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
209 Bennett Avenue
$2,200No Fee
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
711 West 190th Street
$2,500No Fee
2 |
1
Hudson Heights
225 Bennett Avenue
$2,055No Fee
Studio |
1
Hudson Heights
350 Ft Washington Avenue
$2,050No Fee
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
29 Chittenden Avenue
$1,900No Fee
Studio |
1
Hudson Heights
12 Pinehurst Avenue
$2,200No Fee
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
718 West 178th Street
$2,495No Fee
2 |
1
Hudson Heights
187 Pinehurst Avenue
$2,167No Fee
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
259 Bennett Avenue
$2,100No Fee
Studio |
1
Hudson Heights
182 Bennett Avenue
$2,150No Fee
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
225 Bennett Avenue
$2,500No Fee
Studio |
1
Hudson Heights
21 Magaw Place
$2,275No 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
230 West 123rd Street
$2,250No Fee
1 |
1
South Harlem
237 West 123rd Street
$2,895No Fee
1 |
1
South Harlem
1309 5th Avenue
$2,775No Fee
Studio |
1
South Harlem
9 Central Park North
$2,600No Fee
2 |
1
South Harlem
1638 Park Avenue
$2,337No Fee
Studio |
1
South Harlem
75 West 118th Street
$2,303No Fee
1 |
1
South Harlem
257 West 116th Street
$2,613No Fee
1 |
1
South Harlem
16 West 121st Street
$2,900No Fee
1 |
1
South Harlem
504 Manhattan Avenue
$2,700No Fee
1 |
1
South Harlem
132 West 117th Street
$2,450No Fee
1 |
1
South Harlem
3 East 115th Street
$2,495No Fee
1 |
1
South Harlem
13 East 117th Street
$3,000No 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
263 Bennett Avenue
$539,000
2 |
1
Hudson Heights
736 West 186th Street
$460,000
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
715 West 180th Street
$450,000
3 |
1
Hudson Heights
143 Bennett Avenue
$400,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
116 Pinehurst Avenue
$599,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
69 Bennett Avenue
$550,000
2 |
1
Hudson Heights
854 West 181st Street
$449,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
900 West 190th Street
$579,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
245 Bennett Avenue
$559,000
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
263 Bennett Avenue
$539,000
2 |
1
Hudson Heights
736 West 186th Street
$460,000
1 |
1
Washington Heights
448 West 167th Street
$550,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
200 Cabrini Boulevard
$499,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
295 Bennett Avenue
$535,000
2 |
1
Washington Heights
456 West 167th Street
$565,000
2 |
1
Hudson Heights
715 West 180th Street
$450,000
3 |
1
Hudson Heights
259 Bennett Avenue
$349,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
143 Bennett Avenue
$400,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
116 Pinehurst Avenue
$599,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
69 Bennett Avenue
$550,000
2 |
1
Hudson Heights
720 Fort Washington Avenue
$350,000
Studio |
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
175 West 107th Street
$2,800No Fee
1 |
1
Manhattan Valley
929 Columbus Avenue
$2,700No Fee
1 |
1
Upper West Side
305 West 92nd Street
$2,425No Fee
Studio |
1
Manhattan Valley
57 West 105th Street
$2,000No Fee
Studio |
1
Upper West Side
318 West 106th Street
$2,300No Fee
Studio |
1
Upper West Side
925 West End Avenue
$2,583No Fee
Studio |
1
Upper West Side
100 West 73rd Street
$2,400No Fee
Studio |
1
Upper West Side
473 Columbus Avenue
$2,400No Fee
Studio |
1
Manhattan Valley
203 West 103rd Street
$3,000No Fee
1 |
1
Upper West Side
319 West 92nd Street
$2,900No Fee
1 |
1
Manhattan Valley
109 West 106th Street
$2,995No Fee
2 |
1
Lincoln Square
68 West 69th Street
$2,495No 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.