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
718 West 178th Street
$2,495No Fee
2 |
1
Hudson Heights
353 Fort Washington Avenue
$2,200No Fee
2 |
1
Hudson Heights
225 Bennett Avenue
$2,050No Fee
Studio |
1
Hudson Heights
1380 Riverside Drive
$1,827No Fee
Studio |
1
Hudson Heights
187 Pinehurst Avenue
$2,167No Fee
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
259 Bennett Avenue
$2,100No Fee
Studio |
1
Hudson Heights
12 Pinehurst Avenue
$2,200No Fee
1 |
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
Hudson Heights
860 West 181st Street
$2,500No Fee
Studio |
1
Hudson Heights
860 West 181st Street
$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
1798 Madison Avenue
$3,000No Fee
2 |
1
South Harlem
8 West 122nd Street
$2,274No Fee
Studio |
1
South Harlem
159 W 118th Street
$2,875No Fee
1 |
1
South Harlem
245 West 115th Street
$2,200No Fee
Studio |
1
South Harlem
1638 Park Avenue
$2,204No Fee
Studio |
1
South Harlem
2280 Frederick Douglass Boulevard
$2,650No Fee
Studio |
1
South Harlem
364 West 119th Street
$2,650No Fee
1 |
1
South Harlem
274 West 115th Street
$2,300No Fee
1 |
1
South Harlem
213 West 115th Street
$2,900No Fee
2 |
1
South Harlem
138 West 123rd Street
$2,975No Fee
1 |
1
South Harlem
225 Central Park North
$2,600No Fee
1 |
1
South Harlem
276 West 119th Street
$2,190No 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
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
143 Bennett Avenue
$417,000
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
Hudson Heights
900 West 190th Street
$535,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
263 Bennett Avenue
$575,000
2 |
1
Hudson Heights
689 Fort Washington Avenue
$650,000
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
295 Bennett Avenue
$535,000
2 |
1
Washington Heights
456 West 167th Street
$565,000
2 |
1
Washington Heights
790 Riverside Drive
$600,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
715 West 180th Street
$450,000
3 |
1
Hudson Heights
259 Bennett Avenue
$359,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
143 Bennett Avenue
$400,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
116 Pinehurst Avenue
$599,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
143 Bennett Avenue
$417,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
69 Bennett Avenue
$550,000
2 |
1
Hudson Heights
720 Fort Washington Avenue
$350,000
Studio |
1
Hudson Heights
854 West 181st Street
$449,000
1 |
1
Hudson Heights
116 Pinehurst Avenue
$300,000
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
Upper West Side
170 West 74th Street
$2,450No Fee
Studio |
1
Upper West Side
2109 Broadway
$2,900No Fee
Studio |
1
Upper West Side
335 West 84th Street
$2,375No Fee
Studio |
1
Manhattan Valley
207 West 102nd Street
$2,500No Fee
Studio |
1
Upper West Side
140 West 79th Street
$2,800No Fee
Studio |
1
Upper West Side
129 West 81st Street
$2,250No Fee
Studio |
1
Upper West Side
113 West 85th Street
$2,600No Fee
1 |
1
Upper West Side
493 Amsterdam Avenue
$3,000No Fee
1 |
1
Upper West Side
113 West 75th Street
$2,900No Fee
Studio |
1
Upper West Side
216 West 100th Street
$1,800No Fee
Studio |
1
Upper West Side
149 West 95th Street
$2,300No Fee
Studio |
1
Lincoln Square
228 West 71st Street
$2,597No 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.