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Gerritsen Beach

Gerritsen Beach

Urban Core Neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York

Kings County 11229
3.7
$709,590 Average Value
$507 Average Price per Sq Ft
41 Homes For Sale

A tight-knit Brooklyn community with waterfront homes

A working-class, family-friendly enclave in south Brooklyn, Gerritsen Beach was once a summer community in the 1920s before becoming home to year-round residents over the century. Today, this close-knit, slightly secluded neighborhood still has its bungalows, but most properties consist of single-family houses, detached duplexes or multibedroom, waterfront homes, as well as prewar co-ops. Situated between Sheepshead Bay to the west and the preserved wetlands of Marine Park to the east, it’s seaside living sans the urban bustle of the rest of Brooklyn. Jerry Minsky, a licensed real estate agent with Douglas Elliman, says the area is “an urban alternative to more suburban areas in Long Island or New Jersey.” Access to public transit, however, is rather cumbersome and the area is at risk of flooding. As opposed to the rest of New York City, where the renters are the majority, nearly 84 percent of residents own property, and price points are considerably lower.

Homes like this colorful Dutch colonial can be found within Gerritsen Beach.
Homes like this colorful Dutch colonial can be found within Gerritsen Beach.
A view of Gerritsen Beach from the Salt Marsh Nature Trail.
A view of Gerritsen Beach from the Salt Marsh Nature Trail.
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Single-family homes, detached duplexes, bungalows and co-ops

Many homes are prewar, circa 1920s, but some newer and renovated properties have come along post-Hurricane Sandy. Price points for single-family homes hover around $699,000, but the average home sale is $529,976, with a median single-family price of $615,000. Cozy, waterfront bungalows can go for $699,000, a newer single-family duplex for $648,000, and a colonial revival, detached duplex with a garage and terrace near the beach can list for $699,000. Prewar co-ops in mid-rise buildings are priced much lower, ranging between $165,000 for a one-bedroom to $239,000 for a three-bedroom. Some waterfront properties with boat slips along Plumb Beach Channel start at $1 million. Many of the homes are fixer-uppers and in need of renovation. Further south, bungalows and colonial-style duplexes are tightly packed along narrow, bayside streets, and docks and boat slips line Plumb Beach Channel, which runs inland along the western border of Gerritsen Beach.

A row of newer homes in Gerritsen Beach.
A row of newer homes in Gerritsen Beach.
Expansive apartment buildings can be seen along the northern part of Gerritsen Beach.
Expansive apartment buildings can be seen along the northern part of Gerritsen Beach.
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Local shops and pubs along Gerritsen Avenue

Gerritsen Avenue is the main commercial drag of the community, with locally-owned shops, bodegas, pharmacies, pizzerias and pubs. Path of Cha offers a wide selection of gourmet teas, Tommy’s Italian Ices serves up cold treats, and The Gather Inn Again, a divey gastropub where the local volunteer firefighters tend to gather, are all along the avenue. On the waterfront, Tamaqua Bar & Marina is the main gathering spot for food and evening life. For groceries, Key Food can also be found along the northern end of the neighborhood, with several local markets in between.

Victoria Pizzeria is one of the oldest restaurants in Gerritsen Beach.
Victoria Pizzeria is one of the oldest restaurants in Gerritsen Beach.
Tamaqua Bar & Marina is an iconic establishment in Gerritsen Beach.
Tamaqua Bar & Marina is an iconic establishment in Gerritsen Beach.
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Limited public school in and around the area

P.S. 277 Gerritsen Beach Elementary is the only public elementary school in the neighborhood, and it receives an A rating on Niche. In neighboring Marine Park, J.H.S. 278 serves middle school students and receives an A-minus rating, while in Sheepshead Bay, New Visions Charter High School - Advanced Math & Science, which has a B-plus-rating on Niche, was ranked as the number 14 charter high school in the state.

New Visions Charter High School for Advanced Math/ Science has a beautiful campus.
New Visions Charter High School for Advanced Math/ Science has a beautiful campus.
JHS 278 Marine Park provides educational excellence, preparing young minds for a bright future.
JHS 278 Marine Park provides educational excellence, preparing young minds for a bright future.
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Preserved wetlands, hiking trails, and a private beach

The lush salt marsh and preserved grassy parklands of Marine Park are simply stunning, especially along the hiking trails. Residents can access the park and its trails on the southeastern side of the neighborhood. Several scenic points of interest from the trails are accessible by residents, including Point Lookout, which offers views of Manhattan and Jamaica Bay, and White Island Lookout, which overlooks the creek. Notably, it’s Brooklyn’s largest green space, complete with baseball fields, skate parks, bocce courts, canoe launch sites, a golf course, playgrounds and more. The Kiddie Beach, a private beach for local residents only, can be accessed at the end of Post Court and Hyman Court.

Kiddie Beach is a small well kept up beach in Gerritsen Beach.
Kiddie Beach is a small well kept up beach in Gerritsen Beach.
Marine Park has a popular Golf Course close to Gerritsen Beach.
Marine Park has a popular Golf Course close to Gerritsen Beach.
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Express bus with access to Manhattan

There are no subway stops in the neighborhood, nor a ferry, however the BM4 Super Express bus brings residents to Midtown Manhattan via Madison Avenue for $7 each way. The nearest subway is one mile west into Sheepshead Bay, but the B31 bus line runs up the avenue and will take you to the Q train in roughly 10 minutes. Belt Parkway, which leads to Manhattan or farther east, is accessible via Knapp Street.

Gerritsen Beach counts with the BM4, and B31 Buses to connect with Brooklyn and Manhattan.
Gerritsen Beach counts with the BM4, and B31 Buses to connect with Brooklyn and Manhattan.
The  Q and B Sheepshead Bay Train connects with buses to Gerritsen Beach.
The Q and B Sheepshead Bay Train connects with buses to Gerritsen Beach.
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Nature-based events at Marine Park

Brooklyn Public Library holds regular story time events, and in warmer months, residents head to Marine Park for outdoor events. Marine Park Alliance also holds regular outdoor survival courses, nature-based workshops and celebrations.

Important things to know

Subway is not readily accessible, except via bus. The area is also at risk for flooding.

The Sheepshead Bay Train Station is  15 min away from Gerritsen Beach.
The Sheepshead Bay Train Station is 15 min away from Gerritsen Beach.
The Tamaqua Marina shows how close the houses are to the water level in Gerritsen Beach.
The Tamaqua Marina shows how close the houses are to the water level in Gerritsen Beach.
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Agents Specializing in Gerritsen Beach, NY

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

John F Kennedy International

22 min drive

Bus

Gerritsen Av & Gerritsen Beach

Bus

Gerritsen Av & Gotham Av

Bus

Gerritsen Av & Lois Av

Bus

Gerritsen Av & Avenue V

Bus

Gerritsen Av & Whitney Av

Bus

Gerritsen Av & Seba Av

Bus

Gerritsen Av & Everett Av

Reviews

Niche Reviews
3.7 10 Reviews
3.0 Current Resident
3/8/2018 Niche Review
Doesn't feel inviting for an outsider. Predominantly of one race. It is a quiet and safe neighborhood but in the night cars like to race.
4.0 Current Resident
12/28/2023 Niche Review
I like it here it is very nice and quiet and safe. Lots of greenery that has gotten me in touch with nature. The beach is also very nice as well. There is kind of nothing to do around here except walk in nature and on the beach, but that's alright. There are also not many stores around here which kind of sucks. Many of the people who live here have lived here their entire lives, so moving in I kind of felt like an outsider. It was definitely not very diverse when I moved in, but it has gotten a tad bit better.
1.0 Niche User
8/29/2020 Niche Review
DO NOT LIVE HERE IF BLACK, ITS A THREAT TO YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY. I know someone who has been in this neighborhood multiple times and have been attacked by dogs and threatened to be LYNCHED by mobs of teens younger than him. Dead Black teens show up along the marshes there all the time I've heard, and you do not need to be there long to realize your life is in danger. The lack of information about this is HORRIFYING and put black lives that consider living here at risk, who just see the positive statistics. DO NOT LIVE THERE IF YOU ARE NOT WHITE, DO NOT.
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Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Gerritsen Beach US
Homicide 4 4
Sexual Assault 3 4
Assault with Weapon 4 4
Robbery 3 4
Burglary 3 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 3 4
Larceny 2 4
Crime Score 2 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
500
Number of Homes for Sale
41
Median Year Built
1925
Months of Supply
7.70
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,070
Significantly below the national average
1,934
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,135
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
986
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
781
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
1,742

Open Houses

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Condo Buildings

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
5,758
Median Age
48
Population Density
34 ppl/acre
Population under 18
20.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
25.3%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$87,714
Above the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$107,920

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
90.6%
On par with the national average
89%
College Graduates
32.6%
Advanced Degrees
14.6%
% Population in Labor Force
58.3%
Below the national average
64.9%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
43''
Average Winter Low Temperature
26°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
21''

Area Factors

Moderately bikeable

Bikeability®

70 / 100

Very walkable

Walkability®

80 / 100

Good public transit

Transit®

70 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Gerritsen Beach