Top neighborhoods for millennials in NYC

These days, more young people are flocking to New York City than ever before. Really, it’s no wonder – after all, the Big Apple is the world’s premier city of opportunity! But let’s face it – not everyone wants the same things out of life. If you’re a millennial, you’re looking for different things out of your local area than someone older. That’s why it’s important to pick the right place; before you hire a company like Dorothy & Martha Moving NYC to move you there. Luckily for you, we’ve decided to help you out with that! So if you want to learn what the best neighborhoods for millennials in NYC are – scroll down!

Why are millennials moving to NYC?

Before we get into the subject of how to find the top neighborhoods for millennials in NYC, it’s important to realize why they’re moving here in the first place. Sure, New York City has always been popular among young people – but why? Well, in the last 20 years, thanks to rapidly dropping crime rates, the Big Apple has been safer than ever. And with its always robust economy, finding a job in any sort of career has never been easier. Sure, while New York isn’t exactly a tech mecca, places like Broadway make sure its entertainment industry is second only to Hollywood. And we probably don’t even need to mention Wall Street. Diversity, nightlife, and that incredibly unique vibe of the city are only a plus to all opportunities Big Apple offers. 

 

As you can see, New York provides excellent career options for young people; in all sectors, from stand-up comedy to the world of high finance. Really, it’s no wonder that no other city in the country can come close to New York’s numbers when it comes to young immigrants; both from outside the US, and within. But, with that in mind – how do young people pick the best areas in NYC when looking for an apartment?

 

A view of the Brooklyn Bridge at night.
More and more millennials have been moving to New York in the past decades!

How to choose the best neighborhoods for millennials in NYC

When someone looks for an area that suits millennials, they’re looking at a very specific set of factors. So, if you’re trying to find the best neighborhoods for millennials in NYC, you’ll want to do thorough research on the subjects below. You’ll want to find out about the most important factors when looking for a millennial neighborhood: 

Affordability

Budget is one of the most important things to consider when you’re on a hunt for a new place to live. This is true regardless of age since most people have a limit on their monthly expenses. This is even more important in a city like NYC that’s notoriously expensive. Millennial culture seems to lean towards looking for one-bedroom apartments. But still, that doesn’t mean they can live just anywhere. For recent college grads or young people with entry-level jobs, rent prices are a really big part of their monthly expenses. So, they look for cheaper neighborhoods. Naturally, you’ll want to spend as little as possible on your rent and have money for nicer more fulfilling things in New York City. For a neighborhood to be millennial-friendly, it should definitely be on the more affordable side of things. 

Options for nightlife

Let’s face it − millennials like to party. That’s is why even the cheapest neighborhoods just won’t do if all they feature are boring amenities. Their preferred areas contain plenty of interesting clubs and bars and a lot of things to do. After all, what’s the point of living in the city that’s known as the epicenter of happenings if you don’t get a chance to be a part of it? Luckily, this doesn’t really narrow down the search when it comes to New York City.

Commute

As we’ve mentioned, younger people move to New York in droves. Reasons for millennials flocking to the City are numerous but one thing stands as a rule – they’re looking to advance their careers. Since NYC is such a huge city, the commute is inevitable. Still, that doesn’t mean you want to spend hours daily stuck in traffic. This means that any area that millennials would like would have to be suitable for traveling to and from work. The millennial-suitable neighborhood should provide an easy commute to the downtown area where many offices are clustered.

 

A view of downtown Manhattan from afar.
For young professionals, it’s really important to find a place which allows an easy downtown commute.

Top Neighborhoods for Millennials in NYC

Now that we’ve covered the basics of what to look for in a millennial neighborhood, let’s look at a few areas that seem to be meeting the requirements. Of course, NYC has countless neighborhoods with unique vibes. These are only a few suggestions that should give you some pointers and help you get started.

Bedford-Stuyvesant is a great Brooklyn neighborhood

Let’s face it – there is no list of great neighborhoods for millennials in NYC that would be complete without Brooklyn. In fact, no list regardless of priorities should skip Brooklyn because it has something for everyone. At this point, it’s almost a cliche to say just how much Brooklyn fits millennials. However, this has actually been changing in recent years. With the gentrification of Brooklyn, the local quality of life has risen immensely. And unfortunately – so have the prices. So these days, ironically – Brooklyn is becoming too expensive for the millennials who gave it a new life. However – there are up-and-coming neighborhoods that are perfect for young people – and Bed-Stu is definitely among them! Although it’s not exactly the safest area in Brooklyn, it’s certainly cheaper than moving to Prospect Heights, for example.

 

Also, the place is classic Brooklyn, with interesting coffee shops and bars. If you’re an art lover, here’s good news for you. Bed-Stuy has a lot of places to enjoy art, and if you ever need Bedford Stuyvesant art handling service, you won’t have any problems finding art movers Brooklyn for shipping your art. What really sets Bed-Stuy apart is the joint communal spirit. Around here, everyone knows each other and participates in group projects. Whether it’s volunteer work in one of the youth centers, or some joyful communal gardening – here in Bed-Stu, the community is the key.

 

Friends Are Having A Good Time In Brooklyn
Except for great housing options, you can always have a good time with friends in Brooklyn

Ridgewood is as affordable as Queens can get

Moving on from Brooklyn, we’ve also got some of the finest neighborhoods for millennials in NYC…in Queens! With prices rising here as well, Ridgewood has become one of the more affordable options for younger career-minded people. While it’s a bit pricier than Bed-Stu, Ridgewood is also a lot more peaceful. And sure, it’s got its share of bars and cafes – but nowhere close to the density of Brooklyn’s nightlife. As a result, it has become one of the best options for millennial professionals looking to advance their careers in New York. Also, it’s a really short commute downtown, so going to work isn’t a chore.

 

As for real estate options, we’re mostly talking about historical buildings that have seen more and more renovation lately, as the number of tenants increases. Apart from that, there are some newer apartment buildings that aren’t exactly luxurious – but they are cheaper.

 

A street.
If you’re looking for rental options in Ridgewood, you’re likely to find nice historical housing.

Williamsburg is known as the hipster capital

One of the most unique neighborhoods in NYC and certainly one of the trendiest in the whole country is Williamsburg. Although it doesn’t really fit into an “affordable” category, this neighborhood is certainly related to millennial culture. There are plenty of reasons why you should move to Williamsburg. It has numerous vintage shops, plenty of bars and eateries, and Instagrammable spots are abundant. While the North Side of Williamsburg has seen a glow up and feels glitzier, the South Side of this neighborhood has kept its alternative feel. And the fact that Williamsburg was named the hipster capital of the world (no offense, Portland!) speaks volumes about this trendy neighborhood.

Conclusion

As you can see, choosing the right among the best neighborhoods for millennials isn’t really easy. If you’re a young person coming to New York, you’ve got a lot to think about. And let’s not even talk about balancing your social and professional lives. But once you’ve settled down in your new apartment – everything else will just fall into place! You’ll be looking at interesting shows and popular art galleries in no time at all. If you’ve already found your new neighborhood, check out how much it would cost you to move there. Reach out to Dorothy and Martha movers and request your free moving quotes Brooklyn today!

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