Greenwood Heights:
Where families — and small businesses — thrive beside a 19th century tourist magnet.
Greenwood Heights may have more famous residents than any other neighborhood in New York City thanks to its namesake Green-Wood Cemetery. Much like Paris’s Cimetière du Père Lachaise, it draws visitors from around the globe to stroll its verdant hills and admire its views, and has since the 1830s when it was the country’s second most popular tourist destination, after Niagara Falls. This small neighborhood has also seen the transition from a working waterfront to a mix of industry, small residences and startup culture. It’s now an unpretentious, welcoming spot drawing the artists and families that once flocked to nearby Park Slope.
What To Expect:
A blend of Sunset Park and Park Slope that’s more laid back than both.
This quiet neighborhood’s borders are often debated, reflecting its status as a hybrid of its neighbors. To the south, Sunset Park is visually similar, sharing the mix of industry, residences, and busy commercial thoroughfares. To the north, Park Slope’s popularity has outpaced demand, bringing families and artists south to settle in Greenwood Heights.
The Lifestyle:
Mellow and diverse, the community can change from block to block.
Many of the families have been here for generations and you’ll find a diverse mix on the quiet streets. The vibe is unpretentious, with practical businesses — grocery stores and the like — dominating commercial thoroughfares like 4th and 5th Ave.
Unexpected Appeal:
The hilly setting affords exceptional views of certain streets and units.
The waterfront is still industrial, but the area’s hills give it great vistas. Green-Wood Cemetery claims the highest natural point in the borough, with views of the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan.
The Market:
Mostly 1- and 2-family homes on rolling hills, with some luxury condos.
Historically the area has been made up of low 1- and 2-family homes. In the mid-2000s rezoning opened the area to condos, while new height restrictions in neighboring Park Slope continue to drive up prices there, and to draw families into this area.
You'll Fall In Love With:
Weekends at Industry City.
Best known for providing light-filled offices to independent businesses, Industry City also offers a lot for locals. Bespoke hats, exceptional takeout, and beautiful bakeries fill its ground-floor halls. On summer weekends, food vendors and vintage wares draw a crowd.
