We all know New York, the true epitome of the modern world, but do you know about the 5 boroughs of NYC? Located in southeastern New York State, New York is the largest city in the United States and one of the largest commercial ports in the world. Lying at the centre of the heavily urbanized metropolitan area, it is also one of the most popular cities for tourists in the world. It has had an important influence on the world’s media, politics, education, entertainment, and fashion. Composed of five special boroughs: Manhattan, Queens, The Bronx, Brooklyn, and Staten Island, New York is a place worth getting to know. Below is the specific information of 5 boroughs NYC.
The Map of 5 Boroughs in NYC
What are the 5 Boroughs of NYC?
Manhattan
Manhattan, a narrow island, is the core of New York City. It is the smallest of the five boroughs, with only 57.91 square kilometres. However, Manhattan is the financial centre of the United States, with over a third of the country’s 500 largest companies headquartered there. It also concentrates on the essence of the world’s financial, securities, futures, and insurance industries. Bustling and crowded, Manhattan is filled with new experiences on every corner, making it ideal for those seeking a fast-paced lifestyle and big-city amenities.
Best neighborhoods in Manhattan
It is a neighbourhood of refined culture and shopping. Museum Mile, whose institutions include big names like The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum alongside gems like Neue Galerie and the Frick Collection. You can find any luxury boutiques and high-end department stores in this shopping paradise. UES is also home to the United Nations and has a large concentration of private schools.
Greenwich Village is home to New York University and Washington Square Park. It also offers a short commute to Midtown and the Financial District downtown. The region resonates with a rich history of poetry and musical achievements.
Bordering Central Park and Riverside Park, the Upper West Side is home to some of the most beautiful real estate in the City. You can also know the Upper West Side is made for a stroll through pop-culture history. For example, Lincoln Center and the American Museum of Natural History are few of its draws.
Attractions in Manhattan
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Manhattan is known for its outstanding arts venues. The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, which features authoritative works from Impressionism, surrealism, minimalism, and multiple factions, features stunning masterpieces by the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
The New Museum
Another popular attraction is The New Museum, located on Manhattan’s trend-setting Lower East Side. This unique seven-story space focuses on contemporary art.
Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration
The must-do thing in NY is to visit the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration. This is the site of the former Immigration station building where millions of immigrants entered the United States between 1918 and 1924. It is also home to the Statue of Liberty, a New York City landmark.
Cost to live in Manhattan
Manhattan is considered to be the most expensive borough among the 5 NYC boroughs, with average one-bedroom rents ranging from $2,400 per month (Washington Heights) to $3,900 per month (SOHO). Generally speaking, your rent will vary greatly depending on the neighbourhood where you live. There are more affordable areas like Inwood(around $2400 for a 1-bedroom)at the very tip of Manhattan.
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is located on the western tip of Long Island, just a bridge from Manhattan. It was an independent city until 1898. Besides Manhattan, Brooklyn is the only borough with a central business district. The area is culturally, socially and ethnically diverse, with an independent artistic sensibility and architectural tradition. Brooklyn is the most populated one in the 5 boroughs of NYC and is often considered the most desirable. In addition, the area has a long coastline, including Coney Island, which was established in the 1870s and is one of the first amusement facilities in the United States.
Best neighborhoods in Brooklyn
Williamsburg is one of the most exciting nightlife neighbourhoods in NY. There are many trendiest restaurants and clubs. Indie music performances, gallery shows, and shops run by local artisans are the features of Williamsburg. You can see Distilleries and wineries here, which show off the neighbourhood’s flair for locally made spirits. In Williamsburg, you will discover a vibrant arts and music scene, along with an abundance of handcrafted goods and foods.
The neighborhood is home to many young, more affluent families and professionals. It has beautiful green spaces and venues like Union Hall and Barclays Center. Many people visit Prospect Heights probably because of the major attractions near the neighbourhood: Prospect Park and the Brooklyn Public Library. In addition to the Brooklyn Museum near its southern boundary, it also has Barclays Center—home of basketball’s Brooklyn Net to the northwest.
Attractions in Brooklyn
Brooklyn Museum
The sprawling Brooklyn Museum, one of the largest museums in New York, is impressive not only on the outside but also inside, with more than 1.5 million objects that witness thousands of years of history and cultures from around the world.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is near the Brooklyn Museum, where you can take a stroll. Throughout the year, especially during the spring cherry blossom season, the Botanical garden impresses with its brightly coloured flowers and quiet and peaceful paths, awakening the wanderer’s inner heart.
Brooklyn Academy of Music
If you want to experience a different kind of culture, you can visit the 150-year-old Brooklyn Academy of Music, whose schedule is full of avant-garde theater, dance, music, literary events and lectures.
Cost to live in Brooklyn
In recent years, average monthly rents in Brooklyn have occasionally exceeded those in Manhattan. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn is about $4000, a whopping 60% higher than three years ago. DUMBO is the most expensive neighbourhood where the price of the apartments has risen up to $5,150.
The Bronx
The Bronx is the northernmost borough of 5 NYC boroughs. Apart from the marble hills of Manhattan, the Bronx is the only part of New York that borders the mainland United States. It is also home to the Bronx Zoo, the world’s largest urban zoo, which covers 265 acres and houses 6,000 animals. The Bronx is also home to rap and hip-hop culture. The Bronx has the most parkland and is home to the famous Major League Baseball team, the New York Yankees. And Yankee Stadium is located here. People of African and Latin American descent predominantly populate the area.
Best neighborhoods in the Bronx
Fordham:
This neighbourhood surrounds Fordham University and offers attractions like the Edgar Allan Poe Cottage, the New York Botanical Garden and the Bronx Zoo with 750-plus animal species. There are also historic Poe Park and a selection of popular Latin American restaurants in Fordham.
South Bronx
South Bronx is the home to Yankee Stadium and the Bronx Documentary Center. There are many passionate Yankee fans. You can also discover emerging neighborhoods, locally owned establishments, and remarkable art and architecture, particularly along the Grand Concourse.
Attractions in the Bronx
The Edgar Allan Poe Cottage
If you are a fan of mystery writer Edgar Allan POE, you can visit his cottage in The Bronx. There, he spent the last years of his life and wrote classics such as “The Cask of Amontillado” and “Annabel Lee.”
Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum
The luxurious Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum dates back to 1654, is on the National Register of Historic Places, and it is a designated New York City landmark. You can visit the building and the carriage shed.
New York Botanical Garden
The New York Botanical Garden is one of the largest botanical gardens in the United States and is loved by locals and visitors alike. You can stroll the scenic paths, visit the greenhouse and view a variety of flowers, such as roses and water lilies.
Cost to live in the Bronx
Compared to Manhattan, Brooklyn and even Queens, the Bronx offers lower rents on average. The rent of a typical one-bedroom is about $2,125 per month. If you want to live in the heart of NY with affordable rent, the Bronx might be a great fit for you.
Queens
Queens is the largest borough of the 5 boroughs in NYC. On the east side of Brooklyn, it is also the most ethnically diverse county in the US. Its population is growing rapidly and is set to surpass Brooklyn as the most populous borough. Gradually, it was developed into important commercial and residential areas. Queens is also the only district in the country where African Americans earn more than whites (about $52,000 a year). Regarding transportation, two of the three major airports in the New York metropolitan area – John F. Kennedy International Airport and Laguardia Airport – are located in this area (the third is Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey).
Best neighborhoods in Queens
Flushing
Although much of the area is residential, downtown Flushing, centred north of Main Street, is a large commercial and retail district, making it the fourth largest central business district in New York City. This is the largest Chinatown in New York. Its bustling main blocks are lined with herbal shops, Asian bakeries, and restaurants. Also, it’s home to the borough’s botanical garden and one of NYC’s largest parks.
Just a short train ride from Midtown Manhattan, living in Astoria gives you all the perks of the best NYC suburbs without the commute! Astoria is a hub of diverse international culture and dining, featuring a strong Greek presence and a Little Egypt. Its film-related history and attractions are also major draws.
Sunnyside
Sunnyside was established in the early 20th century by Irish settlers and still retains a strong Irish influence. In addition, people from around the world, including Romania, Korea, and South America, enjoy visiting the local shops, pubs, and eateries. This neighbourhood in western Queens is very close to the Empire State Building and offers great pubs and thrift shopping. There is a wide variety of housing options available, including apartments, houses, and condos, which gives the area more of a suburban feel.
Attractions in Queens
Museum of Modern Art, New York
If you love contemporary art, the MoMa PS1 branch of the Museum of Modern Art in New York is your best choice. Located in Long Island City, this highly creative Queens museum features a constantly updated facility that includes groundbreaking artists and a program of talks, performances, and music.
Noguchi Museum
The Noguchi Museum offers both indoor and outdoor cultural experiences. The museum houses the works of renowned Japanese-American sculptor Isamu Noguchi, offers guided Tours, and has a serene sculpture garden perfect for relaxing.
King Manor Museum
The estate was the former home of Rufus King, an abolitionist and one of the drafters and signers of the United States Constitution. It’s a nice place worth visiting.
Cost to live in Queens
The cost of living in Queens is much lower than in other New York City boroughs, with an average of around $3,000 for a one-bedroom apartment. The affordable rent of Queens can make this borough a perfect place for a family or a single man to start life in NYC. A lower cost can allow a family to experience diversity, green space, and plenty to do with little children. This is also a nice option for a young single looking for nightlife and excitement.
Staten Island
Staten Island is the least populated borough of 5 boroughs in New York City, with only half a million people, although it’s 2.5 times the size of Manhattan. It has many historical and cultural attractions, sports venues and natural beauty. Unlike other boroughs, Staten Island cannot be accessed by subway. Ferries or bridges are the main modes of transportation to and from the island. The free 25-minute ferry can take passengers to and from lower Manhattan daily, offering unobstructed views of New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty.
Best neighborhoods in Staten Island
Tompkinsville
A petite neighbourhood in Staten Island, Tompkinsville holds a significant culinary status. The area is renowned for its abundance of authentic roti and spicy sambal, owing to the flourishing Sri Lankan community.
St. George
Located on the northeastern tip of Staten Island, St. George is the gateway to Staten Island. It is easily accessible by ferry to Manhattan, making it a great option for those who need to commute. Besides, St. George is a lovely neighbourhood to be one of the housing options. By the way, the College of Staten Island is in this area. St. George is home to historic architecture, a baseball stadium, outlet shopping and sweeping views.
Attractions in Staten Island
The Staten Island Ferry
For spectacular views of Lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty, hop on the Staten Island Ferry for a free ride into New York Harbor.
Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden
Opened in 1883 as a home for retired sailors, this botanical garden covers 83 acres and has 20 different gardens.
Historic Richmond Town
Richmond Town is a living history museum that takes visitors back to the 1600s when the Dutch settled the island. It has 15 restored buildings over 100 acres. Guides are dressed in the part, and various aspects of colonial life, such as craft demonstrations and country fairs, are held.
Cost to live in Staten Island
Living in Staten Island is very affordable when it comes to rent. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is around $1,600 per month. Buying in this area is more feasible than in other NYC boroughs, with median sold home values around $630,000.
Conclusion
NYC 5 boroughs with many distinctive neighborhoods embody the spirit of New York City. New York is a place where history, culture, innovation, and community come together to create a vibrant mosaic. The five boroughs of New York City offer more than just places to live; they are spaces where dreams take flight, cultures celebrate their heritage, and the promise of the future shines as bright as the city lights.
FAQ
Are there 5 or 7 boroughs in New York?
There are 5 boroughs in NYC. They are Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and The Bronx.
What borough is the Statue of Liberty in?
Which borough is Hell's Kitchen in?
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