The housing landscape in New York City is changing – and the East River is no longer a dividing line, but a bridge to opportunity.
As renters and buyers continue to seek affordability, space and modern conveniences, Brooklyn and Queens are poised to outshine Manhattan in 2025.
From Ridgewood’s historic homes to Long Island City’s sleek waterfront towers, outer borough neighborhoods are stepping into the spotlight, drawing crowds with a compelling mix of culture, community and relatively lower prices.
That’s according to the latest data from StreetEasy — specifically, its always-anticipated “10 NYC Neighborhoods to Watch” report — which finds that Brooklyn and Queens are leading the charge in NYC’s burgeoning housing market.
Six of the 10 most sought-after neighborhoods are in Brooklyn, three in Queens and just one in Manhattan. With the growing demand for homes that offer beauty and modern conveniences, these neighborhoods are poised for major growth.
For the second year in a row, Ridgewood has claimed the title as NYC’s best place to keep an eye out.
What was once a quiet enclave of Queens has become a magnet for renters and buyers looking for a break from the neighboring Bushwick party scene.
StreetEasy searches for Ridgewood rose 13.2% over the past year, while the median asking rent rose 8.3% to $3,250 — just a hair below Bushwick’s $3,327. Buyers aren’t far behind, with the average asking price rising 8.4% to about $1.3 million.
Locals and visitors alike flock to the indoor-outdoor venue these days, famous for its daytime dance parties, cocktails and laid-back food truck fare.
Foodies rave about Rolo’s, where “The Bear” actor Jeremy Allen White is famous for their green lasagna pizza and wood-fired polenta pizza.
Meanwhile, Brooklyn’s Greenwood, also known as Greenwood Heights, has moved up from eighth place to second place on the list of neighborhoods to watch.
Nestled between Park Slope and Sunset Park, this pocket of Brooklyn is quietly becoming a hub for those who crave a quiet atmosphere without sacrificing access to the city. Search interest in Greenwood was up 9% from last year, even as its median rent fell slightly by 1.1% to $3,250 and home prices fell 3.2% to $1.5 million.
For Brooklyn, that’s practically a steal. But Greenwood’s greatest asset may not be its real estate—it’s the neighborhood’s namesake, Green-Wood Cemetery.
With an area of about 500 hectares, it offers hills, ponds and walking paths that rival any city park. It’s a green getaway, a historical landmark and a community space all rolled into one. Cultural icons like Leonard Bernstein and Jean-Michel Basquiat rest here, but it’s life that gives Greenwood its pulse.
Hungry? Luigi’s Pizza, the no-nonsense joint crowned NYC’s best by The Village Voice in 2008 and immortalized in Adam Sandler’s Big Daddy, still attracts loyal fans.
Greenwood is proof that sometimes it pays to stay under the radar — until you don’t.
If convenience is king, then Long Island City holds the crown.
The borough of Queens, ranked third, offers sleek high-rises, waterfront views and a commute to Midtown Manhattan that’s quicker than some commutes across the city. It’s no surprise that searches in LIC are up 8.5% this year, despite the area’s high median rent of $4,148.
Located just east of Long Island City and in fourth place, Sunnyside is quietly becoming the borough’s hottest deal.
StreetEasy searches there are up 7.8% this year, driven by Sunnyside’s mix of affordability and charm. The median home price here sits at a modest $429,000 — less than half of every other neighborhood on the list — while rents hover around $2,500.
Sunnyside offers a slice of classic New York: Art Deco co-ops, leafy streets and close-knit community vibes.
Skillman Avenue is full of old cocktail bars, cafes and restaurants.
Meanwhile, residents of Sunnyside Gardens Apartments enjoy exclusive access to a 3.5-acre private park—a rare luxury in NYC. With the 7 train offering a direct shot to Midtown, Sunnyside is proving that you don’t need to break the bank for a Brooklyn-like lifestyle.
Next, bordering Prospect Park, Brooklyn’s Windsor Terrace has long been overshadowed by its flashier neighbors, but that’s changing fast.
Searches in the area rose 7.2% last year, while rents rose 15.9% to $3,592. Still, Windsor Terrace remains more affordable than nearby Park Slope, where rents go for $3,950.
Part of the neighborhood’s appeal lies in its thoughtful development. Recent zoning changes have brought a large number of new rental buildings, many of which offer rent-stabilized units with income restrictions — a rare victory for affordability in Brooklyn.
It’s a neighborhood that feels like a community, where families stroll Prospect Park and locals chat over coffee at the corner cafe. But if you want in, you better move fast.
Prospect Heights, located north of Prospect Park, remains a sought-after Brooklyn neighborhood in 2024, with a median home price of $1.2 million — making it a more budget-friendly option compared to nearby Park Slope and Fort Greene , the latter also made this year’s list.
Despite a slight 1% drop in prices last year, the median rent is still high at $4,055, which is $655 above the Brooklyn average. The area is rich in culture, home to landmarks such as the Barclays Center, the Brooklyn Central Library, and the Brooklyn Museum.
Architecturally, it shows a mix of pre-war buildings, modern developments, mixed-use structures and historic brownstones. Part of the neighborhood, the Prospect Heights Historic District, is even listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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