Flatbush covers a large part of central Brooklyn south of Prospect Park. On some blocks you find big freestanding houses with porches and front lawns. A few streets away, prewar apartment buildings line the avenues. Moving out of a large old house and moving out of a fifth-floor apartment are different jobs, and both are common here.
Freestanding houses in Ditmas Park and nearby
Flatbush has several historic districts of early suburban houses. The Landmarks Preservation Commission’s 2025 brief on the Ditmas Park West Historic District describes 127 freestanding houses built between 1903 and 1910, next to the Ditmas Park Historic District, designated in 1981. The same brief notes that the area also includes the Prospect Park South and Fiske Terrace-Midwood Park historic districts, designated in 1979 and 2008, and that the front lawns and the grass strips between the sidewalks and the street are still there (NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission: Ditmas Park West Historic District brief, 2025 (PDF)).
For moving day, that usually means a longer walk from the truck to the front door, porch steps, and inside, wide old staircases and big rooms full of furniture.
- Clear a path from the curb to the door: move planters, bikes and garbage cans.
- Big houses have basements and attics. Empty them early; they always take longer than people expect.
- Tell us about porch steps and whether there is a side or back door the crew can use.
- List heavy items when you ask for the estimate: a piano, a safe, an armoire or exercise equipment.
Prewar apartment buildings
Along the avenues and on many side streets, prewar apartment buildings mean small elevators, service entrances and building rules. Ask the super or the managing agent about the allowed move hours, the elevator reservation and whether the building needs a certificate of insurance (COI). We send the COI your building asks for. The same questions come up in Crown Heights and Prospect Lefferts Gardens, just north of here, and in our list of 5 questions to ask your building.
Ocean Parkway and the truck routes
Ocean Parkway runs just west of Flatbush. NYC DOT lists it among the roads closed to commercial vehicles (NYC DOT: parkway restrictions for commercial vehicles), so a moving truck never uses it, even as a shortcut.
A moving truck has to follow New York City’s truck routes. Under the city’s traffic rules, a truck with a stop in Brooklyn may leave the truck route only at the intersection nearest its stop, go the most direct way to the door, and then return the most direct way to the nearest truck route (NYC Rules: adopted truck route rule, 34 RCNY 4-13, effective October 4, 2026 (PDF)). The Brooklyn list was last updated on October 4, 2026 (NYC DOT: truck route changes effective October 4, 2026 (PDF)).
Listed truck routes in and around Flatbush include Flatbush Avenue, Church Avenue, Coney Island Avenue (from Caton Avenue south to Neptune Avenue), Caton Avenue, Nostrand Avenue and Foster Avenue (from Kings Highway to Remsen Avenue) (NYC Rules: adopted truck route rule, 34 RCNY 4-13, effective October 4, 2026 (PDF)). Ocean Avenue, Cortelyou Road and Newkirk Avenue are not on the list. On those streets, the truck leaves the nearest listed route at the closest intersection and takes the most direct way to your building.
Parking, trees and timing
Tree-lined blocks look great, but parked cars on both sides and low branches can make it harder for a tall truck to get close. Tell us if your block is narrow or has low trees. On alternate side parking suspension days, parked cars often stay put all day, so check the calendar before you pick a date (NYC DOT: alternate side parking calendar).
- Walk your block a week ahead and note hydrants, bus stops, driveways and parking signs.
- Change your address with USPS before the move (USPS: change your address).
- Keep keys, documents and medicine with you on moving day.
Questions we hear
Is Ditmas Park a historic district?
Yes. The Ditmas Park Historic District was designated in 1981, and the Landmarks Preservation Commission now also lists a Ditmas Park West Historic District next to it.
Can a moving truck use Ocean Parkway?
No. NYC DOT lists Ocean Parkway among the roads closed to commercial vehicles.
Can you move a piano out of a house?
Yes. Tell us about the piano, the steps and the doors when you ask for your estimate so we plan the crew and equipment.
How do I get a written estimate?
Call (646) 588-1374 or use the quote form on our home page. The estimate is free and in writing.
Free written estimate: call (646) 588-1374 or use the quote form on our home page. Family business since 1999 · Licensed and insured · U.S. DOT No. 967970 (MC-432549) · NYSDOT 34875 · NJPM 000930 · Company facts
More Brooklyn moving guides
- Crown Heights and Prospect Lefferts Gardens Moves: Rowhouses, Prewar Buildings and Eastern Parkway
- Brighton Beach and Sheepshead Bay Moves: Elevator Buildings, Ocean Parkway and Flood Questions
- Change of Address Checklist for Your NYC Move: Who to Notify
Official sources
- NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission: Ditmas Park West Historic District brief, 2025 (PDF)
- NYC DOT: parkway restrictions for commercial vehicles
- NYC Rules: adopted truck route rule, 34 RCNY 4-13, effective October 4, 2026 (PDF)
- NYC DOT: truck route changes effective October 4, 2026 (PDF)
- NYC DOT: alternate side parking calendar
- USPS: change your address
Rules and city services change. We checked the official links on this page on October 11, 2026; please confirm on the linked page before you book.