One of the many nearby alternatives to Park Slope, this neighborhood has risen in prominence (and value) as Brooklyn's real-estate market has boomed.

Families and young professionals are increasingly drawn to this quiet nabe, where brick and wood-frame houses can be had for less than their Park Slope counterparts.

And while Windsor Terrace might lack the amenities of the Slope's Seventh and Fifth Avenues, Prospect Park West -- in particular, the traffic circle abutting the entrance to Prospect Park -- is going increasingly upscale, with a smattering of cafes, bars and restaurants (not to mention longtime neighborhood stalwart, the Pavilion Cinema).

While the nabe's northern end may be the most desirable -- thanks to its easy access to Park Slope -- there's been a lot of development in the southern part of the 'hood, which has more industry and larger apartment buildings. New condos here are luxurious; they include the 38-unit building the Simone (35 McDonald Ave.), which features indoor parking and prices starting in the $500,000s.