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.
Manhattan Rentals under $2,500 On Streeteasy Article continues below
South Harlem
136 West 119th Street
$1,862No Fee
Studio |
1
Hell’s Kitchen
402 West 45th Street
$2,500No Fee
Studio |
1
Central Harlem
107 West 138th Street
$2,095No Fee
1 |
1
East Harlem
420 East 120th Street
$2,500No Fee
2 |
1
Upper West Side
491 Amsterdam Avenue
$2,260No Fee
1 |
1
Fort George
609 West 186th Street
$1,900No Fee
1 |
1
Yorkville
1702 Second Avenue
$2,500No Fee
1 |
1
Yorkville
339 East 90th Street
$2,400No Fee
1 |
1
Lenox Hill
241 East 77th Street
$2,015No Fee
Studio |
1
Hamilton Heights
3609 Broadway
$1,650No Fee
Studio |
2
Hudson Heights
29 Chittenden Avenue
$1,900No Fee
Studio |
1
Central Harlem
49 East 129th Street
$2,100No Fee
1 |
1
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.”
Brooklyn Rentals Under $2,500 On StreetEasy Article continues below
Kensington
3343 Twelfth Avenue
$2,500No Fee
1 |
1
Bushwick
100 Starr Street
$2,500No Fee
1 |
1
Greenpoint
166 India Street
$2,100No Fee
Studio |
1
East Flatbush
3519 Snyder Avenue
$1,550No Fee
Studio |
1
Sunset Park
761 44th Street
$2,450No Fee
2 |
1
Flatbush
3214 Clarendon Road
$2,190No Fee
1 |
1
Prospect Heights
349 Saint John’s Place
$2,200No Fee
1 |
1
Crown Heights
84A Rogers Avenue
$2,300No Fee
1 |
1
Canarsie
905 East 85th Street
$2,400No Fee
2 |
1
Bedford-Stuyvesant
482 Tompkins Avenue
$2,350No Fee
1 |
1
Kensington
29 Tehama Street
$2,395No Fee
2 |
1
Bushwick
201 Central Avenue
$2,500No Fee
1 |
1
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
Astoria
25-25 33rd Street
$3,100No Fee
3 |
1
Bayside
45-12 220 Place
$2,888No Fee
3 |
2
Astoria
24-15 41st Street
$2,250No Fee
2 |
1
Sunnyside
45-15 42nd Street
$2,400No Fee
1 |
1
Astoria
30-25 35th Street
$3,800No Fee
3 |
1.5
Astoria
29-10 Broadway
$3,178No Fee
1 |
1
Astoria
18-10 Astoria Boulevard
$6,200No Fee
3 |
2
Ditmars-Steinway
47-15 Ditmars Boulevard
$4,500No Fee
3 |
2
Lindenwood
149-37 88th Street
$2,500No Fee
2 |
1.5
Middle Village
79-30 69 Road
$2,100No Fee
1 |
1
Hunters Point
44-41 Purves Street
$3,288No Fee
Studio |
1
Hunters Point
42-22 27th Street
$3,669No Fee
1 |
1
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 StreetEasyArticle continues below
Prospect Lefferts Gardens
341 Midwood Street
$2,500No Fee
2 |
1
University Heights
2270 Loring Place North
$1,500No Fee
1 |
1
Hell’s Kitchen
412 West 56th Street
$2,423No Fee
Studio |
1
Kingsbridge Heights
3119 Bailey Avenue
$2,100No Fee
1 |
1
The Heights
651 Liberty Avenue
$2,200No Fee
2 |
1
Sunset Park
4423 Fifth Avenue
$2,360No Fee
2 |
1
Mott Haven
25 Bruckner Boulevard
$2,300No Fee
1 |
1
University Heights
2308 University Avenue
$1,075No Fee
1 |
1
Astoria
24-15 41st Street
$2,250No Fee
2 |
1
Flatbush
2601 Glenwood Road
$2,100No Fee
Studio |
1
University Heights
2294 University Avenue
$1,475No Fee
2 |
1
Kips Bay
223 East 32nd Street
$2,297No Fee
1 |
1
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.