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
455 Ft Washington Avenue
$2,200No Fee
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
701 West 175th Street
$2,000No Fee
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
165 Bennett Avenue
$2,200No Fee
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
4501 Broadway
$2,200No Fee
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
95 Cabrini Boulevard
$2,495No Fee
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
427 Fort Washington Avenue
$2,300No Fee
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
37 Overlook Terrace
$2,499No Fee
2 |
1
Hudson Heights
4469 Broadway
$2,400No Fee
Studio |
1
Hudson Heights
4469 Broadway
$2,300No Fee
Studio |
1
Hudson Heights
2 Pinehurst Avenue
$2,350No Fee
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
728 West 181st Street
$2,350No Fee
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
690 Fort Washington Avenue
$2,395No 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
136 West 118th Street
$2,500No Fee
1 |
1
South Harlem
257 West 113rd Street
$2,300No Fee
Studio |
1
South Harlem
215 West 116th Street
$2,756No Fee
2 |
1
South Harlem
138 West 112nd Street
$2,950No Fee
2 |
1
South Harlem
2192 Frederic Douglas Boulevard
$3,000No Fee
1 |
1
South Harlem
69 East 110th Street
$2,250No Fee
1 |
1
South Harlem
312 Manhattan Avenue
$2,425No Fee
Studio |
1
South Harlem
296 Manhattan Avenue
$2,650No Fee
Studio |
1
South Harlem
2216 Frederick Douglass Boulevard
$2,417No Fee
Studio |
1
South Harlem
268 West 120th Street
$2,513No Fee
Studio |
1
South Harlem
1786 Madison Avenue
$2,250No Fee
1 |
1
South Harlem
73 East 115th Street
$2,083No Fee
Studio |
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
250 Cabrini Boulevard
$649,000
2 |
1
Hudson Heights
880 West 181st Street
$599,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
105 Bennett Avenue
$549,900
1 |
1
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
$555,000
2 |
1
Hudson Heights
250 Cabrini Boulevard
$540,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
360 Cabrini Boulevard
$540,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
180 Cabrini Boulevard
$599,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
900 West 190th Street
$545,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
116 Pinehurst Avenue
$565,000
1 |
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
801 Riverside Drive
$545,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
880 West 181st Street
$599,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
105 Bennett Avenue
$549,900
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
371 Ft Washington Avenue
$345,000
1 |
1
Washington Heights
456 West 167th Street
$585,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
712 West 175th Street
$350,000
1 |
1
Fort George
31 Nagle Avenue
$389,000
1 |
1
Washington Heights
15 Ft Washington Avenue
$333,000
1 |
1
Washington Heights
664 West 161st Street
$525,000
3 |
1
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
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
53 West 76th Street
$2,700No Fee
Studio |
1
Upper West Side
47 West 87th Street
$2,175No Fee
Studio |
1
Upper West Side
324 West 96th Street
$2,695No Fee
1 |
1
Upper West Side
308 West 82nd Street
$2,995No Fee
1 |
1
Upper West Side
566 Amsterdam Avenue
$2,500No Fee
1 |
1
Upper West Side
314 West 105th Street
$2,275No Fee
Studio |
1
Upper West Side
53 West 72nd Street
$2,615No Fee
Studio |
1
Manhattan Valley
205 West 109th Street
$2,950No Fee
3 |
1
Upper West Side
495 West End Avenue
$2,150No Fee
Studio |
1
Upper West Side
230 Riverside Drive
$3,000No Fee
Studio |
1
Upper West Side
146 West 79th Street
$2,695No Fee
Studio |
1
Upper West Side
251 West 101st Street
$2,700No 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.