Many people are hesitant to move to the Bronx because of the stereotype that it is full of unfriendly people, high crime, and unkempt streets and apartments. Even for NYC residents, moving to the Bronx can often be a last resort. And while there are a few dangerous neighborhoods in the Bronx, there are plenty of safe options if you know where to look. You might have to pay higher rents, but many of these locations are still more affordable than areas in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Riverdale
Not to be confused with the TV show, Riverdale is the safest neighborhood in the Bronx. In fact, overall crime rates are not just lower than NYC overall, it’s also around 40 percent lower than the national average. Riverdale offers a quiet oasis away from the chaotic energy of NYC while still providing plenty of amenities such as bars, restaurants, and coffee shops. There’s also the Riverdale Park, which is a great place to relax along the Hudson River or enjoy strolling through the forest.
Bronx Neighborhood Safety Comparison
| Neighborhood | Violent Crime Rate vs NYC | Crime Rate vs National Average | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverdale | Lower | 40% lower | Quiet, upscale, family-friendly |
| Spuyten Duyvil | Lower | 29% lower | Suburban feel, near nature parks |
| Kingsbridge | Lower | Lower than NYC avg | Vibrant, young professional area |
| Pelham Bay | Low | Low | Great for families, top-ranked NYC neighborhood |
| Morris Park | Lower | Lower than the national avg | Suburban, family amenities |
| Throggs Neck | Moderate | Slightly below national avg | Waterfront area, family-friendly, near parks |
Living in Riverdale isn’t cheap. You can expect to pay around $2,400 for a one-bedroom apartment. Still, most apartments tend to be much larger than your average Manhattan spot, and you can also rub elbows with fellow residents like Tracy Morgan, Steven Tyler, and more.
Spuyten Duyvil
Just south of Riverdale and directly across the Harlem River from Manhattan, Spuyten Duyvil is a small neighborhood that offers gorgeous walkways along the Harlem and Hudson Rivers and a quaint suburban feel. The majority of residents own their own home, which averages around $400,000 for a house. There are plenty of places to enjoy nature, whether you decide to walk along Henry Hudson Park, Spuyten Duyvil Shorefront Park, or Ewen Park.
Getting into Manhattan from Spuyten Duyvil is easy. Hop on the Metro North station and walk over to Marble Hill to catch the 1 train. In terms of crime rate, it is around 29% lower than the national average. It’s no surprise that many retirees decide to move to Spuyten Duyvil!
Kingsbridge
Located right next to Manhattan, this neighborhood is seeing a lot of young professionals move out here due to its location and access to both the Metro North and D train. This residential neighborhood offers a more urban field than Riverdale or Spuyten Duyvil. This vibrant neighborhood has a lower violent crime rate than NYC as a whole, and crime has consistently decreased over the years.
Bronx Neighborhood Amenities & Lifestyle
| Neighborhood | Parks & Recreation | Entertainment & Shops | Family-Friendly Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverdale | Riverdale Park | Bars, restaurants | High | Upscale, quiet oasis |
| Spuyten Duyvil | Henry Hudson Park, Shorefront | Minimal | High | Suburban, nature-focused |
| Kingsbridge | Step streets, nearby parks | 200 merchants, shopping | Medium | Urban vibe, vibrant |
| Pelham Bay | Pelham Bay Park, Orchard Beach | Nightlife, restaurants | Very High | Classic family neighborhood |
| Morris Park | Loreto Park | Family restaurants | High | Suburban, Italian/Albanian community |
| Throggs Neck | Waterfront parks, Ferry Point Park | Local shops, restaurants | High | Family-friendly, scenic views |
When it comes to entertainment, Kingsbridge is great for people who love to shop. It’s home to 200 merchants, making it one of the latest retail shopping districts in the Bronx. You can also enjoy the many “step streets” that connect Kingsbridge with Riverdale and even take your picture on the famous one on 165th street, where they shot the Joker movie.
Pelham Bay
If you’re looking for the classic middle-class Bronx neighborhood, then Pelham Bay is the place you want to move to. Located on the east side of the Bronx, Pelham Bay offers all the amenities you could want, from delicious food to a great nightlife. However, it has consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in the Bronx (and NYC in general) due to its lower crime rates. In fact, it has been ranked the best neighborhood to raise a child and top 10 neighborhoods in all of NYC.
Living in Pelham Bay means going to Pelham Bay Park, the largest public park in NYC. It’s more than three times the size of Central Park and offers a wide variety of geographical features, from natural to man-made. Perhaps the most well-known areas are Orchard Beach and Bartow-Pell Mansion. If you enjoy golf, you can even enjoy a game at one of two courses.
Morris Park
To the Southwest of Pelham Park is Morris Park, another incredibly safe neighborhood in the Bronx. This neighborhood might be small, but it is highly sought after as it is one of the few Bronx neighborhoods that has more houses than apartment buildings. While it’s not as safe as, say, Riverdale or Spuyten Duyvil, Morris Park’s overall crime rate is still lower than the national average, making it one of the safest neighborhoods in the Bronx.
Named after John Albert Morris, Morris Park has a large Italian-American and Albanian-American population. While it’s a bit more suburban, Morris Park still offers some amazing amenities for families, such as great schools, good family restaurants, Loreto Park, which includes a play area for toddlers, and several large hospitals.
Average Rent & Housing Costs in Safe Bronx Neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | Avg. 1BR Rent | Avg. 2BR Rent | Avg. Home Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverdale | $2,400 | $3,000 | $550,000 |
| Spuyten Duyvil | $2,000 | $2,600 | $400,000 |
| Kingsbridge | $1,900 | $2,400 | $450,000 |
| Pelham Bay | $1,850 | $2,300 | $480,000 |
| Morris Park | $1,800 | $2,200 | $460,000 |
| Throggs Neck | $1,950 | $2,400 | $500,000 |
Throggs Neck
If you enjoy being surrounded by water, then you might want to give Throggs Neck a chance. This narrow strip of land is named after the Throggs Neck peninsula on it is situated. Speaking of Throggs Neck, the neighborhood is also at the entrance of the Throgs Neck Bridge that connects the Bronx to Queens. It offers a fairly quiet suburban feel, making it perfect for those looking for a slower pace of life. It is also very safe, with crime rates lower than the rest of NYC as a whole.
This is the place to be if you want to raise a family. The neighborhood is quite well kept, and there are some great outdoor activities you can d,o like walking along Ferry Point Park, renting a boat, or walking along Tremont Ave and finding a bite to eat. You’ll probably want a car if you do end up moving to this Bronx neighborhood, as public transportation is limited to buses and ferries.
Ready to Move to the Bronx?
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