Thinking About Moving? Check out the Best NYC Neighborhoods for Renters

Moving in New York City can be expensive, time consuming, and competitive. But, if you come out on the other side with a better apartment in a nicer neighborhood, all of the hassle can be worth it. But how do you know you’ll actually like your new living situation more than your old one? One surefire bet is to move into one of the city’s best neighborhoods — the up-and-coming spots that boast great restaurants, proximity to everything, and plenty of rental options.

We trolled research from a number of sources to come up with this list of the best NYC neighborhoods for renters.

1. Hell’s kitchen. Once a poor, crime ridden neighborhood, Hell’s Kitchen has come a long way in the last fifty years, and is now one a hub of new construction and rental activity. Sky is Rising, an in-development rental building in the neighborhood is set to become New York’s largest apartment building. And, the midtown-west location put almost everything at close proximity: Broadway is a few blocks east, Chelsea is a quick walk south, and Lincoln center and Central Park are a few subway stops away.

2. Lower East Side. For those that love a downtown vibe, but can’t afford to shell out premium rent prices charges in SoHo or TriBeCa, the Lower East Side is the perfect alternative. According to Curbed, average rents in LES are $2895, compared to $6095 in TriBeCa and $4095 in SoHo. Besides close proximity to all that other downtown neighborhoods have to offer, the LES has its own appeal, with trendy restaurants, brunch spots, and boutiques dotting nearly every corner.

3. Battery Park City. For pet lovers who also have a thing for amenities, Battery Park City is hard to beat. According to StreetEasy’s November 2014 Market Report, apartment buildings in the neighborhood were most likely to have elevators, and be listed as pet-friendly, and second most-likely to be listed with dishwashers.

4. Downtown Brooklyn. Curbed ranked this neighborhood at its hottest rental spot in 2015, and we agree on its desirability for one reason alone: the sheer volume of apartments that’ll become available there in the next few years. The area is undergoing a major transformation, with Curbed reporting more than 6, 500 apartments built in the area since 2005, and more coming on the market every day. With the increase in population comes lots of shopping, restaurants and amenities, like a CityTarget, regular farmer’s markets, and an under-development greenway called the Brooklyn Strand.

5. Long Island City. Besides its convenient location just across the East River from Midtown Manhattan, Long Island City has become a hotbed for young professionals and families looking for the luxuries that come with new construction at prices that are actually attainable. The area also has plenty to see and do. Popular choices include a visit to the MoMa’s PS1, a drink at The Garden at Studio Square, or a bite to eat at old standby Waterfront Crabhouse.