Apartments in New York City-Manhattan, NY

Although NYC is comprised of five boroughs, Manhattan is the most iconic and recognizable when people think of the Big Apple. With a very rich history that acts as a cultural centerpiece for the United States, this is one of the most famous cities on earth.

While NYC has been depicted in many movies and books, the intensity can switch between the hyper-romantic depicted by Woody Allen to a cutthroat American Psycho within a couple hours. Just kidding. It’s always American Psycho since it was rated by Forbes as the 2nd most competitive city in the world for attracting corporations and citizens. It goes without saying this is one the United States most prestigious economic centers, however based on the coupling of several statistics, it also comes out as number one of the most economically powerful cities in the world.

While there are many myths about Manhattan, such as alligators in the sewers (which is true), the difficulty of apartment finding is very realistic. Chances are that the “spacious 2bd 2ba apartment with utilities includes and hardwood flooring on the Upper East Side with a breathtaking view of Central Park” listing you responded to on Craigslist received more than a hundred other responses (actually, that one probably got thousands). And, most likely, the pictures look way larger than the room actually is. But hey, that’s Manhattan for you. Basically, you have to be patient with apartment finding, consider any possible resources (friends, family, connections, apartment guides) and maybe even check out the obituaries. Or check out one of the other four boroughs (Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, or the Bronx) which are often overlooked.

However, Manhattan does have its share of amazing neighborhoods. Consider living in Carnegie Hill if you love being surrounded by beautiful architectural. Named for the mansion that Andrew Carnegie built in 1901, this Upper East neighborhood is one of the most beautiful and upscale areas with many excellent reviews and ratings by residents. With trees, brownstones and townhouses lining the streets, and grand old mansions (several that are now museums), that quintessentially New York image resides in this quiet area. Also, with both houses for rent and studio apartments in the many high-rise apartment buildings within Carnegie Hill, living options are plentiful. As one would expect, that means expensive (and very attractive) apartments for rent, but let’s be honest: it’s New York. Carnegie Hill is known for its family atmosphere and excellent schools helped by the fact that there are not any nightclubs or major tourist destinations nearby. Also, being located right next to Central Park means having easy access to the best amenities, thus perfect for pet owners looking for a pet-friendly area.

Those moving here fresh out of college ought to check out Murray Hill. Being a more affordable neighborhood, this is the area to find cheap apartments with all bills paid. The neighborhood is a mix of families and 20-somethings, so while most of Murray Hill is residential, areas such as Third Avenue and 34th street have a variety of bars, apartment towers with luxury apartments, and restaurants. Also, with Midtown neighboring Murray Hill and the Grand Central Terminal close by, commuting from this area to others is very easy.

The neighborhoods of Upper Manhattan such as Inwood and Harlem are definitely worth checking out. The apartments in these areas are notorious for being larger than the average shoebox that most apartments are. In fact, many of the homes for rent actually have multiple rooms! Even better is that uptown is much calmer than other areas of town and does not have nearly as many tourist destinations, however if you are looking for the nightlife scene, the cab rides to downtown are going to put a dent in your wallet. But that doesn’t mean that there are not awesome venues such as Shrine where you can see live music any night of the week. Also, with several parks such as Inwood Hills Park and Fort Tryon Park, you’ll learn that Central Park isn’t the only park worth seeing.