The 10 Best Neighborhoods in The Bronx for Renters
The Bronx may not be as popular as Manhattan or Brooklyn, but manages to retain its own identity while containing traces of the other five boroughs. With low living standards, thanks to lower rental prices, it’s a great place to find a rental house if you are new in NYC. The Bronx also has over 50 neighborhoods, each offering something different to residents, not to mention a range of housing types. The vibe you get when you step into different neighborhoods is unique. Some have a suburban vibe, with big houses and streets dotted with trees while others are more industrial, with plenty of warehouses and apartments.
Since 50 is too large a number to cover, let’s take a look at the 10 best neighborhoods in The Bronx so that you can determine which one you fit into if you’re contemplating moving to The Bronx.
Complete guide to the 10 best The Bronx neighborhoods:
1. Concourse
Concourse, a neighborhood with a community feel, derives its name from Grand Concourse, an important street in NYC made to resemble the Champs Elysees in Paris. Although the community wasn’t doing too well in the 70s and 80s, it recovered, thanks to large-scale renovations across the area. You’ll find beautiful apartment complexes inspired by a range of architectural styles such as Tudor, Art Deco, and Beaux Arts. The cooperatives are affordable, so if you’re looking for a rental house in the Bronx here, go for it! Low-rise buildings are one of the reasons people like living in the area because they get to soak up the clear, blue sky. Concourse is pretty close to the subway and Manhattan, so that’s a big selling point for the locale.
A massive housing project, 425 Grand Concourse, meant to provide low-cost housing to people, is in progress in the area. Eventually, it will house 250 apartments, numerous restaurants, and shopping centers. The locale has a plethora of parks for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers that you can explore if you want to spend some time with nature. Shopping for groceries and other items will be a breeze, thanks to Gateway Plaza, which houses Target, Home Depot, and Food Bazar, a new addition, and is close by.
As far as places to visit go, there are many. Find time to check out The Bronx Museum of Arts, Pregones/Puerto Rican Traveling Theater, and the Yankee Stadium, where you can attend live events or take a walk. If you’re lucky, you might even get to watch a Yankees game! Once again, nature lovers can drop by Joyce Kilmer Park and Franz Sigel Park and soak up the sights and sounds. The latter has basketball courts and baseball fields you can take advantage of if you’re into sports!
2. Fordham
Fordham is a reasonably-priced neighborhood located right next to Fordham University, sprawled across 93 acres! Therefore, a large number of residents you might see here comprise students. The area was originally a farming community till middle-class folks started flooding in from Manhattan. Around the time, public transportation options also started coming up to benefit residents. Many residential buildings were damaged in the period between the early to late 20th century due to arson, but the area rebuilt itself into a decent, livable place and it continues to grow. Also, pre-war buildings are being refurbished to meet the rising demand for housing here. If you’re in the area, you’ll get to see lots of four and five-story apartment complexes and a smattering of single-family homes and brick row houses.
If shopping features on your list of activities, drop by Arthur Avenue and Fordham Road, the core shopping and dining areas. Tons of restaurants, bakeries, and grocery stores pepper the area. Be sure to explore Little Italy, the New York Botanical Garden, and the Bronx Zoo.
In a word, crime rates have reduced drastically over many years, making it one of the Safest neighborhoods in The Bronx to live in.
3. Mott Haven
Once an industrial area, Mott Haven is now a residential neighborhood close to Manhattan. It has a ton of rentals, so check out the prices to see if you can afford to rent a room in the Bronx here. Although upscale buildings started coming up in the area opposite the Harlem River at one point, people can still find affordable housing options as they move further away from the river. Apart from old houses and buildings, you can find mixed-use buildings and contemporary apartments. Residents comprise primarily families and young professionals.
The area is home to several parks for those who’re interested in walking or other forms of exercise. Interestingly, five bridges link the Bronx to Queens and Manhattan making traveling to these places by car a breeze.
In the end, the community is among the most secure areas to live in the Bronx.
4. Riverdale
Riverdale is an upscale neighborhood exhibiting a suburban feel. The highlights of the community are its tree-laden streets, green spaces, and homes with architecture that’s worth marveling at! Despite being high-end, reasonably-priced apartment complexes and condos are available. Single-family homes and co-ops also find homes here, so the housing options are varied. Residents comprise mostly retirees and families. The area has a top-notch school system, public and private, for families looking for quality schools for their children.
Among its must-visit places, there’s Van Cortlandt Park, the third-largest in NYC. You should drop by the Garden Gourmet Market for its imported cheeses and organic produce. Wave Hill Public Garden is a nature lover’s paradise with plants, trees, and gardens spread across 28 acres! The Y Sunday Market sells baked goods and fresh produce for seven months starting from May and lasting through November.
While we’re on the subject of fresh produce, let’s talk more about food. Drop by the Hill Bistro and savor their Spiced French Toast and Eggs Benedict for brunch. If you’re in the mood for Mexican food, you must step into Cocina Chente and try their Steak Enchilada or Chicken Quesadilla, among other dishes. If you have a thing for Asian fusion cuisine, head over to Kai Fan. Food and drinks go hand in hand, don’t they? Bella Notte is the place to be for cocktails during Happy Hour.
Finally, Riverdale is amongst the safest neighborhoods in The Bronx, so consider yourself lucky if you find a place to live here.
5. Kingsbridge
Kingsbridge is a hilly locale in the northern part of Inwood and Marble Hill. Besides some single-family homes, there are apartments, co-ops, and condos here. The area attracts millennials who wish to find reasonably-priced homes. You could even get rooms for rent in $400 monthly. If you’re one of them, find a roommate in the Bronx here and live a life you’ve always dreamed of. The other highlights of the area are its shopping centers and parks. Residents consist of people who crave a slice of Manhattan or work there but can’t afford the rents. In Kingsbridge, you’ll find many stairways on the hills leading to the streets. These certainly add to the appeal of the place!
When you’re in the neighborhood, be sure to drop by the Bronx Alehouse for burgers and wings and a Paulaner Hefeweizen, a German wheat beer! Then there’s the Bronx Riverdale Diner, a popular spot where you should dig into Chilaquiles and Salmon Capellini. Need brunch options? Head over to the Kingsbridge Donut Shop to gorge on the Spanish Omelette, Banana Pancakes, or Danish Pastries. Last but not least, if you’ve never tried Greek cuisine, you must visit Taste & Sabor and try some of their delicious dishes.
Be sure to attend the Kingsbridge Festival National Night Out and experience some live music performances and activities for kids if you’re around. Running, playing baseball, or soccer at Van Cortlandt Park could be another activity to add to your itinerary. Take your furry friend (if you have one) for a walk at Ewen Park if you have time.
Traveling to other boroughs of NYC using the D train and the Metro-North Road Railroad should be smooth-sailing.
6. Pelham Bay
The neighborhood of Pelham Bay was named after Pelham Bay Park, sprawled across 2772 acres in the northeastern corner of the borough. It’s the most extensive public park in NYC and over three times the size of Central Park! It appears that the park is more popular than the Pelham Bay community. The area’s dotted with charming brick and wood-frame houses and properties with the architecture reflecting a blend of urban and suburban styles. The rental prices here are on the higher side. So, if you were considering renting a room or a house in the Bronx here, you may want to rethink your options.
In the early 20th century, the locale housed numerous Italian and Irish immigrants. Over the years, more Bangladeshi, Albanian, and Spanish-speaking immigrants moved to the area and called it home. In other words, it’s a diverse and inclusive community.
It’s easy to move around the borough, thanks to the three train stations located here. In summary, crime rates have been on the decline for a while now, making it a safe place to live.
7. Melrose
Flanked by shopping courts and the Hub, a shopping district, Melrose has all the qualities of downtown in a neighborhood. Its two selling points are the public transit options and the reasonable rental prices. Plenty of residential units have been constructed in the last ten years, so this might be an excellent place for you to rent a house in the Bronx. Along with a village vibe, the locale exhibits a sense of warmth and community.
Besides numerous rentals, the locale is home to fantastic eateries and small businesses.
8. Morris Park
Morris Park lies close to several medical institutions and hospitals such as the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Jacobi Medical Center, and Calvary Hospital. So, this seems like a perfect place to live for those who wish to study medicine or work in medical institutions. Residents comprise young professionals, singles, retirees, and families. Morris Park is a reasonably-priced community for those looking to live with roommates here. There’s a strong Italian influence that you’ll find in the area’s eateries. Numerous bakeries also line the locale if you want to relish some delectable baked goods.
It makes sense to talk about food now, doesn’t it? Visit Enzo’s for its Penne Primavera and Rigatoni Bolognese, lip-smacking Italian dishes. Want to try coal-fired pizza? Patsy’s Pizzeria Morris Park is the place to be! Remember to drop by the notable F&J Pine for its Classic Bacon Burger or Grilled Chicken BLT! How about Colombian cuisine? Give La Masa a visit and gain a new experience. Craving for desserts? Stop by Conti’s Pastry Shoppe. Last but not least, be sure to try the Margarita or Blackberry Cooler Cocktail at Kirvens!
Morris Park has many places you can explore. Start with the Bronx Zoo and watch the bears, sea lions, gorillas, and tigers. Every year in October, the community celebrates the Bronx Columbus Day Parade, so if your visit coincides with the parade, be a part of it! Is bowling of any interest to you? Once you get the hang of it, you wouldn’t want to let it go. Give it a try at Van Nest Lanes. The neighborhood has parks aplenty and the cleanest according to popular opinion, so don’t forget to explore some of them.
Since Morris Park falls under the 49th Precinct, one of the safest Bronx neighborhoods, there’s no question of doubting the security of the area. In conclusion, traveling to other boroughs is easy because of the multiple subway stations in the neighborhood.
9. Woodlawn
Woodlawn is a reasonably-priced and welcoming neighborhood with a ton of green space. You’ll find substantial traces of Irish culture in the area. The area has pleasant brick homes and affordable apartments. So, if this is where you see yourself living, rent a room here. Residents comprise mainly young professionals, retirees, singles, and families.
The nightlife scene in Woodlawn is fantastic. For some amazingly different drinks, step into the Rambling House and try their Bronx Belgian Pale Ale or Icelandic Arctic Berry Ale. To satisfy your hunger pangs, head over to The Kitchen and give their Salmon Burger or Veggie & Guacamole Tacos a shot. For Sunday brunch, you have McKeon's Bar & Restaurant. While you’re there, you must try their Irish Sausage Burger and a Bloody Mary to go with it! For Cafe Lattes, the Irish Coffee Shop is your place. Finally, for the perfect combination of yummy food and live music, pop by Keane’s Bar & Restaurant!
Among its visitor hotspots, there’s the Woodlawn Cemetery, the biggest in NYC, not to mention a National Historic Landmark! Head over to Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course for a game of golf with friends. If you feel like swimming, visit the Van Cortlandt Pool. Are you an avid reader? Drop by the Woodlawn Heights Library and pour over its book collection.
Finally, using the Woodlawn subway station and I-87, you can travel to all the other NYC boroughs without hassles!
10. Country Club
Country is a neighborhood that boasts roomy housing options and lots of green spaces you can spend hours admiring. You’ll find lovely brick rowhouse apartments and houses built in the Colonial style, among other housing types. The locale is ideal for retirees and families and the school system is excellent. Pelham Bay Park is close by, so people can take their fur babies for a nice stroll there. To soak up more of nature, head over to Huntington Woods. Orchard Beach gives you options to walk or play beach volleyball.
Although trying out different cuisines is great, some foods like pizza are always on our list of things to eat! Nona’s Pizza is known for its Buffalo Chicken wraps and Cajun Shrimp Pizza, so go for it! And for more Italian cuisine options, there’s Tony Ristorante. Sushi’s another favorite, so drop by Sushi Q if you’re in the mood. For comfort food like chicken steaks and cheeseburgers, it’s Jimmy Ryan’s. Brewski’s Bar and Grill is your go-to place for drinks.
Country Club is near Pelham Bay Park subway station, so you can take the train to Manhattan whenever you want to! Overall, the neighborhood is pretty safe.
Conclusion
So, are you raring to move to the Bronx and set up a new life? We believe you are! Housing options and low rents aside, the only thing people have reason to worry about is the safety of the borough’s neighborhoods. Luckily, even that’s a thing of the past considering the efforts the Bronx has been making to ensure the security of its residents. Its results over the last several years are a testament to its growth and development. Our list of best Bronx neighborhoods is already there to help you in your decision, still check out the communities you like in person and allow your gut to tell you the rest!
