New York City is one of the most sought after cities in the U.S. because there are a lot of opportunities for people to harness. To some, staying in NYC is a dream come true, however, there is still an erroneous belief that New York is a dangerous place to live.
We can’t say what people feel about this is wrong because some places like Theater District and surrounding areas of Madison Square Garden are still plagued with high crime rates just like it used to be in the 80s & 90s. Of course, no one wants to live and raise their children where safety isn’t guaranteed but luckily not all parts of NYC are bad.
Before you decide to move into the city for any intended purpose, won’t it be wise to research the safest places to live in New York City? Obviously, you didn’t just land on this article by mistake. We have conducted in-depth research solely for you to uncover the safest NYC neighborhoods. Keep reading!
6 NYC Safest Neighborhoods
Tribeca
Triangle Below Canal abbreviated as Tribeca or TriBeCa used to be an industrial hub before being rezoned for residential purposes. It is located in Lower Manhattan, NYC and it’s a home for celebrities like Beyonce & Robert De Niro.
If getting a safe place to stay is paramount to you, Tribeca is worth your consideration. It’s quite different from what was depicted in the movie “Ghost” decades ago because there is now a drastic decrease in crime rates in the surrounding area. 1st Precinct of the NYPD is constantly on the lookout, thereby discouraging any forms of crime in the surrounding area of Tribeca. Moreover, there is a record that the crime rates across all categories have declined by 86.3% within the past three decades, which is, of course, a great development.
Because it’s located in the most expensive borough in New York City, Manhattan, the cost of living in Tribeca is correspondingly high. The average income of residents in the richest zip code, Tribeca, is about $879K according to Bloomberg and the average cost of rent is $3,115 for a one-bedroom apartment, a 22% decrease from the previous year according to Zumper.
Battery Park City
BPC is also a neighborhood within the borough of Manhattan located between Hudson River & West Street (also called the West Side Highway). It is different from the popular park, Battery Park, and should not be mistaken for each other.
Just like most places in Manhattan, the security in BPC is top-notch. The fact that the surroundings of both areas are overrun with police and security guards discourages any form of crime, hence, the safety of the residents is ensured. Compared to the national average, the violent crime rate in BPC is 55% lower and this means a lot!
Of course, Battery Park City is quite okay to raise your children with peace of mind. According to the data released by Zumper.com, the average cost of rent for a one-bedroom apartment in BPC is $3,055, a -19% YoY change.
Nolita
Nolita, otherwise known as North of Little Italy, is a neighborhood in Manhattan with a population of over 6000 residents who enjoy the cozy lifestyle. It has identical features as Soho & Little Italy but with entirely different vibes. The atmosphere is friendly and welcoming, therefore, making it a decent place to call home. Celebrities like David Bowie and his wife used to be a resident.
Generally, Nolita is one of the safest neighborhoods in Manhattan. Both the violent crime rate and property crime rate for Nolita is quite below the average rate for New York City. Obviously, it is a good environment to raise your children.
Despite being a prominent neighborhood for hip young adults and models, Nolita is much more affordable than other modish areas like SoHo. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Nolita is $2,800 while that of SoHo is about $3,000.
Forest Hills
Forest Hills, is, of course, one of the safest neighborhoods in Queens. Its environment is constantly patrolled by the 112th precinct of the NYPD which is enough to discourage any forms of criminal activities. A 91% decrease in crime rates was recorded recently, showing that police presence in the area is felt.
In addition to being one the safest areas to reside in Queens, great schools can also be found around with a wide range of housing options to choose from. The average cost of rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,900 according to information gathered from Zumper. Undoubtedly, this is one of the “safe affordable neighborhoods in NYC” for you to reside in.
Forest Park situated here could be a nice place to catch evening cruises and relax on weekends. The street of Forest Hills is laced with impressive dining, cafes and there are nightclubs for you to attend.
Jackson Heights
Jackson Heights is used to be known as a very dangerous neighborhood (in the borough, Queens) for both tourists and New York residents alike. However, the drastic fall in the crime rate since the late 20th century is quite astonishing. Out of 100,000 people, only an average of 33 reportedly got involved in non-fatal attacks recently.
If you are looking for affordability alongside safety, you should consider this neighborhood. Compared to others on our list, housing here is quite with the average rent of a one-bedroom apartment being $1,750.
It’s quite easy to commute from here to Manhattan if you’ve got any biz there. There’s good food to eat too. Ask around!
Long Island City
Everything in Long Island is cool and it’s definitely one of those neighborhoods you may want to consider in Queens and New York at large. The residents here are quite friendly and will make you feel at home. The street of Long Island is graced with swanky restaurants, nightclubs, and arts that might interest you.
However, within the last three decades, the crime rate has plunged by more than 80% which is, of course, a good indicator of how safe it is in this area of Queens. Moreover, the neighborhood is frequently patrolled by the 108th precinct of the NYPD.
The housing options in Long Island City are great ranging from apartments, condos, to small single-family residences.
Coliving Could Be A Better Option If The Rent Is Too High!
Just in case the average rent is too expensive for you, we recommend you check out our affordable accommodations located in at least one of the safest areas in NYC and designed solely for your comfort. You can with us for a minimum of one month and as long as you want. Our home decors include classy furniture with plush cushions in brilliant stylish colors for you to feel at home.
Conclusively, you should be aware that an area cannot be 100% risk-free, hence, if at all you are going out at night we recommend going in groups and you shouldn’t go near a desolated environment. Stay safe!