The city provides a constant sense of adventure for newly minted New Yorkers. Where else can you ogle world-famous art, nosh on soup dumplings, then beeline to the beach to watch the sunset with your toes in the sand? But if all you know about NYC comes from binge-watching TV shows and movies, you may be a little worried about how it is in real life. The big question: which NYC neighborhoods are right for you to stake your flag in? We chatted with real estate experts and longtime New Yorkers for advice on finding the best NYC neighborhood for you, depending on your preferences and lifestyle.

Photo credit: From a listing at 695 First Avenue #36F

Manhattan Rentals under $2,500 On Streeteasy Article continues below

Central Harlem

2186 Fifth Avenue

$1,938 No Fee

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Hudson Heights

95 Cabrini Boulevard

$2,495 No Fee

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Yorkville

313 East 85th Street

$2,450 No Fee

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Central Harlem

102 West 134th Street

$1,960 No Fee

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Yorkville

408 East 88th Street

$1,995 No Fee

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Inwood

678 Academy Street

$1,710 No Fee

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Financial District

160 Front Street

$2,500 No Fee

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Inwood

678 Academy Street

$1,735 No Fee

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Hudson Heights

427 Fort Washington Avenue

$2,300 No Fee

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Inwood

685 Academy Street

$1,656 No Fee

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Fort George

12 Arden Street

$1,633 No Fee

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Fort George

9 Sherman Avenue

$1,735 No Fee

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Explore Different Neighborhoods

There are — wait for it — hundreds of NYC neighborhoods to choose from. For people who have a hard time making decisions, that’s more intimidating than selecting a coffee at Starbucks. Try to narrow your NYC neighborhood search by focusing on a borough first. There are just five. Indeed one will feel like home, whether you want to steep yourself in historic Manhattan or live on the frothy Atlantic Ocean in Brooklyn or Queens.

“If someone is completely new to the city, the best advice I give them is to first reach out to any family or friends and get some guidance from them,” says Nora Ali, a licensed real estate salesperson for Corcoran. “The next thing I always recommend is for them actually to go and spend time in areas of interest.”

If you haven’t arrived in NYC yet, don’t fret. There are plenty of local press sites that will give you taste, such as the Queens Gazette, Brooklyn Eagle, Staten Island Advance, Bronx Times, and Manhattan papers like The Villager. You can also visit the NYC Life section on StreetEasy Reads for an even more granular look at neighborhoods.

Brooklyn Rentals Under $2,500 On StreetEasy Article continues below

Flatbush

300 Lenox Road

$2,000 No Fee

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Prospect Park South

29 East 17th Street

$2,100 No Fee

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Kensington

120 Ocean Parkway

$2,395 No Fee

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Flatbush

184 Clarkson Avenue

$1,750 No Fee

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Prospect Lefferts Gardens

341 Lincoln Road

$2,250 No Fee

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Flatbush

2316 Clarendon Road

$2,472 No Fee

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Ditmas Park

505 East 22nd Street

$2,100 No Fee

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Bath Beach

8609 Bay 16th Street

$1,675 No Fee

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Fort Hamilton

52 92nd Street

$1,650 No Fee

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Ditmas Park

395 Stratford Road

$1,880 No Fee

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Mapleton

2214 64th Street

$1,500 No Fee

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Clinton Hill

487 Clinton Avenue

$2,495 No Fee

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Find Out How Much It Costs To Live in NYC

According to the Economist Intelligence Unit, Tel Aviv, Paris, and Singapore now top the world’s most expensive cities list. But New York is in sixth place. So, of course, your pocketbook may be a deciding factor regarding which NYC neighborhoods you’re considering. (Don’t worry, plenty of the more affordable NYC neighborhoods offer many perks.) “Things like budget always play a part on where to live,” Ali says. “Once my clients lock in on a budget, that in itself will narrow down neighborhoods for them.”

It’s easy to see median asking prices for rent and home sales on the StreetEasy Data Dashboard. For example, the median asking rent in Long Island City, Queens, is $3,700 as of December 2021. Over in Manhattan, the median asking rent on the Upper East Side is even less: $3,300. But remember, a “median” is just that — you can find steals way less than that and splurges that cost way more, too. Finds tips for your rental search here.

Queens Rentals Under $2,500 On StreetEasy Article continues below

East Elmhurst

104-22 Astoria Boulevard

$2,650 No Fee

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East Elmhurst

104-22 Astoria Boulevard

$2,800 No Fee

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Ditmars-Steinway

22-28 77th Street

$1,200 No Fee

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Astoria

14-32 28th Avenue

$2,490 No Fee

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Astoria

26-24 Fourth Street

$2,850 No Fee

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Astoria

36-01 31st Avenue

$2,600 No Fee

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Long Island City

32-04 38th Avenue

$3,071 No Fee

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Ridgewood

1708 Gates Avenue

$3,499 No Fee

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Rego Park

61-55 Junction Boulevard

$2,950 No Fee

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Kew Gardens

83-45 Lefferts Boulevard

$2,195 No Fee

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Ridgewood

17-17 Linden Street

$3,280 No Fee

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Elmhurst

52-07 90th Street

$2,000 No Fee

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Public Transportation Is a Big Part of the Decision

New Yorkers are movers and shakers by definition. So when you’re weighing the pros and cons of NYC neighborhoods, you will want to familiarize yourself with the local subway and bus lines. Are there express stops nearby, or only local ones? Does it take you not just to work but also to see friends or catch a show? Is the nearby station scheduled for a lengthy shutdown in the near future?

Do You Need Lots of Greenery and Open Spaces?

Even the most die-hard residents of NYC enjoy some green space occasionally. Others need it often. Be realistic about where you fall on that spectrum and evaluate accordingly. (The good news is that NYC is home to many world-famous parks, both old and new, including Central Park, Prospect Park, Hudson River Park, and Brooklyn Bridge Park.)

Note that what qualifies as a “park” in the city can vary widely. One might be a vast green expanse that invites you to lounge and picnic. Another might be a series of benches on a boulevard. The best advice is to visit your nearest parks in person if green space is essential to you.

Bronx Rentals Under $2,500 on StreetEasy Article continues below

Astoria

35-47 34th Street

$2,395 No Fee

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Lenox Hill

5 East 67th Street

$2,500 No Fee

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McGinley Square

55 Orchard Street

$2,100 No Fee

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McGinley Square

55 Orchard Street

$2,175 No Fee

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McGinley Square

55 Orchard Street

$2,225 No Fee

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McGinley Square

55 Orchard Street

$2,250 No Fee

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McGinley Square

55 Orchard Street

$2,300 No Fee

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McGinley Square

55 Orchard Street

$2,350 No Fee

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Astoria

32-72 34th Street

$2,300 No Fee

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Fort Hamilton

9425 Shore Road

$2,000 No Fee

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McGinley Square

55 Orchard Street

$2,350 No Fee

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McGinley Square

55 Orchard Street

$2,450 No Fee

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Do You Crave Nightlife or Shopping?

Maybe your weekend doesn’t begin until you’ve sipped a craft cocktail at a stylish spot, or you’re addicted to hunting through the racks at high-end consignment boutiques. Keep those needs in mind when searching for where to live in NYC. “People think you need to be able to walk to work or have a very short commute,” says Doron Zwickel, licensed real estate broker with CORE real estate. “For me, it’s more about where your social circle is and your favorite restaurants and retail. That’s more valuable to me than an easy commute to the office.”

Above all, do not settle. The promise of New York is that there’s a surprise around every corner. And there usually is. So go ahead, walk down all the streets, try all the bodegas, slice joints, and coffee shops you can. It’s the best way to discover the best place for you to live.