Park Slope

By Sara Stefanini | Special to amNewYork

May 10, 2007

On a sunny spring day in Park Slope, Seventh and Fifth avenues are the very picture of vibrant street life, teeming with busy sidewalk cafes and people riding bikes, pushing strollers or walking dogs.

Indeed, the neighborhood's reputation as a trendy, young professionals' abode has been long established, yet Park Slope manages to maintain a congenial vibe even as its business district grows, helped by the infusion of families who are fortunate enough to live in some of New York's most beautiful vintage buildings.

"We were in Manhattan for 25 years, but a lot of my customers moved here, so one day I decided to come over, too," said Arlene Eriksson, owner of E Lingerie on Fifth Avenue. "It's not as crowded here as in Manhattan, so it's been challenging, but there are so many young people."

The neighborhood's historic district is the largest in Brooklyn, which includes some of the best models of Renaissance Revival, Romanesque Revival and Queen Anne-style brownstones from the late 1800s.

"It was always beautiful, and it's become more so," said Atilla Kosker, who moved to Park Slope from Turkey eight years ago. " I like the neighborhood because it's like a small village, everyone knows each other."

Adding to its appeal is the neighborhood's proximity to Prospect Park, the borough's largest park, and a masterpiece of 19th-century design with ball fields, a lake, hiking paths, playgrounds and more.

Find It
Park Slope lies between 4th Avenue, Prospect Park West, Flatbush Avenue and roughly 15th Street.

Real Estate
The neighborhood is particularly known for its grand brownstones along tree-lined streets. Prices in Park Slope are high and they're still on the rise.

To Buy
$350,000 to $550,000 for a one-bedroom
$450,000 to $1 million for a two-bedroom
$600,000 to $2 million for a three-bedroom
$1 million to $3.5 million for a town house

On Sale Now
$1.375 million for a two-family home with four bedrooms, 305 12th St.
$1.8 million for a three-bedroom co-op in the heart of Park Slope, 431 7th St.
$975,000 for a three-bedroom condo with a yard, 425 14th St.
$649,000 for a two-bedroom duplex, 392 11th St.