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
225 Bennett Avenue
$2,350No Fee
Studio |
1
Hudson Heights
330 Haven Avenue
$2,000No Fee
Studio |
1
Hudson Heights
245 Bennett Avenue
$2,100No Fee
Studio |
1
Hudson Heights
720 West 181st Street
$2,400No Fee
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
225 Bennett Avenue
$2,250No Fee
Studio |
1
Hudson Heights
8 Magaw Place
$2,150No Fee
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
4469 Broadway
$2,400No Fee
Studio |
1
Hudson Heights
4469 Broadway
$2,308No Fee
Studio |
1
Hudson Heights
2 Pinehurst Avenue
$2,350No Fee
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
736 West 186th Street
$2,300No Fee
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
690 Fort Washington Avenue
$2,495No Fee
Studio |
1
Hudson Heights
179 Bennett Avenue
$2,350No Fee
1 |
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
215 West 116th Street
$2,862No Fee
2 |
1
South Harlem
274 West 115th Street
$2,500No Fee
1 |
1
South Harlem
386 Manhattan Avenue
$2,775No Fee
2 |
1
South Harlem
386 Manhattan Avenue
$2,340No Fee
1 |
1
South Harlem
35 Central Park North
$2,750No Fee
1 |
1
South Harlem
1775 Madison Avenue
$2,000No Fee
Studio |
1
South Harlem
108 West 114th Street
$2,200No Fee
1 |
1
South Harlem
56 East 120th Street
$2,800No Fee
1 |
1
South Harlem
111 West 113th Street
$3,000No Fee
1 |
1
South Harlem
52 West 125th Street
$2,000No Fee
Studio |
1
South Harlem
304 West 117th Street
$3,000No Fee
1 |
1
South Harlem
138 West 112nd Street
$2,950No Fee
2 |
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
273 Bennett Avenue
$560,000
2 |
1
Hudson Heights
900 West 190th Street
$580,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
273 Bennett Avenue
$529,000
2 |
1
Hudson Heights
880 West 181st Street
$585,000
2 |
1
Hudson Heights
250 Cabrini Boulevard
$540,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
250 Cabrini Boulevard
$649,000
2 |
1
Hudson Heights
360 Cabrini Boulevard
$540,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
180 Cabrini Boulevard
$630,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
900 West 190th Street
$559,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
116 Pinehurst Avenue
$575,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
340 Haven Avenue
$479,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
371 Ft Washington Avenue
$549,900
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
Washington Heights
664 West 161st Street
$525,000
3 |
1
Hudson Heights
273 Bennett Avenue
$560,000
2 |
1
Washington Heights
834 Riverside Drive
$349,000
2 |
1
Hudson Heights
66 Overlook Terrace
$399,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
900 West 190th Street
$580,000
1 |
1
Washington Heights
565 West 169th Street
$485,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
273 Bennett Avenue
$529,000
2 |
1
Hudson Heights
880 West 181st Street
$585,000
2 |
1
Fort George
96 Arden Street
$599,000
3 |
1
Hudson Heights
250 Cabrini Boulevard
$540,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
360 Cabrini Boulevard
$540,000
1 |
1
Washington Heights
790 Riverside Drive
$589,000
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
Manhattan Valley
951 Amsterdam Avenue
$2,275No Fee
Studio |
1
Upper West Side
155 West 83rd Street
$2,200No Fee
Studio |
1
Lincoln Square
137 West 69th Street
$2,500No Fee
Studio |
1
Upper West Side
226 West 97th Street
$2,800No Fee
Studio |
1
Upper West Side
155 West 81st Street
$2,725No Fee
Studio |
1
Upper West Side
27 West 76th Street
$2,800No Fee
1 |
1
Upper West Side
216 West 78th Street
$2,150No Fee
Studio |
1
Lincoln Square
236 West 64th Street
$1,820No Fee
Studio |
1
Manhattan Valley
850 Amsterdam Avenue
$2,696No Fee
Studio |
1
Upper West Side
329 West 88th Street
$3,000No Fee
1 |
1
Upper West Side
40 West 95th Street
$2,350No Fee
1 |
1
Lincoln Square
249 West End Avenue
$2,800No 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.