When searching for a place to call home, finding the most suitable neighborhood is just as important as finding the right house. You may not find the perfect place, especially when moving to a new city, but it’s imperative to find one that complements your lifestyle.
Moving to New York City can be overwhelming! Even if you can afford to rent or buy wherever you want, there have to be trade-offs. You will have to make a few calculations before deciding where to live. Do you want space? Is it essential to be close to a park? Do you prefer people surrounding you? How much is the transport?
Read this guide to improve your search for a suitable neighborhood in this bustling city.
Figure out what matters to you: space, location, or price
As we said earlier, some of the biggest factors to consider when choosing to live in a neighborhood are space, location, and price. In NYC, finding a house that satisfies all three factors is extraordinarily rare.
A logical bet is to determine which two factors you are wedded to. If you need more space at a lower price, you may end up living in a neighborhood with fewer amenities. If you want a place with lots of amenities and trendy things to do like the Upper East Side, you’ll almost always end up paying more.
Examine your lifestyle
New York is a massive metropolis with thousands of blocks. You could visit a different part of this city each day, and you’d just scratch the surface. Here are some of the best neighborhoods to live in NYC based on lifestyle.
East Village
The area east of Third Avenue, north Houston and south of 14th Street forms the East Village. It’s among the best NYC neighborhoods if restaurants appeal to you.
Chelsea
This neighborhood has been a hub for LGBTIQ + travelers for decades. It’s home to queer-owned shops, restaurants, galleries, and gay bars.
Upper East Side
If you want to stay near museums, the Upper East Side offers quiet, tree-lined streets. Some of the museums here include the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of the City of New York. The area also boasts some of the best furnished apartments in New York City.
Chinatown
Here is an excellent neighborhood for budget travelers. The town has heavily trafficked streets and the sidewalks are packed with fruits and veggies. Options for accommodation are limited.
Greenwich Village
This is a suitable neighborhood if you like taking pictures while on a film set, with its well-maintained brownstones, bars and restaurants, and chic boutiques. Prepare to lose yourself living in the picturesque streets.
Harlem
If Black culture interests you, Harlem is the epicenter of it in NYC. From literature to art and music to dance, you have many options here.
Williamsburg and Bushwick
If you enjoy live music, this destination will appeal to you. There are stylish boutiques and eateries, and the music scene is among the best in town.
Consider the subway service
In New York, nearly everyone relies on the subway. As such, try to get a place where there’s one close by.
Worth mentioning is that train stations can without notice shut down for days or even weeks during critical repairs. Do quick research with MTA’s Weekender app to see ongoing or upcoming service changes. Also, learn about foot traffic in your area, know when rush hours come, and schedule accordingly.
Ask around about whether pets are allowed
There are estimated hundreds of thousands of dogs and cats in NYC, but not all areas encourage pets. If you are a pet person, you need to choose a pet-friendly neighborhood with pet-friendly restaurants and cafes. It’s also good to ask whether the nearby local parks are pet-friendly.
Check the crime rates of the neighborhood
New York City is relatively safe, but this can differ from neighborhood to neighborhood. Luckily, the government makes it pretty easy to check crime rates. Consider how much crime you can live with and pick your neighborhood accordingly.
Take a walk in the neighborhood
Once you’ve identified a few neighborhoods, plan a visit to walk around and see things for yourself. Are the streets clean, houses well-maintained, and do locals like the neighborhood? Try to visit at night, stroll through the restaurants, and consider the neighborhood’s safety.
Time to relocate to NYC?
Moving to a new neighborhood might feel like relocating to another different state. When looking for a home in New York, you need to consider many things such as space, location, price, lifestyle, transport, crime rate, and whether pets are allowed.
Good luck in your search!