The best suburbs of New York: where is it better to live and why

New York, with a population of about 8.5 million people, remains one of the most attractive cities in the world. However, the high cost of living in a megalopolis forces many to look for more affordable options in the suburbs. In this article, we will look at 10 promising New York suburbs located within a radius of 30 miles (48 kilometers) from the city center.

What to look for when choosing a suburb

Points to focus on before moving:

• Travel time. Estimate how much time you are willing to spend on the road every day. Take into account not only the distance, but also the frequency of traffic, especially during rush hours.
• The cost of living. In addition to housing prices, take into account property taxes, the cost of utilities, prices in local shops and restaurants, and the cost of travel to your place of work.
• Safety. Inquire about the crime rate in a particular suburb.
• The quality of schools. For families with children, this is often a key factor. Study not only the general ratings, but also the reviews of parents, the availability of special programs and extracurricular activities.
• Development plans. Study the plans of the local authorities for the development of the area. This may include the construction of new residential complexes, infrastructure development, and the opening of new businesses and jobs.
• Ecology.Evaluate the air quality, availability and accessibility of green areas, noise level, proximity to industrial facilities.
• Cultural life. Learn about local museums and galleries, theaters and concert venues, annual festivals and events, sports events and teams.
• Opportunities for remote work. Evaluate the availability of coworking spaces, cafes with good Wi-Fi, and public spaces suitable for work.

Top 10 New York City Suburbs

Based on the criteria listed above, we have compiled a list of 10 New York suburbs that are best suited for life.

1. Hoboken, New Jersey

• Location:across the river from Manhattan. It is a small town in Hudson County, New Jersey, and it is located on the west bank of the Hudson River, opposite Manhattan.
• Travel: On average, it takes 10-15 minutes to the World Trade Center station or 14-20 minutes to 33rd Street in Manhattan by PATH train. Atmosphere: lively center, lots of restaurants and shops.
• Pros: views of Manhattan, cheaper than in the city.
• Transportation: The PATH train operates around the clock, and the travel interval depends on the time of day. The NY Waterway ferry runs every 10-20 minutes during rush hours. NJ Transit buses provide additional routes to different parts of New Jersey.
• Education: the average school rating is 8/10.
• Median house price: $875,000.
• Culture: Hoboken Museum, numerous galleries.
• Ecology: good air quality, lots of parks along the waterfront.
• Technologies: Gigabit Internet is available from several providers.
• Remote work: Several coworking spaces, including Mission 50 and Hoboken Business Center.

2. Greenwich, Connecticut

• Location: 30 miles (about 48 km) from Manhattan. It is a coastal town in southwestern Connecticut.
• Journey: 40 minutes by express train to Grand Central station. This is one of the main routes for those who travel to New York every day.
• Atmosphere: a picturesque coastal town.
• Advantages:luxury shops, great schools, beaches.
• Minus: expensive, but low property taxes.
• Transportation: Metro-North Railroad trains run at intervals of about 30 minutes during rush hours. The I-95 highway also passes through the city, which provides convenient access to other regions.
• Education: school rating 9/10.
• Median house price: $1,750,000.
• Culture: Bruce Museum, Greenwich International Film Festival.
• Ecology: excellent air quality, lots of parks and nature reserves.
• Technologies: High-speed fiber-optic Internet is available throughout the city.
• Remote work: several business centers with coworking spaces, including Greenwich Office Park.

3. Yonkers, New York

• Location: About 20 miles (about 32 km) north of Manhattan. It is the largest city in Westchester County and the fourth largest city in New York State.
• Travel time on Metro-North trains from Yonkers to Grand Central Terminal is about 25-35 minutes, depending on which train is selected (express or local).
• Atmosphere: a mixture of urban and suburban environments.
• Pros: more accessible than many cities in Westchester.
• Transportation:Metro-North trains depart at intervals of approximately every 15-30 minutes, depending on the time of day and day of the week. The Bee-Line bus system also provides transportation within the city and to other localities in Westchester County.
• Education: the average school rating is 6/10.
• Median house price: $525,000.
• Culture: Hudson Art Museum, Untermeyer Gardens.
• Ecology: improving air quality, ongoing revitalization of the embankment.
• Technology: Gigabit internet is available in most areas.
• Remote work: A growing number of coworking spaces, including Yonkers CoWorking Space.

4. Montclair, New Jersey

• Location: about 12 miles (about 19 km) west of Manhattan. It is a city in Essex County, New Jersey, known for its picturesque and culturally rich environment.
• The journey time on the NJ Transit train from Montclair to Penn Station in Manhattan is usually about 40-50 minutes.
• Atmosphere: diverse community, developed cultural life
• Advantages: museums, theaters, good schools.
• Transportation: NJ Transit trains depart at intervals of approximately every 20-30 minutes during rush hours. There is also a bus service via DeCamp Bus Lines, which provides transportation to New York and other cities.
• Education: school rating 8/10.
• Median house price: $825,000.
• Culture: Montclair Museum of Art, Wellmont Theater.
• Ecology: good air quality, lots of parks and nature reserves.
• Technologies: High-speed internet is available from several providers.
• Remote work: Several coworking spaces, including Work and Play and The Office.

5. White Plains, New York

• Location: Approximately 25 miles (about 40 km) north of Manhattan. It is a large city in Westchester County, New York, which is an important business and administrative center of the region.
• The journey time on the Metro-North train from White Plains to the Grand Central Terminal station in Manhattan is usually about 35-45 minutes.
• Atmosphere: a combination of residential areas and a lively center.
• Advantages: large shopping malls, a variety of restaurants.
• Transportation: Metro-North trains depart at intervals of approximately every 20-30 minutes during rush hours. The Bee-Line bus system also provides good connectivity.
• Education: the average school rating is 7/10.
• Median house price: $475,000.
• Culture: Westchester County Arts Center, White Plains Performing Arts Center.
• Ecology: improving air quality, several urban parks.
• Technology: Gigabit internet is available in many areas.
• Remote work: several modern coworking sites, including Serendipity Labs.

6. Long Island City, Queens

• Location: Long Island City (LIC) is located across the East River from Manhattan, in the western part of the Queens neighborhood in New York City.
• The road: just one subway stop from Midtown Manhattan. 
• Atmosphere: a former industrial area that has become fashionable
• Advantages: parks by the water, MoMA PS1, breweries, galleries
• Transportation:Metro lines 7, E, M and G serve Long Island City, with trains running every 3-10 minutes during rush hours. NYC Ferry also provides transportation services, with an interval of 20-30 minutes.
• Education: school rating 6/10.
• Median house price: $950,000.
• Culture: MoMA PS1 and Socrates Sculpture Park constantly hold art exhibitions and events.
• Ecology: improving air quality, new parks on the waterfront.
• Technologies: High-speed fiber-optic Internet is widely available.
• Remote work: many modern coworking sites, including WeWork and Spaces.

7. Stamford, Connecticut

• Location: Approximately 30 miles (about 48 km) northeast of Manhattan. It is a large city in southwestern Connecticut.
• Road: 45-60 minutes by Metro-North to Grand Central.
• Atmosphere: a combination of offices, residential areas and the waterfront.
• Advantages: diverse cuisine, shopping malls, parks.
• Transportation: Metro-North (every 20-30 minutes); CT Transit.
• Education: the average school rating is 7/10.
• Median house price: $575,000.
• Culture: Stamford Museum & Nature Center, Palace Theatre
• Ecology: good air quality, several coastal parks.
• Technology: Gigabit internet is available in most areas.
• Remote work: several business centers with coworking spaces, including Comradity.

8. Bronxville, New York

• Location: Approximately 15 miles (about 24 km) north of Manhattan. It is a small, prestigious town in Westchester County, New York.
• Road: 30 minutes by Metro-North to Grand Central.
• Atmosphere: a cozy town with Tudor architecture.
• Advantages: excellent schools, a pedestrian center.
• Minus: very expensive.
• Transportation: Metro-North (every 20-30 minutes); Bee-Line Bus System.
• Education: school rating 9/10.
• Median House price: $2,200,000+
• Culture: Bronxville Women’s Club, Concordia Conservatory
• Ecology: excellent air quality, several parks and nature reserves.
• Technologies: High-speed fiber-optic internet is available.
• Remote work: a limited number of coworking spaces, but many cafes with Wi-Fi.

9. Jersey City, New Jersey

• Location: Across the Hudson River from Lower Manhattan.
• The road: 10 minutes by PATH train to Manhattan.
• Atmosphere: a diverse, fast-paced city.
• Advantages: Liberty State Park, diverse cuisine, art
• Transportation: PATH (every 4-20 minutes); NY Waterway Ferry (every 15-30 minutes); NJ Transit Light Rail.
• Education: the average school rating is 6/10.
• Median house price: $700,000.
• Culture: Mana Museum of Modern Art, Liberty Science Center
• Ecology: improving air quality, several new parks.
• Technology: Gigabit internet is widely available.
• Remote work:many modern coworking spaces, including Indiegrove and Andco.

10. Tarrytown, New York

• Location: Approximately 25 miles (about 40 km) north of Manhattan, in Westchester County, New York. 
• Road: 35-45 minutes by Metro-North to Grand Central.
• Atmosphere: a historic village on the banks of the Hudson River with a cozy center.
• Pros: nearby Sleepy Hollow, Lyndhurst Mansion, Rockefeller Park.
• Transportation: Metro-North (every 30-60 minutes); Bee-Line Bus System.
• Education: school rating 7/10.
• Median house price: $675,000.
• Culture: Sleepy Hollow Historical Center, Lyndhurst Mansion.
• Ecology: excellent air quality, lots of parks and nature reserves.
• Technologies: High-speed internet is available in most areas.
• Remote work: a limited number of coworking spaces, but many cafes with Wi-Fi.

Comparative table of suburbs

Now let’s present the named cities and their characteristics in this comparative table:

Remember that the ideal suburb is different for everyone. What suits one family may not suit another. Therefore, it is important to carefully explore all the options, visit the places you like in person and maybe even live there for a while before making a final decision.

Good luck finding your perfect place to live!

Author

Yulia Yanukovych Editor-in-Chief

I am responsible for the work of the editorial office. I write expert interviews and guides.

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