New York City: the Big Apple, the Concrete Jungle, the city that never sleeps… oh, how I love you. This could easily turn into a love letter to NYC, but I’ll save that for another time 🙂 So many people dream of living in New York, but the moving process can be so overwhelming. As a native New Yorker and NYC resident for the past four years, I’m here to make it as easy for you as possible. Today, I’m breaking down the different neighborhoods to help you decide which one is the right fit for you!
Before starting your apartment search, here are some key questions to think through:
- What is your budget?
- Do you want to live alone or with roommates? If so, how many?
- Are you okay with a walk-up, or do you prefer an elevator in the building?
- Doorman or no doorman?
- Laundry in building, in unit (rare), or in the neighborhood?
Keep in mind that this is just an initial starting point, as each person’s preferences may vary. For example, you might not know that many kitchens don’t actually have a dishwasher or full range stove! Once you narrow down what your requirements are, I highly recommend going on Streeteasy and filtering based on what you’re looking for. Use Streeteasy as a starting point, and always verify listings and brokers before visiting in person.
And now the fun part! With so many options, how on earth do you decide which neighborhood you want to live in? From my experience, each neighborhood has its own vibe, perks, and downsides. It really all depends on what your priorities are. After gathering stories from friends, I’m so excited to share an inside perspective on each major neighborhood in Manhattan.
Ready to go on an adventure? Here we go! Starting from Uptown to Downtown…
Harlem
Boundaries: 5th Ave to Morningside Ave (East to West), West 155th St to West 110th St (North to South)
Nearest Subways: 2, 3, A, C, B, D
Harlem has become an increasingly popular place to live, and is one of the more affordable neighborhoods in Manhattan. There’s a ton of restaurants and a vibrant cultural scene, and of course, so much history. According to friends who have lived there, the area closer to the 2/3 subway line at 125th Street is generally the most convenient. You have access to the express subway stop and so many shops just a few steps away.
Morningside Heights
Boundaries: Riverside Drive to Morningside Drive (East to West), 125th St to 110th St (North to South)
Nearest Subways: 1
Home to Columbia University, this neighborhood definitely has a younger vibe, with tons of families and students. Generally pretty quiet, with access to both Riverside and Morningside Parks and lots of affordable food options.
Upper West Side
Boundaries: Central Park to the Hudson River (East to West), 110th St to 59th St (North to South)
Nearest Subways: 1, 2, 3, A, C, B, D
I may be biased because this is my neighborhood, but I think the UWS is one of the best places to live in NYC. You have access almost all the major express and local subway lines, and for the ones you don’t, they’re just a short transfer away. Plus, you’re bordered by both Central Park and Riverside Park, giving you plenty of green space and nature. There’s a running path along the Hudson River as well, and some smaller parts along the waterfront that recently opened up. No matter what part of the UWS you live, you’re within walking distance from a major grocery store and the food scene is great (check out my UWS Food Guide on Instagram!). This neighborhood is very cozy and skews towards families (And dogs! So many dogs!), but there are plenty of young professionals too! For culture fans, you have both Lincoln Center and the Museum of Natural History at your fingertips. The northern part of UWS (Manhattan Valley) is more affordable than the rest of the neighborhood, but there’s something here for every budget. I could go on and on… so I’ll just stop 🙂
Upper East Side
Boundaries: East River to Central Park (East to West), 96th St to 59th St (North to South)
Nearest Subways: 4, 5, 6, N, Q, R, F
Contrary to what you might think from pop culture (ahem, Gossip Girl), this neighborhood is actually quite affordable compared to the rest of Manhattan. Of course, the closer you get to the park the more expensive, but you can find plenty of options for diverse budgets as you move towards the East River. It’s a safe and slow-paced neighborhood, but there aren’t too many mainstream grocery stores chains. Museum Mile has some of the best museums in the world, and Fifth / Madison Avenues are home to just about every store you can imagine. Similar to the UWS, you have access to two parks: Central Park and Carl Schurz Park.
Hell’s Kitchen
Boundaries: 8th Ave to Hudson River (East to West), 59th St to 34th St (North to South)
Nearest Subways: A, C, E, B, D, 7
A popular place for young professionals and recent college grads. Very diverse and eclectic but there isn’t too much to do here, nor are there many grocery stores. That being said, it’s definitely very affordable.
Hudson Yards
Boundaries: 8th Ave to West Side Highway (East to West), 43rd St to 30th St (North to South)
Nearest Subways: 7
A new development that’s becoming the hot spot for offices and shops. I’m sure you’ve all seen or heard about the Vessel, the Edge, and the gigantic shopping complex! I’m honestly amazed at what this neighborhood has become. I’d never live here though, since they’re all incredibly expensive high rises. But it’s fun to visit from time to time.
Midtown East
Boundaries: East River to 6th Ave (East to West), 59th St to 42nd St (North to South)
Nearest Subways: 4, 5, 6, N, Q, R, B, D, F, M, E, 7
This neighborhood is quintessential NYC with so many iconic buildings, but you’ll mostly just find office buildings and high rises here. It’s a popular place for young professionals to live since it’s an easy commute to work, but there aren’t many grocery shops or things to do. I personally wouldn’t live here though because I like separating my work and personal lives.
Murray Hill
Boundaries: East River to 6th Ave (East to West), 42nd St to 23rd St (North to South)
Nearest Subways: 4, 5, 6, 7
Another popular place for young professionals and recent college grads — I’d even go so far as to say it’s the most popular. It’s close to Grand Central and many office buildings in Midtown, and there are apartment options for every budget. Super diverse area as it’s home to the United Nations and tons of consulates.
Chelsea
Boundaries: 6th Ave to Hudson River (East to West), 34th St to 14th St (North to South)
Nearest Subways: 1, 2, 3, A, C, E, F, M, N, Q, R, L
A thriving art scene with tons of galleries and a vibrant nightlife scene. You have access to pretty much any subway line, so it’s a super central and convenient location. That said, it can be expensive but sometimes you can find a good deal on a walk-up.
Gramercy
Boundaries: East River to Park Ave (East to West), 23rd St to 14th St (North to South)
Nearest Subways: 4, 5, 6, N, Q, R, L
Super charming and quaint area home to the exclusive Gramercy Park. While you can’t enter without a coveted key, you can still enjoy the peace and quiet of the neighborhood. The architecture here is beautiful, but rent is very high. There also aren’t any grocery stores directly in this area, so you’ll have to walk to a nearby neighborhood.
West Village
Boundaries: 6th Ave to West Side Highway (East to West), 14th St to W Houston (North to South)
Nearby Subways: 1, 2, 3, A, C, E, B, D, F, M, N, Q, R
One of my favorite areas to explore in NYC. There are so many incredible restaurants and boutiques here, and the brownstone-lined streets are so beautiful. However, it’s very expensive and there aren’t many apartment vacancies. So I just like to visit for fun 🙂
East Village
Boundaries: East River to 3rd Ave (East to West), 14th St to E Houston (North to South)
Nearby Subways: 6, L, F
Definitely the most “hipster” and bohemian neighborhood in Manhattan. Lots of cheap restaurants and bars for nightlife, so it’s not quiet by any means. The demographic skews younger, and rent is very affordable. Most buildings here are pre-war walk-ups, so you won’t find many high-rises here. Transportation is also limited.
Lower East Side
Boundaries: East River to Bowery (East to West), E Houston to South St (North to South)
Nearby Subways: F, M, J
Lower East Side is the hub for nightlife, so if you’re looking for a quiet place to live, this probably isn’t for you. It’s a very diverse neighborhood with a lot of history, and super affordable if you’re okay with living in a walk-up. Grocery shopping isn’t the most convenient, but you have Chinatown close by. Your main subway lines don’t run to most neighborhoods in Manhattan, so you’ll definitely have to transfer a bunch.
Tribeca
Boundaries: St. James Pl to West Side Highway (East to West), Canal St to Vesey St (North to South)
Nearby Subways: 1, 2, 3, A, C, E, N, Q, R
I love Tribeca, but it’s incredibly expensive and hard to find affordable housing 🙁 It’s such a clean and calm neighborhood and a peaceful respite from the rest of the city.
Financial District
Boundaries: East River to West Side Highway (East to West), Frankfort St to State St (North to South)
Nearest Subways: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, E, N, R, J
Historic neighborhood with a ton of tourist attractions, FiDi is bustling during the day with professionals out and about, and extremely quiet at night once everyone leaves work. It’s pretty affordable for young professionals, but apartments here as usually “flexed,” which means the living room is converted into another bedroom. There isn’t really too much to do here, and many people would describe this neighborhood as “boring and dead” at night.
Battery Park City
Boundaries: West Side Highway to Hudson River (East to West), Chambers St to Battery Pl (North to South)
Nearest Subways: 1, 4, 5, N, R
This was where my first apartment was, so I have a soft spot for this neighborhood. At the tip of Manhattan, BPC is SO safe and quiet, but very residential so there isn’t really anything to do. All the buildings here are luxury buildings, so it isn’t the most affordable unless you get lucky (I did, and paid less than $1500/month). The parks and waterfront here are unbeatable — sunsets along the river with the Statue of Liberty in the background are pure magic. I used to go on solo walks by the marina all the time. Unfortunately, there aren’t any restaurants here except the food court in Brookfield Place, and the closest grocery store chain is Whole Foods in Tribeca. However, literally every single subway line is a 5-10 minute walk away, which is the best thing ever!
And there you have it! For my fellow New Yorkers, what are your favorite neighborhoods to explore?
