The city provides a constant sense of adventure for newly minted New Yorkers. Where else can you ogle world-famous art, nosh on soup dumplings, then beeline to the beach to watch the sunset with your toes in the sand? But if all you know about NYC comes from binge-watching TV shows and movies, you may be a little worried about how it is in real life. The big question: which NYC neighborhoods are right for you to stake your flag in? We chatted with real estate experts and longtime New Yorkers for advice on finding the best NYC neighborhood for you, depending on your preferences and lifestyle.

Photo credit: From a listing at 695 First Avenue #36F

Manhattan Rentals under $2,500 On Streeteasy Article continues below

Central Harlem

225 West 146th Street

$2,500 base rent

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Central Harlem

2903 Frederick Douglass Boulevard

$2,200 base rent

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Lincoln Square

248 West 64th Street

$1,988 base rent

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Lenox Hill

352 East 76th Street

$2,400 base rent

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Washington Heights

541 West 156th Street

$2,300 base rent

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South Harlem

55 East 110th Street

$1,925 base rent

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Fort George

4650 Broadway

$2,350 base rent

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Hamilton Heights

842 Saint Nicholas Avenue

$2,500 base rent

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Washington Heights

521 West 156th Street

$2,000 base rent

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Inwood

69 Cooper Street

$1,750 base rent

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East Harlem

2034 Third Avenue

$2,100 base rent

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East Harlem

2034 Third Avenue

$2,100 base rent

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Explore Different Neighborhoods

There are — wait for it — hundreds of NYC neighborhoods to choose from. For people who have a hard time making decisions, that’s more intimidating than selecting a coffee at Starbucks. Try to narrow your NYC neighborhood search by focusing on a borough first. There are just five. Indeed one will feel like home, whether you want to steep yourself in historic Manhattan or live on the frothy Atlantic Ocean in Brooklyn or Queens.

“If someone is completely new to the city, the best advice I give them is to first reach out to any family or friends and get some guidance from them,” says Nora Ali, a licensed real estate salesperson for Corcoran. “The next thing I always recommend is for them actually to go and spend time in areas of interest.”

If you haven’t arrived in NYC yet, don’t fret. There are plenty of local press sites that will give you taste, such as the Queens Gazette, Brooklyn Eagle, Staten Island Advance, Bronx Times, and Manhattan papers like The Villager. You can also visit the NYC Life section on StreetEasy Reads for an even more granular look at neighborhoods.

Brooklyn Rentals Under $2,500 On StreetEasy Article continues below

Midwood

2525 Nostrand Avenue

$2,100 base rent

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Prospect Lefferts Gardens

227 Clarkson Avenue

$2,500 base rent

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Clinton Hill

108 Steuben Street

$2,175 base rent

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Bensonhurst

7421 15th Avenue

$2,500 base rent

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East New York

551 Hinsdale Street

$2,025 base rent

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Ocean Hill

802 Mac Donough Street

$2,400 base rent

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Williamsburg

657 Meeker Avenue

$2,500 base rent

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East New York

542 Logan Street

$1,750 base rent

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Weeksville

1311 Lincoln Place

$2,490 base rent

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Fort Hamilton

185 Marine Avenue

$2,100 base rent

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Red Hook

769 Hicks Street

$2,500 base rent

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Dyker Heights

7906 14th Avenue

$2,195 base rent

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Find Out How Much It Costs To Live in NYC

According to the Economist Intelligence Unit, Tel Aviv, Paris, and Singapore now top the world’s most expensive cities list. But New York is in sixth place. So, of course, your pocketbook may be a deciding factor regarding which NYC neighborhoods you’re considering. (Don’t worry, plenty of the more affordable NYC neighborhoods offer many perks.) “Things like budget always play a part on where to live,” Ali says. “Once my clients lock in on a budget, that in itself will narrow down neighborhoods for them.”

It’s easy to see median asking prices for rent and home sales on the StreetEasy Data Dashboard. For example, the median asking rent in Long Island City, Queens, is $3,700 as of December 2021. Over in Manhattan, the median asking rent on the Upper East Side is even less: $3,300. But remember, a “median” is just that — you can find steals way less than that and splurges that cost way more, too. Finds tips for your rental search here.

Queens Rentals Under $2,500 On StreetEasy Article continues below

Kew Gardens Hills

150-48 75th Avenue

$1,925 base rent

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Kew Gardens Hills

150-20 72 Road

$2,200 base rent

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Flushing

131-02 A 40 Road

$3,000 base rent

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Long Island City

40-09 29th Street

$4,500 base rent

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Astoria

30-41 47th Street

$4,000 base rent

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Astoria

34-46 Vernon Boulevard

$3,295 base rent

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Murray Hill (Queens)

144-27 Sanford Avenue

$2,550 base rent

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Murray Hill (Queens)

149-06 Northern Boulevard

$3,000 base rent

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Ridgewood

686 Woodward Avenue

$3,200 base rent

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Astoria

21-04 Hoyt Avenue South

$3,800 base rent

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Woodside

70-25 Queens Boulevard

$3,300 base rent

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Jackson Heights

35-60 74th Street

$2,200 base rent

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Public Transportation Is a Big Part of the Decision

New Yorkers are movers and shakers by definition. So when you’re weighing the pros and cons of NYC neighborhoods, you will want to familiarize yourself with the local subway and bus lines. Are there express stops nearby, or only local ones? Does it take you not just to work but also to see friends or catch a show? Is the nearby station scheduled for a lengthy shutdown in the near future?

Do You Need Lots of Greenery and Open Spaces?

Even the most die-hard residents of NYC enjoy some green space occasionally. Others need it often. Be realistic about where you fall on that spectrum and evaluate accordingly. (The good news is that NYC is home to many world-famous parks, both old and new, including Central Park, Prospect Park, Hudson River Park, and Brooklyn Bridge Park.)

Note that what qualifies as a “park” in the city can vary widely. One might be a vast green expanse that invites you to lounge and picnic. Another might be a series of benches on a boulevard. The best advice is to visit your nearest parks in person if green space is essential to you.

Bronx Rentals Under $2,500 on StreetEasy Article continues below

Forest Hills

71-19 Nansen Street

$2,300 base rent

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Kew Gardens Hills

150-48 75th Avenue

$1,925 base rent

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Kew Gardens Hills

150-20 72 Road

$2,200 base rent

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Midwood

2525 Nostrand Avenue

$2,100 base rent

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Riverdale

5995 Riverdale Avenue

$2,450 base rent

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Prospect Lefferts Gardens

227 Clarkson Avenue

$2,500 base rent

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Central Harlem

225 West 146th Street

$2,500 base rent

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Central Harlem

2903 Frederick Douglass Boulevard

$2,200 base rent

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Kingsbridge Heights

2771 Reservoir Avenue

$2,375 base rent

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Clinton Hill

108 Steuben Street

$2,175 base rent

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Concourse

1675 Grand Concourse

$1,990 base rent

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Bergen/Lafayette

800 Ocean Avenue

$1,800 base rent

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Do You Crave Nightlife or Shopping?

Maybe your weekend doesn’t begin until you’ve sipped a craft cocktail at a stylish spot, or you’re addicted to hunting through the racks at high-end consignment boutiques. Keep those needs in mind when searching for where to live in NYC. “People think you need to be able to walk to work or have a very short commute,” says Doron Zwickel, licensed real estate broker with CORE real estate. “For me, it’s more about where your social circle is and your favorite restaurants and retail. That’s more valuable to me than an easy commute to the office.”

Above all, do not settle. The promise of New York is that there’s a surprise around every corner. And there usually is. So go ahead, walk down all the streets, try all the bodegas, slice joints, and coffee shops you can. It’s the best way to discover the best place for you to live.