NYC Neighborhoods to Know When Relocating to New York

If you’re looking for a centralized location without the pandemonium of Midtown proper, Midtown East is the spot for you. It’s often broken down into mini-neighborhoods, such as Sutton Place, Turtle Bay, Tudor City and Murray Hill.

After 9/11 when many of the city’s financial sector employers moved offices from Lower Manhattan to Midtown, finance professionals began moving to Midtown East to be close to work. Consequently, Midtown East is now a popular neighborhood among recent college graduates and young finance workers. In Murray Hill in particular, this reputation is strong, and their “work hard, play hard” mentality is seen at the many bars and restaurants along Second and Third Avenue.

The famous Roosevelt Island Tramway is found at the northern boundary of the neighborhood, providing aerial transportation to Roosevelt Island. Other attractions include Grand Central Terminal, the Chrysler Building and Bryant Park.

Hudson Yards, Manhattan

Hudson Yards is Manhattan’s newest neighborhood, thanks to a large-scale redevelopment program decades in the making. Once an underused area containing little more than rail yards and the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, Hudson Yards is now filled with skyscrapers, high-end shopping, destination dining and a brand new subway station. Phase 1 of the project opened to the public in early 2019, while Phase 2 is expected to be completed by 2024.

The Shops and Restaurants at Hudson Yards house over 100 shops and 25 restaurants, including the work of celebrity chefs like Thomas Keller and David Chang. Among the retail shops you’ll find NYC’s first and only Neiman Marcus.

The neighborhood’s centerpiece and NYC’s newest landmark is Vessel, rising up 16 stories and consisting of 154 flights of stairs, 2,500 steps and 80 landings. Next to it is The Shed, dubbed “A new arts center for the 21st Century.”

SoHo, Manhattan

Short for South of Houston – that’s Houston Street, pronounced HOW-stən, not like the Texas city – SoHo first rose to prominence as artists moved into the neighborhood’s many (then) affordable lofts and set up shop. Now, SoHo is known for its shopping, offering a variety of both affordable and luxury stores for clothing, shoes, accessories, furniture and more. You’ll also find art galleries, but fewer artists as gentrification has rendered the neighborhood much less affordable. In fact, the neighborhood is now mostly commercial space, and the few residential spaces are luxury, multimillion-dollar lofts.

Tribeca, Manhattan

By Ingfbruno – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

Just southwest of SoHo, Tribeca consistently tops lists of New York City’s most expensive neighborhoods. The name is an abbreviation of “Triangle Below Canal Street,” although the neighborhood’s boundaries actually form a trapezoid.

In the early 21st century Tribeca became Manhattan’s most fashionable and sought-after neighborhood, with wealthy celebrities and entrepreneurs occupying its ultra-luxury apartments and lofts. Although upscale art galleries, chic boutiques and world-class restaurants line the blocks, charming cobblestone streets, parks and playgrounds give the neighborhood some humility.

Financial District, Manhattan

Although NYC’s Financial District is the leading financial center of the world, locally it’s known as a quiet neighborhood, somewhat removed from the typical hustle-and-bustle of downtown living. On weekends and holidays, however, you’ll encounter many tourists visiting historical sites and points of interest like Wall Street, One World Trade, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, the Brooklyn Bridge, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Want to be where the locals are? Check out the newly rebranded Seaport District, grab beers on historic Stone Street, shop and dine at Brookfield Place or board a ferry to nearby Governors Island.

Lower East Side, Manhattan

The Lower East Side or “LES” is the epitome of downtown Manhattan: young, artsy and eclectic vibes that breathe new life into the city every day. You’ll find gritty, graffiti’d alleys mixed with boutique shops and buzzworthy restaurants. When the sun goes down, this part of town draws a crowd that favors trendy bars, live music and outstanding food. Speaking of food, you’ll find some of NYC’s most inventive, diverse food options in this neighborhood. If you’re not one for noise and rowdiness, avoid “Hell Square,” a six-block area on Ludlow and Orchard Streets between Houston and Delancey Streets known for its high concentration of bars and young, rambunctious patrons. Don’t forget to stop by Katz’s Deli, where you can get a world-famous pastrami sandwich and relive the classic “I’ll have what she’s having” scene from When Harry Met Sally.

Williamsburg, Brooklyn

No other Brooklyn neighborhood has undergone such a stark and rapid transformation as Williamsburg. What was once a gritty area with sky-high crime rates is now home to luxury high-rise apartment buildings, swanky hotels, bougie brunch spots, Whole Foods, Sephora, Lululemon and an Apple Store. Its gentrification began in the late 1990s, at first attracting hipsters on a budget to its affordable apartments. Over the years it notoriously became the most expensive place to live in Brooklyn, but COVID has brought rents down to a more reasonable level.

Despite all the change, the neighborhood has a rich history with Hasidic Jewish, Italian, Polish, Puerto Rican and Dominican roots. For a taste of modern Williamsburg, visit the Wythe Hotel’s rooftop bar with stellar Manhattan views, or explore Domino Park, a waterfront public park completed in 2018 on the site of the former Domino Sugar Refinery. For a more old-school experience, visit the southern portion of the neighborhood and have a steak dinner at Peter Luger.

Downtown Brooklyn

Walk the Brooklyn Bridge from Lower Manhattan into Brooklyn, and you’ll land in Downtown Brooklyn. It’s the borough’s central hub for almost everything, from business to retail to education. You’ll find lots of young professionals and mixed-use development – buildings with a mix of apartments, retail, entertainment and dining under one roof. There’s no easier commute into Manhattan, as over 15 subway lines have stops in the neighborhood.

DUMBO, Brooklyn

An acronym for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, DUMBO has become one of Brooklyn’s trendiest neighborhoods and contains some of its most expensive real estate. With the Manhattan Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge serving as the backdrop, it’s hard to beat the picturesque views. Speaking of which, one of the world’s most popular Instagram photo ops is found in DUMBO, on the corner of Washington and Water Streets (pictured above).

Visit Brooklyn Bridge Park for picnics, movie screenings and fitness classes, or the Archway under the Manhattan Bridge for performances, street fairs, food vendors and more. For a memorable meal with a view, try to snag an outdoor table at Cecconi’s.

Park Slope, Brooklyn

Park Slope is known as Brooklyn’s foremost family neighborhood. The public and private schools, parks, safety and beautiful brownstones make it one of NYC’s most desirable neighborhoods for young families. With proximity to Prospect Park, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the Brooklyn Museum and the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, kids can get plenty of culture and outdoor recreation. Parents love the many restaurants and bars along Seventh Avenue for date nights.

Astoria, Queens

Located in Queens, Astoria has a reputation for being laid back and multicultural. Due to its affordability and proximity to Midtown Manhattan, the neighborhood has attracted many young professionals over the years and become one of the most popular districts in Queens. With its heavy Greek-American history, Astoria is known for its Greek tavernas and cafes, but also proudly boasts of all kinds of ethnic eateries and trendy spots that can’t be found anywhere else in the city. Astoria is also known for its beer gardens (including the oldest one in New York City, Bohemian Hall), Socrates Sculpture Park, the Museum of the Moving Image, the Hell Gate Bridge and the lovely Astoria Park, which includes a large public pool.

Long Island City, Queens

Also in Queens, Long Island City or “LIC” is filled with new residential and commercial developments. Although it’s by far the most gentrified neighborhood in Queens, it’s considered more affordable than its Brooklyn counterparts. It offers an easy commute to the city (just one or two subway stops) and is seen as a solid alternative to Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It has three subsections: Dutch Kills, Blissville and Hunters Point. LIC also has a vibrant art scene, being home to MoMA PS1 and multiple sculpture gardens.

For a smooth transition into the city, consider temporary housing

If you’re relocating to New York or would like to “try out” a neighborhood before deciding where to live long-term, renting a furnished short-term apartment is the perfect solution. Check out our Manhattan listings, many of which are located in the aforementioned neighborhoods.