New York City is called a concrete jungle, but many out-of-towners aren’t aware that there’s plenty of NYC parks and green space here to satisfy the crazy for chlorophyll crusaders and photosynthesis fanatics everywhere. Yes, New York is known for its majestic and imposing skyline, but there are also plenty of green spaces in the city that can make you forget that you’re even here.

You may be wondering if moving to areas near NYC parks or that’s within easy access to some sort of green space is worth it to you. Sometimes, such access can mean you’ll have to pay a great deal for that privilege (the co-ops lining Central Park, anyone?). If you’re on the fence, the following info may help sway you in one direction or another.

You should move to an area near a park if:

• You lead an active lifestyle. Living near a park or an area with green space is a no-brainer if you’re an avid outdoorsperson. Knowing that the park or running trail is practically in your backyard can help you stay on top of your fitness goals. If you’re a person who wants to lead a more active lifestyle, you’ll probably be more likely to do it if getting to the green takes you no time at all.
• You’ve got kids. Many families are ensconced within tiny apartments with their little ones, so having a place for the tykes to run around and let off steam is invaluable. Many established parks also have playgrounds, making your parenting job even easier.
• You want to recreate part of your childhood. Many people who move to the city from out of town come from hometowns where they had backyards, gardens, countryside, or forests to roam through. They come to NYC for all of the amazing opportunities here, but they still miss the freedom that comes along with green space. Living near or within easy access to a park can make all the difference in their quality of life.
• You love tourists. Tourists descend on parks all over the city. Do you mind?

What are some of the best parks/green areas in NYC?

• Prospect Park. The majestic, magical acreage that makes up Prospect Park is so grand it’s easy to see why some refer to it as the Central Park of Brooklyn (although they shouldn’t; it’s beautiful in its own right). In fact, Calvert Vaux and Frederick Law Olmsted, the men who designed Central Park, are also the magicians behind this beautiful landscape. From koi-filled lakes and horse trails to the Prospect Park Zoo and a skating rink; the question here is what isn’t there to do here? Bordering Prospect Heights, Park Slope, Crown Heights, Windsor Terrace, and Prospect Lefferts Gardens, the park is accessible to multiple train lines, making it perfect for just about everyone.
• Flushing Meadows Park. Site of two former World’s Fairs (1939/1940 and 1964/1965), Flushing Meadows Park, the largest park in Queens, continues to draw crowds looking forward to spending the day near the local art and science museums (including the Hall of Science), cooing over the animals at the Queens Zoo, and picnicking and barbecuing on the great lawns. It’s also the place to go if you want to see the Mets play a home game at Citi Field, also located here.
• Central Park. It’s the biggest (and most famous) park in the city, and a character in hundreds of films and television shows. It borders lower Harlem, the Upper East Side and the Upper West Side, and you’ll pay to live directly on it.

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