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New York real estate has always been wildly unpredictable, but for the past few years, there's been one reliable trend: the outer boroughs are getting hotter and hotter, while Manhattan is steadily cooling off.
In fact, according to a new survey by StreetEasy, nine out of the 10 most-sought-after neighborhoods in New York City right now are in Brooklyn and Queens, and only one is in Manhattan.
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StreetEasy determined the hottest neighborhoods based on the amount of searches on its database among buyers and renters from 2023 to 2024. Ridgewood came in first place, followed by Greenwood in second place and Long Island City in third place.
It makes sense why Ridgewood is so coveted right now: while the neighborhood is right next to Bushwick, one of the most-sought-after destinations for nightlife and entertainment, Ridgewood boasts quieter vibes. In its report, StreetEasy noted that "renters [are] seeking a more residential feel—or simply a change of scenery" from Bushwick. And, even though the area is often overshadowed by its southern neighbor, it has a growing share of great restaurants, cool cafes and amazing bars—so much so that we named it one of the coolest neighborhoods in the world, and the coolest in NYC, back in 2022.
The StreetEasy report also found that the year on year searches for the neighborhood grew a staggering 13.2%, and the median asking rent increased by 8.3% year on year to $3,250 per month.
The second hottest neighborhood, Greenwood, sits just above Sunset Park and is most famous for its cemetery, which has sweeping view of the city and is where Jean-Michel Basquiat and other icons are buried. Its close proximity to green spaces, falling prices and access to trains are some of the reasons for its growing popularity, according to the report.
Long Island City, which came in third, is most sought after by those looking for modern amenities. With several new constructions and modern condos to choose from, the year on year median asking rent has continued to go up in that neighborhood, where the median asking rent is now $4,148.
One major reason for the popularity of outer boroughs? People are craving more amenities, such as outdoor space, pools, gyms and in-unit laundry, especially with the hybrid working model many of us have become accustomed to. While the outer boroughs are dominating housing trends, it's interesting to note that people are still looking to have easy access to Manhattan while not necessarily living there.
Only one Manhattan neighborhood, Morningside Heights, made it on the top 10.
Here is StreetEasy's full list of hottest neighborhoods for 2025:
1. Ridgewood, Queens
2. Greenwood, Brooklyn
3. Long Island City, Queens
4. Sunnyside, Queens
5. Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn
6. Fort Greene, Brooklyn
7. Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
8. Crown Heights, Brooklyn
9. Prospect Lefferts Garden, Brooklyn
10. Morningside Heights, Manhattan