Moving To LGBT Brooklyn? How To Find Your Perfect Gay Neighborhood!

Brooklyn is the current capital of hip and cool and is one of the queerest places to live in NYC. Indeed, Brooklyn has something for everyone, and no matter how you identify on the spectrum, you will find this borough that loves and accepts you.

Better yet, Brooklyn is home to a good number of LGBT- clubs, bars, and restaurants, and it offers those who move here an active life with plenty of cool things to see and do.

Brooklyn is New York City’s most populous borough, with more than two million residents. Strangely, many visitors and residents have little knowledge of Brooklyn. The diverse population, food culture, and even language groups reflect the borough’s significant heritage and attitude. Brooklyn’s unique neighborhoods are known as ethnic enclaves or cultural hotspots.

The borough is freely reachable from Manhattan, most notably via the legendary Brooklyn Bridge. In addition, there are bridges and subways that connect Brooklyn to other parts of New York City. Brooklyn, however, has grown into its own impressive destination due to its unique location, distance to Manhattan, and unique culture.

Brooklyn is big on culture, and you can tell that it’s welcoming through its diversity in cuisine, people, and arts.

There are a good number of neighborhoods around the borough that are enclaves of culture, and thanks to its proximity to Manhattan Island, Brooklyn in New York City offers a progressive and inclusive place to work, play, and raise a family that no one should overlook. If you’re contemplating relocating to LGBT Brooklyn, you might just discover the accepting surroundings you or your family require to prosper.

As rents in Manhattan have sky-rocked, much of the city’s famous gay scene has migrated to Brooklyn, though it is a bit more spread out and hard to find than, say – West Hollywood. This is why a gay realtor in Brooklyn is priceless, as they can assist you in finding your new perfect home in the gaybourhood most suited to you.

Highlights Of Moving To LGBTQ Brooklyn

Residents of Brooklyn are well aware that their once up-and-coming borough is still brimming with hidden gems. Once you move here, you’ll be able to quickly befriend locals and spend your free time discovering that Brooklyn is overflowing with culture and captivating sights beyond the Brooklyn Bridge and Dumbo…  

On top of this, thanks to an offbeat yet deeply engaged LGBT community, which congregates at a few fabulous queer hot spots in Brooklyn’s most popular neighborhoods, securing a relocation here will allow you to meet queer people with similar interests.

Almost anything your heart desires is available here. When relocating to LGBT Brooklyn, there are numerous things to look forwards to, such as distinctive architecture, endearing coffee shops, and boozy brunch haunts.

Let’s take a closer look at a few of the aspects that make up this incredible area before we get into the details.

Job Opportunities Are In Plenty

Some people believe the only reason for moving to Brooklyn is because Manhattan is too expensive. While many residents commute to the Financial District, there are plenty of job opportunities in Brooklyn.

With the establishment of the Brooklyn Tech Triangle in 2012, over 1,300 tech companies have relocated to Brooklyn. This area, made up of Dumbo, Downtown Brooklyn, and the Brooklyn Navy Yard, was developed to reduce the heightening commercial vacancy rate. Tor Project, Python, and Amplify all have offices in this area, indicating that it appears to have paid off.

You Can Get Around Easily

You don’t need a car to get around Brooklyn.  There are numerous ways of getting around Brooklyn at a reasonable cost. The MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) is New York City’s bus and subway system, operating 24/7.

Buy a MetroCard and map out all the service routes you’ll need for your journey. If you’ve been shopping at Brooklyn Flea, you can hail a taxi if you don’t want to wait for the subway. Alternatively, you can walk or bike to work as the most environmentally friendly mode of transportation.

Young Professionals Love It Here

Young professionals, entrepreneurs, artists, and writers have long flocked to Brooklyn. The talents and energy of young professionals push many locations in Brooklyn. There is a palpable energy in the borough that is difficult to find in Manhattan.

In many areas,  young companies and startups abound, and they’re always looking for bright, forward-thinking professionals to fill positions. In addition, Brooklyn is less costly than Manhattan in terms of rent, food, clothing, and various other items, making it perfect for those just starting out in their careers.

Does Brooklyn Embrace The LGBTQ Community?

Years before Lady Liberty called New York home, the city welcomed immigrants from all parts of the globe searching for freedom, a better life, and an existence free of persecution.

People from all over America who did not feel welcome in their areas of birth would come to New York, where the city’s diversity welcomed them and found a community they could call home. Not surprisingly, LGBTQ people were amongst those who would flock to the city. At the time, it wasn’t usual to see queer people marry, walk hand in hand down the street, or adopt a child.

There wasn’t the possibility that LGBT people would one day live free from stigmatization and stigma and live openly. At the time, there were minimal places where queer people could meet and socialize, and the City had laws prohibiting the LGBTQ community from getting together in public spaces. Police even arrested people that wore opposite-sex clothing.

The police raided a popular Greenwich Village bar, the Stonewall Inn, on June 28, 1969. While police were used to such raids, this time was different because patrons couldn’t take it any longer, and they fought back. The raid resulted in days of the LGBT community having significant confrontations with law enforcement.

As they came to be known, the Stonewall riots were the last straw that inspired the community to get to the drawing board and fight for equality. Even though there’s still a lot of work to be done, the city has since observed the 50^th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. Currently, same-sex couples can marry in all 50 states, and laws prohibiting homosexuality have been abolished.

LGBTQ culture is now deeply ingrained in New York’s identity, and the city is home to one of the world’s most powerful and largest LGBTQ populations. At the same time, homosexuality is ingrained into the city’s culture. The state of New York is generally socially liberal regarding LGBT rights. The state has discrimination protections in housing, credit, education, employment, public accommodation, sexual orientation, and gender identity and expression.

Transgender people in the state no longer have to go through sexual reassignment surgery to change their gender or sex on their official documents. In many neighborhoods in New York City, openly gay and lesbian elected officials represent their communities. They have also been vital in ensuring communities are more inclusive and welcoming to LGBTQ people.

Windsor Terrace, Park Slope, Bushwick, East Williamsburg, and Bed-Stuy are some of the borough’s most LGBT-friendly areas. Park Slope has the highest concentration of same-sex couples in Brooklyn, predominantly female same-sex households, though you can be sure Brooklyn, in general, is very queer-friendly.

Windsor Terrace (a less expensive option to Park Slope) has the area’s third-highest concentration of female same-sex families. A massive gay pride parade marches down Fifth Avenue in Manhattan every year, but celebrations of LGBT life and culture take place each night here.

Is Brooklyn An Expensive City To Move To?

As one of New York’s most desirable boroughs, Brooklyn comes in second in costliness. Brooklyn is one of the places you go to if you don’t want to deal with the high prices related to Manhattan living. To put the cost of living in this borough into perspective, here are some expenses you will have to incur.

Transportation

Transport in NYC is a massive contributor to the high cost of living and isn’t as affordable as in some cities in the country. Expect to pay around $120 each month for transport. Obviously, it all depends on where you work and live, and if you choose to drive, rideshare or take public transport.

Utilities

Utilities in NYC aren’t as expensive as in many other places around the country, and you should expect to pay around $114 per month for utilities here.

Food and groceries

If you want to save cash on food and groceries, it would be advisable to cut down on eating out. You can get your groceries at ‘affordable prices’ in local markets, but at the end of the day, this is still New York City.

The Best Gay Neighborhoods In Brooklyn

While all the media today seems to think that gayborhood is dead or on the verge of extinction, we have news for them – it’s not! Instead, gayborhoods across the USA are growing in number and diversity; they might look slightly different.

Instead of being the main street serving mostly-exclusive LGBT clients (something we now think of as a gay village), gayborhoods have evolved into cultural archipelagos, a collection of queer islands coalesced by sexuality and gender and liberal allies. And cities frequently have more than one.

Today, it turns out not all LGBT people in Brooklyn want to live in the chaotic (and expensive) downtown Manhattan – and thankfully, they (and you!) have options. However, when choosing where to live in Brooklyn, remember that some areas are more conveniently located for all the fun queer events and activities.

By being aware of them in advance, you can arrive at your new residence in the gay-friendly neighborhood that best suits your needs.

Discover your ideal new home in one of these prominent gay and LGBT-friendly gaybourhoods in Brooklyn. Each one has its own distinct personality, a friendly vibe, and amenities you’ll love and soon wonder how you ever did without. Give yourself lots of time to get to know the diverse areas of Brooklyn, and bear in mind that this borough has plenty to offer everyone – queer or otherwise!

Now let’s take a look at where the handful of marvelous gay areas in Brooklyn and talk about the Brooklyn gayborhood where you might feel most at home! Or speak to a local LGBT real estate agent for a more detailed understanding of the best options today.

Park Slope

This neighborhood has been a lesbian enclave since 1983, when The Advocate published “Charting the Lesbian Life in Park Slope,” TransyHouse, activist Sylvia Rivera’s former residence, which was home to gender non-conforming and transgender people in need, was located in Park Slope between 1995 to 2008.

According to the LGBT Historic Sites Project,  Park Slope remains a significant hub for the LGBTQ community as it houses the Lesbian Herstory Archives, which is the world’s most significant collection of materials about lesbians, as well as Brooklyn’s family-friendly yearly Pride Festival and Night Parade.

The neighborhood is known for places like Ginger’s, one of Brooklyn’s oldest lesbian bars, and Submit, a trans/woman-only BDSM party. OUTmedia, queer activism, and arts organization, has its headquarters here.

The neighborhood is an excellent area to settle down and start a family for both straight and queer couples.  This is evidenced in census data, which shows that Park Slope has some of the city’s highest numbers of queer couples, particularly female partners. 

However, as the cost of living has risen in recent years and many queer and lesbian businesses have closed, areas further south, such as Windsor Terrace, are inviting to priced-out queers and lesbians.

The pay gap between women and men, often multiplied in lesbian households, makes high housing prices especially challenging for women-only homes. This can be amplified for trans people, who have much higher poverty rates than the overall population.

Carroll Gardens

Carroll Gardens is an Italian-American district with a sizable gay community. Coot Street in the area is the main thoroughfare, and it is lined with pizzerias, butchers, and bakeries. Several brownstones in this neighborhood date back to the 1940s and are pushed back from the street by almost forty feet to create massive front gardens.

Carroll Gardens is a posh neighborhood with a combination of hip and modern attractions and historical allure. Smith and Court streets in the area run concurrently with one another.

From family-run establishments to chic boutiques and some of the borough’s most swanky dining, you’ll find it all here. Smith Street is frequently referred to as the city’s “restaurant row.” If you’re looking for a place to live, you’ll find charming row houses and brownstones here, just like in the rest of Brooklyn.

However, this neighborhood is seeing a rise in luxury high-rise buildings. This indicates that the independent, upscale charm of the district is well-known among New Yorkers.

Bedford-Stuyvesant

The Brooklyn Community Pride Center relocated to Restoration Plaza on Fulton Street, where it now offers free HIV testing, support groups, and other services. In 2017,  Woodhull Hospital opened a Pride Health Center dedicated to serving the LGBTQ community.

The LGBTQ community in Bed-Stuy is as diverse as its offerings, which mirrors more significant changes in Brooklyn. Bedford- Stuys’ heritage and culture have played an essential role in the neighborhood’s development. The exclusive block parties and street fairs, and Victorian architecture have remained a part of this district over time.

After being out-priced from Bushwick, where it had relocated when it lost its space in Williamsburg, Secret Project Robot moved to Bed-Stuy despite opposition from bar-weary residents. Several LGBTQ events take place here, including Tortura, Papi Juice, and Bubble T, the neighborhood’s Latin queer party.

C’mon hosts Romy & Michele’s Saturday Afternoon Tea Dance, which has become a beloved dance spot for the district’s LGBTQ community thanks to its all-inclusive vibe.

Williamsburg

The L train can take you to Williamsburg if you are creative. The gritty, hipster-like neighborhood is primarily populated by creatives who like to enjoy coffee shops or at Brooklyn Bowl, which offers bowling, live music, and cocktails to brighten up your nights.

You’re free to shop at the nearby boutiques on Bedford Avenue, and since this is a waterfront neighborhood, you’re free to take the East River Ferry to Wall Street or Midtown. The condos in this district are spacious and offer excellent value.

LGBTQ+ Community Organizations In Brooklyn

Wherever you live, it is critical that you support LGBT organizations in any way you can use so that they can keep reaching out to and assisting other members of the community who are more vulnerable. After all, we are all stronger when we work together, and each of us will likely have a time in our lives when we require a little extra support.

Brooklyn has a supportive and diverse LGBTQ community, which has helped the borough become more gay-friendly in recent years.

As a result, there are a variety of LGBT resources available to community members, their allies, friends, and families – and you ought to feel free to utilize them or consider giving your support as needed to keep your new home city moving forwards! They are also a place to meet new people and find your queer chosen family in Brooklyn.

Brooklyn Community Pride Center

Through partnerships and programming with different organizations, the Brooklyn Community Pride Centre offers services and support to the borough’s LGBTQ community. The center is a safe, welcoming environment that provides social support, mental and physical health services, and cultural and recreational programming. It serves as a resource center for LGBTQ people and their families in Brooklyn.

The Brooklyn Ghost Project

For more than half a decade, the Brooklyn Ghost Project has offered support to non-binary and transgender people of color in the city.  The growth and objective of their work are embodied in their vision.

The Brooklyn Ghost Project is a transgender, black-led nonprofit dedicated to increasing support, awareness, visibility, and empowerment for the non-binary and transgender communities of color who are dealing with or have conquered gender identity issues.

The Center

The Center promotes an inclusive atmosphere in which everyone is valued for who they are. They provide health and wellness programs, advocacy, arts, cultural events, entertainment, parenthood, recovery, and family support services to the LGBTQ community. The LGBT Center helps people live healthy and successful lives. 

LGBT-Owned Businesses In Brooklyn

It’s only normal to want to support queer businesses after relocating to LGBT Brooklyn. Making a safe space where individuals can relax, shop, eat, and meet without fear is one way to build a safer and more accepting society – and LGBT businesses are frequently doing the heavy lifting to achieve this goal.

It is crucial to support these projects wherever you reside to ensure the survival and development of the queer community. When you shop local, you are personally investing in your city and community – a small step that can be transformational when people do it en masse. Here are just a few of our favorite LGBTQ+-owned companies in Brooklyn that you can support with your pink dollars…

Babeland

This now-iconic sex-positive and LGBTQ-friendly shop has two NYC locales and a national retail outlet. However, it wasn’t always like this. Rachel Venning and  Claire Cavanah, the owners, saw an opportunity in the market and jumped at it over 20 years ago. Their stores have evolved into community hubs with knowledgeable salespeople, events, and customer education.

Their stores have evolved into community hubs with knowledgeable salespeople, events, and customer education.

Badlands Salon and Barber Shop 

Badlands Salon and Barber Shop take pride in being an affirming and welcoming space for all.  They also employ some of the most skillful stylists in the city, and the entire team is adept at gender-neutral looks.

Third Root Community Health Center 

Apart from general yoga and other classes, Third Root offers events and classes dedicated to celebrating and healing groups often marginalized in conventional, holistic healing worlds. These include people of color, queer, and non-binary persons. 

Final Thoughts On Moving To LGBTQ Brooklyn

Brooklyn draws newcomers and families from everywhere with its booming job market, excellent schools, and sense of community. If you’re thinking about moving to this borough, there’s no mistake that you can call it home.

We hope you receive the freedom and security you deserve if you decide to start your new chapter in LGBT Brooklyn. However, please remember that life is what you make of it. The best ways to learn more about LGBT Brooklyn are to live in a gay-friendly neighborhood, support local queer businesses and events, and join LGBT community clubs, organizations and teams.

We promise that if you go by these suggestions, moving to LGBT Brooklyn will be less challenging for you and that you’ll meet like-minded individuals and build up that all-important support network quickly.

Finding Gay Realtors In Brooklyn

Why would you consider someone’s sexuality when hunting for the ideal realtor? This may appear strange at first, but there are numerous reasons why contacting a gay realtor in Brooklyn is a good way to discover your dream house.

After all, it’s not unrealistic to expect fair, equal, and honest representation from someone who comprehends the queer community’s specific needs and desires when engaging in one of life’s most important transactions.

Further to that, sadly, many people (up to one-third of Americans) still genuinely think that our community does not deserve protection and dignity in areas such as housing, adoption, employment, and other aspects of life.

As a result, it’s not surprising that LGBT people who use mainstream realtors frequently express discomfort, unnecessary trouble, unenthusiastic representation, or even antagonism or outright contempt.

Everyone deserves a pleasurable, stress-free home buying or selling experience while being adequately represented, which is why we believe you should hire a gay realtor to assist you in uncovering your ideal future home.

When looking for a home, LGBTQ realtors are more likely to be informed about the diverse communities in their area and fully comprehend which ones may be particularly well suited to you. This isn’t to say heterosexual realtors aren’t competent; they’ve just never had to deal with many of the challenges that LGBT people face.

Gay realtors conduct thorough research into the neighborhoods in which they sell homes to make sure their customers are safe, rather than just being concerned with how thriving, trendy, or up-and-coming a neighborhood is (or appears to be).

It used to be challenging to uncover professional LGBT-friendly real estate agents in Brooklyn – and it was virtually impossible to find one if you were relocating here from out of state and didn’t have access to a local referral.

Thankfully, you no longer have to search for a realtor without knowing whether or not they are accepting of others because you can use a list of gay, lesbian, and gay-friendly agents in Brooklyn to do all of your homework for you.

Simply go to the page, and you’ll be presented with a free list of gay, lesbian, and gay-friendly agents who can help you with your relocation, as well as other useful information like LGBT+friendly schools, shopping, storage firms, tradesmen, and more.

Read the biographies of LGBT real estate agents, then select the one who is right for you. It’s essential that you find someone who will be by your side and support you and your family during one of life’s most exhilarating occasions.

Even better, there is no hidden motive, cost, or obligation whatsoever!