One great thing about New York City is the variety of different neighborhoods, each with their own distinct atmosphere and personality. And while these neighborhoods offer something for everyone, there are both pros and cons when it comes to choosing a home in the busiest NYC neighborhoods.

SoHo

SoHo is one of the busiest NYC neighborhoods. If you find an apartment here, consider yourself lucky! You’ll be living in one of the most charming areas of the city, where cobblestone streets and beautiful Old World architecture abounds. You’ll also have some of the most wonderful shops right outside your door, from luxury brands like Stella McCartney and Chanel to popular retailers like J.Crew and Topshop. A fantastic dining destination as well, the area is home to the likes of Dominique Ansel Bakery (where the Cronut was invented) and such restaurants as Balthazar. As you can imagine, these attractions draw tons of people to the area, not to mention car and cab traffic. SoHo is very crowded, especially on weekends, and is a popular destination for tourists. You have to be okay with the noise and crowds and traffic in order to reap the benefits of living in this high-energy neighborhood.

Midtown East

Teeming with office buildings, Midtown East is flooded with people coming to the area for work. While at first blush, it may lack the charm of other NYC neighborhoods, Midtown East boasts the convenience of being centrally located. Grand Central Terminal lies in the heart of Midtown East, and its hub of subway branches will take you nearly anywhere you need to go. There’s also a lovely little enclave of Midtown East called Tudor City, which consists of gorgeous prewar apartment buildings that have very little through-traffic, as they lead up a hill overlooking the East River. At the top of 41st Street, there’s a gorgeous, somewhat hidden park that blooms with lovely flowers in the spring. You’ll also find amazing views of the East River right across the street.

Times Square

Times Square is quite the sight to behold. Bright with neon lights and bustling with energy, Times Square is an attraction that many tourists travel hundreds of miles to feast their eyes upon. If you live in the Times Square area, you’ll have access to tons of shopping and restaurant options, as well as the Theater District and a large subway station. However, the downfall of living in this crowded NYC neighborhood is that you’ll have to contend with throngs of tourists every day. Rarely peaceful and never empty, this area is always action-packed — which can be a con or a pro, depending on your personality!

When it comes to deciding where to live in NYC, it’s really a matter of knowing what you want and what kind of environment best suits your personality. If you thrive on the energy of a neighborhood full of crowds and noise, you might be quite happy in a busy NYC neighborhood, where you can take advantage of all the wonderful restaurants, stores, and transportation options these areas have to offer.

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