Competition for brownstones has gotten stiff. But if you don't have millions for a house in Park Slope or Bed-Stuy, that doesn't mean you can't live the dream, at least temporarily. Granted, it'll cost five figures a month to get one all to yourself, but if it's within your budget, it could be well worth it to feel like king (or queen) of the castle.

In this $9,500/month Boerum Hill house there are plenty of period flourishes to go around, including double parlors, a formal dining room, a library, decorative fireplaces and a kitchen that's decked out in brick. Naturally, there's a private garden in the back, too.

This Fort Greene brownstone shows off its 12-foot ceilings with plenty of chandeliers, and still has its original crown moldings and marble fireplaces in each of its four bedrooms. There's a roof deck and an outdoor patio, but if you're still on the fence about the $10,500/month asking price, the listing also notes that there's an on-site hot tub.

For slightly less money—$10,000 a month—you can get a similar four-bedroom townhouse on the Upper West Side, complete with three wood-burning fireplaces and a full basement. It's just a block from Central Park, but if even that's too far for a trek, there's also a 50-foot garden.

This three-story, $9,500/month Park Slope brownstone has been decorated to look a bit more modern than the others, but it's still got plenty of original touches, including custom built-in closets, wainscotting, stained glass, decorative mantles, and bay windows.

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