There are two questions guaranteed to start an argument in New York City: where to find the perfect bagel, and what’s the best neighborhood in Manhattan.
The latter could be a long argument, too. Most sources agree that there are around 53 separate neighborhoods in Manhattan, though the exact number can vary depending on who you’re talking to (and that’s a whole other argument).
If you’re moving to Manhattan, deciding among 53 neighborhoods might seem overwhelming. But lucky for you, we’ve done the hard part. We’ve curated a list of the 8 best Manhattan neighborhoods based on safety, public transport access, rent, and entertainment.
Maybe you’re seeking the charm of Lower Manhattan neighborhoods, or want one of the safest neighborhoods in Manhattan, or want to live down the street from an iconic music venue. Whatever the case, you’ll find what you want in Manhattan.
8 Best Manhattan Neighborhoods
Tribeca: Richest Manhattan Neighborhood
Upper East Side: Safest Neighborhood in Manhattan
East Village: Coolest Neighborhood in Manhattan
SoHo: Best Neighborhood for Young Professionals
Battery Park City: Best Neighborhood for Families
Greenwich Village: Most Walkable Neighborhood
Harlem: Best Neighborhood to Live in Your 20s
Financial District: Best Lower Manhattan Neighborhood
As they say, if you can make it in New York, you’ll make it anywhere. But in order to make it here, you’ve gotta figure out where to live, right?
Each neighborhood in Manhattan offers something special: Cobblestone streets, massive bookstores, bars over a hundred years old, you name it. In many ways, each neighborhood makes a case to be labeled one of the best Manhattan neighborhoods (and its residents will be glad to argue the point).
To help you figure it out, our list provides everything you need: average rent costs in each nabe, what it’s best for, what it’s known for, and how to get around. So, let’s break these neighborhoods down and uncover why they’re worth a second look.
1) Tribeca — Richest Manhattan Neighborhood
Average rent: $6,451
Best for: Families, young professionals, safety
Known for: River views, top-notch dining, spacious lofts
Getting around: Subway lines: 1, 2, 3, A, C, E, N, Q, R, W. Travel time to Midtown: approximately 15–20 minutes.
The area once known as the “triangle below Canal Street” now has the much catchier name, Tribeca, and it is — in a word — awesome. Walking around, the vibe just feels rich, and it costs a pretty penny to live there. (Not a surprise when your neighbors are Jay-Z and Beyonce.) You’ll find luxury living with incredible river views and spacious lofts.
But despite the swanky reputation, Tribeca is a very family-friendly neighborhood. It’s safe, and the streets are quiet. Plus, you’re only a short subway ride away from Midtown, a common commuting destination where many of the city’s office buildings are located.
2) Upper East Side — Safest Neighborhood in Manhattan
Average rent: $5,069
Best for: Families, safety, proximity to parks
Known for: Museums, luxury shopping, Central Park access
Getting around: Subway lines: 4, 5, 6, Q. Travel time to Midtown: approximately 15–20 minutes.
New York is far safer in 2024 than it was in the bad old days of the 1970s and 80s, but it’s still a good idea to consider crime rates in your new neighborhood. And the Upper East Side is among the safest in the borough. With zig-zag fire escapes on three story walk-ups — it doesn’t get much more quintessential New York City than the Upper East Side. Walking these tree lined streets, you’ll feel like a character straight out of a Woody Allen movie in one of the best Manhattan neighborhoods.
You’re also located in an area that offers a tremendous amount of cultural and historical value. Right next to Central Park, you can find Manhattan’s finest cultural institutions — the Met, Guggenheim, and more. Imagine spending your Saturday in one of the best Manhattan neighborhoods, sipping coffee at a cozy cafe, just like in the movies. That’s the Upper East Side for you.
3) East Village — Coolest Neighborhood in Manhattan
Average rent: $4,937
Best for: Young professionals, nightlife, artsy vibe
Known for: Trendy bars, music venues, artistic community
Getting around: Subway lines: L, 4, 5, 6, N, Q, R, W. Travel time to Midtown: approximately 10–20 minutes.
Yes, a lot has changed since the days when Jack Kerouac called the area home, but the East Village still may be the coolest neighborhood in Manhattan. For sheer cultural history, it’s hard to beat the neighborhood where everyone from Andy Warhol to the Beastie Boys made their mark.
This is where young professionals come to experience some of the best NYC nightlife.
It’s also one of the most accessible neighborhoods, not only in Manhattan, but New York City at large. Given the central location, you can get anywhere in the borough with a short subway trip.
4) SoHo — Best Neighborhood for Young Professionals
Average rent: $6,106
Best for: Young professionals, shopping, dining
Known for: Upscale boutiques, trendy restaurants, cobblestone streets
Getting around: Subway lines: C, E, 6, N, Q, R, W. Travel time to Midtown: approximately 15–20 minutes.
Like Tribeca, SoHo’s name comes from a very literal description of its location “south of Houston” Street. While the name might lack a spark of inspiration, the neighborhood certainly doesn’t. If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a round-up of the best street fashion in New York City, there’s a strong chance most of those photos were taken in SoHo.
SoHo is a hotspot for those who love fashion, with cobblestone streets lined with high-end boutiques, designer stores, and pop-up shops. One of the best Manhattan neighborhoods, SoHo offers pretty much everything you could ever want — and more. Plus, it’s home to Housing Works, one of the best bookstores in the world. Can’t argue with that.
5) Upper West Side — Best Neighborhood for Families
Average rent: $5,373
Best for: Families, culture, proximity to parks
Known for: Access to Central Park and Riverside Park, family-friendly atmosphere, cultural institutions (e.g., American Museum of Natural History)
Getting around: Subway lines: 1, 2, 3, B, C). Travel time to Midtown: approximately 10–15 minutes.
Seinfeld lived a pretty nice life, right? (Well, aside from his whole neighbor situation.) It’s no coincidence he called the Upper West Side home. One of the best neighborhoods in Manhattan for families, the UWS is about community, culture, and convenience. You might even run into a celebrity — if you’re not one already.
Plus, you can find cultural institutions like the American Museum of Natural History, the New York Historical Society, and Lincoln Center. It’s a place that keeps giving and giving and giving.
6) Greenwich Village — Most Walkable Neighborhood
Average rent: $5,062
Best for: Walkability, nightlife, arts
Known for: Cafes, theaters, iconic streets
Getting around: Subway lines: 1, 2, 3, A, B, C, D. Travel time to Midtown: approximately 15–25 minutes.
There’s a certain image that comes to mind when you think about Manhattan: Brownstones, brick lined streets, and a sense of charm that just feels cinematic. Greenwich Village is the embodiment of that image. Around every corner, there’s iconic architecture, funky cafes, and plenty of history.
Known simply as “The Village,” one of the best Manhattan neighborhoods is also one of the best neighborhoods in Manhattan for walkability. Here, you can wander through the winding streets and discover a cozy bookshop or hidden garden. It’s a place dripping in history that in many cases has been lovingly preserved. You can still grab a drink at The Bitter End, for example, one of the clubs where a young Bob Dylan helped launch the folk music revival in the 1960s. The times they aren’t a-changing that much in Greenwich Village, as it turns out.
7) Harlem — Best Neighborhood to Live in Your 20s
Average rent: $3,266 (link to source)
Best for: Affordability, culture, community vibe
Known for: Music, cultural diversity, local eateries
Getting around: Subway lines: 1, 2, 3, A, B, C, D. Travel time to Midtown: approximately 15–25 minutes.
The beauty about NYC is that it has vibrant atmospheres everywhere, and one of the best places to start your New York journey is Harlem. Known for its rich cultural history and a sense of community, the neighborhood is full of life and offers plenty of old school charm alongside new energy. It’s also home to some of the last affordable pockets on the island.
Writers like Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston once launched the Harlem Renaissance from the area around 125th Street, and that remains the cultural heart of the neighborhood. That’s also where you’ll find the Apollo Theater, the iconic venue that helped launch the careers of mega-stars like James Brown, Marvin Gaye, and B.B. King. That’s a pretty cool thing to call your neighbor.
8) Financial District: Best Lower Manhattan Neighborhood
Average rent: $4,683 (link to source)
Best for: Professionals, safety, historical landmarks
Known for: Skyscrapers, Wall Street, waterfront views
Getting around: Subway lines: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, J, Z, R. Travel time to Midtown: approximately 20-25 minutes.
Maybe you want to be at the center of it all — the beating pulse of civilization. If that’s the case, find your way to the Financial District. Known for towering skyscrapers, Wall Street hustle, and other historic landmarks, it’s now one of Manhattan’s most dynamic residential neighborhoods.
In one of the best Manhattan neighborhoods, the workday crowds are all business, but you may be surprised to learn that after hours, it transforms into a surprisingly relaxed area. You’ve got waterfront views, charming streets, and nice restaurants. Enjoy it!
FAQs About the Best Manhattan Neighborhoods
What is the nicest area to live in Manhattan?
The nicest areas to live in Manhattan are often considered to be the Upper West Side, Upper East Side, and Tribeca. In particular, the Upper West Side is known for a tranquil atmosphere and its proximity to Central Park.
What is the coolest neighborhood in Manhattan?
The East Village is widely considered to be the coolest neighborhood in Manhattan. It boasts an artistic history and vibrant nightlife with trendy bars and music venues. Known for a laid-back, eclectic vibe, the East Village offers a mix of vintage shops, street art, and other “only in New York City” experiences.
Get Help Moving into One of the Best Manhattan Neighborhoods
No matter your lifestyle — luxury, family-focused, artsy, or business-centric — Manhattan has an ideal neighborhood for you. Whether you’re moving across town or moving across the country, to the hip East Village neighborhood or the family-friendly Upper West Side, the next step is getting there.
Traveling around NYC on foot can be challenging enough, but navigating a moving truck rental in the city is something else. (Ever heard a full block of drivers blaring their horns at once?) If this is a long-distance move for you, let the pros at Colonial Van Lines take care of the heavy lifting and transport, so you can focus on settling into your new Manhattan dream apartment. Get a free quote today!