Love stories in New York City don’t always start with a meet-cute on the subway. Sometimes, they begin with a fifth-floor walk-up, a sliver of skyline seen from the fire escape, or a kitchen nook that feels just right. For 20 years, StreetEasy has been playing matchmaker — helping New Yorkers swipe past the no’s and maybes to find “the one.” This Valentine’s Day, we’re celebrating the butterflies, the charming quirks, and the unmistakable joy that comes with falling head over heels for a home. Love is great, but finding the perfect NYC abode? That’s a romance story all its own.

Hear from New Yorkers who fell in love with the place of their dreams — from the small sparks to the swoon-worthy moments that made it real. Consider these their love letters to the homes that changed everything.

“A constant reminder of the stories that shape us”

Brooklyn Homes Under $1M on StreetEasy Article continues below

Gravesend

2606 Cropsey Avenue

$210,000

Studio |

1

Gravesend

2551 West 15th Street

$685,000

2 |

2

Brighton Beach

50 Oceana Drive West

$999,000

2 |

2

Midwood

414 Elmwood Avenue

$274,000

1 |

1

New Lots

12205 Flatland Avenue

$349,000

1 |

1

New Lots

971 Jerome Street

$500,000

3 |

1.5

Prospect Lefferts Gardens

184 Hawthorne Street

$899,000

1 |

1.5

Gravesend

388 Avenue S

$295,000

1 |

1

Brighton Beach

2 West End Avenue

$519,000

2 |

1

Bay Ridge

7259 Shore Road

$359,000

1 |

1

Downtown Brooklyn

53 Boerum Place

$650,000

1 |

1

Midwood

2817 Avenue J

$949,000

4 |

3.5

It was love at first sight. I knew you were the one when I realized you sit just blocks away from the school my grandmother attended nearly a century ago. Every morning, I walk the same streets she did as a young girl; it’s as if the neighborhood itself is a bridge across time, connecting my present to her past.

And as a writer and a reader, having a public library just around the corner felt fated, almost like an extension of my own living room—a constant reminder of the stories that shape us.

Then there are the stairs! My husband and I like to joke that you provided a built-in gym membership (though my legs might disagree after a long day), but the staircase itself offered me something much more profound: wall space. I saw the potential immediately. Now, the walls are lined with the large, beautiful paintings I inherited from my grandparents. Those pieces are the last things I see as I descend into the quiet of the night, and the first things that welcome me back into the daylight as I ascend for my morning coffee.

Thank you for being our sacred space, and thank you to our magical matchmaker, Sarah Silva, for making it all happen.

“No other place gave me that same heart-stopping feeling”

Queens Homes Under $1M on StreetEasy Article continues below

Woodside

61-09 39th Avenue

$650,000

2 |

1

Briarwood

84-01 Main Street

$370,000

2 |

1

Forest Hills

105-33 66th Avenue

$335,000

1 |

1

Bayside

35-18 205th Street

$389,000

2 |

1

Jackson Heights

32-25 88th Street

$225,000

1 |

1

Forest Hills

110-15 71 Road

$345,000

1 |

1

Forest Hills

76-66 Austin Street

$325,000

1 |

1

Flushing

138-70 Elder Avenue

$398,000

1 |

1

Jackson Heights

33-04 Junction Boulevard

$230,000

1 |

1

Rego Park

61-35 98th Street

$499,000

2 |

1.5

Jackson Heights

37-56 87th Street

$338,000

1 |

1

Flushing

27-04 Parsons Boulevard

$428,000

2 |

1

From the moment I stepped inside, I knew you were the one. The beautiful furnishings, stunning city views, and high ceilings instantly captured my heart. Not to mention, the convenient location and the huge gym were just the icing on the cake. Even though you were initially out of my price range, I felt an undeniable connection. When the price dropped, it seemed like fate was at work. Everything felt perfect, and no other place gave me that same heart-stopping feeling.

One of the things I appreciate most every day is the noise-cancelling windows. They transform city life into a peaceful retreat. The neighborhood is equally special, with easy access to all the subways, surrounded by delightful Asian restaurants, and just a short trip to Flushing. Despite the ups and downs over the past few years, I never doubted that you were the right choice. Now, being home in NYC means having a stable, safe haven in the heart of the city, where I can unwind and enjoy life with my cats.

Thank you for being such a wonderful place to call home.

Every home has its quirks, and every search has its plot twists. But when you know, you know. StreetEasy looks forward to 20 more years of playing Cupid, helping New Yorkers find not just a place to live, but a place to love.

StreetEasy is an assumed name of Zillow, Inc. which has a real estate brokerage license in all 50 states and D.C. See real estate licenses. StreetEasy Concierge team members are real estate licensees, however they are not your agents or providing real estate brokerage services on your behalf. StreetEasy does not intend to interfere with any agency agreement you may have with a real estate professional or solicit your business if you are already under contract to purchase or sell property.