5 Best College Neighborhoods in NYC

From Columbia to CUNY, there are just a ton of colleges in New York City. So if you’re ready to start your next chapter as a college student living in an off-campus apartment in NYC, your journey begins with finding the right apartment.

In this case, where you live is of the utmost importance because you’ll want to find a home that lets you maximize your college experience.

Fortunately, choosing the right college neighborhood shouldn’t be too challenging, as some of the best neighborhoods in New York double as excellent homes for college students.

This guide offers everything you need to know about choosing a college neighborhood in New York City and the best neighborhoods in which to start your search. Let’s get started!

5 Best College Neighborhoods in NYC

The following neighborhoods offer the best of the best when it comes to college neighborhoods in New York City. From Columbia to Fordham University, college students flock to these neighborhoods for their affordability, walkability, location, and unique NYC vibes.

Here’s a breakdown of the best college neighborhoods in New York City.

1. Bushwick, Brooklyn

Bushwick’s demographics have shifted to include a predominantly younger crowd, including students and young professionals. As a result, it’s an excellent opportunity for students to socialize and mimic the on-campus vibes.

Living in Bushwick is an excellent option if you’re into the industrial scene. The neighborhood has experienced an uptick in old warehouses being turned into more modern apartments.

The increase in the younger population has helped revitalize the neighborhood, including expanding its entertainment scene. You’ll find a thriving arts scene, restaurants, bars, and shopping options within Bushwick's borders.

If you’re living up to the broke college student stereotype, the neighborhood has a lot to offer in the form of free entertainment. Two New York Public Library branches provide ample space for studying. Moreover, you’d be shocked at the things a library card can get you — namely, free ebooks, movies, and music.

However, an NYC library card can also help you gain free access to prominent museums, Gardners, historical spots, and more through the city’s Culture Pass. It’s an incredible asset to any NYC resident, college student, or otherwise.

As Bushwick borders Queens, its location makes it easy to explore the best of both Brooklyn and Queens. Plus, the neighborhood has a good safety rating and is relatively safe.

2. Morningside Heights

Morningside Heights has a lot going for it, most of which contributes to the neighborhood’s strange and unique culture.

If you’re ever in search of peacocks in New York City (which…why?), you can find them in Morningside Heights’ major landmarks — The Cathedral of St. John the Divine.

Harry, Jim, and Phil have lived at the cathedral since the 80s, and they even have a fancy hutch on the cathedral’s grounds. It’s a great place to take a date or a way to explore your neighborhood.

Morningside Park and Sakura Park are excellent entertainment options if you're not an avian enthusiast. You can take your pick of outdoor recreation opportunities or, better yet, take a trip to view the cherry blossoms in the spring.

Morningside Heights is also home to a large green market, where you can find inexpensive fruits and veggies.

Fortunately, the neighborhood boasts a thriving bar scene. So, you can truly embody the “work hard, play hard” lifestyle. You’ll also be able to head home to your apartment in the quieter residential area of Morningside heights.

On another high note, the neighborhood’s public transportation options offer quick commutes to hot destinations like Wall Street, Jersey City, and Rockefeller Center.

3. Fordham, The Bronx

Most college students flock to the Fordham neighborhood because it’s home to Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus. However, it doesn’t hurt that Fordham is also one of the best neighborhoods near Manhattan.

However, students from Monroe College, Lehman College, Manhattan College, CUNY, Julliard, and Columbia call the neighborhood home.

Fordham offers students close proximity to cultural centers, including museums, theaters, and more.

However, you’ll most likely find yourself spending a lot of time enjoying Central Park, as it’s free entertainment and a student hot spot. Outdoor recreation, including jogging, walking, rolling, and dog walking, are just a few of the fun things to do in Central Park.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, you can grab a bagel at Zabars. The world-famous eatery offers some of the best bagels and toppings in the city.

That said, all these benefits will cost you. Fordham is among one of the more expensive neighborhood options on this list.

However, if you time your apartment search right or choose to rent with roommates, you can save a ton on a great apartment.

4. Astoria, Queens

College students living in Astoria usually attend Columbia, Queens College, CUNY, and Vaughn College. You’ll often see them grabbing a quick coffee in one of the neighborhood’s many cafes and bakeries.

The many cafes and bakeries are also great options for students who enjoy the thrill of working in a coffee shop.

Beyond offering many locations to work, Astoria boasts a large Greek and Middle Eastern population that makes for a unique meld of cultures. Additionally, you’ll be able to dine on some delicious samosa or grab a gyro at one of the diverse Astoria restaurants that offer delectable eats.

If you’re trying to get from point A to point B, the NYC ferry has served Astoria since 2017, bolstering residents’ public transit options.

That said, you’ll find higher rent prices in this neighborhood. Astoria rents are notably cheaper than other areas of the city, but they are still on the higher side. Fortunately, you can rent with a roommate to shave costs down.

5. Washington Heights

Washington Heights is home to several Columbia University, CUNY, Yeshiva University, and Boricua College students. Students can be found milling about the neighborhood’s two NYPL branches, getting in some last-minute studying, or simply hanging out among the books.

Lin Manuel Miranda’s hit play In the Heights represents the neighborhood's large Latino population, though you may also know him from his Hamilton success.

Either way, Washington Heights is heavily influenced by Latino cultural elements, making it incredibly easy to find authentic, delicious eats from various Latin countries. Seriously, a food tour of this neighborhood will leave you in ecstasy.

If, as a student, you don’t have a ton of money to spare, Washington Heights’s land area is 33% open green space. This neighborhood’s parks offer free and fun outdoor recreation throughout the year.

Another money-saver in Washington Heights includes the neighborhood’s impressively affordable rent. You may also save on public transit options by reducing transfers, as the A, C, and 1 trains make getting places fast and efficient.

What to Look for in a College Neighborhood

Understanding what to look for in a college neighborhood is a little challenging because college students look for different things in an apartment than traditional renters.

Fortunately, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a breakdown of the best qualities to look for in a college neighborhood.

Walkability

One of the best things about going to school in New York City is that you don’t have to worry too much about getting around as it's so walkable!. The neighborhoods below boast 90+ walk and public transit score ratings.

Even cyclists will fall in love with the city, as a plethora of bike lanes and a well-established cyclist community means that you can feel more comfortable on your two wheels.

In short, getting around is easy and should be a bit of an adventure if you’re familiar with the rare sights, sounds, and experiences that New York streets are known for.

Just be sure that you are considering which campus you’ll be visiting most often and map out your commute before settling on a place. Many colleges have multiple campuses where your coursework requires you to travel between.

Entertainment

We all know college students’ reputation for partying. However, entertainment options that expand beyond crowded gatherings in an apartment can help you make the most of your college experience.

Fortunately, if you go to school in New York City, you'll have many entertainment and recreation options to choose from. So consider your lifestyle and take an in-depth look at your hobbies.

For example, if you consider yourself a gym buff, you'll want to choose a neighborhood that has a few different gyms that you can try out to find the best match.

You'll also want to choose a neighborhood with a few green spaces for your workouts. Not to mention parks are a great place to meet other students, get work done, and take some time to relax during your student career.

If you prefer your fun to start after hours, choose a neighborhood near a good bar scene. New York is famous for its thriving nightlife, so that shouldn't be too hard.

However, it's best to find housing in a neighborhood near the local bar scene, but not the local bar scene itself. That separation between work and play is essential to maintaining a solid school-work-life balance.

Student Discounts

When choosing a neighborhood to live in, be on the lookout for student discounts. Most landlords and property managers are well-aware of their clientele.

So, if you're renting in a neighborhood that is home to many students, you're more likely to find student discounts designed to attract more students.

Moreover, you may also find apartment amenities that will make your life as a student much easier, like indoor bike storage, in-unit laundry, a lobby/study area, and separate lease agreements per room.

If you can't find student discounts be on the lookout for move-in specials.

Move-in specials are designed to attract more applicants to a vacant unit by including incentives like reduced rent, waived or discounted fees, or access to more amenities.

If your priority is finding an apartment that you can afford, move-in specials can be an excellent way for you to save money and catch a great deal on a great apartment.

Local Amenities

Whether you are making your first move to off-campus living or are moving out of your parents’ house, you’ll soon find out that living near a grocery store or laundromat is kind of a huge deal.

When going on apartment tours, scope out neighborhood amenities, such as grocery stores, corner stores, laundromats, gyms, and more. The goal is to imagine your life in the area.

You don’t want to spend a ton of time slogging through gray NYC winter slush carrying a massive bag of laundry. So, laundromats and other amenities within close walking distance should be a significant priority during your search.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re making the move to NYC or you’re a long-term resident, choosing the right college neighborhood comes down to your preferences. So, take the time to determine what works best for you! Once you have a list of preferences, you can take our quiz to find your dream college apartment.