New York City is a globally renowned place, and a household name. However, the Big Apple is much more than a densely packed array of sprawling skyscrapers and walkups. The NYC metropolitan area expands across waters, bridges, and states, creating a far-reaching agglomeration. Here is a guide to the best NYC metro neighborhoods you should visit and move into.
Manhattan, NY
The quintessential New York City experience, Manhattan is home to dozens of the city’s well-known landmarks. The Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Empire State Building, Times Square—Manhattan serves as a financial, residential, and cultural epicenter for many New Yorkers. If you want to start your New York journey on the right foot, then Manhattan is the place to be.
Upper East Side
The Upper East Side is one of the quietest neighborhoods amid the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. As the name implies, you can find this area on the upper east side of Central Park, just below East Harlem. The Upper East Side is host to a posh lifestyle with excellent restaurants, a close connection to Central Park, and a wealthier population. If you want a slower pace, then this is the place for you.
Upper West Side
The Upper West Side sits directly opposite the Upper East Side on the opposing end of Central Park. A great place to raise your family, you can find hundreds of New Yorkers exiting their brownstones and milling about the streets looking for a quaint bagel shop. This neighborhood hosts museums, operas, and ballets, serving as a major hub of cultural experiences for all ages.
Midtown
The centermost borough of Manhattan, Midtown, is home to famous buildings like the Rockefeller Center, Grand Central Station, and the Empire State Building. Midtown also hosts the international United Nations headquarters, a tribute to the truly diverse interconnectedness of New York City. If you want to be in the thick of it, Midtown is a fun, vibrant place to live.
Brooklyn, NY
Brooklyn is another borough of New York City, housing roughly two million people. At the end of Long Island, this area connects to both Manhattan and Staten Island via bridges. Home to Coney Island and beautiful brownstone walkups, this area is well sought-after by filmmakers and could be your next home.
Williamsburg
A young, hip neighborhood, Williamsburg is a trendy place to be. Whether you visit for a fun night out or you want to live in the thick of a humming urban pocket, Williamsburg is just the place for you. Williamsburg sports a beautiful waterfront that gives viewers a front row seat to the happenings in Manhattan. If you are all about luxe nightlife, then you should check out this Brooklyn neighborhood.
Park Slope
Brooklyn is not all flashing lights and flashy lifestyles. Places like Park Slope are down-to-earth and relaxed, full of casual restaurants and tree-lined streets. This area is quite residential, owed in part to the densely packed brownstone walkups. If you are a working professional who enjoys a quieter life or a young family looking for a fun yet peaceful place, Park Slope is your best bet.
Bushwick
If you want to explore somewhere that is quite different from the rest of Brooklyn, you should check out Bushwick. An old industrial area, Bushwick is an evolving entity of hip cultural activity. You can see street art and converted warehouses line the former industrial powerhouse. If you want the cutting edge of edginess, then Bushwick’s bars, clubs, and restaurants will not disappoint. Join this inventive and contemporary milieu if you want to live life unboundedly.
Northern New York Suburbs
The New York megacity extends far beyond the high rises and heaven-touching architecture. The northern suburbs of New York City are much like that of Chicago. The general Chicagoland area extends far past the city limits, and native Chicagoans will argue the boundary lines of these divisions. Similarly, New Yorkers debate the outermost reaches of the urban landscape, but it is safe to say these wonderful places nestle right inside these demarcations.
White Plains
Straddling the line between city and suburb, White Plains is about an hour north of Manhattan. While White Plains itself is a densely populated city, the surrounding county is a suburb of the much larger New York City proper. White Plains is known for its restaurants and shops, offering a myriad of recreational and functional facilities. If you want that New York City feel without leaving the suburbs, then White Plains is the perfect match.
Newburgh
As a part of the Poughkeepsie-Newburgh-Middletown area, Newburgh belongs to the greater New York City megacity. It is a quiet, suburban town hidden within the Hudson Valley, sporting beautiful vistas and historical sites dating all the way back to the Founding Fathers. In fact, this New England town is home to the headquarters of George Washington from the Revolutionary War. If you enjoy a lively suburban lifestyle couched within a quaint downtown, then Newburgh is for you. Should you need assistance transitioning into the area, you should check out moving companies in Newburgh, NY, like ours at Your Hometown Mover.
Woodbury, Orange County
Woodbury is a dense suburban experience with a quiet atmosphere and great public school system. Set at the foothills of the Schunnemunk Mountains, Woodbury is a great area to settle and live in peace while still within a driving commute of Manhattan. If you want a mix of quietude and professionalism, then Woodbury is the best place for you. Remember to check out Woodbury in Orange County, NY, and not the one in Nassau County on Long Island.
A guide to the best NYC metro neighborhoods is all you need to get your real estate search going. While the market will always fluctuate, it has never been a better time to move to New York City. Should you need any help moving in the metropolitan NYC area, reach out to us at Your Hometown Mover today. We can help you pack, haul, and store all your items in no time.
