There are plenty of reasons why people decide to move to Manhattan, but affordability isn’t one of them. Living here is not cheap, especially when it comes to finding an apartment. However, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to find a reasonably priced (for Manhattan) place to live. If rent prices are a factor in your budget, and they should be, then you’ll be happy to know that there are still affordable neighborhoods in Manhattan.
Inwood
Located at the northernmost point of Manhattan, Inwood is quickly becoming a sought after neighborhood due to its lower rents, excellent waterfront views, and access to Inwood Hill Park, a large old-growth city park. Compared to other Manhattan neighborhoods, Inwood is a bit more on the residential side, especially once you move away from the main streets. It’s a perfect place if you just want to go home and relax in peace and quiet. That’s not to say there’s nothing to do. Inwood has plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from. Plus, it’s right off the express A train so you can easily get to Midtown Manhattan in 30 minutes or less.
All of this convenience comes at a pretty reasonable price. You can find one bedroom apartments for under $2,000 though there are more and more luxury apartments in the area, which skews the rent higher. Still, if you look outside of these condos, you can find plenty of affordable options.
Yorkville
Located in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, Yorkville is one of the most densely populated neighborhoods in the world. Yet despite all of the people who live here, it’s still quiet due to it being a mostly residential area. There’s not much in the way of nightlife here, but you only need to walk 10-15 minutes to find a good restaurant or bar. Yorkville is a great place for those who like the outdoors. Have a picnic or walk along the water at Carl Schurz Park. If you’re into fitness, go to Asphalt Green, the neighborhood’s sports and fitness facility. When it comes to transportation you have access to the Q train on Second Avenue and the 4, 5, 6 a bit further away on Park Avenue where you can get to Grand Central in around 15 minutes.
Despite being in the coveted Upper East Side, Yorkville is fairly affordable in comparison to other neighborhoods. Average rent for a one bedroom apartment is around $2,800 though you might be able to find yourself a better deal. Just take a good look at the surrounding area via Google Maps or a visit to make sure you’re not right next to a highway.
Hell’s Kitchen
Don’t be fooled by the name, Hell’s Kitchen is a great place to live. This vibrant neighborhood is known for its amazing food scene, nightlife, and access to Hudson River Park. It’s also home to the Jacob Javits Center, which hosts a wide variety of events including New York City Comic Con, North America’s most attended fan convention. It also has a large LGBTQ+ population and many LGBTQ+ bars and businesses. Besides that, if you move here, you’ll also be right next door to the Theater District, so you can easily catch Broadway or Off Broadway shows without traveling too far. And speaking of travel, you have access to the A, C, and E lines and the 1, 2, 3 just a few blocks away.
When it comes to apartment costs, Hell’s Kitchen is a bit more on the expensive side, but when you factor in all the amenities, it’s worth the $3,400 price tag for a one bedroom. Want to save money? Spring for a two bedroom, which averages around $4,000 and get a roommate to save yourself $1,400!
Hamilton Heights
Located above Morningside Heights, which itself is above Harlem, Hamilton Heights is a gorgeous neighborhood full of pre-war apartments. Parts of the neighborhood were designated a historic district by the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commision due to the many historic brownstone buildings that line the street. Walking around the streets might be nice, but you also have access to Riverbank State Park, a 28-acre state park built alongside the Hudson River. You can enjoy a quiet walk alongside the Hudson without worrying too much about the crowds. Besides the great views, Hamilton Heights also has a great selection of restaurants including the famous Sugar Hill Cafe. Need to get to Midtown? No problem, it’ll take you around 25 minutes thanks to the express A and D lines.
Since so many of the buildings in the area were built before 1974, chances are many of the apartments you’ll find here are rent stabilized, which means once you sign a lease the landlords can only increase the rent by a certain percentage when you are up for renewal. For one year leases the max is 3 percent and for two year leasts the max is 2.75 for the first year followed by 3.2 percent for the second year. Speaking of rents, you can easily find a one bedroom apartment for under $2,500 in Hamilton Heights.
Chinatown
Manhattan’s Chinatown is located between Little Italy, the Lower East Side, and TriBeCa. It’s home to the largest ethnic Chinese population outside of Asia and, despite being a relatively small neighborhood, is densely populated with over 141,000 residents in under 2 square miles. As you might expect, you can find all manner of Chinese foods from all the different regions of China from Sichuan to Fuzhou to Hong Kong. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from and while many will have a limited menu, they will all be the most authentic Chinese food you’ll find outside of China. If you prefer cooking at home, there are a number of small vendors and grocery stores to choose from that offer very affordable fresh vegetables, fish and meat, and specialty Chinese foods. Besides shopping locally, don’t forget to take part in the local festivities such as the Lunar New Year and more. The neighborhood has easy access to almost every part of Manhattan thanks to the N, Q, R, W and 4, 6, J, N, Q, R, W, and Z trains.
Despite its central location, Chinatown is still one of the more affordable neighborhoods in Manhattan. The Average cost of a one-bedroom is under $3,000 though rents have been climbing the past few years. If you’re looking for an apartment that has access to some of the most hip neighborhoods in Manhattan without breaking the bank, then you can’t go wrong with Chinatown
Make Your Manhattan Move
Regardless of which Manhattan neighborhood you move to, you’ll want to invest in hiring a professional moving company. NYC Great Movers have helped thousands of customers relocate to their dream neighborhood all within the budget you decide. Our experienced crew can help with as much of the move as you need whether it’s just for the basic move or for packing and unpacking. Reach out to us and we’ll help you create a custom moving plan for your needs.
FAQ
When is the best time to move to Manhattan?
If possible, schedule your move during the off peak season - so October through March. While there are fewer apartments on the market, there are also less people looking to rent during this time. That means you can negotiate more with the landlord for a reduced rent or even one month free.
How much money should I have prepared before I move?
It depends on how you found your apartment. If you are able to find one that is rented directly by the owner, you will just need the first month’s rent and security. However, if you go through a broker, you will also need to pay a broker’s fee which is usually 15 percent of a full year’s worth of rent.
