Fort Greene and Clinton Hill are known for 19th-century brownstones and row houses on quiet, tree-lined streets, with co-ops and newer apartment buildings closer to Downtown Brooklyn. Most moves here are brownstone moves: a stoop, a narrow staircase and a few pieces that need careful handling.
Historic districts
Large parts of both neighborhoods are city historic districts. The Landmarks Preservation Commission designated the Fort Greene Historic District in 1978 and the Clinton Hill Historic District in 1981 (NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission: Brooklyn historic district maps). The rules are about changes to the buildings. For a move, the main thing is protecting stoops, railings, doors and old woodwork.
Parlor floors, garden apartments and top floors
In a typical brownstone, the garden apartment has its own entrance under the stoop, the parlor floor is at the top of the stoop, and the upper floors are reached by a narrow staircase. Each one moves differently.
- Garden apartment: the entrance is usually low and narrow. Measure it before you buy a new sofa or bed for the place.
- Parlor floor: the stoop is the hard part. Long, heavy pieces go up the stoop first, while the crew is fresh.
- Upper floors: measure the turn at each landing. A piece that does not make the turn can often be taken apart; we take furniture apart and put it back together.
- Ask the owner if the front door can stay open during loading, and which spots in the hall need extra padding.
Co-ops and newer buildings
Co-ops and newer rental buildings usually have written move rules: set hours, an elevator reservation, sometimes a loading dock, and a certificate of insurance (COI). Ask for the COI sample early and send it to us. If you are coming from a Manhattan tower, our Lower Manhattan moving guide covers security desks and loading docks on that end of the move.
Which streets the truck uses
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 here include DeKalb Avenue (from Nostrand Avenue to the Flatbush Avenue Extension), Lafayette Avenue (from Third Avenue to Nostrand Avenue), Myrtle Avenue, Flushing Avenue, Classon Avenue (from Kent Avenue to Flushing Avenue), Atlantic Avenue and Flatbush Avenue (NYC Rules: adopted truck route rule, 34 RCNY 4-13, effective October 4, 2026 (PDF)). Fulton Street in these neighborhoods is not on the list, and neither are Washington Avenue, Vanderbilt Avenue or Clinton Avenue. The truck leaves the nearest listed route at the closest intersection and takes the most direct way to your door.
The October 4, 2026 changes removed Myrtle Avenue between Jay Street and Duffield Street, in Downtown Brooklyn, from the truck route network (NYC DOT: truck route changes effective October 4, 2026 (PDF)).
Before moving day
- Walk your block and note parking signs, hydrants, bus stops and driveways.
- Check the alternate side parking calendar for your date (NYC DOT: alternate side parking calendar).
- Change your address with USPS (USPS: change your address).
- Send us photos of the stoop, the entrance and any large pieces with your estimate request.
Questions we hear
Which streets can a moving truck use in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill?
The listed truck routes, such as DeKalb, Lafayette, Myrtle, Flushing and Atlantic Avenues. To reach other streets, the truck leaves the route at the closest intersection and goes the most direct way.
I live on a parlor floor. What should I measure?
The width of the stoop and the front door, the door to your apartment and any turn in the hall. Send the numbers with your estimate request.
Does my co-op need a certificate of insurance?
Most co-ops and managed buildings do. Ask for the sample COI and send it to us a few days before the move so the wording matches.
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
- Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill and Red Hook Moves: Brownstones, Front Gardens and the Waterfront
- Crown Heights and Prospect Lefferts Gardens Moves: Rowhouses, Prewar Buildings and Eastern Parkway
- Moving in Lower Manhattan and the Financial District
Official sources
- NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission: Brooklyn historic district maps
- 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.