Where to live well in New York: a guide to the best areas of the city

When deciding which borough of New York to live in, keep one thing in mind: no one will have everything you want. You can get a good deal for the price, or you can get a great apartment, but with a higher cost - you rarely get both. Edition Curbed wrote about seven districts of the city that are worth paying attention to in 2020, and explained why.

In areas such as Downtown Brooklyn and the Lower East Side, hundreds, if not thousands, of new apartments will appear in 2020. Other areas are relatively accessible, although remote from downtown Manhattan, but offer convenient transportation and lower housing prices.

Lower East Side

Similar areas: Williamsburg

Transport: There are several subway lines: F and J on Delancey Street and Essex Street, B and D on Grand Street.

Previously, this area of ​​Lower Manhattan was considered a bohemian enclave, then - a playground for young but successful New Yorkers who supplanted the bohemian spirit. Today, thanks to a wave of new developments, the main of which are nine buildings of the Essex Crossing megaproject, hundreds of new apartments will soon appear on the market.

However, tenants seeking housing in the area will pay dearly for the privilege of living here. According to the brokerage company MNS, the average rent is more than $ 3 thousand per month.

However, this area has advantages here. The Lower East Side is known for its vibrant nightlife, with a variety of bars, clubs and restaurants. If you feel like getting involved in the cultural life of the community, you can check out the history of immigrants at the Real Estate Museum and then grab a bite to eat at the Russ & Daughters Cafe, a local establishment that's over 100 years old.

Downtown brooklyn

Similar areas: Financial district.

Transport: hubs like Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center and Jay Street-MetroTech.

Downtown Brooklyn is located right behind the Brooklyn Bridge, at the intersection of several other neighborhoods - Brooklyn Heights, Burum Hill, Dumbo. Over the past few years, new buildings have sprung up throughout the area, with tens of thousands of apartments added. This means that the amenities of the area have also improved; especially popular is the City Point megaproject, which houses the DeKalb Market Hall and the first outpost in the area, Alamo Drafthouse.

In addition, the area has tremendous access to transport through the merger of metro lines and buses; Manhattan can be reached in just 15 minutes.

Housing prices here are usually high, since most of the projects are new. The average rental price exceeded $ 4000 per month in 2019, according to MNS.

However, Downtown Brooklyn has its advantages: it is close to trendy areas such as Fort Green and has many shopping, dining and cultural opportunities.

Jackson heights

Similar areas: Sunnyside; Astoria.

Transport: Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue transit hub.

Located in Central Queens, Jackson Heights is one of the most diverse and vibrant areas of New York. Its inhabitants speak more than 150 different languages, there are prosperous communities of South and Central America and South Asia. The area is also known for its affordable apartments. The median price of housing is about $ 450 thousand dollars.

Jackson Heights also has a large number of parks and playgrounds. Travers Park is the largest and newest public school, opened in summer 2019. If you're looking for a neighborhood to live with a family, a friendly atmosphere and easy access to Manhattan, this is it. Jackson Heights is 30 minutes' drive from Midtown.

Prospect Lefferts Gardens

Similar areas: Crown Heights.

Transport: B or Q next to Prospect Park or local train number 2.

This small area, located east of Prospect Park, has not yet been built up as much as the neighboring areas. But there are signs that this could happen soon, notes.

Here it was possible to rent luxury apartments (including Parkline, a 24-story building a block from the park), and StreetEasy called it one of the areas worth watching in 2020, and apartments are already being searched for in this area.

Prospect Lefferts Gardens has many advantages: in addition to its proximity to the park, it is also close to B and Q train stations, which will take you to Manhattan in about 30 minutes. You can also live in a park area, paying far less than Park Slope residents. According to StreetEasy, the average rent in the area is around $ 2350 per month.

Jameika

Similar areas: Downtown Brooklyn.

Transport: access to dozens of bus lines; several metro lines; commuter trains.

The Jamaica is literally at the end of this list, as this is the last stop in Queens, followed by Long Island. However, there are reasons to consider this area if you are looking for new housing in 2020. Many are already interested in buying or renting real estate here: according to StreetEasy, the number of those looking for housing here has grown by 44%.

Prices for both rent and sale are still relatively affordable; the median for the former is $ 2170 per month, and for the latter, $ 649, according to StreetEasy.

On the subject: Named the best low-cost areas of New York

Also in this area a large number of offers will soon appear thanks to nine new buildings. The Crossing complex alone, located near Long Island Railway Station, has 650 apartments.

Despite the fact that this area cannot boast a rich nightlife or cultural events, like other parts of the city, its proximity to transit can make it attractive for those who appreciate the opportunity to leave the city quickly and easily.

Inwood

Similar areas: Bay Ridge.

Transport: last stop of train A.

Located on the northernmost outskirts of Manhattan between the Hudson and Harlem rivers, this area, according to StreetEasy, has an average rent of about $ 2000 per month, while the average price of a home is just under $ 500.

But the area's accessibility is just one of the features of Inwood: It is located next to Inwood Hill Park, one of the city's most beautiful and spectacularly wild green spaces. There are also large Dominican, Irish and Puerto Rican communities in the area.

The district was planned to be rezoned as part of the goals of the administration of the mayor of the city of Bill de Blasio for affordable housing, but at the end of last year the judge canceled this measure, supported by the city. How this decision will be implemented in the coming year remains to be seen, the source said.

Greenpoint

Similar areas: Gowanus.

Transport: G train connecting Brooklyn and Queens.

Although geographically close to fashionable Williamsburg, the vibration at Greenpoint is much more restrained. Perhaps this is due to its relative isolation, transitory character; the area is served only by train G and several buses.

But the area, located at the northernmost tip of Brooklyn, is home to a host of residential rental and condominium development projects, many of which are part of the larger mega-project, Greenpoint Landing. Eventually, this colossal development will bring about 5000 apartments to the area, as well as new parks on the waterfront.

Even with the influx of new buildings and residents, this historically Polish area still has a lot of New York charm. Many of the apartments rented here are located in modest two- or three-story houses, and the average rent for a one-room apartment is, according to MNS, about $ 2600.