Situated in upper Manhattan is a tranquil slice of the city with parks galore, charming architecture, and soaring river views. Welcome to Hudson Heights, a quadrant of the bustling and diverse Washington Heights neighborhood; it might be one of New York City’s best-kept secrets.
The area is cordoned off by Fort Tryon Park to the north, J. Hood Wright Park to the south, and lively Broadway to the east. Residents know that this low-key locality is a great place to live, thanks to its accessibility, affordability, green spaces, and food scene. (Pssst, it’s also home to a beloved NYC playwright. More on that shortly.)
With median asking sales prices in Washington Heights at $516,500 and median asking rental prices of $2,200 (both as of July 2021), the area is exponentially more affordable than many other Manhattan neighborhoods.
This post was updated and republished.
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Hudson Heights Rentals Under $2,500 on StreetEasyArticle continues below
Hudson Heights
69 Pinehurst Avenue
$2,400No Fee
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
225 Bennett Avenue
$2,300No Fee
Studio |
1
Hudson Heights
225 Bennett Avenue
$2,000No Fee
Studio |
1
Hudson Heights
16 Magaw Place
$2,175No Fee
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
386 Fort Washington Avenue
$2,500No Fee
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
386 Fort Washington Avenue
$2,000No Fee
Studio |
1
Hudson Heights
95 Cabrini Boulevard
$2,275No Fee
Studio |
1
Hudson Heights
647 West 174th Street
$2,500No Fee
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
187 Pinehurst Avenue
$2,167No Fee
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
259 Bennett Avenue
$2,250No Fee
Studio |
1
Hudson Heights
182 Bennett Avenue
$2,150No Fee
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
225 Bennett Avenue
$2,500No Fee
Studio |
1
Why Is Hudson Heights a Great Place to Live?
Beyond its reasonable price points, Hudson Heights also boasts many other attractive features, including its residents. “There’s a sense of community,” explains Kemdi Anosike of Warburg Realty, who lives in the neighborhood. If you leave your apartment, he says, you’ll likely see familiar faces. And of course, there are the old-timers. “There are people who have been here for decades, and they can go on for ages about what the neighborhood has to offer. And they always look out for you.”
He sees the area as especially attractive for people who still want access to the culture the city has to offer but, are looking for space and a neighborhood that feels more like a community than just a group of high-rises. The area itself is filled with prewar charm, buildings covered in delightful Art Deco detailing, and European Tudor Revival architecture.
One of the most picturesque corners of the neighborhood is Hudson View Gardens, a gorgeous 1924 Tudor-style co-op complex that feels like a European street. Kemdi describes the area: “It takes you away from the craziness of New York City. That’s one of my favorite parts of the neighborhood.” Another impressive complex is Castle Village, a manicured, five-building mini-community where Lin-Manuel Miranda lives. In general, apartment seekers will find plenty of great rental options in addition to co-ops for sale.
South Harlem Rentals Under $3,000 on StreetEasyArticle continues below
South Harlem
257 West 113rd Street
$2,600No Fee
Studio |
1
South Harlem
15 West 116th Street
$2,620No Fee
1 |
1
South Harlem
227 Lenox Avenue
$2,375No Fee
Studio |
1
South Harlem
42 West 120th Street
$2,375No Fee
Studio |
1
South Harlem
2166 Fred Douglas Boulevard
$2,300No Fee
1 |
1
South Harlem
2115 Fred Douglas Boulevard
$2,500No Fee
1 |
1
South Harlem
2010 Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard
$2,714No Fee
3 |
1
South Harlem
234 West 122nd Street
$2,900No Fee
2 |
1
South Harlem
386 Manhattan Avenue
$2,350No Fee
1 |
1
South Harlem
201 West 115th Street
$2,995No Fee
2 |
1
South Harlem
8 West 119th Street
$2,540No Fee
1 |
1
South Harlem
111 West 113rd Street
$2,950No Fee
1 |
1
The neighborhood is also known for its abundance of green space, most notably Fort Tryon Park to the north, a lovely 67-acre plot with dramatic rock outcroppings and incredible Hudson River views. The park is also home to the scenic Heather Garden, the Cabrini Woods Nature Sanctuary — a haven for bird-watchers — and of course, The Met Cloisters, a serene, medieval art museum.
Outdoor staircases are another distinctive neighborhood feature. These connect streets of vastly different heights — perfect for a workout and a nice view. You can find one of the most impressive staircases at 187th street (between Overlook Terrace and Fort Washington Ave), a mammoth vertical walkway with 130 steps.
Hudson Heights Homes Under $650K on StreetEasyArticle continues below
Hudson Heights
45 Overlook Terrace
$575,000
2 |
1
Hudson Heights
736 West 186th Street
$440,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
100 Overlook Terrace
$649,900
2 |
1
Hudson Heights
153 Bennett Avenue
$559,000
2 |
1
Hudson Heights
263 Bennett Avenue
$539,000
2 |
1
Hudson Heights
736 West 186th Street
$445,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
200 Cabrini Boulevard
$499,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
900 West 190th Street
$615,000
2 |
1
Hudson Heights
295 Bennett Avenue
$535,000
2 |
1
Hudson Heights
143 Bennett Avenue
$400,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
116 Pinehurst Avenue
$599,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
69 Bennett Avenue
$515,000
2 |
1
Where Did Hudson Heights Get Its Name?
This enclave of the greater Washington Heights area certainly lives up to its name, with Bennett Park standing at 265 feet above sea level, Manhattan’s highest natural point. And any stroll near the water, which features gorgeous river views, showcases the neighborhood’s elevated vantage point.
Washington Heights Homes Under 600K on StreetEasyArticle continues below
Hudson Heights
45 Overlook Terrace
$575,000
2 |
1
Fort George
4 Bogardus Place
$380,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
736 West 186th Street
$440,000
1 |
1
Fort George
160 Wadsworth Avenue
$498,000
2 |
1
Washington Heights
930 Saint Nicholas Avenue
$550,000
2 |
1
Washington Heights
456 West 167th Street
$524,999
2 |
2
Hudson Heights
153 Bennett Avenue
$559,000
2 |
1
Washington Heights
834 Riverside Drive
$349,000
2 |
1
Washington Heights
70 Haven Avenue
$398,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
340 Haven Avenue
$399,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
4489 Broadway
$369,000
1 |
1
Washington Heights
775 Riverside Drive
$549,000
1 |
1
How Long Does It Take to Get to Hudson Heights?
The A train, which runs express, makes getting downtown extremely quick and accessible from Hudson Heights, with commutes hovering around 30 minutes to the heart of midtown, and 45 minutes to downtown, locals explain. However, if you are in need of another option, the 1 train is just a few blocks over and also provides easy access throughout the city.
Before you hop onto the subway, make sure to soak in the gorgeous aboveground entryways: the 181st street A train station has a stone entrance that resembles a castle. The 190th street A train station appears to be embedded in bedrock (but it’s not).
Upper West Side Rentals on StreetEasy Under $3,000Article continues below
Upper West Side
42 West 85th Street
$2,595No Fee
Studio |
1
Upper West Side
70 West 87th Street
$2,895No Fee
Studio |
1
Upper West Side
250 West 105th Street
$2,975No Fee
1 |
1
Manhattan Valley
82 West 105th Street
$2,545No Fee
1 |
1
Lincoln Square
243 West 63rd Street
$2,492No Fee
1 |
1
Upper West Side
317 West 99th Street
$2,625No Fee
1 |
1
Upper West Side
335 West 84th Street
$2,375No Fee
Studio |
1
Upper West Side
135 West 82nd Street
$2,500No Fee
Studio |
1
Upper West Side
317 West 74th Street
$2,995No Fee
Studio |
1
Upper West Side
62 West 84th Street
$2,595No Fee
Studio |
1
Manhattan Valley
67 West 109th Street
$2,500No Fee
Studio |
1
Upper West Side
112 West 80th Street
$2,379No Fee
Studio |
1
The Best Restaurants in the Area
In addition to the affordability, great parks, and easy train access, Hudson Heights is also a burgeoning dining destination. “The restaurant scene is still up-and-coming, but it’s great,” Kemdi Anosike stresses, explaining that he also loves the proximity to incredible Spanish restaurants just south in the larger Washington Heights area.
“Tampopo Ramen is one of the best ramens I’ve had in the city,” says Maris Schwarz, 27, who shares some of her neighborhood favorites. “The Uptown Garrison is a great coffee shop [which] turns into a restaurant and bar at night.” She also points to Cafe Bark — a dog-friendly coffee spot and pet boutique — and Le Cheile, “an amazing neighborhood bar,” as some of her go-to spots.
“181st street is just a really nice strip in general,” Schwarz says, describing the area as a “Brooklyn meets small-town feel,” with plenty of great food and drink options.