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.
Manhattan Rentals under $2,500 On Streeteasy Article continues below
Central Harlem
235 West 146th Street
$2,000No Fee
1 |
1
Washington Heights
735 West 172nd Street
$2,400No Fee
2 |
1
Lenox Hill
326 East 65th Street
$2,500No Fee
1 |
1
Central Harlem
150 West 140th Street
$2,000No Fee
1 |
1
East Harlem
159 East 99th Street
$2,300No Fee
Studio |
1
Washington Heights
512 West 171st Street
$2,400No Fee
1 |
1
Lower East Side
69 Eldridge Street
$2,500No Fee
1 |
1
East Harlem
428 East 116th Street
$2,000No Fee
1 |
1
East Harlem
124 East 107th Street
$2,395No Fee
2 |
1
Hamilton Heights
3569 Broadway
$2,285No Fee
1 |
1
Carnegie Hill
1598 Third Avenue
$2,250No Fee
Studio |
1
Upper West Side
216 West 100th Street
$1,900No Fee
Studio |
1
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.”
Brooklyn Rentals Under $2,500 On StreetEasy Article continues below
Weeksville
237 Utica Avenue
$1,999No Fee
Studio |
1
Flatlands
5409 Avenue O
$1,425No Fee
1 |
1
Bushwick
1535 Dekalb Avenue
$2,000No Fee
Studio |
1
Park Slope
588 Sixth Avenue
$1,800No Fee
Studio |
1
Flatbush
1471 Nostrand Avenue
$2,314No Fee
1 |
1
Prospect Lefferts Gardens
85 Clarkson Avenue
$1,725No Fee
Studio |
1
Midwood
1279 East 17th Street
$2,295No Fee
1 |
1
Midwood
3008 Avenue K
$2,299No Fee
2 |
1
Flatbush
1084 Rogers Avenue
$2,299No Fee
1 |
1
Flatbush
3215 Clarendon Road
$2,500No Fee
2 |
1
Greenwood
275 23rd Street
$2,400No Fee
1 |
1
Greenpoint
687 Manhattan Avenue
$2,300No Fee
Studio |
1
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
College Point
118-15 14 Road
$3,250No Fee
3 |
2
Long Island City
30-16 37th Avenue
$2,770No Fee
1 |
1
Richmond Hill
109-28 Parklane South
$2,000No Fee
1 |
1
Long Island City
38-38 32nd Street
$3,324No Fee
1 |
1
Long Island City
38-38 32nd Street
$3,439No Fee
1 |
1
North Corona
112-02 Northern Boulevard
$3,300No Fee
2 |
2
Elmhurst
81-42 Baxter Avenue
$1,995No Fee
Studio |
1
Long Island City
41-15 23rd Street
$3,630No Fee
1 |
1
Astoria
34-35 44th Street
$4,889No Fee
2 |
2
Astoria
34-35 44th Street
$3,347No Fee
1 |
1
Astoria
34-35 44th Street
$3,107No Fee
1 |
1
Astoria
34-35 44th Street
$3,071No Fee
1 |
1
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 StreetEasyArticle continues below
Washington Heights
512 West 171st Street
$2,400No Fee
1 |
1
Long Island City
36-32 32nd Street
$2,500No Fee
1 |
1
Ridgewood
60-96 70th Avenue
$2,199No Fee
1 |
1
Jersey City
122 Corbin Avenue
$2,050No Fee
2 |
1
Park Slope
588 Sixth Avenue
$1,800No Fee
Studio |
1
McGinley Square
669 Bergen Avenue
$2,100No Fee
1 |
1
McGinley Square
669 Bergen Avenue
$2,125No Fee
1 |
1
McGinley Square
669 Bergen Avenue
$2,075No Fee
1 |
1
Flatbush
1471 Nostrand Avenue
$2,314No Fee
1 |
1
Lower East Side
69 Eldridge Street
$2,500No Fee
1 |
1
Woodside
52-05 Queens Boulevard
$2,450No Fee
1 |
1
McGinley Square
669 Bergen Avenue
$2,000No Fee
Studio |
1
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.