The Brooklyn Life

With a population increase of 3.5 percent over the last three years, Brooklyn has become the fastest growing borough in New York City. But not all neighborhoods in this popular area are created equally. Take a closer look at Brooklyn's best.

Park Slope Suits Young Professionals

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For more than three decades, Park Slope has been Brooklyn's most sought-after neighborhood. Locals can be seen shopping up a storm on 7th Avenue or grabbing a bite to eat at the funky new restaurants on 5th or 6th. Its large turn-of-the-century brownstones offer a lot of space, although anything under the one million mark is considered a bargain. Stay with Brooklyn Suites in the South Slope neighborhood to utilize everything Park Slope has to offer without having to dish out the high brownstone prices. 

Park Slope's long been popular with singles in their 20s and 30s, but as many of them have settled down it's also become a great place for young couples to raise their kids. Its safe surroundings and reputable local public schools inspired Brooklyn Magazine to call it one of the "best places in Brooklyn to raise a family."

Fort Greene is Eclectic and Artsy

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The Fort Greene neighborhood is developing its own identity as one of the most livable in Brooklyn. Its shopping district is one of New York's most eclectic, with major chains and small independent merchants all competing for business. It's also home to the new Brooklyn Academy of Music Cultural District which helps cement its reputation as one of New York's leading arts destinations.

Three-quarters of the locals are single in this neighborhood, so it's a great place for free agents to look for Mr. or Miss Right. Many young, married couples also call Fort Greene home.

 Boerum Hill is for Families

This small, half boisterous, half calm and collected neighborhood is a place where you will find strangers flashing smiles and saying "good morning" as you pass them on the sidewalks. Its well-maintained streets have attracted some of the finest independent boutiques and restaurants over the years. A wide range of retailers and food shops can be found on Atlantic Avenue, Boerum Hill's main drag, from Jonathan Adler and Blue Marble Ice Cream to cute coffee shops where you'll find a satisfying, frothy cappucino. And "hidden gems," like The Community Bookstore, where you can find bins of $1 romance and pulp fiction novels, lie just around the corner.

This neighborhood is a place for families with children and visitors who are interested in a quiet, homey stay in Brooklyn.