Also known as Little Odessa due to its infusion of Eastern European and Russian culture, Brighton Beach sits on Brooklyn’s southern shore between Coney Island and Manhattan Beach. Locals get the benefit of a lovely shoreline and uncrowded boardwalk, sans the bustle of tourism that comes at nearby attractions like Luna Park. The easygoing vibes of Brighton Beach are major pluses for this seaside community, and it doesn’t feel like other parts of the borough. “It’s definitely old school New York,” says Mark Martov, a licensed real estate salesperson with Corcoran Group. “It’s a melting pot of all kinds of backgrounds. In the evening you can hear the waves crashing, there’s a nice sea breeze in the summertime. Plus, it’s still relatively affordable, around $500 per square foot,” he adds.

Compared to Coney Island, Brighton Beach has more available inventory. “A lot of older buildings, but a ton of redevelopment is also happening. After Hurricane Sandy, the neighborhood got upzoned, so things could be built higher,” says Martov. Prospective homebuyers will find almost exclusively high-rise condo or co-op units. Condos in postwar high-rises go for as low as $297,000 but start