New York, New York. One of the greatest cities on Earth. Sinatra sang about it, it was the gateway to the U.S. and it is constantly featured in countless Hollywood movies. Millions dream of living in The City That Never Sleeps, but only a select few have managed to grow accustom to the hectic and fast-paced lifestyle that New York is known for the world over.
Maybe you are certain that you want to live in New York, but you just don’t know which neighborhood to live in. This comprehensive list will shed some light on a few of the most popular neighborhoods in the city.
For Families
Battery Park City
Located at the southwestern tip of Manhattan, Battery Park City is a planned community that has become one of the premiere locations in New York City for families. Boasting a variety of gorgeously green parks, a wide open esplanade and several top notch primary schools. The city also features a few popular attractions, most notably, the Museum of Jewish Heritage. The many parks in the area provide children plenty of room to play around in without the danger of any cars. It’s exceptional location not only provides easy access to the more busy areas of Manhattan, but its proximity to the waterfront allows for a terrific view of the Statue of Liberty.
Brooklyn Heights
This family hot spot, like much of New York, is riddled in history. The neighborhood houses several historic churches and buildings, including Plymouth Church of the Pilgrims, Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Cathedral and The Holy Trinity Church. Brooklyn Heights is also home to St. Ann’s School, a K-12 school, as well as St. Francis College, which was recently cited by Forbes Magazine and U.S. News & World Report as one of the best baccalaureate colleges in the north.
If that isn’t enough, the neighborhood has competitive rent on homes that most families should be able to afford, with a median rent of $5,700. The Heights is also ripe with subway tunnels, making access to the rest of the city very easy.
For Singles
SoHo
Short for South of Houston Street, SoHo lies, well, just where you would expect it to: South of Houston Street in lower Manhattan. This particular neighborhood has recently become one of the trendier areas in New York, providing a host of restaurants and higher-end boutiques. Shops like Kate Spade New York and Michael Kors and eateries such as Lovely Day and Dominique Ansel Bakery litter the streets of this upscale neighborhood. Throw in the fact that several celebrities and high-end tech companies call the area home, and it’s clear why SoHo is so desirable to young singles.
Nolita
Another neighborhood whose name is a portmanteau, Nolita is just North of Little Italy. The area has become something of a less expensive version of SoHo, attracting many young professionals and models. The neighborhood contains blocks chock full of fashionable boutiques, fine eateries and artists showcasing their work, in many forms. The buildings are no more than a few stories tall and there is a healthy mix of both very high-end condominiums, and slightly more moderate apartments.
Nolita is also brimming with social havens for the young and hip. McNally Jackson Books is a popular hangout spot, and the Storefront for Art and Architecture has an impressive art gallery that catches the attention of several of the neighborhood’s inhabitants. And Lombardi’s Pizza, Delicatessen and Gimme! Coffee are a few of the most prominent restaurants in the area.
Professionals
Financial District
Not usually associated as being a residential area, the Financial District of NYC is quickly becoming just that. Newer restaurants and more exciting weekend events in the area have attracted many, with most calling the place home. The old Pier 47 is currently being renovated to make room for a recreational facility and the rent for most apartments isn’t too terribly overpriced. This all makes for a terrific place for professionals to live, given the amount of large-scale businesses and corporations that are headquartered in the district, like One World Trade Center, the New York Stock Exchange and the Federal Reserve Bank.
Most people assume that there is always something going on in New York, that there is always something to do. And they are right. And while some couldn’t think of living in The City That Never Sleeps, millions have found just the right area to call home. This is only a fraction of the countless number of neighborhoods that cater to a large variety of lifestyles. Hopefully this list gives you a brief idea of where you’d like to stay when you take a bite out of The Big Apple.
