The 6 Best New York City Neighborhoods To Call Home In 2025
New York, the Empire, is home to the most expensive US city, New York City, particularly for renters who envision a charming suite or a bright studio, a roof terrace, and expansive views over the Hudson. No blaring lights or traffic would reach their skyscraper haven to unwind, invite friends, and quiet sleep. The reality is more favorable for buyers with high inventory, and asking prices tend to go down. Comprising five boroughs, NYC is a showcase of various lifestyles. So let's take a look at the best NYC neighborhoods to move into this year.
Sure, the city never sleeps, but you can, like a baby, to the ocean sounds in Brighton Beach, the serene Sunnyside, or Astoria, an eloquent Long Island gem. There's a match for your budget and interests, including waterfront views and easy commutes by ferry or subway. Buyers can expect a broad range of homes without compromising well-being to go out and enjoy the lifestyle, amenities, and culture that make up the fabric of the Big Apple.
Astoria, Queens
Between its undeniable charm and prolific qualities, this adorable waterfront 'hood across New Jersey holds real appeal to foodies, young professionals, and families. As a cultural hotspot proximate to Manhattan, its appeal is broadening and expected to appreciate in value. For now, Astoria remains one of NY's most affordable, with great diversity, safer than many others, and less hectic than Brooklyn or Manhattan. It is possible to snag a home at an average of $734,370 or a spacious apartment with views of Roosevelt Island, perhaps.
Known for its Greek influence in architecture, Astoria is refined, with a strong sense of community and lifestyle amenities, like Astoria Park's outdoor pool and trails. It is a great choice for commuters to return to a unique blend of urban and suburban, a place that feels like home, with festivals, bars, and excellent dining, particularly Greek cuisine. The waterfront Socrates Sculpture Park is fun to discover on a former landfill site with life-size installations. Offering the N and W metro lines, you can be in Midtown in 25-30 minutes by car, bike, or subway.
Brighton Beach, Brooklyn
More tranquil than its neighbors, this vibrant neighborhood offers the best value in Brooklyn, at $624,654 for an average home in May 2025 (Zillow). Following the year-over-year decline in asking price, the inventory includes oceanview condos and houses with front and back yards. With its cheaper cost of living, including rent, Brighton Beach doesn't compromise on other areas of livability. There's convenient subway access to get around in a breeze. It is an enviable lifestyle, popular with tourists in the summer. Of course the most popular summertime attraction is the beach.
Snow or shine, it is a perfect place to unwind on a stroll from the hectic life. The Asser Levy Park has an old-school vibe, with a huge playground, bandshell, handball courts, and fitness trails, plus the Little Stone Pier. This is also where you will find the New York Aquarium on the Coney Island boardwalk, hosting exciting daily sea lion shows. Many enjoy strolling the 'hood's historic boardwalk, past friends grabbing a bite or sharing a drink at one of the terraces. Known as Little Odessa and Little Russia, there are eastern European shops, diverse eateries, and spirited nightlife spots.
Harlem, Manhattan
Does living in the cultural heart of Manhattan and making ends meet sound far-fetched? Not as cheap as Washington Heights or just outside the borough, the average home value of $791,902 is lower than Manhattan's $1,178,086. The Upper East and West Sides are a stroll south to double the price. Cultural diversity and historic tint make up the fiber of this livable 'hood, famous for its jazz clubs, brownstones, and lively arts, including the Apollo Theater. Offering affordable housing with access to employment and schools, there must be a catch, right?
According to AreaVibes, Harlem's areas for improvement are higher crime and prices to go out, but excellent amenities and swift commute, including the 2, 3, A, B, C, and D metro lines, make it forgivable. It is well policed with access to services and health care. Harlem’s historic charm and strong sense of community shine through the diverse food scene and greens like Marcus Garvey Park. Harlem is optimal for artists, young professionals, and history lovers who value atmosphere and convenience above all after putting in a hard day of work.
Riverdale/North Riverdale, the Bronx
With its memorable name and a great university, Riverdale and North Riverdale both come with great affordability, at just $396,467 and $481,196, respectively, to own. It appeals to students and families, who enjoy all the collegiate perks, such as a lively feel, a bar scene, diverse restaurants, and coffee shops, not to mention the summertime change in pace that makes it so unique. Rent isn't so cheap, but apartments are rumored to be larger than average in Manhattan. Midtown is less than 30 minutes from North Riverdale and shorter than Riverdale.
Across from Van Cortlandt Park, this 'hood on the Hudson is more than riverside charm. Riverdale is among the Bronx's safest, with overall crime lower than NYC's. The waterfront is entirely Riverdale Park, calling for a stroll after work or a family picnic. Next to the train station, Wave Hill Public Garden & Cultural Center offers wooded paths and benches with river views. Giving off slight Harry Potter vibes, the stunning University of Mount Saint Vincent is an independent liberal arts university with a full array of art majors and selected professional fields.
St. George, Staten Island
Staten Island is on the rise with new businesses. St. George is the most densely developed on Staten's northern edge. At $620,119 for an average home, it is a great value option for first-time buyers that is expected to appreciate. Home to the St. George Ferry Terminal, it offers convenience without the bustle, though it is transient for tourists. For commuters, the free ferry is a breezy ride to Manhattan in 25-30 minutes, every 20-30 minutes non-stop from the Staten Island Ferry Terminal, with a 5,000 capacity, and frequently, 70,000 passengers use the service daily.
St. George feels like its own little world overlooking Manhattan, New Jersey, and the Statue of Liberty. It is under an hour by car or bike to Brooklyn and over an hour to Manhattan. It is home to the National Lighthouse Museum and the ornate St. George Theatre, which presents a variety of shows. Families enjoy the Staten Island Zoo with over 1,100 animals. The nearby Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden is a transformed 19th-century property, while Silver Lake Park features an 18-hole golf course. There is one major hospital and a high school in this borough.
Sunnyside, Queens
Between the Amtrak and Newton Creek, Sunnyside may not be the most exciting place to live. But, at an average of $489,996, an over 6% drop since last year, it is significantly cheaper to own than in Manhattan or Brooklyn. This high-degree community is one of NYC’s most commuter-friendly neighborhoods. The "International Express" takes you to the Grand Central Station. In just 15 minutes, you can be at work, meeting friends, or revving it up. The value and urban convenience appeal to working families who enjoy its small-town character and safe feel.
Sunnyside also attracts others after a serene place to live or work, perhaps artists, remote workers, or retirees. Its appeal is heightened by quaint pre-war architecture and no shortage of restaurants, cafes, and farmers markets accessible on a stroll. In addition to shopping and town greens like General Hart Playground, there are five hospitals within 15 minutes in Queens. The Museum of the Moving Image is minutes north. Elsewhere is a popular live music venue, and Knockdown Center is an unusual collaboration of a contemporary arts center and performance space.
Manhattan may live by the state's motto, but no artist would deny the opportunity to live in Harlem, seeping with inspiration and cafes to share ideas. The best in NYC 2025 offer relatively low prices for New York, like Kingsbridge, the cheapest on the list, while families find Sunnyside's serenity irresistible. Elsewhere, Staten Island offers lower property prices than other boroughs with quick and free ferry access to Manhattan.
Brooklyn is making a comeback with its historic charm, good schools, and multiple transit lines, offering better value than Manhattan's $1,178,086 average. Between Coney Island and Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach is more tranquil than both. Some "affordable" Brooklyn 'hoods toggle at one million, like Bensonhurst or Bushwick. While safety often parallels low cost of living, these seven are well-illuminated and policed.
