Red Hook is Brooklyn's most isolated neighborhood, cut off from the subway by the elevated highway. This isolation preserved its industrial waterfront character and allowed a community of artists, makers, and small businesses to develop. The trade-off is real: no subway means planning your trips carefully. The reward is waterfront views, artisanal food, and a neighborhood unlike anywhere else.
What It's Like Living Here
Living in Red Hook requires accepting the transit situation. The F/G trains at Smith-9th Street are a 15-20 minute walk, and most residents rely on the B61 bus or cars. In exchange, you get waterfront parks, IKEA (with its ferry), some of the best BBQ in the city at Hometown, and a community that forms because everyone knows the commute challenges.
The housing stock includes converted warehouses and new construction near the water. The Red Hook Ball Fields serve legendary Latin American food on summer weekends. Fairway Market anchors the grocery situation in a converted warehouse space.
Best For
- •Those who work remotely or have flexible schedules
- •Car owners who want easy parking
- •Artists and makers who need studio space
- •People who value unique neighborhood character over convenience
Things to Know
- •No direct subway access
- •Limited transit options overall
- •Can feel isolated, especially at night
- •Commute to Manhattan is challenging
Commute Times from Red Hook
Local Tips
Hometown BBQ is worth every bit of the hype
The IKEA ferry is free and has good skyline views
Red Hook Ball Fields food vendors are weekend-only, seasonal
Steve's Key Lime makes pies in a converted shipping container
The Essentials
Grocery
- Fairway Market
- Steve's Key Lime
Coffee
- Baked
- Red Hook Coffee
Dining
- Hometown BBQ
- The Good Fork
- Red Hook Lobster Pound
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