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The Best Suburbs to Live in New York


 

New York, commonly referred to as The Big Apple, is the best city in the world. The city has so much to offer in terms of history, culture, job opportunities, shopping, dining, and nightlife.

With a population of nearly 8.5 million people, NYC is the largest city in the U.S. And though it only takes up about 306 square miles, there’s so much packed into it.

The city is divided up into five major boroughs namely, The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island.

Within those NYC boroughs are tons of neighborhoods, each with its unique vibe. Here are the best suburbs to live in New York.

1. Upper East Side, Manhattan

Home to the Roosevelts, Kennedys, and Rockefellers, these real-estate pioneers developed the prestigious Upper East Side into a beautiful place to live.

The Upper East Side is home to affordable and spacious apartments and has a more relaxed pace than other Manhattan neighborhoods.

There is easy access to Central Park, as well as plenty of community centers and schools. The Upper East Side boasts a vibrant nightlife on Second Avenue with plenty of karaoke lounges and Irish pubs.

2. Battery Park City, Lower Manhattan

 

Suburb. Photo by Olga Subach on Unsplash

This area is widely considered one of the best places to live in New York City. It is close enough to the hustle and bustle of the big city, yet distant enough to enjoy some peace and quiet at the waterfront.

It is also the safest neighborhood in New York City.  Battery Park is known for low crime rates, clean streets, views of the Statue of Liberty, and beautiful parks. It is one of the best places to live in the heart of New York.

Here, Families can find luxury housing to rent or buy within a walking distance of the Financial District and Lower Manhattan.

You will also get highly-rated schools like Spruce Street School, Stuyvesant High School, and Millennium High School.

The area also hosts community events through Battery Park City Authority so it’s easy to see why this NYC neighborhood is known as one of the best small towns in the Big Apple.

3. West Village, Manhattan

The West Village is a neighborhood in the western section of the larger Greenwich Village neighborhood of Lower Manhattan in New York City.

It is a classic picturesque neighborhood that’s reminiscent of old NYC. Nestled between Lower Manhattan and Midtown, it is one of the best neighborhoods in NYC.

This area is ideal for those who want a casual and laid-back environment. Take a lazy stroll along tree-lined streets, with stylish cafes and gastropubs at every corner.

The greenery and cobblestone streets make this an aesthetically beautiful neighborhood.

4. Forest Hills, Queens

New York Neighbourhood. Photo by Jamie G on Unsplash

Queens is the best borough in NYC for families. This area has green spaces, excellent food, and cheaper rent.

Forest Hills is one of the best places in New York City for families and it lies in the middle of Queens.

Active families will love being close to expansive green spaces like Forest Park and Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.

The children will have access to excellent schools like Forest Hills Montessori School, The Kew-Forest School, or Queens High School for the Sciences at York College.

Forest Hills is also one of the best places to buy a home in New York City, thanks to the affordable pre-war apartments and spacious Tudor-style houses for sale in the area.

5. Park Slope, Brooklyn

Not only is living in Brooklyn perfect for young professionals, but people with children say this borough is one of the best places to live in New York.

Among the top Brooklyn neighborhoods for families in Park Slope. The quiet atmosphere, tree-lined streets, quaint coffee shops, and a blossoming restaurant scene all make this historic district ideal.

It is a good area for raising kids in NYC. Families in the area also have their pick of some of the best NYC public schools like PS 321 and Millennium Brooklyn High School. Berkeley Carroll Private School is also nearby.

Park Slope is home to organic food markets, picturesque sidewalks, and charming cafes. Park Slope has proximity to great cultural hubs like Brooklyn Public library and Brooklyn Music Academy.

6. Gramercy Park, Manhattan

Photo by Rachel Martin on Unsplash

Gramercy is a centrally located neighborhood with cozy and classic NYC vibes. It feels like a secluded and private community, even though it’s in Central Manhattan.

The area has a sense of nostalgia, and its spacious brownstones are some of the prettiest in the city. Stuyvesant Town and large-scale housing from First Avenue to the River offer affordable housing options.

7. Sunnyside, Queens

This is a historic neighborhood, home to pre-war buildings, brick homes, and tree-lined streets. It’s one of the best neighborhoods in NYC.

It is ideal for young professionals and families looking for a quiet escape, with bike routes and pet-friendly neighborhoods.

The market is currently evolving in Sunnyside, with plenty of converted lofts and brick row houses available at affordable prices.

8. Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn

Brooklyn Heights is NYC’s first historic district. This neighbourhood is quiet and localized and it feels like it’s frozen in time. Its slogan is “America’s original suburb.”

Brooklyn Heights’ reputation as a beautiful slice of Brooklyn is well-known. It is situated between the East River and Cadman Plaza Park.

Here, you can find beautiful views of the Manhattan skyline just a short walk from the Brooklyn War Memorial and other famous monuments.

All of the neighborhood’s history and quiet will cost you, though. It consistently ranks as one of the most expensive Brooklyn neighborhoods to live in.

9. Fieldston, Bronx

A beautiful house. Photo by Zac Gudakov on Unsplash

This is a hidden gem that is not known. A large portion of Fieldston is a privately-owned and landmarked historic district of New York City.

The Fieldston Historic District has a private homeowners association to which homeowners pay dues for the maintenance of the trees and streets.

The name of neighboring Riverdale is better known but if you haven’t lived in the borough you probably know very little about these neighbors.

Fieldston is a much more exclusive enclave and is considered a subsection of Riverdale. The neighborhood is known for large to mansion-level single-family homes

The ambiance has been described as a rustic New England suburb, the likes of which you won’t experience anywhere else in the city.

10. Silver Lake, Staten Island

Just a short ferry ride from Manhattan, Staten Island is a breath of fresh air from the busy hustle of the other boroughs. Tucked away in the middle of the Island is Silver Lake.

It is a lush green and vibrant neighborhood with a beautiful lake, gently rolling hills, a gorgeous park, and even a golf course.

It features quiet, dead-end streets that offer privacy and space, two words most New Yorkers never hear when looking for a new place to live. Most of the residences in the area are large homes.