When you’re thinking about making a move to New York City, you’ll have to make quite a few decisions. Even though the city as a whole is known for its fast-paced culture and incredible opportunities, each neighborhood has potential pros and cons for a new resident. 

Safety is probably at the front of your mind as you shop around for co-living apartments in NYC. In such a big city with millions of residents and tourists, staying safe can be tricky. However, some of the region’s neighborhoods are known for being safer than others. 

Safest Areas in NYC, From Brooklyn to Manhattan

We’ll get into some useful NYC safety tips later on, but first, take a look at some of the city’s safest neighborhoods according to the people who live there (in no particular order).

1. Williamsburg

Even though Williamsburg is one of the Brooklyn neighborhoods located closest to the hustle and bustle of Manhattan, it still has a sense of removal from the city center and a more relaxed vibe. 

Williamsburg is full of quiet, tree-lined streets that offer all kinds of housing options, but it’s still near enough to all the amenities of Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn. Even though this area is much less crowded than some parts of Manhattan, there are still people out and about throughout most of the day, which makes walking around the neighborhood feel safe.

2. Morningside Heights

Nestled along the Hudson River on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, Morningside Heights is known as a safer neighborhood in Manhattan that is still relatively affordable. And since you won't find too many tourist attractions located in Morningside Heights, you won’t have to be overly wary of tourists constantly passing through. 

Instead, Columbia University, Barnard College, and the Manhattan School of Music are all located within the roughly 10-block radius of Morningside Heights, so there are almost always students and visitors roaming around the neighborhood and keeping an eye out for each other. 

3. East Village

The East Village is known as one of the more low-key areas to live and work in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Tompkins Square Park sits in the middle of the area and is surrounded by classic East Coast architecture. 

Like Morningside Heights, this area is less frequently visited by tourists than many other areas of Manhattan. Therefore, you’ll see fewer incidences of pickpocketing or street crime, but you’ll still be able to feel safe walking among many other residents of the area. 

4. Bed-Stuy

Though Brooklyn is home to many areas that are just as hip and happening as Manhattan, Bed-Stuy is generally considered one of Brooklyn’s sleepier and more family-friendly places to live.

Like other neighborhoods in Brooklyn, Bed-Stuy is full of tree-lined residential streets with lots of families around. Still, all the best amenities of Brooklyn and Manhattan are only a short walk or subway ride away.

5. Bushwick

Bushwick, a neighborhood just northeast of Bed-Stuy in Brooklyn, has come a long way from its industrial past. Many of the area’s old factories and warehouses have been converted to housing, artist studios, music venues, eateries, and coffee shops. 

This elevated style has attracted many young people to the neighborhood, and residents can expect a safer experience walking down the street in Bushwick than in years past. 

6. Crown Heights

Is Crown Heights safe for residents and visitors? Like many other Brooklyn neighborhoods, Crown Heights is home to a tight-knit community of many families who look after one another. 

If you’re looking for the safest neighborhoods in New York, consider this historic district in central Brooklyn that offers a high standard of living and a sense of safety on its streets. 

7. Upper East Side

The Upper East Side is one of Manhattan’s largest neighborhoods, spanning more than half of Central Park’s eastern side. Though some of the city’s biggest shopping destinations and museums are found on the Upper East Side, this area is still considered to be safe for residents, especially on the quieter streets with less foot traffic. 

8. West Harlem

There is a great deal of history and culture to discover in West Harlem, with proximity to art galleries, museums, shopping, parks, and more. This area is becoming more trendy and young, which means there are always residents around to make the streets feel safe and walkable. 

9. Hell’s Kitchen

There are so many inviting residential neighborhoods in Hell’s Kitchen, which is located along the Hudson River on the Lower West Side. While some of the more tourist-heavy streets can be risky to navigate on your own at night, this area has a tight-knit sense of community that helps residents feel safe. 

10. Lower East Side

The Lower East Side of Manhattan is home to a great deal of the city’s industry, but it’s also home to thousands of families who make the residential neighborhoods feel safe and inviting. Additionally, reaching Brooklyn from this area is easy by way of the Williamsburg Bridge. 

Tips for Staying Safe in NYC

Moving to the safest places to live in NYC will help give you peace of mind as a new resident in one of the world’s biggest cities. But no matter where you live, you can take your safety into your own hands by following some simple guidelines. 

As you would in any city, you should always keep your wits about you when walking on the streets. Whether it’s daytime or nighttime, avoid walking around wearing noise-canceling headphones or anything else that might obstruct your hearing. 

Try to avoid walking alone at night through poorly lit or unpopulated areas. Additionally, it’s a good idea to keep valuables like nice jewelry or electronics at home when you’re traveling around NYC. 

Explore Stays in the Safest NYC Neighborhoods With Roomrs

Before choosing a place to live in New York, it’s important to know where the safest areas are and where you’ll feel most at home. Take the time to explore all of our co-living furnished apartments available on Roomrs today!