You know those small-town vibes you’ve fallen in love with while watching Hallmark movies? They’re not impossible to find in New York City proper — especially in Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn. Named after Windsor, England, and founded in the late 19th century, it’s just as charming as it sounds.
The neighborhood straddling Prospect Park’s northwest flank is nothing less than cinematic. It has buzzing coffee shops, lush park access (GreenWood Cemetery is its southern neighbor), and leafy streets of row houses. Here, all the reasons the locals love it. You’re sure to, too.
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Why Is Windsor Terrace a Great Place To Live?
“It has all the benefits of Park Slope,” says Abigail Palanca, a licensed real estate salesperson for Compass who grew up in Windsor Terrace and is planning on moving back. “For so long, whenever I would tell people I was from Windsor Terrace, they wouldn’t know where it was. I would have to explain its proximity to Park Slope. But the area had come a long way from when I was a kid.” Broker Rami Avadi of Skyline Group Real Estate in Brooklyn and Manhattan loves that Windsor Terrace lives up to its name: it’s quieter than other spots in town. “It’s slower. You’re still in NYC, but it’s not loud — it’s not too busy.” And for anyone who loves to feel a bit of lush grass under their toes, proximity to Prospect Park can’t be overstated.
How Much Does It Cost To Rent or Buy in Windsor Terrace?
Spoiler alert: Windsor Terrace isn’t cheap. But it’s way, way more affordable than its tony neighbor Park Slope. The median sales asking price in Windsor Terrace as of May 2021 was $934.5K, compared to Park Slope’s $1.7M. Meanwhile, the median asking rent was $2,250 for the same period, while Park Slope landed at $2,600.
If you’re looking to score an excellent deal on a rental, behold these 10 affordable Brooklyn neighborhoods for renters.
What Are the Housing Options in Windsor Terrace?
Brick row houses and wood frame townhouses supply old-timey charm to the Windsor Terrace architectural scene, especially because many have street-facing porches practically tailor-made for rocking chairs and sweet tea. “There are rows of brick or stone townhouses and a lot of two-family frame houses throughout the neighborhood,” Palanca says. “Most homes are fully or semi-attached — and some have driveways.” Checking out the ‘hood? Don’t miss stopping by the highly Instagrammable firehouse at 1307-1309 Prospect Ave. The castle-like structure was built in 1895 in Romanesque-Revival style — and gives the FDNY the royal treatment it deserves.
Where To Eat, Drink and Shop in Windsor Terrace
“We have great restaurants and shops that have people excited about shopping locally. You don’t have to travel too far for those things, where we once did,” Palanca says. She loves the new boutique, True Love Always. Their American-made wares may include Pendleton virgin wool blankets and Maine-made candles from Wary Meyers in a cedar and woodsmoke scent. Restaurants that set her culinary pulse racing are just as unexpected, including Krupa, founded by an ex-pat of Eleven Madison Park. “All of their appetizers are my absolute favorite, and they put their own spin on them, including cod croquettes,” Palanca says. Another fave: La Paddock. The throwback menu includes everything from lobster rolls on buttered buns to a coq au vin Julia Child herself would approve of. “They’re known for their mussels and do oyster night once a week!” she says. Yummy!
How Long Does It Take To Get There From Manhattan?
M’kay, full disclosure. It’s not quite as zippy to get to the city from Windsor Terrace as it is from, say, Brooklyn Heights. But the commute has benefits. Your most walkable train options here? The F, G, and D trains are your go-to rides. You can get to Times Square in 41 minutes flat, but the D train from Fort Hamilton Parkway Station will have you meeting friends for dim sum in Chinatown in just 24 minutes.
Where Can You Chill Outside in Windsor Terrace?
Windsor Terrace is one of five great neighborhoods near Prospect Park —a 526-acre expanse of greenery. And because Windsor Terrace is a relatively small patch wedged against it, if you live here, you’re never more than eight blocks from the park itself. Longtime residents will tell you that you can have it practically all to yourself — and a few kindly dog walkers — if you show up at dawn. And don’t miss stopping in regularly at the 52-acre Brooklyn Botanic Garden, tucked inside the park. Their Aquatic House and Orchid Collection conservatory is a tropical reprieve in the chilly depths of January, with nearly 1,000 orchid species. Are you feeling maudlin? Get a dose of New York City’s storied history at Green-Wood Cemetery, founded in 1838. It’s not only free — it’s open 365 days a year. Famous graves include Jean-Michel Basquiat and Louis Comfort Tiffany. No wonder people are dying to get in there!
