Greatest Locations to Reside in New York

Excited about packing your baggage and shifting to New York, however somewhat bit misplaced as to which location to decide on? Don’t fear—you’re positively not alone. In spite of everything, New York will be type of complicated. You will have questions like, What precisely is “upstate” New York? Or, What’s the distinction between Manhattan and Brooklyn?

So, let’s reply these questions and go over the very best locations to stay in New York. Preserve this in thoughts although: The perfect place so that you can stay in New York (or wherever else for that matter) will rely in your particular person scenario and preferences. You could choose a slower tempo of life and a extra tight-knit area people, or you could be itching to go straight for Instances Sq.. You could even be searching for an ideal retirement vacation spot.

As you undergo this listing, take into consideration which locations are the very best match for you.

The place are the Greatest Locations to Reside in New York?

We’ll begin by among the finest locations to stay in New York Metropolis, then we’ll dive into upstate New York. Right here’s a street map:

Greatest Locations to Reside in New York Metropolis

If you happen to’re contemplating a transfer to NYC, it’s not onerous to see why you assume residing within the Huge Apple can be a dream come true. And the reality is, residing in New York will be unbelievably thrilling and nice on your profession. However right here’s what you should know: Life in New York is costly. As in, properly over twice the common price of residing in the remainder of the U.S.¹ As in, forking over a ton of your paycheck for federal, state and native taxes. As in, generally paying over $4,000 a month for hire. You get the image.

So, right here’s what we’ll say about residing in NYC: Don’t do it when you can’t afford it. To be particular, your month-to-month housing fee shouldn’t be greater than 25% of your take-home pay, and you must have the ability to comfortably afford your different residing bills (meals, utilities, transportation, and so on.) whereas nonetheless having sufficient left over to avoid wasting for emergencies, retirement or paying off debt.

If you may make residing in NYC work financially—by making an enormous revenue or residing in a shoebox with a number of roommates—go for it. If not, maintain your horses.

To present you a greater concept of what to anticipate and which location within the metropolis is likely to be the very best match for you, let’s check out the very best locations to stay in every of New York’s 5 boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island.

Greatest Neighborhoods in Manhattan

When individuals name New York the “metropolis that by no means sleeps,” they’re normally speaking in regards to the way of life and tradition of Manhattan. It’s the place you’ll discover most of NYC’s main vacationer sights—just like the Empire State Constructing, Instances Sq., the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, and Broadway Theatre.

*Knowledge in tables collected in January 2024.

Right here’s a have a look at the highest neighborhoods in Manhattan:

• Higher West Aspect: An upper-middle-class neighborhood in uptown Manhattan with loads of connections to the remainder of the town by a number of subway traces. It’s near Lincoln Heart, the Metropolitan Opera Home, and Central Park.

• East Village: House to among the finest nightlife in all of NYC with every kind of dive bars, cocktail bars and even a resort rooftop or two. You’ll additionally discover lots of stay music efficiency areas in East Village, lending to its bohemian vibe.

• Greenwich Village: Recognized for its quiet aspect streets, artsy tradition and world-class pizza. The Village can be dwelling to Washington Sq. Park and the well-known Strand Ebook Retailer, which is almost 100 years previous and carries over 2.5 million books.

Greatest Neighborhoods in Brooklyn

Need quick access to all Manhattan has to supply with out paying over $4,000 a month to stay in a shoebox? Brooklyn is a extra reasonably priced different with notably greater and nicer residing areas. In comparison with Manhattan, Brooklyn is far more laid again—it’s rather a lot quieter, and there’s not almost as a lot happening exterior of the downtown space. You’ll additionally discover a a lot stronger group really feel in Brooklyn than in Manhattan, because it’s not an enormous vacationer sizzling spot.

These are three of the preferred Brooklyn neighborhoods:

• Williamsburg: An upscale neighborhood that’s grow to be tremendous well-liked amongst individuals shifting to NYC. It’s acquired tons of nice native eating places, retailers and parks, and it’s only a 10-minute commute from Manhattan.

• Park Slope: Full of lovely brownstone flats that’ll offer you extra bang on your buck in area and high quality than something in Manhattan. It’s additionally extra laid-back than different areas of Brooklyn—you gained’t discover a lot of a celebration all evening angle in Park Slope.

• Bushwick: An ideal location for anybody seeking to combine into New York hipster tradition. Bushwick is thought for its avenue artwork scene, and it provides a number of totally different housing choices—every part from industrial lofts to conventional flats.

Greatest Neighborhoods in Queens

The biggest of New York’s 5 boroughs geographically, Queens is the place you’ll discover NYC’s two largest airports (JFK and LaGuardia), along with Citi Area, the house of the New York Mets. It has a status for being the friendliest borough, which is why it’s a well-liked place in NYC to boost a household.

Listed here are a couple of of the very best locations to stay in Queens:

• Astoria: A neighborhood with lots of historical past and tradition, together with the bridge that impressed the design of the Sydney Harbor Bridge. Astoria has an enormous Greek inhabitants, which implies loads of nice Greek meals, along with superior pizza and different NYC favorites. It’s additionally properly linked to Manhattan with entry to a number of subway traces.

• Lengthy Island Metropolis: A extra reasonably priced different to Manhattan that’s simply 10 minutes from Central Park and somewhat over quarter-hour from Instances Sq.. A number of the buildings in Lengthy Island Metropolis are considerably newer than these throughout the water in Manhattan, which implies they’re normally a lot nicer and provide higher choices. Lengthy Island Metropolis can be one of many extra “livable” neighborhoods in NYC, with loads of grocery shops and medical doctors to select from.

• Forest Hills: Considered one of few locations in Queens the place you’ll discover a suburban really feel (as a lot as you’ll be able to have a suburban really feel in NYC, that’s). Forest Hills has a pleasant mixture of conventional flats and conventional homes in addition to loads of parks and different inexperienced areas.

Greatest Neighborhoods within the Bronx

New York’s second-most culturally and ethnically numerous borough (Queens is primary), the Bronx has a big Italian and Hispanic inhabitants—which implies it’s dwelling to among the finest Italian and Latin meals in America. It’s additionally dwelling to Yankee Stadium, and it’s the one borough linked to the mainland of New York state.

Right here’s preview of three standout neighborhoods within the Bronx:

• Riverdale: Provides its residents an excellent steadiness of metropolis life and a suburban ambiance. Riverdale has an enormous Jewish group, which implies you’ll discover a lot of kosher eating places, together with a kosher Dunkin’. On the subject of public transportation in Riverdale, buses are extra distinguished than subways—some locals even get across the very commutable neighborhood by automotive.

• Parkchester: Offers residents a peaceable, quiet place to stay whereas nonetheless being a five-minute stroll from hopping on a prepare and heading into the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. Parkchester is stuffed with lovely nature and landscaping, and the neighborhood operates with a small-town mentality. Nonetheless, you’ll discover all of the purchasing locations you should purchase groceries, garments and different necessities with out leaving Parkchester.

• Pelham Bay: House to Pelham Bay Park, the biggest public park in all of NYC—at shut to three,000 acres, it’s greater than thrice the realm of Central Park. Pelham Bay is a principally residential space with a suburban really feel, tree-lined streets, and a mixture of house buildings and single-family houses.

Greatest Neighborhoods in Staten Island

Typically known as NYC’s “forgotten” borough, Staten Island is stuffed with cities that really feel like conventional suburban cities. It’s pretty indifferent from the relentless tempo and busyness of Manhattan, nearly all of its actual property is residential (no skyscrapers), and most Staten Island residents personal a automotive as an alternative of utilizing public transportation—the one borough the place that’s the case.

These three Staten Island areas are among the many finest:

• Nice Kills: Considered one of Staten Island’s hottest shifting locations for households. Nice Kills provides a number of various kinds of single-family houses, playgrounds and Little League Baseball groups—it’s rather a lot like your typical American small city. The one distinction is, Nice Kills residents can take a fast prepare journey to the Staten Island Ferry, which provides free spherical journeys to Manhattan (and top-of-the-line views of the Statue of Liberty you’ll get in all of NYC).

• Westerleigh: Most likely the closest factor in all of NYC to a “regular” city that you just’d discover wherever else within the U.S., full with residential areas, purchasing facilities and parks. Westerleigh additionally provides fast bus rides to the Staten Island Ferry.

• St. George: Options a mixture of older houses and newer building, and provides its residents loads of issues to do—like watching the Staten Island FerryHawks minor league baseball group, going purchasing at Empire Shops, and having fun with a live performance on the St. George Theatre. The realm can be very near the Staten Island Ferry, so St. George residents are all the time only a fast journey away from Manhattan.

Greatest Locations to Reside in Upstate New York

The definition of upstate New York can change relying on who you ask. Nonetheless, most individuals residing in New York are likely to agree that upstate refers to every part within the state of New York exterior of New York Metropolis and Lengthy Island. In order that’s the definition we’ll work with right here.

If you happen to’re contemplating a transfer to upstate New York, you need to be ready for loads of snow and chilly temperatures in the course of the winter. However regardless of the harshness of wintertime, loads of cities in upstate New York provide their residents an ideal place to stay with thrilling issues to do, a ravishing open air scene, and an affordable price of residing.

Right here’s a have a look at six of the very best ones, in no specific order.

Rochester

Up first on our listing is Rochester, dwelling to the College of Rochester and Abbot’s Frozen Custard, the place locals are recognized to line the streets ready for a serving of recent custard. Not like lots of different upstate New York cities on our listing, Rochester isn’t near a serious metro space—so don’t plan on taking frequent weekend journeys to Boston or Manhattan.

Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply Rochester is boring. With a minor league baseball group and the various outside actions that include being a part of the Finger Lakes area, individuals residing in Rochester have loads of enjoyable of their metropolis. Additionally they take pleasure in not coping with the type of visitors you discover in main metro areas—an enormous plus for commuters. (Simply ensure you study in regards to the metropolis’s distinctive winter parking guidelines.)

Although there’s loads of snow in Rochester, don’t count on your youngsters to get a complete lot of snow days. Colleges and places of work in Rochester are likely to have a take care of it mentality when the roads get tough—in any case, it occurs on a regular basis.

Buffalo

Talking of snow, let’s head out to Buffalo subsequent. House to an NFL group (the Payments), an NHL group (the Sabres) and a ton of nice meals, Buffalo is one other nice choice for anybody wanting to maneuver to upstate New York.

Buffalo generally will get a foul rap as being a boring, dreary place to stay, but it surely’s simply not true—there’s all the time loads happening. Along with its professional sports activities groups, Buffalo is a typical cease for touring Broadway reveals and big-name music artists. It’s additionally acquired a year-round open air scene with each warm-weather and cold-weather actions—every part from swimming and crusing to snowboarding and sledding.

Plus, the town’s financial system is in nice form. Due to a enterprise atmosphere that’s pleasant to start-ups, Buffalo has loads of job alternatives in every part from know-how to manufacturing. Its housing market can be aggressive, although hire remains to be very reasonably priced. And to high all of it off, Buffalo’s price of residing is 6% lower than the nationwide common.³⁷

Albany

Albany is New York’s capital metropolis, which implies it’s dwelling to the state capitol constructing. However as you may count on from a state that has “massive and flashy” woven into its DNA, New York’s state capitol isn’t just a few stuffy authorities constructing with a couple of fancy columns and a concrete staircase. Nope—it’s a ravishing complicated of almost 100 acres that features New York’s state museum, the capitol constructing itself, and different surrounding authorities buildings.

Why is that necessary to know when you’re contemplating a transfer to Albany? As a result of a lot of authorities buildings means a lot of authorities jobs, which is usually an enormous enhance to the native financial system. Albany locals additionally love spending time in and across the capitol complicated, whether or not they’re taking a tour or just having a picnic exterior.

A few of the different belongings you’ll discover in Albany embrace a world airport, a number of stay music venues providing loads of concert events and festivals all year long, a handful of schools and universities, an American Hockey League group, and a ton of farmer’s markets. Albany can be simply an hour automotive journey away from a Six Flags amusement park, and an affordable prepare journey from Boston, Montreal, and New York Metropolis.

Oh yeah, and there’s lots of snow. Shocker.

Syracuse

Syracuse is the house of Syracuse College and its almost 23,000 college students. In order you may count on, the town matches into a number of college-town stereotypes. However don’t let that idiot you—Syracuse is a complete lot greater than a bunch of younger individuals stressing out over finals and discovering a date to the spring formal.

In actual fact, a number of well-liked magazines have named Syracuse top-of-the-line locations in America to boost a household through the years. That’s in all probability as a result of the realm provides reasonably priced housing, an ideal (and culturally numerous) restaurant scene, an enormous annual 13-day state truthful, and loads of issues to do open air. Syracuse can be dwelling to Future USA, an monumental mall complicated with an unbelievable variety of shops and leisure sights.

Simply bear in mind that winters in Syracuse will be lengthy and gloomy. If you happen to’re the kind who loves nothing greater than basking within the sunshine, you gained’t get a complete lot of that in Syracuse.

Ithaca

Subsequent up is Ithaca, dwelling to the alma mater of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Invoice Nye and Andy Bernard from The Workplace: Cornell College. You’ll in all probability run into loads of Cornell college students when you transfer to Ithaca because the metropolis’s inhabitants virtually doubles each time class is in session. However don’t get your hopes up about getting to absorb a Right here Comes Treble efficiency—sadly, the group isn’t actual.

What is actual, although, is Ithaca’s lovely open air scene, highlighted by its beautiful gorges and waterfalls. As for the climate in Ithaca, you’ll see loads of snow, however the metropolis has a knack for speedy temperature modifications—don’t be stunned when you lie down for a nap when it’s 50 levels exterior and get up to a 90-degree warmth wave. (Okay, which may be a slight exaggeration.)

Ithaca additionally has a pleasant collection of breweries, espresso retailers, nice eating places and bars. Simply know, as a result of almost 50% of individuals in Ithaca are faculty college students for many of the 12 months, you will have a tough time making a ton of associates your age when you aren’t in your 20s. However when you’re a younger skilled, otherwise you don’t thoughts having a smaller good friend group, there’s rather a lot to love about Ithaca.

Saratoga Springs

Ithaca could have restricted social choices, however Saratoga Springs certain doesn’t—there’s all the time a ton happening. Saratoga is the house of the New York Metropolis Ballet throughout summertime, the Saratoga Performing Arts Heart (current concert events embrace Phish and Dave Matthews Band), and a complete lot of horse racing—the true ardour amongst locals.

That’s proper: Horse racing is a enormous deal in Saratoga Springs. Throughout racing season, locals each younger and previous pack Saratoga’s tracks and eating places to cheer for his or her favourite thoroughbreds. The racing scene in Saratoga can be an enormous vacationer draw. So, when you don’t assume you’ll vibe with Saratoga’s racing tradition, it’s in all probability not the vacation spot for you.

Saratoga Springs will get its title from the various mineral springs you’ll discover within the space, particularly these on the lovely Saratoga Spa State Park. The town’s pure magnificence, together with its energetic and pleasant atmosphere, make it a well-liked vacation spot in upstate New York—particularly for retirees.

Due to that, although, residing in Saratoga will be costly. It’s acquired the costliest housing on our listing, and the town’s on a regular basis bills will be expensive as properly. Meaning it’s in all probability not an ideal alternative when you’re a younger skilled simply beginning out in your profession. However when you can afford it—both since you make a robust revenue otherwise you’ve constructed wealth and also you’re able to retire—it’s an superior place to stay.

Able to Transfer to New York?

If one of many areas we’ve checked out looks like an excellent match and also you’re able to arrange store, ensure you can afford the housing prices earlier than you hit the street—particularly since lots of the areas we checked out have costly housing prices. So, how do you determine whether or not you’ll be able to afford the housing in any of those New York cities or neighborhoods? It’s easy!

Like we talked about earlier, simply ensure your hire or mortgage fee is not more than 25% of your take-home pay. If you happen to’re planning to purchase a house, that quantity consists of personal mortgage insurance coverage (PMI), HOA charges and householders insurance coverage. You should utilize our free mortgage calculator to get a have a look at how a lot you’ll be able to count on.

Preserve that rule in thoughts, and also you’ll be properly in your technique to thriving as a New Yorker. You’ve acquired this!