surrounding neighborhood (of the same name) has a long-standing history of welcoming different groups of immigrants to settle among its bustling streets. The result is a delightful mix of cultures, with delicious food and charming architecture to boot. And with a plethora of both rental and sales offerings with unique historic charm, it’s no wonder that Sunset Park made our list of NYC Neighborhoods to Watch in 2024. Intrigued but don’t know exactly where to start? You’ve come to the right place! We’ve got everything you need to know about the underrated Brooklyn neighborhood below.
Where is Sunset Park?
Sunset Park is a neighborhood located in the borough of Brooklyn. It is bordered by Greenwood (sometimes called Greenwood Heights) to the north, Borough Park to the east, Bay Ridge to the south, and the New York Harbor (or Upper New York Bay) to the west. Some maps will extend Sunset Park’s boundaries slightly northwest to include Greenwood, too.
Why is Sunset Park Such a Great Place to Live?
To get a sense of why Sunset Park is such a special place to live, we spoke to Tim Stanard, a Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker with Corcoran and a StreetEasy Expert. In addition to being a highly experienced professional helping renters and owners discover the unsung neighborhood, Stanard himself was a longtime resident of what is now the Sunset Park South Historic District. Who better to give us the 411 on the area?
One of the biggest and obvious draws of Sunset Park is its relative affordability. As Stanard describes, “[It’s] a great choice for first-time home-buyers, and others who may have been priced out of neighborhoods such as Park Slope.”
But don’t make the mistake of thinking that living in Sunset Park means settling for less. Sunset Park offers access to nature, different cultures, and dynamic recreation that rivals that of its more expensive counterparts to the north. “The park itself, which has some of the most spectacular city views you’ll find anywhere, plus a community swimming pool, is of course the centerpiece of the neighborhood. The vibrancy on the streets, with so many different cultures represented, is quintessential Brooklyn,” asserts Stanard.
What’s more, Sunset Park is easily accessed via public transportation, most notably the N train and the B9 and B63 buses. Plus, as Stanard points out, “On the southern end [of the neighborhood] you’ve got the NYC Ferry at 58th Street.” While extremely well-connected to the rest of Brooklyn and other boroughs beyond, Stanard is quick to point out the “strong community feeling” contained within Sunset Park’s borders.
Historical Architecture of Sunset Park
Nowadays, the neighborhood is making strides to preserve and honor its distinctive history, especially as it pertains to its stunning architecture. Stanard takes care to shout out the tireless campaign efforts by local residents, which, in 2019, resulted in “four areas within Sunset Park [being] designated as historic districts.” These four areas are known as Central Sunset Park Historic District, Sunset Park South Historic District, Sunset Park North Historic District, and Sunset Park 50th Street Historic District.
“This demonstrates what many of us — homeowners and real estate agents alike — have long known: that Sunset Park has truly gorgeous housing stock, which is often underappreciated,” Stanard says.
Sunset Park Rentals Under $2,800 On StreetEasy Article continues below
Renting in Sunset Park
When it comes to the types of homes for rent in Sunset Park, Stanard sees a specific trend throughout: “Most rental inventory consists of floor-through rentals in 2-family homes; typically the top floor, but sometimes the garden level.” This intimate arrangement tends to foster more camaraderie and connection than you’d find in a large apartment complex, for example.
As Stanard explains, “This creates a real sense of community since the homeowner generally lives in the duplex, and in many cases the same family has lived in the home for many years, or even decades.” Renting such an apartment in Sunset Park thus allows residents to become directly enfolded into a rich neighborhood history.
As far as pricing goes, the median rent in Sunset Park runs about $2,500 per month, a figure based on January 2024 data. “Rents have gone up here as they have everywhere in the city,” Stanard admits. “But compared to the Brownstone Brooklyn neighborhoods north of Sunset Park, the rents are much more reasonable.” We’re not mad about that!
Buying a home in NYC is unlike buying a home anywhere else. Chat with our licensed StreetEasy Concierge for a free consultation to get prepared.
Buying in Sunset Park
When asked about the common types of homes for sale in Sunset Park, Stanard calls attention to the “strong collection of turn-of-the-century intact and well-preserved townhomes.” Also of note are the Finnish co-ops, multi-family cooperatives built in the early 1900’s. Stanard finds a lot of value in these unique offerings “because they were originally built as co-op homes, not as rental apartments that were later converted, as the vast majority of co-ops throughout the city were. They are still operated as true cooperative housing: subletting is not permitted and the owners work together to run their buildings, creating a true sense of community.”
According to the StreetEasy Data Dashboard, the median asking price in the neighborhood was $1.5 million as of January 2024, though home shoppers can find options at a wide range of price points.
Sunset Park Homes Under $850K On StreetEasy Article continues below
Parks and Green Spaces
The neighborhood namesake is obviously the highlight here: Sunset Park is a public park that covers a sweeping 24.5 acres between Fifth and Seventh Avenues from 41st to 44th Streets. Beyond your standard green space, the park offers walking paths, a sand volleyball court, and a gorgeous public swimming pool that’s open in the hot summer months. Not to mention the impressive views of the New York Harbor, Lower Manhattan, parts of Brooklyn, and even the Statue of Liberty. Whether you count Greenwood as part of Sunset Park or not, it’s hard to miss the massive and historically-significant Green-Wood Cemetery. Dating back to 1838, the cemetery is the final resting place of famous people like artist Jean-Michel Basquiat and baseball enthusiast Henry Chadwick. Entrance is always free and there are guided tours available to book.
What to Eat, Drink, and Do
Sunset Park’s culinary scene is as widely celebrated as its natural and architectural wonders. Due to its large population of Asian and Hispanic immigrants, you’ll find everything from dim sum to Ecuadorian baked goods to hot pot. Stanard has a few tried-and-trues that he loves to frequent: “Two of my favorite spots are Yafa Cafe and Slimak.”
And of course we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention Industry City. This multi-million dollar business park — technically located in Greenwood — consists of 35 acres of space and 16 total buildings. Offices are nestled between shops, restaurants, and bars, making it a convenient one-stop-shop for many Sunset Park residents.
A Note About Gentrification and Displacement
As Sunset Park has been at the epicenter of debates around gentrification and fast-changing demographics in Brooklyn, Stanard encourages hopeful future residents of Sunset Park to do their due diligence to get involved in a meaningful way in order to avoid perpetuating harmful cycles of displacement. “I would say that if people moving into the neighborhood want to engage in their community, get involved, be a part of, and foster the neighborly feeling that exists here, it is a wonderful thing.”
Looking to buy, sell, or rent in NYC?
Get Started with StreetEasyStreetEasy is an assumed name of Zillow, Inc. which has a real estate brokerage license in all 50 states and D.C. See real estate licenses. All third-party product, company names, logos and trademarks remain the property of their respective holders. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement.
