Best NYC Neighborhoods for Retirees

So, you’ve decided to retire to the greatest city in the world. Good choice – why should young people have all the fun? Plus, especially if you’ve lived in New York most of your life, nothing else can compare. New York has such a specific, eclectic culture, that it can be hard to get used to another place. Of course, plenty of people won’t believe there are any NYC neighborhoods for retirees, but a true New Yorker will tell you otherwise. After all, you might think NYC is just for busy young start-up professionals, but Park Slope is an endless cavalcade of strollers and families. The city that never sleeps isn’t just for nervous college students! Not to mention that downsizing to an apartment will do wonders for household obligations.

You won’t have to worry about mowing the lawn or sweeping leaves. To help you find the best NYC neighborhoods for retirees, we’ve selected a few choices that may be the right fit for you. Keep in mind that everyone’s idea of retirement is different and Big Apple has so many neighborhoods to offer, so your final choice may be somewhat unexpected or even not considered age-friendly – but don’t let that bother you and go for what you find enjoyable. 

What do you need from NYC neighborhoods for retirees?

New York isn’t as cold and inhospitable as stereotyped. However, it is in fact just as expensive as stereotyped! You might not find an appropriate apartment in the center of the city, even if you’re moving to Brooklyn on a budget. So don’t be discouraged if you don’t find the right fit downtown! There are plenty of other neighborhoods that are happy to welcome you aboard. Not to mention there’s an age-friendly NYC initiative, solid proof that this city isn’t just for young people! You can age happy and healthy in NYC neighborhoods for retirees without a care in the world. Let’s take a look at some of the important facts about NYC neighborhoods for retirees. 

Most people rent

Most NYC neighborhoods for retirees – and NYC neighborhoods in general – have plenty of rentals and most people are renting instead of buying. After all, an apartment in New York costs an obscene amount of money. Of course, there’s plenty of estate available for buyers but prices are so high that average residents don’t see the point in doing it. So, if your heart is set on retiring to New York, you’re going to have to rent.

There are plenty of different neighborhoods

When choosing the best New York City neighborhood to retire in, you need to consider your needs carefully. Retiring is still a lot of work before you can take your well-deserved rest! With so many different areas giving you totally different benefits, you will definitely find the one to suit your needs.

Hiring professional movers

Maybe you’re a seasoned New Yorker that’s just looking for a change of scenery or you’re just about to start living in NYC for the first time and enjoy your retirement to the fullest. Whatever the case, there’s still the question of hiring movers for a local relocation vs. doing it DIY style. In most cases, getting moving specialists is better than doing things alone since they will handle the heavy lifting and carrying, loading and unloading, as well as driving so you don’t have to worry about a thing.

Proximity to amenities

While choosing the best area for your retirement, you should look for neighborhoods that are close to what you need. NYC has a robust infrastructure and a well-developed public transit net, but you have to think about the future as well – amenities should be as close as possible in case your mobility decreases as your age advances!

The right info 

Fortunately, there are plenty of resources that make it easy to find useful pieces of information and get other people’s experiences and recommendations. For example, the New York Foundation for Senior Citizens is one of those extremely helpful places so you should definitely get in touch.

Consider Hell’s Kitchen as one of the NYC neighborhoods for retirees

One of the prominent neighborhoods for retirees is, of course, Hell’s Kitchen. One of the biggest reasons for choosing this prominent placement is affordable housing for retirees. Some places in Hell’s Kitchen offer very cheap housing for seniors, as outlined by their agreement with the Senior Center. Not to mention the low crime rates in Hell’s Kitchen! If you choose to spend retirement in Hell’s Kitchen, you can rest at ease knowing the odds of crime are incredibly low. Not to mention that Broadway is nearby, and can be accessed practically on foot! Of course, Central Park is a few blocks away too. If your grandchildren live in NYC as well, you can take them out on a stroll in NYC’s best park anytime, known across the world!

What about Park Slope?

Park Slope is one of the more famous NYC neighborhoods for retirees – namely because it’s stereotyped as a family-friendly neighborhood. And, that’s surprisingly accurate! Park Slope is one of NYC’s best neighborhoods to raise a family in, with breezy Sunday mornings bringing out the strollers in full force. Not to mention how approachable and historic it is, with Brooklyn’s signature brownstones peppering the neighborhood. If you’re looking to move nearby with your children and grandchildren, Park Slope is one of the best places in NYC to do it. However, it leans towards the expensive side so you may need to look into that more carefully before deciding to call it home. Of course, if your budget allows, you won’t regret the decision as Park Slope is one of the nicest neighborhoods you could spend your retirement in.

What about the Upper East Side?

If the price is not a problem, Upper East Side is definitely an option. It’s known as a suburb in the middle of the city, and as such it’s perfect for retirees. However, due to high demand, it’s not really an option for anyone but the seriously wealthy. It’s perfect for leisure, however. For walks and sightseeing, there is no better side than Upper East Side. That environment is definitely very comfortable for retirees – but it might be a bit crowded because of the desirability of the neighborhood. However, the desirability is there for a reason!

Is Murray Hill one of the best NYC neighborhoods for retirees?

According to popular opinion, definitely! That’s true especially because it’s so close to several renowned health centers − which is certainly to be appreciated when it comes to finding the best area for senior citizens. Murray Hill is also remarkably crime-free, so it’s definitely a comfortable place to spend your retirement in. Not to mention the down-to-earth feel of the general neighborhood, so you don’t have to choke in the crowd in order to live comfortably in NYC. Murray Hill is also surprisingly close to many of the important landmarks that New York is famous for. So if you’re in love with the city because of things to do in Brooklyn you’ll definitely love living in Murray Hill.

What about Chelsea?

Chelsea might seem like an odd choice when it comes to the best NYC neighborhoods for retirees. After all, isn’t Chelsea known as an adventurous, party district? Yes, but it’s also a haven for art lovers, so if you’ve got specific tastes Chelsea is where to satisfy them. Not to mention the Hudson Guild Senior Services Center, that’s located right at the beginning of the neighborhood! It’s definitely neighborhood Brooklyn movers and art handlers can carefully transport you to. So if you’re an artist or art lover and you always wanted to live in a place that meets your artistic side, then Chelsea may be just the right place for you to retire.

Hopefully, our selection of the best NYC neighborhoods to retire will give you at eats an idea and help you find your new home. Of course, you may find what you need in other areas as well, depending on your preferences and finances. You can also reach out to your friends and communities and see what they find to be the most convenient location for senior residents – perhaps you’ll also make more friends along the way. While you’re choosing your new neighborhood, make sure you also find a reliable and trustworthy NYC mover. Dorothy and Martha will gladly make your retirement move pleasant and hassle-free. Contact our Brooklyn movers anytime to receive a free moving quote.