The 12 Best Neighborhoods in Manhattan for Renters

Most people will agree that Manhattan is a dream destination for anyone, especially those looking to make a mark in the fields of tech, real estate, tech, and finance. With the number of people living in Manhattan totaling 1.6 million people, it’s not difficult to guess why! While one of the things you need to think about is the cost of living in the borough (because it’s pretty high by any standards), there are neighborhoods where you might find a house or room for rent in Manhattan that meets your budget and preferences. If not, think of finding a roommate in Manhattan to split the expenses, and you should be all set!

In the end, while the rents in the core of NYC may be shooting through the roof, its glitz, glamour, entertainment, and fast-paced nature of life make it alluring to residents and visitors alike. It’s a given that the borough has numerous neighborhoods, but as the logic dictates, we walk you through the best Manhattan neighborhoods.

Complete guide to the 12 best Manhattan neighborhoods:

1. Upper East Side (UES)

Upper East Side is a high-end neighborhood but has reasonably-priced apartments available when compared to the Upper West Side and other communities close by. The area exhibits a laid-back feel and has a fantastic school system, both public and private, for families who want to call it home. You’ll find apartments, houses, and penthouses here. If you’re looking to rent a house in Manhattan here, you should be able to find something that fits your budget. Needless to say, residents comprise moneyed folks.

Tons of charming restaurants, pubs, and karaoke bars pepper the area. The areas from 5th Avenue to Park Avenue are lined with upscale boutiques, department stores, and eateries with a pleasant ambiance, so be sure to explore these places. If you’re looking for a night out, you’ll find plenty of options on 2nd Avenue.

Finally, among the many places to visit in Upper East Side, you have the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim Museum, and let’s not forget Central Park, which is kind of a big deal. A popular spot, it serves many purposes. For instance, people can picnic with friends or loved ones, walk, jog, or spend alone time in the solace of nature!

2. Upper West Side (UWS)

Flanked by Central Park in the east and Riverside Park in the west, the Upper West Side houses stunning brownstones you can spend hours admiring, townhouses, and pre-war cooperatives. While penthouse prices are high, there are some reasonably-priced apartments available should you be interested in renting a house or a room in Manhattan in the neighborhood. Residents comprise young professionals, families, and retirees. Upper West Side is a quiet neighborhood that also attracts many students and academics since Barnard College and Columbia University are in the vicinity. The students live in the northern section of UWS. The area also has a great private and public school system that families looking to move to the community, have access to.

Celebrities such as Anne Hathaway, Keanu Reeves, and Donna Karen have homes here. Amsterdam Avenue and Columbus Avenue are prime areas, dotted with posh cocktail lounges and bars. Eateries are spread throughout the area. Be sure to drop by The Parlour on 86th Street for some amazing food and drinks!

Among the notable places to see, the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts houses renowned institutions such as the Metropolitan Opera, the New York City Ballet, and The New York Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Juilliard School of Music! Other landmarks include the American Museum of Natural History, the American Folk Art Museum, and the Beacon Theater. Broadway has branded shops that exist side by side with smaller boutiques. Last but not least, there’s always Riverside Park and Central Park whether you want to exercise or spend time with nature.

Overall, the locale has a pretty low crime rate, so you can consider it amongst the safest neighborhoods in Manhattan if you are planning to move here.

3. Financial District

The Financial District or FiDi is among the top financial centers globally. Wall Street and the New York Stock Exchange also have homes in this part of Manhattan. The area houses some of the biggest companies globally, not to mention multiple co-working spaces like Serendipity Labs, ideal for remote workers. With a burgeoning population of 60,000, people with money to spend are looking to find pricey apartments. If you have the finances, consider finding a rental room in Manhattan here.

Residents comprise mainly millennials. Young professionals looking for breakthroughs in their careers needn’t look further than FiDi. You’re sure to find suitable opportunities here because there’s something for everyone! Numerous eateries and shops line the neighborhood. Some of them include Fulton Center and Oculus Mall.

In the end, the location is ideal, so you can easily reach areas in Lower Manhattan for work or entertainment.

4. Battery Park City

Battery Park City is a peaceful neighborhood with more than 30 percent of its land covered by parks! The area exhibits a suburban feel and has a beautiful waterfront boardwalk offering stunning vistas. Battery Park City is the product of a land reclamation project taken up in the 1970s. Two constructions have put the community on the map. They include the revitalization of Brookfield Place. The building of a passageway connecting Brookfield Place to the new World Trade Center complex is another accomplishment.

Since the area is a high-end one, residents don’t shy away from spending money. Explore the rental prices to see if you can afford to live here. The community’s perfect for those who’re looking for suitable job opportunities. The locale doesn’t have any subway stops although you can reach Tribeca, which has a stop and lots of entertainment options, on foot in about five or ten minutes. Entertainment opportunities are few and far between here.

If you’re looking for places to explore, visit Battery Park, which offers captivating views of the Statue of Liberty, not to mention tours too! There’s also a renovated pier and lots of boats should you want to go boating. Finally, there’s the Brookfield Mall for all your shopping needs!

Commuting by car is a Herculean task because of constant traffic and restricted parking. In a word, the community has a low crime rate, so it's one of the safest neighborhoods in Manhanttan to live in..

5. Harlem

Harlem is a quiet neighborhood with a history dating back to the Civil Rights movement and is the origin of the Harlem Renaissance, a movement dedicated to bringing back African American dance, art, music, fashion, theatre, literature, and politics in the early 20th century. The movement’s influence is reflected in the area’s jazz clubs, nightlife options, and art scene. The area houses notable landmarks such as the Apollo Theater and the Abyssinian Church. Rents are reasonable compared to neighborhoods close by.

Residents are warm, amicable, and look out for each other. Being an educational hub, you’ll also find several institutions such as the City College of New York, the Manhattan School of Music, and Columbia University. Harlem is also famous for hosting some of the finest dining options in the city, serving traditional and global cuisines. With a host of restaurants lining Frederick Douglass Boulevard, the area’s known as restaurant row!

While we’re on the subject of restaurants, be sure to try Red Rooster Harlem and Sylvia’s Restaurant, specializing in comfort food and dishes specific to African American culture.

As far as places to visit go, drop by St. Nicholas Park. You could also check out Jackie Robinson Park and its plethora of amenities such as baseball courts, volleyball courts, basketball courts, playgrounds, a pool, and a recreation center!

6. Washington Heights

Washington Heights lies between the Hudson and Harlem Rivers and gets its name from Fort Washington, a revolutionary war fort. Besides being laid-back, the area comes with reasonably-priced and bigger apartments. Compared to Manhattan standards, this is a very low-cost neighborhood, so this is a perfect place for you to search for a rental house or room in Manhattan. Young professionals and college students find the locale a perfect place to live with roommates because of its cheap rents. Nature lovers will love the green spaces and hilly regions that make up a big chunk of the community.

The area’s filled with restaurants serving traditional cuisine, so you might be spoilt for choice about where to eat! Should you have a craving for sweets, Maritza’s Cake on Amsterdam Avenue has delicious flan, a custard dessert. Angela’s Cake on 170th Street specializes in the layer cake.

Cloisters, a museum in Fort Tryon Park, is a must-visit place. You get to see and admire plenty of European medieval art and architecture. People also flock to this place for gorgeous vistas of the Hudson River. You could take a walk along the trails of Fort Tryon Park or bring your furry friend along, if you have one.

In summary, Washington Heights is among the safest neighborhoods in Manhattan.

7. Tribeca

A sought-after and fashionable neighborhood, Tribeca is the short form for Triangle Below Canal Street. It was an industrial area through the late 19th and 20th centuries but has undergone massive changes, thanks to the entry of artists in the 1970s looking for places to live. You’ll find extravagant boutiques, fancy restaurants, and converted industrial lofts throughout the area. The locale is also home to several celebrities such as Blake Lively, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Justin Timberlake.

What makes Tribeca stand out is its industrial background and prime location, coupled with a peaceful, residential feel. These are also what make Tribeca an upscale community. While this might be an excellent area for you to find a room or house for rent in Manhattan, it’s wise to find out whether the rents meet your budget.

The community’s Tribeca Film Festival is pretty well-known, so if you’re lucky, you might just get to attend it and catch some wonderful movies. Of course, we must thank Robert De Niro because this is his brainchild!

Overall, Tribeca is a pretty safe neighborhood.

8. SoHo

Short for South of Houston Street, SoHo is among the most in-demand and pleasant neighborhoods in Manhattan. At the same time, it’s also a high-priced neighborhood, so if you’re considering renting a house or a room in Manhattan here, revisit your finances before you go house-hunting. You’ll discover converted lofts and pre-Civil War Federal-style homes here.

The cobblestone streets and cast-iron architecture of the community are globally renowned! In fact, thanks to its extraordinary architecture, SoHo is now an NYC landmark (at least a significant chunk of it is)!

The area’s top-notch boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants are lodged in these very buildings. Some of the biggest brands and designers have set up their stores in this area. Brands you can find here include Chanel, Prada, Alexander Wang, Isabel Marant, and Celine among others. Interestingly, people have started calling SoHo ‘Manhattan’s Shopping Mall!’ Some of the most prominent hotels in the city also find homes in SoHo.

9. Chelsea

Chelsea is a top-end neighborhood that loves and nurtures art, and has housed many artists in the past. Whether you’re into art or not, spend some time walking around the area and marveling at the paintings, multi-media art installations, and sculptures. Brownstones from the 19th century, townhouses, luxury apartment buildings, and modern high-rise condos line the area. Check the rental prices and whether they match your budget if you want to rent a room or a house here with a perfect roommate. Residents comprise tech professionals considering its proximity to companies such as Google. Singles, couples, artists, and hipsters will also fall in love with the place!

Interestingly, Chelsea was once an industrial area dotted with old warehouses and housing migrant workers. But you get to see a completely different picture now, thanks to the massive changes it has undergone. You’ll find hordes of art galleries and nightlife options today. Speaking of art galleries, there are more than 400 in the area, including Agora Gallery and Petzel Gallery! Chelsea also welcomes the LGBTQ+ community with open arms. There are lots of gay bars to prove that!

If you need places to check out, head over to West Side Highway and spend time walking, jogging, or just spend some time alone. Chelsea Piers is another place to visit. Its selling points include bowling, an ice skating rink, batting cages, dining options, and so on! Remember to explore the High Line, a subway track turned into an elevated park. To conclude, check out Chelsea Park. If you’re into sports, you could even indulge in a game of soccer!

10. Hell’s Kitchen

Hell’s Kitchen housed Irish immigrants at one point, coupled with gangs and mobsters with unrefined lifestyles. But what you see now is one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in Manhattan! You’ll find brick walk-up apartment complexes peppering the area, along with new apartments and luxury condos. Rental prices have been shooting through the roof, so if you’re thinking of getting a rental room or house here, think again! Residents comprise people from all walks of life.

There are plenty of entertainment options in the form of off-Broadway theaters and indie shows should you be interested in that kind of thing. The community has some of the most sought-after eateries in NYC. For a ton of additional shopping and dining options, explore Ninth and Tenth Avenues! As far as entertainment options go, the nightlife scene here is booming. If you’re the partying and pubbing kind of person, you’ll have a ball here!

In summary, be sure to explore DeWitt Clinton Park and Bryant Park while you’re there. Bryant Park runs movies in summer and an ice-skating rink in winter you could check out, depending on the time of year you’re there.

11. Greenwich Village

Greenwich Village is a young, warm, and vibrant neighborhood, although an upscale one. If you are considering finding a house for rent here, you may want to revise your budget. Gorgeous brownstones dot the area. Residents comprise students and faculty members from NYU, besides attracting empty-nesters, families, artists, and young professionals. The area also attracts members of the LBGTQ+ community.

The community’s filled with music locales, chic coffee shops, lovely boutiques, and fantastic restaurants, all of which contribute to the appeal of the area. Such is the draw of the place that residents and visitors flock to the neighborhood! Numerous art galleries find homes here as well. Greenwich Village has featured in numerous famous TV shows and movies like F.R.I.E.N.D.S and Sex and the City.

Should you have a craving for sweet baked goods, the locale houses some of the most prominent bakeries in NYC, such as Magnolia Bakery on Bleecker Street. Some of its noteworthy events include the Halloween Parade and the Gay Pride Parade. Find an opportunity to be a part of these events while you’re there. Last but not least, visit Washington Square Park, one of the most prominent parks in the city! You might be lucky enough to attend some of its cultural events.

The area’s very close to communities like SoHo, Union Square, Tribeca, and Chelsea, making it an ideal location to live in.

12. East Village

East Village is full of energy and exhibits an artistic vibe. The neighborhood houses many students from NYU, besides artists and bohemians. In fact, East Village has several student-housing complexes as NYU isn’t very far off. The locale also has a significant immigrant population that sets it apart from other areas. If you don’t mind living around people from various cultural backgrounds, consider renting a room or a house in Manhattan here!

The neighborhood has a thriving arts and culture scene and a roaring nightlife too! East Village has the maximum number of bars in NYC, so you might end up wondering where you should get your drinks from! The area houses many fancy restaurants too. To access most of these, head over to St. Mark’s Place.

If you’re a bibliophile, Strand Book Store, containing new, used, and rare books sprawled across 18 miles, is where you should be! If you’re not in the mood to do anything, just drop by Tompkins Square Park and find a spot where you can sit and observe people!

Conclusion

So, what are your final thoughts on these 11 best neighborhoods in Manhattan? Have you found one you see yourself living in? We sure hope so! Considering that the borough offers residents everything essential for a comfortable and enjoyable life, there’s no reason not to want to live here! If you’re worried about affording a place here, remember if you look hard enough, you’ll always find what you want! Just remember to give yourself time to save enough money to get through the initial hurdles. Once you cross those, you’ll learn to be a Manhattanite in no time!