Best Neighborhoods To Live In Manhattan

Alex Sherr is the founder of 9Kilo Moving. He has been in the moving and relocation industry for more than 17 years, making him an expert in his field. Alex started as a helper, dispatcher, and driver and has worked his way up to owning his own company. He takes great pride in his work and enjoys helping people relocate.

As you already know, the captivating city of New York is made up of five boroughs and today, we’re going to talk about the one that you know as its cultural, geographical, and commercial center — Manhattan. Sitting between the Hudson River and the East River, there are over 1.6 million people residing in this part of the city that never sleeps. People enjoy life in Manhattan like no other place on the planet.

If and when you get there, you’ll witness a different world altogether oozing with energy and magnetism. Also, it’s home to important landmarks such as The Empire State Building, The Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller Center, Times Square, Madison Square Garden, just to name a few. Also, get ready to be overwhelmed by some of its museums like The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) and The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Manhattan teaches you how to live without a car since its public transportation is one of the best in the country. Using the subway, buses, and taxis, you can reach any point of the borough with ease.

You’re looking for places to live in probably the most expensive part of the country. So the high prices of homes should not shock you. Just saying. We have made a list of the best neighborhoods in Manhattan you can consider settling down in.

CALCULATE MY MOVE

1. Upper East Side

The Upper East Side is also known as the Gold Coast due to the fact that it’s home to a lot of wealthy people. But more than anything else, Upper East Side is known for its top-quality education. A large number of people, along with their families, move to this part of Manhattan because it has some of New York’s best public and private schools such as the Brearley School, Spence School, and Rudolph Steiner School. Also, you can spend some quality time in Central Park which is adjacent to the neighborhood.

If you’re a party animal, we have rather bad news. Upper East Side does not host any clubs. However, there are a huge number of pubs, bars, cafes, and restaurants where you can enjoy yourself with friends and family. In case you want to take a break from all the hustle and bustle, you can visit the many museums and galleries in the area. As a result of the huge population living in the already glorious region, the real estate prices are extremely high. You’ll mostly find one-bedroom apartments and penthouses in the Upper East Side.

Population: 202,517

Median Home Value: $1,252,700

Monthly Median Rent: $4,117

2. Upper West Side

With the gorgeous Central Park to the east and the Riverside Park to the west, Upper West Side is not just one of the greenest areas but also one of the most aesthetically pleasing neighborhoods in Manhattan. If you’re only looking for the best options to party, allow us to save some of your time. The nightlife is not great. It’s a rather peaceful and family-oriented kind of neighborhood. Unlike many other areas in New York City, there’s no congestion on the streets of the Upper West Side; plus, the pace of life is a little slower. While walking in the quiet neighborhood, you’ll get to see a number of beautiful historic residential buildings.

Of course, the beautiful parks are there on both sides of the neighborhood for you to engage in outdoor activities. But there’s one more plus point of Upper West Side. It’s pet-friendly and we see all the animal lovers standing up. A majority of shops place water-filled bowls at their doorstep for any animals passing by. You get to enjoy a wide variety of restaurants, cafes, and bars with different types of cuisines, especially in Amsterdam. A few of the many public attractions include the American Museum of Natural History, the American Folk Art Museum, Beacon Theater, and the Lincoln Center.

Population: 211,565

Median Home Value: $1,425,000

Monthly Median Rent: $4,298

Also See: Top 10 US Cities with Best Parks

3. Washington Heights

Going across from east to west in the top-most part of Manhattan, Washington Heights is surrounded by Hudson River on one side and Harlem River on the other. It’s also referred to as Little Dominican Republic because of the large number of Dominicans present in the neighborhood. An extremely hilly area, Washington Heights did not use to be as developed as it is today with single-family homes and just a few mansions. It was only after the installation of New York City Subway’s A, C, and 1 lines that new skyscrapers were built and the demand for houses went up. You’ll be able to use these subway lines to get to any other part of New York City.

There’s a strong sense of community in Washington Heights and people love its relaxed atmosphere. A major highlight of this neighborhood is Fort Tryon Park which is huge in size and has everything from playgrounds, basketball courts, and walking paths to stunning views of the Hudson River. Quite a few Latin restaurants also await you in the area. The I-95 highway that connects Manhattan and New Jersey via the George Washington Bridge, goes through Washington Heights.

Population: 158,441

Median Home Value: $493,186

Monthly Median Rent: $1,800

4. Chelsea

If you’re a soccer fan, your mind has probably taken you somewhere else, but you need to come back to New York City. Chelsea is located on the west side of Lower Manhattan and is one of the most vibrant and cheerful places in the country where life is celebrated to its fullest. Considered as a paradise for artists, Chelsea is believed to be home to more than 300 art galleries in total, making it the most artistic neighborhood in the entire New York City. Petzel Gallery and Agora Gallery are two of the biggest names in the thriving gallery scene of Chelsea. However, there are a number of small-scale venues as well. It will take a long time for you to visit each and every gallery and absorb the beauty of all the paintings and sculptures.

Like all other people, we’re sure you would love to visit The High Line, an elevated park that is made on an abandoned railroad track. That’s right. But wait to Google for the images till you’ve finished this article. From this amazing wonder, you can visit The Empire State Building and Madison Square Garden on foot. Apart from all of this, there are numerous restaurants and cafes for you to explore with your gang. For more than 50 years, Chelsea has been a favorite of the LGBTQ+ community with a number of bars and restaurants for them.

Population: 63,571

Median Home Value: $1,206,670

Monthly Median Rent: $4,400

CALCULATE MY MOVE

5. Greenwich Village

Alright! It’s time for all the crazy fans of the popular sitcom Friends to get all… you know, crazy. Remember all those shots of that building before entering the apartment? Of course, you do. Greenwich Village is the place where the six characters were shown to be living. The centrally located neighborhood is also known as ‘The Village’ and was once the bohemian capital of the US. However, not much has changed since its remodeling. Its limited space and increasing population have definitely resulted in an increase in rents. Still, it remains a highly sought-after neighborhood to live in Manhattan.

Just like Chelsea, Greenwich Village is friendly and welcoming towards the LGBTQ+ community. There are many bars and restaurants for the people of the community, the most famous being Stonewall Inn. Don’t forget to take part in the Gay Pride Parade when you settle down.

Also, the neighborhood is famous for its friendly people and awesome bakeries like the Magnolia Bakery and Buttercup Bake Shop. For all the party animals, the nightlife in the area is top-notch as well! Other than that, you can enjoy live music, stand-up comedy, and the best places to eat and drink in Greenwich Village. The diversity is for real as you’ll meet people from different walks of life and different parts of the world. The Village is suitable for not only youngsters and artists but also for families and working professionals.

Population: 30,283

Median Home Value: $1,542,500

Monthly Median Rent: $4,673

Also Read: 7 Most Walkable Cities in the U.S.

6. Tribeca

Short for ‘triangle below canal street’, Tribeca was a name introduced by some artists who were residing in the neighborhood in the 70s. Without a shadow of a doubt, it’s the most happening place in Manhattan. The high-end residential neighborhood in the lower part of the borough is known to be one of the finest places to raise a family. Situated northwest of the Financial District, Tribeca had nothing but warehouses at one time. Today, you can see that those warehouses have been converted into lofts and the newly-constructed high-rise apartment buildings are overlooking the Hudson River.

As of now, the neighborhood is as safe as the other ones in Manhattan. It has everything you look for in your place of residence—beautiful greenery, a plethora of restaurants and cafes, art galleries, etc. This might interest a few of you. Celebrities like Justin Timberlake, Harry Styles, Blake Lively, Jake Gyllenhaal, and quite a few others live in Tribeca. Even Robert De Niro was once a resident of the neighborhood. It was De Niro who founded the Tribeca Film Festival, which is regarded as one of the most popular events in Tribeca.

Population: 18,821

Median Home Value: $3,825,000

Monthly Median Rent: $5,295

Summing Up

As you can see, every neighborhood in Manhattan is unique and has something special to offer. So, if you’re ever in doubt about where to stay or what to do, just remember that all of Manhattan is at your disposal. And don’t forget to enjoy the wonderful views of the cityscape from the rooftops! Do you need moving quotes to help plan your move? Allow us to assist you here!

CALCULATE MY MOVE

FAQs On Best Neighborhoods To Live In Manhattan

Is Manhattan A Good Place To Live In?

Manhattan is not just good but one of the best and the most sought-after places to live in. It has got whatever you can think about, whether it is quality-education options, great public transportation, safe neighborhoods, a strong job market, healthcare facilities, or endless options for entertainment, open spaces, and museums. If you can afford its high cost of living, you won’t bother looking anywhere else.

Which Are The Most Safest Neighborhoods In Manhattan?

Some of the safest neighborhoods in Manhattan are East Village, Tribeca, Lenox Hill, Battery Park City, Kips Bay, Murray Hill, Brooklyn Heights, and Greenwich Village.

Which Are The Most Expensive Neighborhoods In Manhattan?

The five most expensive neighborhoods in Manhattan are Noho, Hudson Yards, Tribeca, Central Park South, and Nolita.