What’s It Like to Move to Bushwick, Brooklyn?
Bushwick, Brooklyn is known for its loft apartments, street art, and a nightlife scene that goes late into the night. Once industrial, Bushwick has become home to artists, young professionals, and families looking for more space than nearby Williamsburg.
This guide covers what it’s like to live here — from rent prices and housing options to commuting, local businesses, and what to expect when it’s time to move into a Bushwick apartment or brownstone.
In This Guide
Neighborhood Snapshot
Why People Move Here
How Much Does Bushwick Cost
Pros & Cons
Things to Do
Bushwick FAQ
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Bushwick Neighborhood Snapshot
Adjacent Neighborhoods Ridgewood (Queens), Williamsburg / East Williamsburg, Bedford-Stuyvesant, East New York / Ocean Hill
Boundaries Broadway and the Cemetery of the Evergreens to the southwest and south east, Flushing Avenue and Queens to the north, Broadway to the west
ZIP Codes 11206, 11207, 11221, 11237
Median Rent About $3,250 as of August 2025 (Realtor.com)
Median Sale Price About $895,000 (Realtor.com)
Transit Served by the L, J, M, and Z subway lines, with and B60, B52, B38, and Q55 bus lines
Walk Score 95, with decent transit and bike access (Walk Score)
Typical Buildings High-rise & multi-unit housing, plus walk-ups, loft conversions, and brownstones
Population Snapshot About 85% renters, median age mid-30s (RentCafe)
Why Do People Move to Bushwick?
People move to Bushwick for a mix of larger living spaces, relative affordability, and its reputation as a creative hub. The neighborhood offers lofts and brownstones at lower costs than Williamsburg or Manhattan, plus cultural draws like the Bushwick Collective, nightlife venues such as House of Yes and Elsewhere, and a diverse community anchored by long-standing Latino families.
1. Relative affordability + space trade-off
While Bushwick rents have increased, it still often offers more square footage for the dollar compared to Williamsburg, Greenpoint, or parts of Manhattan. Artists, creative professionals, and small families see value in loft conversions and renovated brownstones.
2. Strong arts & creative culture
Bushwick is widely known as a street art and mural mecca. The Bushwick Collective (at Troutman & St. Nicholas) is one anchor: its walls display work by artists around the world and it hosts an annual block party. Over the past two decades, many industrial buildings and warehouses have been reimagined into live/work spaces — ideal for those seeking more room to create.
3. Diverse, tight-knit communities & identity
Bushwick has long been home to strong Latino communities — Puerto Rican, Dominican, and others — which help preserve cultural continuity in food, festivals, and shared social spaces.
4. Reasonable commuting access
Bushwick offers transit connectivity that appeals to many who work elsewhere in New York: To Downtown Brooklyn, there’s a ~11-minute direct subway ride (via Utica Av → Jay St–MetroTech) for some routes. For Manhattan or midtown commutes, many use L train + transfers.
5. Authentic eats & indie venues
Bushwick reflects its Latino roots through bakeries, taquerias, bodegas, and small restaurants. Spaces like Wonderville (arcade bar + event space) provide alternative late-night entertainment.
Community gardens and shared green spaces: The People’s Garden on Broadway is just one example of several neighborhood-grown community spaces.
How Much Does It Cost to Live in Bushwick, Brooklyn?
Cost of living is one of the biggest factors for anyone thinking about moving to Bushwick. Rents have climbed sharply in the past decade, but the neighborhood still offers relative value compared to Williamsburg, Greenpoint, or many parts of Manhattan.
Bushwick Rent Prices
The median rent in Bushwick is currently around $3,250/month across all apartment types. For 1-bedrooms, the typical asking rent is about $3,100/month. 2-bedrooms average closer to $3,300/month, while larger apartments can run into the $3,600–$4,000+ range. (Zumper)
Bushwick Home Values
The average home value in Bushwick is now about $966,000, according to Zillow. Renovated brownstones and condos command higher prices, while multi-family walk-ups and loft conversions vary widely depending on condition. You can use the city’s ACRIS database to look up previous sale prices.
Is Bushwick a Good Place to Live? (Pros and Cons)
Like any New York City neighborhood, Bushwick has both strong appeals and ongoing challenges. If you’re considering a move here, weighing the pros and cons will help you decide whether Bushwick fits your lifestyle.
Pros of Living in Bushwick
More space for the money: Compared to Williamsburg, Greenpoint, or Manhattan, Bushwick apartments and lofts often provide larger layouts at slightly lower rents.
Creative energy: Street art, galleries, and music venues give the neighborhood a distinctive cultural character.
Diverse community: Longstanding Latino communities, new arrivals from across the globe, and a strong LGBTQ+ presence make Bushwick one of Brooklyn’s most diverse areas.
Convenient access: Multiple subway lines (L, M, J, Z) connect Bushwick to Manhattan and other parts of Brooklyn within about 30–40 minutes.
Cons of Living in Bushwick
Rising costs: Rents have surged over the last two decades, narrowing the gap between Bushwick and pricier neighborhoods.
Transit reliability: The L train is crucial for many residents but has a reputation for delays and overcrowding, especially during peak hours.
Safety concerns: While crime rates have fallen significantly since the 1990s, parts of Bushwick still experience higher rates than the city average.
Gentrification pressures: Longtime residents face displacement as new development drives prices upward, changing the fabric of the community.
What Are the Best Things to Do in Bushwick?
Bushwick is one of Brooklyn’s most creative neighborhoods, and that energy shows up in how people spend their time. Whether you’re moving to the area or just exploring, here are some of the best things to do in Bushwick, Brooklyn:
Eat and Drink Local
Bushwick has a thriving food scene, from taquerias like Taqueria Al Pastor to newer plant-based restaurants. Kings County Brewers Collective (KCBC) and Evil Twin Brewing serve craft beer in lively warehouse spaces.
Support Bushwick Small Business
Boutiques and thrift stores along Knickerbocker and Wyckoff Avenues sell vintage clothing, handmade goods, and local art. Many longtime small businesses — bakeries, bodegas, and grocery stores — remain neighborhood staples.
Relax in Bushwick’s Green Spaces
Maria Hernandez Park is Bushwick’s central green space, a gathering place for basketball, dog walking, and weekend community events.
Several community gardens, like The People’s Garden, provide quieter escapes and host seasonal activities.
Experience Bushwick’s Arts Scene
Beyond street murals, Bushwick is known for its DIY galleries, artist studios, and experimental performance spaces.
Annual events like the Bushwick Collective Block Party and open studio tours highlight local creativity and bring the community together.
Bushwick FAQ
Is it cheap to live in Bushwick?
Bushwick apartments are no longer the budget-friendly secret they once were. For context, Bushwick’s median gross rent was only $1,250 in 2006, climbing to $2,110 by 2023 — one of the sharpest increases in Brooklyn. (Furman Center). Still provides more space per dollar compared to Williamsburg or Manhattan. For renters, that could mean a loft with high ceilings instead of a tiny 1-bedroom. For buyers, it may mean an investment property with rental income potential. Factor this into your NYC moving costs.
Is Bushwick a good place to live?
Bushwick appeals to people looking for creativity and relative affordability compared to Williamsburg and Manhattan. It attracts artists, young professionals, and families. Downsides include rising rents and mixed safety perceptions.
Is Bushwick safe at night?
Safety varies by block. The overall crime rate in Bushwick is higher than the city average, though violent crime has dropped substantially since the 1990s. Industrial areas can feel isolated after dark, while busier corridors near Ridgewood and East Williamsburg are more active.
Why is Bushwick famous?
Bushwick is famous for its street art, nightlife, and cultural scene. The neighborhood is also known for underground music venues, DIY galleries, and smaller performance spaces like The Tiny Cupboard.
How long does it take to get from Bushwick to Manhattan?
From Jefferson Street on the L train, the ride to Union Square in Manhattan takes about 20 minutes. Commutes from Bushwick generally range 30–40 minutes, depending on transfers and destination. The M, J, and Z lines also connect Bushwick to Lower Manhattan and Midtown.
How much is rent in Bushwick?
As of fall 2025, the median rent in Bushwick is about $3,250/month across all apartment types. A one-bedroom averages around $3,100, while two-bedrooms range $3,300–$3,600. Luxury apartments and lofts, like those at Castlebraid or Denizen Bushwick, often rent higher.
What is the median income in Bushwick, Brooklyn?
The median household income in Bushwick is about $64,000 per year, compared to New York City’s overall median of about $75,000, according to NYC Planning Community Profiles. This reflects the neighborhood’s mix of long-time working-class families and newer residents with higher incomes.
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Moving to or from Bushwick, Brooklyn, Cool Hand Movers has you covered. Our professional moving and packing services take the stress and heavy lifting off your plate. Reach out today for a free, custom estimate for your move.
Hiring Bushwick movers can save you time and hassle, especially if your building requires a COI (Certificate of Insurance).
Many newcomers underestimate how tough moving day in Bushwick can be with busy streets, limited parking, and oversized furniture in loft apartments.
Our team specializes in handling Bushwick walk-ups, brownstones, and loft conversions, where extra crew and careful planning often make the difference.