Living in Brooklyn vs Manhattan: Is There a Difference?

If you're thinking about living in New York, chances are you're struggling to figure out which borough you'll choose to call home. If you haven't lived in NYC before, this decision can be incredibly daunting. The two most obvious choices are Brooklyn and Manhattan. These two boroughs are the first that come to mind when you think of the quintessential New York lifestyle.

Deciding between living in Brooklyn vs. Manhattan means something different nowadays than it used to. Brooklyn was the ideal choice for those who found themselves priced out of Manhattan in a previous era.

A lot has changed! These days the price gap between Brooklyn and Manhattan is much smaller. In fact, in some Brooklyn neighborhoods, the average rent is even higher than it is in Manhattan. So, how do you choose? Well, the reality is that deciding which borough to move to is an intensely personal choice. No one can make it for you.

We can give you insight into what living in each of these two boroughs would be like. We'll take a look at the most critical questions you should be asking yourself when deciding where to live in New York City.

What Kind of Lifestyle Do You Want?

The New York subway makes it possible and relatively convenient to access all of the best parts of the city. But where you decide to live will inevitably be the place you spend the majority of your time. Keeping this in mind, it is essential to choose the area that best suits the lifestyle you envision for yourself.

Neighborhood Vibes

If what you're looking for most is a community atmosphere, Brooklyn is the part of the city that delivers. There is a strong sense of community in Brooklyn and a slower pace of life. Areas like Williamsburg, Bushwick, and Greenpoint are more lively and energetic neighborhoods, but for the most part, the energy in Brooklyn is more relaxed than living in Manhattan. The neighborhoods in Brooklyn feature larger homes, larger lots, and more green spaces.

The area has a far more residential feel than Manhattan. Yet, it remains a major urban center with all of the attractions and conveniences of city life.

In contrast, Manhattan is the beating heart of New York City. This is where you go to find the iconic New York you see in movies and on television. Manhattan is what gives the city of New York its fame. If you're looking for a fast-paced lifestyle and easy access to the city's best cultural institutions, global industries, and entertainment, Manhattan is the place.

Manhattan has some quieter neighborhoods, too. So don't think that living there means you'll never get any peace and calm. The West Village, Upper East Side, and Washington Heights offer more tranquil living experiences. It's also worth keeping in mind that Manhattan contains a constant stream of people, and not all of them are residents.

When living in any part of New York City, you're going to encounter hordes of humans. Many of those will be residents in Manhattan, but many will also be tourists and visitors from out-of-town. Still, if the experience you want living in New York features towering skyscrapers, fast-paced energy, and an incredibly dynamic day-to-day lifestyle, then Manhattan is your ideal spot.

Attractions

When it comes to who has the best attractions, it's hard to argue against Manhattan taking the cake. Manhattan has the Empire State Building, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Broadway - the list is endless. However, as previously mentioned, you'll be competing with crowds of tourists to get access to these famed attractions in Manhattan.

It's important to realize that Brooklyn offers access to a great selection of NYC attractions as well. Brooklyn is merely ten minutes from Midtown by subway if you're looking for proximity to museums and performances. Brooklyn also has its selection of popular attractions. These include Coney Island, the Brooklyn Museum, Prospect Park, and the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens.

People

Most people don't meet their neighbors before moving to a new neighborhood these days, yet the people with whom you surround yourself remain an integral part of choosing where to live. The demographics in Manhattan and Brooklyn can be vastly different. Manhattan features an incredible level of wealth disparity. Living in Manhattan means you'll be coming into contact with everyone from the obscenely wealthy to the most deeply impoverished.

It can be depressing living where the elite one percent are thriving in ways the majority never will. Brooklyn also has wealthy families and individuals, but the wealth disparity doesn't feel nearly as extreme. If you're more interested in living among artists, makers, small business entrepreneurs, and families, Brooklyn will be a better fit.

Food

If you are a person who values access to exceptional culinary experiences, you will be thrilled with the options both Brooklyn and Manhattan have to offer. Each neighborhood features incredible dining with its twist. Manhattan has some of the best upscale dining options in the world. Some of the most renowned restaurants like Contento, Wau, Shukette, and the ambitious pop-up Dame.

If you're looking for the most prestigious, cutting-edge culinary destinations in the city, Manhattan is where you'll find them. Brooklyn is the destination for the best foodie destinations in New York. It has its world-class restaurants, but they aren't focused on feeding the elite so much as the adventurous.

Brooklyn's Smorgasburg is the most expansive open-air market in the country. It attracts between 20 and 30 thousand visitors to Brooklyn every weekend and features 100 different local vendors. The DeKalb Market Hall is yet another incredible Brooklyn destination for foodies. The 60,000 square foot market features 40 different vendors, a mixture of strongholds and newbies, including the famous Bunker of Bushwick and Wilma Jean of Carroll Gardens.

What Type of Building Do did You Want to Live In?

You'll likely find any building you could want to inhabit in either the Manhattan or Brooklyn boroughs. Yet, each neighborhood has its unique feel and housing opportunities. Having an idea in your mind of what you picture when you come home to your residence will help you choose between settling down in Brooklyn vs. Manhattan.

The main difference in housing between the two boroughs is that Manhattan is better known for featuring skyscrapers and townhouses. Brooklyn is known for offering the loft and brownstone lifestyle. But that isn't to imply both boroughs don't offer a variety of options.

Manhattan

If you decide on moving to Manhattan and you're looking for a neighborhood that features green spaces and loft apartments, check out Tribeca or Soho. The Upper East Side and Midtown East offer a variety of post-war buildings with high-security and concierge services. In a modern skyscraper featuring the most luxurious amenities, turn your attention to Manhattan's Financial District for the elite lifestyle.

If you're looking for warmth and charm, check out the mid-rise pre-war residences of the Upper West Side. Finally, in downtown Manhattan and Greenwich, you'll find delightful walk-ups and tenant-style accommodations.

Brooklyn

Brooklyn's neighborhoods also feature an excellent variety of quintessential New York housing options. One important thing to note about Brooklyn is that it offers lower property taxes than Manhattan on average.

When looking for the ideal neighborhood in Brooklyn, you have a lot of different options. Check out Windsor Terrace and Kensington for the best selection of single-family homes and wide-open parks and outdoor spaces. Park Slope, Bed-Stuy, and Fort Greene are the neighborhoods to consider if you're in the market for a brownstone on a stately tree-lined street.

In Williamsburg, you can find just about any housing you can imagine. Whether you're looking for a townhome, a loft, a luxury condominium, or a charming postwar residence, you will find it there. For a quiet, family-friendly atmosphere with similar housing options to Williamsburg, try Greenpoint. If you decide on downtown Brooklyn, you'll find a selection of housing options quite similar to what you'd find in downtown Manhattan.

What Are the Differences in Cost of Living?

Before the 1990s, the difference between the cost of living in Manhattan and Brooklyn was far more distinct. These days you won't find a significant difference between the two boroughs regarding living expenses and housing costs.

Still, in Brooklyn, you'll find lower property taxes and more space for the money you're spending. Brooklyn also has a much more relaxed vibe, which means you won't feel as much pressure to go out and spend money the way you would in Manhattan.

These differences make Manhattan more popular among the extremely wealthy and the energetic youth, while Brooklyn is more enticing for aging Millennials and new young families. As far as apartment prices in Manhattan go, they're only a smidgen higher than what you'll find in Brooklyn.

Keep in mind that the apartment selection in Manhattan will feature less square footage than what you'll get in Brooklyn. The average cost to rent an apartment in Brooklyn is $2600. The cost to rent a Manhattan apartment is closer to $4000. However, when you look for places to rent, you'll want to compare prices among several different neighborhoods to ensure you're getting the best deal. Overall, Manhattan remains slightly more expensive than Brooklyn and generally requires a higher cost of living.

What Are Your Commuting Needs?

When you think about moving to Manhattan or Brooklyn, it's essential to understand that commuting in New York City has very little to do with the physical distance between your home and the place where you work.

Subway

When determining your commute, you need to consider how convenient your access to the subway, how frequently the trains run, and how much traffic exists between you and your destination. The majority of New Yorkers don't own a personal vehicle. Many of them don't even know how to drive. There's no point in wasting time learning because getting around New York efficiently requires reliance on the city's vast public transportation system.

The New York City subway is easily the city's most significant unifier. Everyone has to take the subway at some point, but not all parts of the city have equal access to the subway. When looking for places to live in the city, pay close attention to subway station locations and commute times. It's best if you can find housing options located within walking distance to a subway station. However, homes closest to subway stations are usually more expensive.

Typically, the further north you are in Manhattan, the less subway access you have. In Brooklyn, you start to lose subway coverage the further you go south and east. It's also important to understand that subway maintenance happens frequently. Entire stations and subway lines can get shut down, and delays are widespread. It's always a good idea to plan and check the MTA website.

Other Public Transit Options

The subway isn't the only option for public transportation in New York. Other convenient options include the city bus system, Ubers and taxis, ferries, and Citi Bike. If you are relocating to New York for a job, considering your commute should be at the top of your list. Talk to your employer about the best places to live for commuting to your new office and inquire about the most common ways your coworkers choose to commute.

Living in Brooklyn vs. Manhattan: Which Will You Choose?

The choice between living in Brooklyn vs. Manhattan is a decision that depends mainly on your personal lifestyle preferences and your budget. Whether you go with the energetic Manhattan lifestyle in the heart of the city with access to the best of New York art and culture, or the more tight-knit creative community of Brooklyn, you're going to love living in New York. Like this article? Please take the next step in your relocation research and check out what's in store for you in our Home Sales & Rentals subsection.