New York City is the quintessential metropolis. A major business and finance hub, it's one of the best-known cities in the world. As such, many of the Big Apple's central districts are known throughout the globe too, from Chelsea and the Upper East Side to Midtown Manhattan and Wall Street. But what about the New York City suburbs? Where can families live in New York City without having to contend with all that hustle and bustle? A few good examples include Ridgewood, Kensington, Ardsley, and Great Neck Plaza. Get to know all of these great neighborhoods and more.
Ardsley
Ardsley looks so much like a suburban village that you would never think that the Big Apple is nearby. Its town area reads like a rural town in the
American countryside while the residential areas look and feel like a little village on the prairie. Since it's a lot more peaceful and comparatively safer than the city center, it's no surprise that Ardsley is widely regarded as one of the best areas for families to settle down in New York.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ PointsofNoReturn
Battery Park City
Battery Park City is perhaps the most unique in this list of New York City suburbs. Many would even argue that it's not a suburb at all since it's technically one of
New York City's central neighborhoods. Battery Park City is located on the east side of Manhattan, right along the East River. Though it's still part of the world-famous borough, it looks and feels like an entirely different town altogether. Battery Park City is a largely residential district filled with townhouses, apartment buildings, and the like. The only other (main) facility nearby is the prominent Stuyvesant High School.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Chris6d
Bronxville
No, Bronxville is not in the Bronx. Contrary to its name, this suburb is far from the seemingly similarly-named
New York City borough. Set about 15 miles north of Manhattan, it's a smaller town in New York State's Westchester County, where many of the city's other suburbs are located too. Bronxville itself is a lovely district known for its tree-lined streets and historic homes. The place looks more like it came straight out of a classic American novel than another residential town near the Big Apple.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Tomwsulcer
Great Neck Plaza
Since it's all the way in Long Island, Great Neck Plaza is perhaps the farthest of these suburbs from New York City. Still, it's not so far that people can't live here and still go to Manhattan and the other boroughs regularly. There are even many elites who live or have
moved to New York City and have gotten a second home here. The town, after all, is a quiet residential district known for its pedestrian-friendly streets. You can easily go on a walk here, perhaps with your dog, and you won't have to worry about getting hit by a cab.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ D. Benjamin Miller
Kensington
Weirdly enough, Kensington can refer to both the suburb in Brooklyn and the small town in Long Island. Both are largely residential and evoke a small-town vibe that's a world away from the Big Apple's hustle and bustle. Even the Kensington in Brooklyn is made up of full-flown houses with private gardens and a few nice schools nearby. It's completely different from other parts of the borough that are more about commercial establishments and smaller
luxury apartments in New York City.
Source: Street Lab.
Larchmont
Only about 6,5000 people live in Larchmont, New York, further proving that it's a true New York City suburb. A lot quieter compared to Manhattan, which is only 18 miles away, Larchmont is the kind of residential district where you can raise your family in peace and live a normal, suburban life. But don't think that just because this place is quieter, it's also more boring. Places like the Larchmont Farmer's Market and Manor Park make living here more pleasant compared to having city life in the Big Apple.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Pelham
If you're the outdoorsy type, living in New York City might not be for you. This concrete jungle isn't exactly what your inner adventurer might be yearning for. You'd rather stay in a place with hiking trails and massive green spaces, wouldn't you? Fortunately, Pelham is only 23 miles away from the world-famous metropolis. Here, you can stay near New York City while enjoying the nature-centric attractions that Pelham offers. The nearby forested areas make for great hiking while the town's big parks are perfect for camping.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ ALT55-VictorM
Ridgewood
Ridgewood is another New York City suburb that's still within the city limits. The residential district is located in Queens, one of the five boroughs, and has its fair share of urban energy. The nearest
NYC Subway station is only right by the corner and a short walk away from the Brownstone homes will already have you surrounded by bodegas, cafes, restaurants, shops, and more. Nevertheless, the residential parts of Ridgewood look and feel more like a standard suburb.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Jleon
White Plains
While White Plains is technically a different city altogether, it's still regarded as an inner-city suburb of New York. The district has big buildings, business hubs, and of course, quieter residential areas. The latter is what truly brings out its suburban status. These villages are mostly made up of residences and a few good schools nearby. All of these make White Plains a better option for residents to raise a family than the city center itself.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Yonkers
Much like White Plains, Yonkers is technically a different city from New York City. Located right by the Hudson River, it's about 20 miles away from Downtown Manhattan. Also similarly to White Plains, Yonkers has its fair share of big buildings, business hubs, and commercial districts. So should it still be on this list? Yes! Despite how urban most of it is, Yonkers remains a lot more residential than New York City itself. The villages here evoke the small-town vibes that other suburbs on this list have.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ ajay_suresh
There's more to New York City than its trendiest and most bustling districts. Hence, you'd do well to discover the city's best suburbs. They're lovely residential areas perfect for living a peaceful life with your kids in the Big Apple.
