Is Bushwick (West) safe?
Brooklyn, New York · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Bushwick (West) as “Go, stay aware”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Bushwick (West)
“Go with care. Bushwick West is vibrant, bustling with arts, dining, and nightlife, making it generally safe for visitors who stick to populated corridors. However, elevated property crime, street robberies around elevated train hubs late at night, and poorly lit industrial side streets require good situational awareness.”
About the area
Bushwick West is an energetic, creative hub defined by converted industrial lofts, world-renowned street art, and thriving independent dining. It blends long-standing residential communities with a dense concentration of nightlife venues and young creative professionals.
- Arts & Murals
- Nightlife Heavy
- Industrial Chic
- Bustling Dining
Walking and biking in Bushwick (West)
Walk score: 96/100 · Bike score: 88/100
Citi Bike docking stations are widespread, with painted and protected street lanes linking directly toward Williamsburg and Brooklyn Navy Yard routes.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- High foot traffic and constant street activity along primary dining and retail corridors
- Substantial ongoing investment and growing median household incomes in gentrified commercial corridors
- Subway hubs offer high-frequency direct transit connections into Manhattan and other parts of Brooklyn
Cons
- Elevated rates of petty theft, phone snatching, and vehicle break-ins compared to citywide averages
- Subway plazas and corridors along Broadway (such as Myrtle-Broadway) experience intermittent muggings and disorderly conduct
- Pockets of high poverty and isolated industrial blocks with limited natural surveillance after dark
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately noticeable, primarily congregating near major transit hubs like Myrtle-Broadway and underneath elevated rail tracks, though extensive encampments are rare.
What Bushwick (West) is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Streets are lively with commuters, coffee runs, and delivery trucks, feeling generally safe and relaxed.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Bustling with tourists viewing murals, shoppers, and cafe patrons, providing a safe and high-visibility environment.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Energetic and well-trafficked around bars and restaurants, though visitors should remain attentive on quieter residential side blocks.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Nightlife clusters stay active until late, but quiet industrial blocks and areas beneath elevated subway tracks carry heightened risks of robbery and harassment.
Transit, parking and getting around
The MTA provides extensive service with the L train stopping at Morgan Ave, Jefferson St, and DeKalb Ave, alongside the J/M/Z lines at Myrtle Ave and key bus lines like the B54 and B57.
Street parking is difficult due to high resident density and alternate side parking rules, with few commercial garages available in the immediate vicinity.
Things to do in Bushwick (West)
- Tour the open-air Bushwick Collective street art murals centered along Troutman Street and Saint Nicholas Avenue.
- Catch an experimental dance, circus, or theater showcase at House of Yes.
- Browse vintage clothing, vinyl records, and independent art books around Bogart Street and Flushing Avenue.
Local favorites
- Roberta's · Pizza Restaurant · 4.5★ (7200)Iconic wood-fired pizzeria known for inventive pies, natural wines, and a buzzing patio vibe.
- House of Yes · Nightclub & Performance Venue · 4.6★ (3100)World-famous eclectic venue featuring circus spectacles, themed dance parties, and immersive events.
- Sey Coffee · Coffee Roastery & Cafe · 4.7★ (1100)Bright, plant-filled micro-roastery serving meticulously sourced single-origin pour-overs and espresso.
Neighborhoods near Bushwick (West)
Common questions about Bushwick (West)
Is Bushwick (West) safe to walk at night?
Mostly, on the busier, well-lit streets. Avoid empty side streets late at night.
Is Bushwick (West) a good place to live?
On safety, Bushwick (West) scores 69/100 — about average for the metro — most residents get by with normal city awareness.
How walkable is Bushwick (West)?
Walk score 96/100 and bike score 88/100. Most errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near Bushwick (West) are safer?
Ridgewood (Queens) (83), South Williamsburg (Brooklyn) (76), East Williamsburg (71) score higher nearby.
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