Quantifying the characteristics of the best places to retire in NYC

Getting a sense of NYC as a location through data

Local Logic builds location intelligence solutions to help home seekers and investors find opportunities that are most suited to their preferences and requirements. We draw upon thousands of data points to develop 18 proprietary Location Scores to provide street- and neighborhood-level insights.

Location Scores measure amenities close by and mobility patterns around a neighborhood, so homebuyers can better understand and assess a location. Using our location insights, you can find properties based on specific characteristics, such as proximity to schools or quiet neighborhoods, and make more informed decisions on where to live.

1. Park Slope

Park Slope is a relaxed and down-to-earth residential area with a small town vibe. Its streets are tree-lined and a number of historic brownstones are home to many. The community is made up of mostly families and young professionals, but they’re welcoming to folks of all demographics. Businesses are a combination of eclectic boutiques, low-key bars, and casual eateries like The Soup Bowl of Park Slope and Park Slope Ale House.

There’s also an abundance of green space, including nearby Prospect Park where residents flock for outdoor concerts, picnics, and jogging during the warmer months. Other nearby amenities include the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the Brooklyn Museum, the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, and the central branch of the Brooklyn Public Library.

2. Gramercy Park

Gramercy Park is an affluent residential area covered with brownstones and upscale apartments on tree-lined streets. It has a perfect rating for being both pedestrian and transit-friendly, making it a very walkable neighborhood with easy access to all of life’s necessities. The restaurants are unique and classy, and the bars, like Pete’s Tavern, are historic.

If you’re into the arts, Irving Plaza will become your go-to concert venue, and the neighborhood is also home to the Gramercy Theatre and The National Arts Club.

3. Prospect Heights

Although still upbeat, Prospect Heights is a mellow neighborhood in Brooklyn. Keeping with the theme of the preceding neighborhoods, there are a number of brownstones and luxury condos sprinkled in between landmarks like the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the Brooklyn Museum, the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch, and the Barclays Center.

Most of the area’s residents have roots in the Caribbean. Some of the neighborhood eateries include Cheryl’s Global Soul, Tom’s Restaurant, and Ciao, Gloria.

4. Upper West Side

The Upper West Side is a wildly popular neighborhood. It’s home to a number of canonized city landmarks like Central Park West, the American Museum of Natural History, and the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, which holds the Metropolitan Opera and the New York City Ballet. If you want to immerse yourself in popular culture every time you leave your home, then this has to be your top choice of neighborhood.

5. Battery Park City

Battery Park City sits right along the bank of the Hudson River. It’s a mainly residential neighborhood consisting mainly of upscale high-rise apartment buildings. Casual eateries and bars are plentiful, and are a big draw for the young professionals working in the Financial District during the week.

On the weekends, the atmosphere is a lot calmer. Folks spend their time shopping at Brookfield Place or biking on the paths along the river. Some notable landmarks in the area are the Museum of Jewish Heritage, The Skyscraper Museum, and the Irish Hunger Memorial.

Finding the right neighborhood in NYC for your retirement

Art, culture, diversity, beautiful architecture, and bustle are all part of the DNA of the best neighborhoods for retirees in NYC. It’s the perfect place for the young at heart to stay connected to the goings-on of their area and meet like-minded folks in the retiree demographic.

Our Location Scores are available through Local Content on many of our partner sites and their real estate listings in NYC. When searching for your next home, or a new neighborhood, you can look for specific characteristics on each individual listing to find the perfect place for you.