America has always been known as the land of freedom, and nothing reflects this sense of freedom better than the classic, timeless Statue of Liberty, the country’s most famous monument.
She stood knightly on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, with a law tablet in one hand and a torch signifying enlightenment on the other. abandoned souls driving past her, a sense of relief that washed over them as they crawled through the harbor.
Today, New York is the largest metropolitan area in the United States, with nearly 21 million people speaking over 200 languages. The city itself, Big Apple, has always been a spectacle, with its historic structures, famous skyscrapers and beautiful people from all over the world.
In addition to the city’s splendor and its reputation as one of the most recognizable in the world, New York is best known for one thing when it comes to big city living: the high cost of living. Housing. Food. Transport. Clothing. Taxes (income, property, sales). Entertainment. They are all higher than most other cities in the country.
The hard truth is that budgets are a must for NYC residents, and economy is a necessary requirement.
Understandably, New York doesn’t rank too favorably in the best places to live, including the 2017 2017 News & World Report, which placed it in position 80 of the top 100 cities in America.
Don’t let that put you off though. There’s a reason New Yorkers, surprisingly, have a long life expectancy. The Empire State doesn’t have enough decent places to call home.
1. Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
Bay Ridge is often considered one of the best neighborhoods in the coveted neighborhood of Brooklyn.
Homes cost just under $ 1,000,000, but the going rate varies across the area, with a median price for homes listed nearby, at $ 673,792, according to popular ranking site Niche.com.
Bay Ridge has a number of great schools and many choices to choose from, from elementary to high school. Crime and security score favorably, and the quiet and peaceful feel of the place makes for an ideal environment for families.
Bay Ridge’s 60,500 residents enjoy good public transportation that is extremely accessible, making it even easier to get to nearby amenities.
2. Harlem, Manhattan
Harlem can be a surprising recording to many, and that’s because the neighborhood has always gotten a bad rap as a place steeped in crime, economic stagnation, and rundown infrastructure.
But that’s old Harlem.
The area took a positive turn in the 1990s when urban renewal efforts began seriously. Crime declined and new economic opportunities arose. Today, the neighborhood of just under 200,000 residents is considered one of the trendiest places to live in New York.
The upturn is seen in rising house prices, where an average home now goes for $ 1,015,300, compared to $ 774,824 in 2011.
Harlem may not be better than many places of housing and economy, but it has good public schools and generally an ideal environment for families. The nightlife is unlike any other, with trendy eateries, hip bars and stylish clubs galore.
3. Battery Park City, Lower Manhattan
Battery Park City is a planned community of approximately 16,000 located along the Hudson River. It is widely considered to be one of the best places to live in New York City – just close enough to the hustle and bustle of the big city, yet far enough away to enjoy peace and quiet on the water.
The cost of living reflects NYC’s steep prices, with the going rate for an average home playing well above $ 1 million, often between $ 1,200,000 and $ 1,500,000. The same case with rents, which average $ 2969 per month.
But that’s the price to pay for plenty of green parks that offer more than just relaxation. Children can ride a bike without the obvious dangers associated with city riding. Busy parents can let off some steam by running on the esplanade. And pets can accompany their owners to the pet-friendly parks.
Crime is virtually non-existent here and the neighborhood promises fantastic views of the One World Trade (former World Trade Center), the Hudson and Lady Liberty herself.
4. Country Club, Bronx
Country Club is a small suburb of 8,500 residents, mostly a mix of middle-class and affluent, with an average income of about $ 77,000 per household.
One of the biggest benefits is the affordable cost of living, and house prices have somehow stayed at around $ 500,000, with average rents of $ 1,537.
This does not mean that the quality of life should be hit.
There are nice schools nearby, with parks and beaches where the whole family can relax. The neighborhood promises a great parking space for car owners. But it has the downside of being far away from Manhattan, for any family that may be dealing with work or school commuting.
5. Massapequa Park, Long Island
Massapequa Park is another area in New York that provides an excellent setting for families looking to settle in the state.
First, homes are affordable in this hamlet of 17,000 residents in the town of Oyster Bay in Nassau County. Zillow puts the median home value at $ 463,800, quite low by New York standards.
The schools are high on the Great Schools rankings (they usually earn a solid 9 out of 10).
With a journey to Midtown Manhattan via the Long Island Railroad taking less than an hour, this convenient location also offers residents the opportunity to enjoy the best that NYC has to offer in terms of economic and cultural opportunities.
6. Kenmore, Buffalo
Kenmore is included in our list of the best places to live in New York for two main reasons: the cost of living is one of the lowest you’ll ever get in the Empire State, and public schools are among the best out there.
Average house prices average $ 111,200 (who said New York should be expensive, right?), With rents also well below the national average at $ 681 (versus $ 928). This is certainly welcome news for anyone looking to settle here, but not so much from a real estate investment perspective.
Like Massapequa Park, Kenmore is also technically a village with a population of 15,271. The residents enjoy the great advantage of affordability and fun schools that perform exceptionally well at Great Schools.
It may sound like a remote spot in the middle of nowhere, but Kenmore actually offers some great job opportunities, especially in the region’s thriving science and technology areas. And plenty of recreational options to boot (the Niagara River winds through this).
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