Life in NYC is truly unique, and there are many ways to make yours enjoyable. One of the first things you should do is gather as much information about moving to the big apple as you can.
If you’ve been considering relocating to NYC, you’re probably currently faced with the decision of which borough you’ll be moving to. Two of the most popular choices for people are Queens and Manhattan.
The Queens vs. Manhattan dilemma is real, so let’s try to solve it by comparing them to each other in some of the most important categories that come to mind when choosing a place to live.
Intro to Manhattan
Although it is the smallest of the bunch, Manhattan is the most well-known and prestigious borough in NYC. It is known to be the home of the rich and famous. This beautiful part of the city has some of the best hotels, restaurants, venues, and universities.
In other words, it’s excellent for everything related to travel, eating out, entertainment, and education. The things Manhattan has to offer are undoubtedly diverse. It is also a business metropolis.
So, f you’re moving your office to NYC, you should probably turn to Manhattan.
However, Manhattan is not ideal in all aspects. Most accommodation is small, and yet their prices are sky-high. There will always be a lot of rowdy tourists and students around. Not to mention the noise and traffic jams.
Intro to Queens
Queens offers a more modest version of the NYC experience. Geographically, it is the largest of the boroughs, and in terms of population, it’s the second largest, only beaten by Brooklyn.
It is the most ethnically diverse area of NYC. It’s common for people to say that some of the friendliest and most accommodating people live in Queens.
Just like Manhattan, though, Queens has its problems. If you choose to move there, you’re losing out on some of Manhattan’s prestige and “pizzazz”. The job market is a bit less favorable, and your entertainment options will probably be limited.
Manhattan accommodation options
One of the most significant issues with Manhattan is the incredibly high living expenses. As we’ve already said, it is the home of the rich and famous. The real estate market makes it almost unreachable to the middle class.
Most homes are rentals, and your monthly payments won’t be cheap. And if you plan on buying a home, you’ll definitely feel the burn. The average price of homes is around 2 million USD or $2000 per square foot.
Of course, if you get a little creative and cut some corners financially, you may still be able to land a home in Manhattan. Smaller ethnic neighborhoods like Chinatown have some more affordable housing options.
You will have to save every penny you can by doing things like hiring professional movers and buying a bit of a fixer-upper home. You can let experts jump in regarding the moving process while you carefully plan out your financial strategy.
It might not seem cost-efficient at first glance, but letting professionals handle your moving will pay off in the long run.
Queens accommodation options
Accommodation is expensive in every part of New York compared to most other parts of the US. However, when you compare the boroughs, Queens definitely wins this round of the Queens vs. Manhattan battle. Both in terms of rentals and buying real estate.
Overall, finding the perfect rental in New York can be tricky no matter what borough you choose. But, Queens offers the most affordable options.
And since real estate in Queens provides a much wider range of property types (from apartments in skyscrapers to suburban houses), you’ll also probably find the perfect home to buy at a much lower price than in Manhattan.
Manhattan transportation
Manhattan is public transportation heaven because of the famous NYC subway. Getting to and from it is effortless, and you can get anywhere within the borough in under 30 minutes.
Since it’s also the smallest of the boroughs, most places you’ll be going to will be within walking distance. In fact, walking is most people’s preferred transportation option here.
On the other hand, owning a car and driving through the city is a real bother. Firstly, you should be prepared to pay a fortune for parking. And secondly, you can count on getting stuck in many traffic jams.
Queens transportation
When it comes to transportation, the situation in Queens is not bad. While Manhattan takes the win here, that doesn’t mean Queens is hard to get around.
Apart from a few isolated neighborhoods, it’s still relatively well connected by the subway. But, people who live in Queens are more dependent on their cars than those who live in Manhattan.
If you choose your neighborhood carefully, you may not even feel the difference between these two regarding transportation.
For example, if you decide to move to Astoria and work in Manhattan, it’ll be pretty easy for you to get to and from work. The trip from Astoria in Queens to Manhattan is about 10 minutes long.
Keep in mind that moving to this neighborhood can be a bit challenging. You’ll probably have to hire movers to help you out. Trying to do it alone will bring some challenges, but an experienced and helpful crew can handle it easily.
If you’re moving your business to Manhattan
A significant part of the office space available in New York is located in Manhattan. It is the most profitable. And it has the best location available for growing a business. Since all kinds of transportation can easily access it, it’s very convenient for clients and employees.
Or maybe to Queens
It should be noted that Queens has recently become quite a competitor in terms of office space. While Manhattan is a prevalent option, it’s also not the cheapest. That’s why many businesses are now renting offices in the much more affordable Queens.
Entertainment in Manhattan
In this competition, Manhattan wins by a landslide. It’s one of the entertainment centers in the US. You can attend events in Manhattan that you can’t enjoy anywhere else in the world. It also offers some of the world’s most famous theaters, museums, and concert halls.
As for going out for drinks, it’s great during both the day and night. Some of the best coffee shops in NYC are in Manhattan. And it offers a vibrant nightlife with many popular bars and nightclubs.
Aside from that, Manhattan has some of the most famous tourist attractions in the entire US:
- Rockefeller Center,
- The Empire State Building,
- The statue of Liberty,
- Times Square,
- Central Park,
- Patrick’s Cathedral,
- The High Line.
Entertainment in Queens
Of course, Queens isn’t boring anyone, either. Aside from the fact that you can always easily get to the entertainment in Manhattan, you also have some other options.
Beautiful parks and gardens are there for people who enjoy nature. But also for those who need a break from the concrete jungle every once in a while. Furthermore, there are also many wonderful museums.
And, of course, in Queens, you’ll see a lot more cultural diversity in entertainment. For example, the Queens Theater hosts many events that celebrate cultural diversity. One of the most famous ones is the Latino cultural festival.
To sum it all up
We hope this comparison will help you solve the Queens vs. Manhattan dilemma and make the best decision. As you can see, each of them has its perks and issues, and there’s no definitive answer to this question that will apply to everyone.
That’s why you have to weigh these out and decide which is better for you.
