Making it easy to choose the neighborhood that suits your needs the most.
Bed-Stuy
Close to center
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Metro
Despite it's past reputation, the Bed-Stuy area of Brooklyn has experienced a constant degree of gentrification since the early 2000s and improved greatly in terms of safety and infrastructure. The area is very well-connected to Manhattan and the rest of the city, and rents here will certainly be more affordable. Bed-Stuy has become renowned for its street art, hip cafés and emerging local markets. The area remains incredibly diverse and culturally rich, with students, hipsters, young professionals and others constantly moving to Bed-Stuy.
Jackson Heights
Away from center
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This working-class part of Queens is known for its incredible street food from places as far apart and Nepal and Colombia. The area is unassuming generally and re-developments have made it safer and more popular among young professionals and middle-class families who enjoy its architecture and palpable diversity. Rents here will be cheaper, and the area is well connected to the rest of the city via public transport.
Long Island City
Close to center
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Long Island City is a perfect alternative to Manhattan and Brooklyn, nestled closed to all the main districts of New York. The area has recently become known for its artsy vibe and has always been a favorite due to its proximity to Brooklyn, Long Island and its waterfront park and incredible views of Manhattan across the East River. Its position as an artistic hub has made popular particularly among young professionals and established artists. Trendy bars and restaurants are common in LIC, and its rents are considered average for New York City.
Williamsburg
Close to center
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Williamsburg is perhaps Brooklyn's most famous neighborhood. Development and gentrification since the 1990s has made it a hub for contemporary art in New York and its trendy cafes and restaurants have solidified it as a favorite among young people in the city. The area's street art reflects much of the neighborhood's eclectic and eccentric attitude. Williamsburg remains incredibly diverse, with a vast variety of ethnicities and religions enriching the neighborhood culturally. Internationally, Williamsburg is recognized as a musical hub for electroclash and rock, adding to the variety of entertainment options available in this neighborhood. Rents here will be expensive but some restaurants and bars may offer less expensive options than in Manhattan.
Upper East Side
Close to center
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The Upper East Side of Manhattan is famous for its luxurious streets and upscale style. This is the center of fashion and wealth in the United States. Right next to Central Park, the area offers a number of upscale restaurants and cafes. This side of Manhattan is usually preferred by families and older New Yorkers but the area remains relatively diverse and rents here are somewhat less expensive than on the Upper East Side. The area is well connected to the rest of the city. Museum Mile, with its world-famous cultural institutions, is located here.
Hell's Kitchen
Central
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Located in the heart of the action in Midtown Manhattan, Hell's Kitchen is renowned for its diversity. Traditionally working-class, the area has transformed into an enclave for up-and-coming artists, with some of New York's best acting schools in this area. Rents here will be expensive but this might be offset by the large number of bodegas, stores, bars and local delis offering deals at decent New York prices. The area is well connected via public transport and is considered a bustling nightlife hub in this part of Manhattan.
Bushwick
Close to center
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At the heart of the gentrification phenomenon transforming New York is Bushwick. This quintessentially Brooklyn neighborhood has become a favorite among young people and recent grads moving to New York for its slightly more affordable rents. The area is also known for its eccentric nightlife scene, elaborate coffeehouses and laid-back hipster attitude. Bushwick has some great bars and restaurants and is also well connected to the rest of the city. Rents here technically should be cheaper than in Manhattan but the area has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, pushing prices up.
Midtown Manhattan
Central
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Quintessentially New York. Midtown Manhattan is home to some of the world's most prominent buildings and attractions including the Empire State building, Times Square and the Rockefeller Center. Much like Lower Manhattan, this area is always busy with tourists and workers and suffers from severe congestion. Certainly, Midtown Manhattan offers incredible eating, drinking and shopping opportunities but all at very high prices. In terms of living, there are some great neighborhoods in the area besides Hell's Kitchen, including Chelsea and the Garment District but beware of the very high rent prices in this area.
Astoria
Close to center
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Historically one of filmmaking's American centers, Astoria is a middle-class neighborhood located just across the East River in Queens. This area has a strong nightlife scene and recent development has made it a up-and-coming area among those moving to New York for the first time. Astoria, like much of New York, is incredibly diverse and is home to the city's Greek community, making it a wonderful place to eat and drink. The area is also privileged by its many green areas and waterfront spaces, making it a favorite in the summer. The area is mostly residential but has a growing and convenient commercial district.
West Village
Central
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This area may be famous for being the gang's neighborhood in FRIENDS, but today it offers an option of city living for anyone looking to experience New York. The West Village is a favorite among trendsetters, with its many boutique stores and fashion houses. Its proximity to New York University (NYU) gives the neighborhood a young and bustling vibe. The architecture reflects the area's emergence as a hub of cultural and artistic expression; and its numerous cabarets, bars and small theaters solidify that status. The area is home to the Christopher Street Area of Greenwich Village, which saw the Stonewall Riots in 1969 and has become hallowed ground for the LGBT+ community. Rents here will be expensive but life in Lower Manhattan doesn't get much better than in the West Village.
Hoboken
Away from center
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Technically not in New York but in New Jersey, Hoboken is a popular alternative that proves affordable and convenient. This city is located just across the Hudson and is very well connected to New York via bus and rail. The area itself feels increasingly modern and diverse, with a variety of international restaurants, galleries, and bars. Like neighborhoods located across the East River, Hoboken's high-rises offer sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline and fantastic waterfront green spaces around the old harbor and ports. Rents here will be slightly cheaper, although the popularity of this area has indeed pushed prices up recently.
Upper West Side
Close to center
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Known as one of New York's main intellectual and cultural hubs, the Upper West Side is famous for its green spaces, cultural institutions and upscale residential options. The Lincoln Center is just to the south of the UWS, and waterfront views can be found to the west of the area. Some of the city's best cafe's restaurants and stores can be found in this area of Manhattan, and even though prices will be expensive, expect a degree of diversity in prices. The popularity of this neighborhood among intellectuals and wealthy young professionals make this an expensive area to live, although apartments to the north may be somewhat more affordable. Nightlife in this area is centered around relaxed bars mostly.
Greenpoint
Close to center
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This traditionally working-class Brooklyn neighborhood is home to New York's Little Poland and, as such, is home to some of the city's best delis, polish restaurants and stores. Renovations around the waterfront has led to incredible complexes popping up, creating housing with sweeping views of Mid and Downtown Manhattan. As with much of Brooklyn, Greenpoint has a hipster vibe and is home to eccentric cafes and bars, with growing popularity in the New York party scene. Rents here might be lower than else where in Brooklyn, although waterfront properties are bound to have higher prices.
