South of Manhattan is one of Brooklyn’s top neighborhoods — Park Slope. Located west of Prospect Park, stretching from about Ninth Street to the mid-20 streets, Park Slope is another popular neighborhood for commuters. Just take the F train from Seventh Avenue to West Fourth Street or the N or R to Eighth Street-NYU from a subway station on Ninth Street, Prospect Avenue or 25th Street.

This friendly neighborhood has a range of apartments for rent from around $1,600 to $1,900 per month. The multitude of brownstones is full of families, professionals and students, making South Slope a calm, clean and safe neighborhood. Because of its suburban qualities, South Slope is full of daytime activities. Nearby is the beautiful Prospect Park which has a greenmarket and several events throughout the year, including 5K runs and concerts at Prospect Park’s outdoor venue.

The neighborhood also offers many locally owned cafes and shops. De Luxe is a must for coffee aficionados and trendy boutique Goldy and Mac’s is stocked with cute sweaters, dresses and jewelry. The nightlife is mostly aimed toward working adults and young parents, so the scene is more subdued than that of Manhattan. However, there are still some great bars peppering the neighborhood. Pork Slope is a popular bar that offers both a huge selection of whiskey and also a classic American BBQ menu. Quarter Bar and Cafe has the best specialty cocktails and there is a secret buzzword every night that will get you half-off drinks.

Although Park Slope is not a very youthful neighborhood, it is a great option for commuting if you want accessible public transportation, adore the quality of local businesses or simply wish to escape the hustle and bustle of Manhattan.

—Jolene Hsu