NYC has a charm and persona that attracts people from different communities worldwide. The year 1898 is crucial in the city’s history. Until then, only Manhattan comprised NYC. The five boroughs or smaller towns of Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island merged with the city this year. Each borough has a unique character and attributes, not to mention neighborhoods, which set it apart from the rest. Let’s share some information that will help you know more about what gives each borough its own identity.
Complete guide to the 5 NYC Boroughs:
1. Manhattan
Manhattan is a small island situated in the heart of NYC’s boroughs, which makes it a perfect location. It houses more than 1.6 million people, making it the fifth-most populated borough in NY state! It’s also the financial and commercial hub of the city. Wall Street is home to two of the biggest stock exchanges globally, with several top-notch financial companies employing thousands of people (61.6 percent to be exact, according to TechSpo).
The borough has numerous neighborhoods, each offering something unique to its residents. If you don’t like slowing down and need city perks to survive, this is where you should be! Compared to other boroughs and the country as a whole, the standards of living are pretty high. If you happen to be a landlord in here then list your property for rent and you will easily find a perfect tenant for you rental property.
Manhattan is one place where the word boredom is unheard of. There are a ton of options for entertainment at any time of the day. Those interested in fine dining can head over to Daniel or Del Posto, although they may be a bit expensive. But if you look well enough, you’ll find eateries with the kinds of cuisine and budget you have in mind.
You’ll find attractions galore in the borough, including the Empire State Building, a perfect symbol of art deco architecture built in the early 19th century. For breathtaking views of the entire city, take the elevator to the 102nd floor of the building and soak in the sights. Manhattan is a sight for sore eyes at night, especially Times Square, where you’ll find a zillion billboards bathing the area with their multi-colored lights. This is one place that will draw you again and again!
Manhattan is also the origin of Broadway theater, where regular theatrical performances are held to delight residents and visitors alike. If art and creativity fascinate you, you can visit the multiple museums in the city, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Museum of Natural History.
The borough’s economic growth is dependent on three core industries, namely Services, Trade, and Finance, and Insurance.
2. Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most densely populated among the five boroughs and houses over 2.6 million residents! The renowned Brooklyn Bridge is a national landmark, and right underneath, we have the famous Brooklyn Heights, home to Truman Capote, an author and screenwriter, among the many roles he played. The area is more spacious than Manhattan and is family-friendly, with restaurants suitable for children.
One of the things you’ll notice about the place is its laid-back feel, a far cry from the pace at which Manhattan residents lead their lives. Brooklyn is also a land of opportunities. It has shown rapid growth in the tech sector and one can easily find a roommate in New York here if you wish to live with roommates, as there are a lot of employment opportunities.
Manhattan’s impact on the borough’s culture can be felt in the access to many city amenities. The borough has some excellent restaurants and bars, and several lovely parks. If you consider the cost of living here, it’s lower than Manhattan but higher than many cities roughly the same size as Brooklyn.
Like any other borough, it has many visitor attractions, including Prospect Park, a green space spread over 585 acres with playgrounds and a carousel, and plenty of other activities such as horse-riding and volleyball. In other words, it’s a children’s paradise! The Brooklyn Museum of Art, the second-largest museum in the area has close to 1.5 million art pieces, with exhibits from Africa, Central and South America, and Egypt.
The New York Aquarium in Coney Island is a must-see place, with one of its highlights being the sea lion show. Foodies can drop by Junior’s, known for its world-renowned cheesecake and other baked dishes. Feel like having a drink? Head over to the Brooklyn Brewery if you’re willing to give the traditionally-manufactured beer a shot.
In a word, Trade and Services drive the economic growth of the borough.
3. The Bronx
Located in the northern part of Manhattan with the Harlem River separating the two boroughs, the Bronx houses around 1.4 million people, and it’s the fifth-most populated county in NY state! The borough was once a hub for the Mafia and the impoverished, but has undergone many changes. You’ll find mostly apartments, not single-family homes. The standard of living is much lower when you compare it with Brooklyn and Manhattan and a safest place to find a perfect roommate for yourself if you are new here..
The Bronx is perfect for people who love being in the lap of nature. Not known to many, the Bronx happens to be the birthplace of hip hop. For those who follow baseball, the borough is also the residence of the Yankees.
The Bronx has a significant Latin influence and is lovingly referred to as El Condado de la Salsa (the borough of Salsa). One can often hear Latino music across the entire area.
Some of the borough’s must-visit places include Pelham Bay Park, Yankee Stadium, which is the first baseball stadium built in 1923. Bronx Zoo, the biggest in the country, is where you’ll find animals in their natural habitats instead of cages. The New York Botanical Garden is ideal for those with green fingers! Creative folks can explore poet and writer Edgar Allen Poe’s cottage, where he lived from the early to the mid-19th century.
Little Italy, significantly influenced by Italian culture, has restaurants and delis offering Italian cuisine, including pizzas and pastas that are to die for! The place is full of restaurants, pasta shops, cheese shops, bakeries, gourmet coffee shops, and the list goes on!
Trade and Services comprises the top industry, although the job market isn’t as robust as Manhattan or any other borough with higher living standards.
4. Queens
Queens is the largest borough among all five in terms of area. It has a population more diverse than any of the other boroughs, with people from across the globe speaking in over 100 languages! Suitable for families, it has plenty of parks. In fact, parks take up 7000 acres of the borough’s space! If you’re comfortable with a blend of city and suburban amenities, this is the place for you.
Queens exhibits a suburban vibe and has open, honest communities that are proud of who they are and aren’t afraid to show it. You can easily find rooms for rent in New York, as the cost of living is pretty low in Queens compared to other boroughs.
The borough gives you a host of dining options to choose from, keeping the varied crowd in mind. You’ll also find music venues aplenty, although there isn’t much of a nightlife. For a night of clubbing and partying, explore Manhattan and Brooklyn. If you have a hankering for some good food, head over to Astoria and check out the Greek restaurants and bakeries.
Some of the borough’s top visitor spots include the Socrates Sculpture Park, an outdoor space exhibiting sculptors’ work in 3D. The Contemporary Art Center PS1 museum, or MoMA PS1, is a non-profit institution displaying innovative, contemporary art with a quirky touch. Corona Park or Flushing Meadows Park is another must-visit place, notable for its 12-storied steel Earth sculpture.
Louis Armstrong House Museum, featuring the life and milestones of the well-known jazz musician, Louis Armstrong, is another place you want to see. Last but not least, the American Museum of Moving Image, displaying the history, art, and technology of television, movies, and digital media, is the only one of its kind. NYC’s two main airports, La Guardia and John F. Kennedy have a home in Queens.
The top industrial sectors responsible for the borough’s economic growth are Services, Manufacturing, Construction, and Trade.
5. Staten Island
Referred to as the ‘forgotten borough’ at times, Staten Island is a quiet borough away from the chaos of the city. With a population under 500,000, it’s the least-populated borough. It’s family-friendly and has a suburban vibe, not to mention a zoo and botanical gardens for animal and nature lovers. The cost of living is pretty low here and a great place to find a budget house for rent in NYC.
Interestingly, Staten Island has more than 170 parks. Incredible, isn’t it? Some of the places you should see are 5050 Skatepark, an indoor facility in the Stapleton neighborhood that allows enthusiastic skateboarders to practice the sport. The area has numerous eateries, cafes, bars, and an artist gallery.
Staten Island Children’s Museum is where children gain knowledge of events worldwide, putting their curiosity and creativity to good use. The National Lighthouse Museum was set up to safeguard the history of lighthouses and make people aware of their navigational attributes, something people have no clue about, thanks to GPS and similar present-day technologies.
Seafood lovers can head over to Marina Cafe for the popular New England lobster. Anyone who loves to go back in time and explore historical events should visit Richmond Town, a 100-acre site that traces America’s journey from colonial times till now. It also has houses that go back to the 17th century. Another prominent sight is Fort Wadsworth, built by the Dutch to protect NYC from enemy ship attacks in the 17th century.
Finally, if you’re planning to visit Staten Island and don’t take the free ferry ride, there’s no point in going there! Jokes aside, the ride to and from the island offers you stunning views of Ellis Island, Lower Manhattan, and of course, the famed Statue of Liberty.
The key industries that contribute to the borough’s economy are Healthcare and Social Assistance and Retail Trade.
Conclusion
We hope we’ve been able to share a detailed account of each of the five boroughs of NYC to help you decide what to do next. Need-to-know information is great, but it doesn’t give you a sense of satisfaction that comes with actually being in a place in person. And when NYC has so much to offer, personally and professionally, why not explore the city and savor the sights and sounds for yourself? Plan a trip to NYC and experience the magic!
