Selecting an ideal place to live when raising kids can be an enormously daunting challenge, but New York City provides numerous family-oriented neighborhoods and quaint towns where your little ones can thrive.
Windsor Terrace is an exquisite, historic neighborhood home to over seventeen thousand residents. This safe community boasts highly-rated schools and is within walking distance of Manhattan – all hallmarks of excellence!
Park Slope
Park Slope is an idyllic Brooklyn neighborhood, filled with stately brownstone homes and highly-rated eateries, as well as being safe and welcoming, boasting low crime rates and quality public schools.
Park Slope is an eclectic neighborhood composed of brownstone townhouses with classic stoops, but also includes some new luxury condos and renovated prewar apartments. As well as its historic charm, Park Slope provides many activities for families in addition to its historic buildings – these include the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Prospect Park Zoo as well as shops and eateries nearby and Barclay’s Center which makes traveling around an easy task.
The neighborhood’s vibrant cultural scene has attracted several notable residents in its time, such as actors Jon Stewart and Steve Buscemi as well as writers Jennifer Egan and Joan Baez. Residents take great pride in living here; therefore it makes an ideal option for families searching for peace.
Crown Heights
Crown Heights is an exciting and authentic New York City neighborhood, offering something for everyone. There are opulent mansions, old townhouses and new rental buildings – making Crown Heights an attractive neighborhood for families seeking housing options in NYC.
Crown Heights is conveniently situated in central Brooklyn and only a quick subway ride from Manhattan. This neighborhood exudes a strong sense of community and safety; residents are encouraged to socialize at events like street parades and fairs hosted by neighbors, while there is also an eclectic variety of restaurants serving cuisine from all around the world.
Crown Heights is home to an eclectic population, including Orthodox Jews, Dominicans and West Indians. With easy access to both the Brooklyn Museum and Botanic Garden for culture buffs and numerous bus lines and stops along its streets for commuters, Crown Heights makes an excellent choice for families with young children – offering excellent schools as well as fun activities for them! Commute time between places in Crown Heights can also be reduced greatly thanks to convenient bus lines that run along its routes.
Harlem
New York City is one of the best places in the world for families to reside, offering many prestigious neighborhoods with excellent schools, access to Hudson River Park, and numerous legendary music and food venues. Furthermore, it hosts a flourishing banking, financial industry, as well as businesses of every kind that thrive there.
Apart from its excellent schools, this neighborhood is safe and an excellent environment for kids to flourish. Its vibrant community is committed to helping its youngsters excel academically while offering many family-focused activities and parks for recreation. Furthermore, The Dalton School and Rudolph Steiner Schools are nearby for further academic excellence.
Queens’ Great Kills offers another ideal NYC neighborhood for families – it exudes suburban charm while still being close to Manhattan. There are restaurants, parks, shopping centers, top-rated schools like Barbara Esselborn School and Gifford School all within close proximity – it makes an excellent escape from city life!
Battery Park City
Battery Park City provides families in New York an ideal living experience along the Hudson River. As one of the safest neighborhoods, with low crime rates, clean streets, and beautiful parks, Battery Park City also features many amenities and services such as schools, restaurants, and hospitals within walking distance – perfect for active families!
This neighborhood offers families an escape from the hectic pace of NYC with its peaceful streets and welcoming coffee shops – ideal environments for raising children. PS 321, Millennium Brooklyn High School, and Berkeley Carroll School all make for excellent schools to attend in this part of Brooklyn.
This family-friendly area provides affordable housing, excellent schools and plenty of parking space. Close to the Hudson River for boating and hiking activities, the town has an active community spirit and hosts events to support local businesses, schools and police departments as well as offering easy commutes into New York City on weekends so residents can experience all it has to offer.
Syosset
Are you a family with children seeking a safe and welcoming community on Long Island? Syosset may be the place for you! With excellent schools and affordable homes, as well as close proximity to many popular attractions and an extensive list of activities designed specifically to engage families, Syosset makes an excellent home.
This suburban area features a tight-knit community and boasts numerous restaurants and shops, along with beautiful wooded areas, a new shopping center and plenty of parks for outdoor adventures. Plus, its short commute time into NYC makes it an attractive option for families wanting a peaceful lifestyle while remaining close to all its best amenities.
Manhattan may be famously expensive, but there are still affordable neighborhoods with excellent schools and lush green spaces in NYC that make for great homes with families. Park Slope and Crown Heights are two such neighborhoods; other nearby quaint towns may provide more solitude for quiet living. Our list of the top 10 places for families living in New York provides some inspiration when finding your ideal neighborhood! So sit back, enjoy all that NYC offers you and find your own slice of heaven here!
Jackson Heights
Brooklyn offers this neighborhood, which feels like its own small town. Boasting low crime rates and great public schools, as well as offering plenty of activities and delicious dining experiences for local residents, this place makes an excellent home for families residing in New York.
Jackson Heights was originally intended as an escape from Manhattan’s congestion; however, many original families eventually found greener pastures elsewhere and their apartments became vacant. After the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 lifted immigration quotas, Latin American immigrants started moving in as Jackson Heights became one of the city’s most diverse neighborhoods with over 167 languages spoken and cultures represented.
Residents appreciate the neighborhood’s diversity and affordable living spaces, with prewar co-ops with courtyards as well as new condos lining its streets. Its convenient location enables quick and easy access to either Downtown Manhattan or Brooklyn; plus there is an active community with strong sense of family and belonging.
Massapequa Park
If you are seeking an escape from city living with easy access to New York, this upscale suburban neighborhood could be ideal. Home to numerous top-tier schools and beautiful homes with expansive backyards, this safe and quiet community allows families to thrive.
Williamsburg may have been affected by the L Train debacle, but this hip Brooklyn neighborhood remains an attractive option for families. Boasting a welcoming community atmosphere with kid-friendly activities to keep children busy; such as McCarren Park with its large pool and skating rink; as well as exciting play spaces such as Twinkle Playspace for hours of amusement.
This elegant Manhattan neighborhood features two of New York City’s most stunning parks, ten playgrounds and iconic institutions such as the American Museum of Natural History and Lincoln Center. Additionally, this neighborhood is one of the safest for families, boasting low crime rates and abundant police presence.
Manhattan
Manhattan may not be at the forefront of your mind when considering New York as a destination for raising a family, but this city does provide many safe, affordable neighborhoods with outstanding public schools and plenty of green space. Furthermore, Manhattan boasts one of the country’s most diverse cultures, with plenty of restaurants, shops, and attractions that keep families occupied.
Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn provides another ideal environment for young families. Home to gorgeous parks like McCarren Park with an ice rink and pool, tree-lined streets and charming coffee shops that allow neighbors to meet each other, Williamsburg also houses highly-acclaimed public school PS 321 as well as numerous private institutions like Berkeley Carroll School – making this an excellent location.
Consider Manhattan’s Upper West Side for a quieter environment. It is renowned for being safe and family-oriented, boasting two beautiful parks, ten playgrounds and iconic institutions such as the American Museum of Natural History and Lincoln Center. Furthermore, Trinity School and Ethical Culture Fieldston School can also be found here.