By Miriam Bornstein
New York City is a diverse city comprised of separate neighborhoods, each possessing unique characteristics. When determining which neighborhood is best for your family, prospective buyers and renters should take factors, such as low crime rates, highly-rated school districts and kid-friendly amenities, into consideration.
Here are three trending kid-friendly neighborhoods in NYC.
Upper West Side
The Upper West Side is best known for its artistic charm and spectacular museums. Notable attractions include the New York Historical Society, Children's Museum of Manhattan, the Lincoln Center and the American Museum of Natural History. Beyond the Upper West Side's cultural edge, this neighborhood also provides sprawling greenery thanks to its proximity to public parks. Enjoy a picnic on Central Park's Great Lawn, rent bikes for an active family outing or head to Riverside Park for a walk along the promenade with stunning views of the Hudson River. The Upper West Side often feels like a mini suburban city thanks to the brownstones, grassy lawns, playgrounds and large abundance of schools. With a median home value of $1,279,500, living on the Upper West Side comes with a steep price tag, and prices are expected to rise another 8.5 percent this year.
Park Slope
Located in northwest Brooklyn, Park Slope is considered one of the most desirable family-friendly neighborhoods in New York City. Park Slope is home to a variety of attractions, such as the Brooklyn Conservatory, Brooklyn Children's Museum and Greenmarket at Grand Army Plaza, where locals have access to fresh produce, local artists and family-friendly activities. Park Slope also neighbors the Brooklyn Botanical Garden and Prospect Park, home to the Prospect Park Zoo, perfect for family outings. Beyond the plethora of readily available attractions, low crime rate and vast green spaces, this Brooklyn neighborhood is also home to some of the best public, private and charter schools in New York City. With a median home value of $1,105,000, Park Slope has a very hot housing market, and Zillow predicts that home values will continue to rise by 7.4 percent in 2016.
Battery Park City
Nearly one third of the residents in Battery Park City have kids and family-friendly activities are consistently within reach. If you're looking to catch some rays, head to Teardrop Park, equipped with giant slides and spraying geysers, or explore the Battery Park Conservatory Parkhouse in Rockefeller Park, to utilize the ping-pong, hockey and other free sporting equipment. For a more relaxed afternoon, walk to South Cove Park where adults can attend art classes, walk along the peaceful esplanades or visit the Battery Park City Library, the first greed LEED-certified library branch in Manhattan. With a median home sales price of $850,000, Battery Park City is roughly $255,000 less than the median home values in both the Upper West Side and Park Slope neighborhoods. Battery Park City is also home to Stuyvesant High School, one of the city's best high schools, making this neighborhood a popular destination for families.
Finding the best neighborhood for your family ultimately depends on your personal preferences and needs. While the Upper West Side, Park Slope and Battery Park City are three trending kid-friendly neighborhoods to consider, New York City-bound families should review the available homes and rentals in the community to find a property that best fits their needs.
