Overview

New York City is a place like no other. Inspirational, overwhelming, diverse, cozy; it can take a lifetime to truly understand its unique brand of harmony. Manhattan, one of the five boroughs of New York City, is at the heart of the city; and it does seem to pulse with activity. It certainly has its own appeal in comparison to New York City’s other four boroughs (Queens, The Bronx, Staten Island and Brooklyn). Manhattan has found its way into the nostalgic subconscious of moviegoers, tourists and foreigners across the globe.

Manhattan Lifestyle

Manhattan has a population of over 1.6 million, all squeezed within a 28 square-mile area (57 sq km), giving it the distinction of being the most densely populated area in America, and one of the best places for buyers looking to own a piece of the Big Apple. It is loosely divided into three regions: downtown, uptown, and midtown, each further divided into individual neighborhoods, from the artsy and eccentric areas of SoHo, Chelsea and TriBeCa, to the wealthy and powerful Upper East Side. Regardless of where on the island people choose to settle, they have to remain versatile and ambitious simply to survive.

Those without an active mind and spirit find themselves quickly overcome by a myriad of museums, night clubs, cafes, and boutiques. Two hundred art galleries are sprinkled across the island, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum, Guggenheim Museum and the Museum of Modern History. Add over 5,000 restaurants of every ethnic background, and 39 entertainment venues, including Broadway and off-Broadway theaters, ballet companies and opera houses, and it’s no wonder the city never sleeps.

A “Rich” Housing Market

As home to the United Nations headquarters, the NASDAQ and the New York Stock Exchange, those who live and work in Manhattan make more than anyone else in the country, boasting the highest per capita income in the United States. More than two million people work in Manhattan, making it one of the busiest regions in the world. The hustle and bustle seeps into the housing industry as well; Manhattan real estate is a big draw, and this area is home to some of the country’s most valuable real estate. Residential property prices recently surpassed an average of $1,400.000 per condo or co-op.

• Manhattan Real Estate Search

• Manhattan Green Buildings

• Buying a Home

• Purchasing Process

Manhattan Neighborhoods

Of course, not everyone has to be a millionaire to live in Manhattan, nor does the borough cater just to the wealthy. There are plenty of places for all manner of people to live here. The Upper East Side high-rise condos, the Greenwich Village townhouses and the renovated lofts of SoHo and TriBeCa give buyers a variety of choices. Choosing which area of Manhattan to live in is the most difficult decision new buyers have to make. But no matter the final selection, Manhattan guarantees three things: proximity to urban conveniences, cultural diversity, and a blazing sense of community.

New York City is full of beauty, both manmade and natural. It lies right in the middle of the paths of three large rivers: the Hudson, Harlem and East Rivers. More than 2,500 acres of greenery is interspersed throughout the city, including the 843 acres called Central Park, where visitors and residents come to walk their dogs, get in shape, bring their kids to play, or just enjoy nature. Historical landmarks such as Ellis Island and The Status of Liberty join forces with cultural hotspots like Chinatown and Little Italy to reflect the great mix of cultures that call New York home.

• Manhattan Neighborhood Guide
  
  
• Manhattan Neighborhood Overview

A Great Future

Right now is one of the best times to invest in the city, as prices have not yet appreciated to reflect lower inventory or high sales. Even with a higher cost, interest in Manhattan isn’t likely to diminish anytime soon. Developers and architects have millions of dollars going into the borough on a weekly basis, in the form of renovations and new developments, and it seems everyone wants to connect to the most vibrant city in the world.