New York Neighborhoods

Manhattan Neighborhoods Manhattan is New York City’s most densely populated, most crowded, and also most attractive borough. Made up of Manhattan Island and surrounded by the Hudson River, East River, and Harlem River, it is a home to big-name attractions. The Empire State Building, One World Observatory, the High Line, Central Park, and Times Square are only some points of the long list. Manhattan is the world’s commercial, financial, and cultural center all rolled into one.

Upper East Side Affluent and stylish, the Upper East Side is a New York classic. Located right near Central Park, you can start every day with a run here. Another plus is that there’s a little less hustle and bustle here, so it’s great for people who crave the occasional quiet moment. Apartments for rent in the Upper East side here tend to be on the pricier side.

Upper West Side Due to it’s proximity to Columbia University, the Upper West Side attracts students seeking off campus apartments for rent. It’s also a hub of cultural life — home to the New York City Ballet, The New York Philharmonic Orchestra, and The Museum of Natural History. There’s also fine dining available, Jean Georges offers some of the best French food anywhere — jackets required.

Hell’s Kitchen Don’t the name fool you, Hell’s Kitchen is an increasingly popular neighborhood for young professionals seeking apartments for rent. It’s also popular with artists and the LGBT community. There are plenty of cool family-owned restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops and long-term apartments for rent in Hell’s Kitchen. Craving a pint? Head on down to the Pony Bar for great craft beers.

Financial District Home of Wall Street, the New York Stock Exchange, and towering skyscrapers, the financial district is high powered. Located near the East and Hudson rivers, you can easily go for a scenic walk along the waterfront. Even better, you can find surprisingly affordable high-rise apartments for rent in the Financial District. There are some really unique dining options here, including Ramen Co — a restaurant from Keizo Shimamoto, creator of the ramen burger.

Midtown East Classic NYC. Popular with families and successful professionals. Midtown is close to Grand Central Station, which makes commuting from here a breeze. It’s a great place to find high-rise apartments for rent. Midtown East is one of New York safest neighborhoods. Nature lovers will be at home here too, there are over 2000 trees in Midtown.

Murray Hill A laid back, mellow neighborhood, good for grad students, or for people who work in the city center but want to find more affordable apartments for rent. World citizens will be pleased by the proximity to the U.N. Murray Hill offers all sorts of entertainment as well. Want to unwind after work? Check out Bravest, a firefighter themed bar, or head down to Koreatown for great BBQ.

Chelsea This Midtown neighborhood is known for its cool arts and culture beat. It’s especially popular among the LGBT community. A popular attraction is the Chelsea historic district — 19th-century townhouses and cobblestone streets make it a lovely place to spend an afternoon, or to rent an apartment.

Kips Bay This charming and convenient neighborhood is close to a variety of schools and hospitals— and has lots of super apartments for rent. You can also find great views of the East River here. For a unique evening out, go to Modern Pinball NYC on Third Ave — they offer unlimited plays with a wristband, so you can get the high score of your dreams. Kips Bay is popular with young professionals.

East Village The East Village is quickly gentrifying but still has its classic NYC ambiance. The arts scene is huge here, and has produced greats like Andy Warhol. There’s plenty of music too, the East Village is widely regarded as the birthplace of punk. It’s a great place for young people to find lofts or apartments for rent.

Harlem One of America’s most well-known neighborhoods. Music, food, and events abound here. It’s also a bit more affordable — and there are lots of cool lofts and townhouses for rent here. Don’t forget to check out the Apollo Theatre!

Brooklyn Neighborhoods Brooklyn, the most populous borough of New York City, is a home to more than 30 neighborhoods. Located on the western end of Long Island, the borough is especially famous for Coney Island, Prospect Park, and Brooklyn Bridge. Brooklyn is as great as it is diverse with neighborhoods ranging from luxury DUMBO to hipster-like Williamsburg to a free-spirited Coney Island.

Downtown Brooklyn The heart of Brooklyn, Downtown is fast-paced. Many of Brooklyn’s businesses operate here. There’s no lack of things to do either — the iconic Brooklyn bridge is a must see. Apartments for rent in Brooklyn can be expensive, so you may want to consider finding a roommate.

Williamsburg This young, artistic neighborhood pulsates with energy. It’s also got easy access to the L, M, and J trains — so getting downtown is a cinch! Denizens of Williamsburg like to go out, so it’s a good thing this neighborhood offers several hip rooftop bars. Drink delicious cocktails and watch the sun set over NYC at The Ides Bar — a swanky rooftop joint. Studio apartments for rent in Williamsburg start around $1,500.

Fort Greene This charming neighborhood is full of 19th century Italianate and Eastlake architecture. The vibe here is more relaxed, and it’s a good neighborhood for families with children. Pet owners will be at home here too — there are lots of great pet-friendly apartments for rent, and the nearby Fort Greene park is a great place to get exercise with your furry friends!

Greenpoint Greenpoint is the first choice for budget-conscious young professionals looking for apartments for rent in Brooklyn. Somewhat removed from the city, it’s a great place to unwind after a hard day at the office. There are lots of neat lofts and townhouses for rent here. It also boasts some of New York’s best Polish cuisine.

Queens Neighborhoods Queens - the borough located across the East River from Manhattan - is considered the fastest growing part of New York City. Named America’s best place to visit by Lonely Planet, Queens has got sights to satisfy all tastes and needs - ‘Panorama’ Museum, Meadows Corona Park, City Field, and the Unisphere is just a small part of attractions the borough is so famous for. Queens is deservedly considered the place of picturesque parks, major sporting events, and adventurous art.

Long Island City Rapidly growing and gentrifying, Long Island City is a young, energetic neighborhood. You can find affordable apartments with great views of the East River here. On the weekends, check out one of the many cool breweries or art museums.

Astoria This neighborhood is ideally located — laidback, but with easy access to the city center. Can you say gyros? Astoria is historically Greek and there are tons of great ethnic restaurants here. This neighborhood is a good choice for families, and there are plenty of kid-friendly attractions.

The Bronx The northernmost borough of New York City, the Bronx is separated from Manhattan by the Harlem River and is bordered by Westchester County, the Hudson River, the East River, and Long Island Sound. The Bronx is the only mainland borough of New York City. The borough became an official part of the city only in 1898 and was previously considered a territory of Westchester County. The Bronx is a recognized birthplace of hip-hop, graffiti, and New York Yankees.