The decision of choosing between living in Manhattan and Brooklyn is often a tough one. Both boroughs offer a thriving metropolitan area with incredible housing options, excellent public schools, and an abundance of entertainment and nightlife. But some differences separate the two.
Let’s take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of each borough so you can decide for yourself which is the right choice. Also, if you want to know about the safest neighborhoods, check out this article about the safest neighborhoods in New York.
Brooklyn Vs. Manhattan: Living Expenses
Brooklyn living expenses are often much lower than Manhattan living expenses. While the gap is closing—rent Brooklyn’s increased by 8% in the last year, while Manhattan’s rent increased by only 2%. Brooklyn remains cheaper than Manhattan overall.
If you discover a one-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn for an average rent of $2,665 per month and a similar apartments in Manhattan specifically ask for an average rent of $4,091 per month, you will have an extra $1426 to spare each month—that’s almost $17,000 per year!
While it may not appear to be much, consider what you could do with an extra $1800 each year: you could join a gym and sign up for their gym membership for roughly $45 per month; you could “banquet” on top-tier sushi once a week if you’re really hungry, or you could pay off your school loans faster.
Views Of The City
A view of the skyline is traditionally considered a luxury for city inhabitants. Sky vistas are difficult to come by, especially in Manhattan, one of the world’s most densely populated cities. Most New York City buildings obstruct residents’ views of the city’s skylines. If the New York City skyline is significant to you, consider expanding your search of homes and apartments in new york to include property in areas like Astoria, Greenpoint, or Williamsburg in Brooklyn.
Life In The City Vs Life In The Community
Yes, the views are spectacular, and there is no place like New York City. It’s easy to get tunnel vision; perhaps you’re so caught up in the rush and bustle of Manhattan that you’ve forgotten how to feel like a real person, rather than simply another faceless citizen among the noise and bustle.
Manhattan is filled with tourists from around the world, students rushing to their campuses, and wealthy apartment owners. But that doesn’t mean everyone should live in New York; modern civilization also requires neighbors.
And here it is, where Brooklyn comes into place with a much quiet lifestyle, outgoing places where you can socialize and make new connections with people. There are plenty of cutesy cafes, restaurants, and coffee shops to visit throughout the day without breaking your budget or exhausting yourself from traveling back and forth from Brooklyn itself.
Gourmet Cuisine Vs Foodie Paradise
Let’s be honest: New Yorkers adore food. NYC is often regarded as one of the best cuisine cities in the world, if not the best. Manhattan has long been a hotspot for fine-dining establishments, where guests spend top dollar on dining with a view of Central Park and often sample gourmet cuisine that is utterly new to them.
Brooklyn has emerged as a key contender in recent years, not just with its noteworthy restaurants but also with new establishments presenting classic favorites in a more relaxed setting. Most of the restaurants in Manhattan follow the Michelin guide with its fancy dishes and rich and expensive ingredients.
If you go around asking chefs in all the restaurants how they feel about the guide, they will all say in a heartbeat that it takes away the freedom and the love and passion that chefs get and enjoy from cooking. On the other hand, in Brooklyn it’s much easier to find different styles of cooking and a variety of dishes for which you won’t be spending a budget.
Another asset that Brooklyn cuisine has is the street food vendors, where you can experience the rich flavors and traditional cuisine of all the countries in the world. Something like this gives Brooklyn a slight edge over the fancy dining that Manhattan can provide.
Attractions In Manhattan Vs Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the ideal destination for a traveler to live out his or her dream, with hundreds of sights, sounds, and sensations all within an hour’s subway ride. Manhattan has something for everyone, from the dazzling lights of Times Square to Broadway plays and other tourist attractions. Living in a place like New York City, on the other hand, comes at a price.
Living in Manhattan means coping with a lot of chaos, from overcrowded subways and congested streets to long queues at every big tourist attraction. If you want to go away from the summer heat or crowds in pursuit of a less-known but still affordable perspective of Manhattan, consider Brooklyn.
Although some people do not consider Brooklyn to be a part of New York City (it is referred to as “NYC”), it has just as much to offer as any other borough. Brooklyn, with over 400 acres of parkland, makes it easy to experience nature while on vacation.
Conclusion
If you’re into the creative or financial industries, or if you simply like being around people at all times of day and night, then there’s a lot to love about living in Manhattan. However, if you have a lot of family and friends outside of New York City, or if you’re just looking for a more laid-back area, Brooklyn might be more your speed. Ultimately, it comes down to what you enjoy.
Do you love Brooklyn so much that you’d be willing to continue to commute long past the point others would complain? Is the diversity and culture of Manhattan enough to make up for your infeasible commute? The decision is yours, and only you can decide whether or not you can deal with the reality of city life. You should take time to explore Brooklyn, Manhattan, and everywhere else before making a decision.
