Which NYC Neighborhood Is Right For You?

Subway or taxi, uptown or downtown, original or gluten-free – it cannot be said that New Yorkers lack options. Here, we’ve profiled ten New York City neighborhoods to help you find your own perfect fit.

V-J Day in the High Line by Salvador Drusin, Courtesy of Flickr

For Art Lovers: Chelsea

Chelsea’s status as the city’s artistic hub has long-since been solidified. Find out why with a visit to the neighborhood’s array of galleries, including world-famous spots like Luhring Augustine and the Gagosian Gallery. Follow an afternoon of gallery-hopping with a comedy show at Chelsea’s Upright Citizens Brigade Theater or an art-filled stroll along the installation-dotted High Line.

For Foodies: Jackson Heights

New York’s in-the-know foodies flock to Queens’ Jackson Heights neighborhood for multi-ethnic cuisine at penny-pinching prices. One of many Indian restaurants in the area, Jackson Diner stands out for its affordable buffet of well-executed ethnic fare. For alternative appetites, visit New York’s corn cake queen, the Arepa Lady at Areperia, or catch award-winning food truck Amdo Kitchen for a taste of Tibetan momos, or dumplings.

For Youth Culture: East Village

The Lower East Side’s grungier cousin, New York’s East Village boasts a retro, youthful vibe, complete with dive bars, poetry slam cafes, and cheap eats. Join the area’s concentration of college kids for an artsy evening at Nuyorican Poets Cafe or enjoy a nostalgic night out at video game-themed bar Barcade. Close the night with a stroll through New York’s infamous St. Mark’s Place and inexpensive grub from authentic taqueria Otto’s Tacos.

Artists and Flea, Brooklyn by Edsel Little, Courtesy of Flickr

For Shoppers: Williamsburg

Take style cues from Brooklyn’s quirkiest crowd with trendy finds from designer boutique Bird or indie market Artists & Fleas. For stylish buys that won’t break the bank, Williamsburg’s array of thrift shops, including the popular Buffalo Exchange, promise one-of-a-kind finds at low prices. Satisfy all your shopping needs with a single destination when warm weather brings Brooklyn Flea-and its unbeatable vintage and handmade finds-back to the neighborhood.

For Affordability: Bushwick

Brooklyn’s latest up-and-coming area boasts varied attractions at affordable prices, making it the ideal destination for New Yorkers on a budget. Bunna Cafe’s fresh Ethiopian cuisine, Tortilleria Mexicana Los Hermanos’ made-to-order Mexican fare, and Pine Box Rock Shop’s vegan cocktails will send you off satisfied and money-savvy. An oft-used canvas of graffiti and street artists, Bushwick’s most unique attractions can be enjoyed simply by walking around.

The Landham Brothers at Smalls Jazz Club by C.K. Tse, Courtesy of Flickr

For Culture Vultures: Greenwich Village

Manhattan’s Greenwich Village is the city’s premier destination for off-the-beaten-path cultural attractions. Landmark jazz clubs, such as Smalls and the Village Vanguard, reel in late-night music lovers, while indie and foreign film spot IFC Center caters to quirky movie-goers. Get your museum fix and save yourself a trip uptown at the new Whitney Museum of American Art, conveniently located near New York’s West Village.

For Night Owls: Harlem

Soul food-slinging brunch spots like Amy Ruth’s and Red Rooster Harlem may have put Harlem on your radar, but the area’s array of late-night entertainment steals the spotlight. Dinner at Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, drinks at Shrine, and dancing at Camaradas El Barrio make for an ideal night on the town.

April break, Paris, chez L&J-M, macarons Ladurée by Coralie Ferreira, Courtesy of Flickr

For Luxury: Upper East Side

One of Manhattan’s priciest neighborhoods, the Upper East Side is a haven for those looking for luxury. Shopping destinations such as Gucci, Agent Provocateur, and Diptyque Paris bring international luxuries to your own backyard. For indulgent buys that won’t cost more than your rent, gourmet vegan fare from Candle 79 or Ladurée’s prettily-packaged French pastries will satisfy your lust for luxury.

Prospect Park by vige, Courtesy of Flickr

For Families: Park Slope

Retaining the sleepy charm of old New York, Brooklyn’s Park Slope neighborhood offers ‘lazy Sunday’ attractions all week long. An outing to Prospect Park, a lunch box-approved bite from Bark Hot Dogs, and a visit to a comic-lover’s dream-come-true Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co. are perfect treats for any kid- or any kid-at-heart.

For A Mini-Getaway: Red Hook

Maybe the best New York City neighborhood for you isn’t in the city at all. For those looking to escape the island’s hustle and bustle for a day, hitch a ferry ride to Brooklyn’s Red Hook neighborhood. Enjoy fresh seafood from Red Hook Lobster Pound, a picturesque stroll along Louis Valentino Jr. Pier, and a trip to liquor super-store Dry Dock Wine + Spirits, and you’ll still have enough time to catch a boat back home.