Living In

The inside scoop on New York City neighborhoods and beyond.

Highlights

Bernardsville, N.J.: A Gilded Age Enclave Looking to the Future
With grand estates and rolling meadows, this Somerset County borough has long attracted the wealthy. But now it’s courting younger, less affluent buyers.
By Jill P. Capuzzo
CreditJennifer Pottheiser for The New York Times
1. Ringwood, N.J.: A Rural Lifestyle 40 Miles From New York City
  Residents say this northern Passaic County borough resembles the Catskills: “You’re in the country, and yet you’re not far from the city.”
  By Kathleen Lynn
  CreditLaura Moss for The New York Times
2. Brooklyn Heights: A Historic Waterfront Community Minutes From Manhattan
  The neighborhood, known as New York’s first suburb, is a place where ‘people want to stay forever.’
  By Aileen Jacobson
  CreditJanice Chung for The New York Times
3. Medford, N.J.: A Rural Township With a Quaint Downtown
  The Burlington County community often surprises new residents with its woodsy vibe: “It’s not at all what we thought of when we thought of New Jersey.”
  By Jill P. Capuzzo
  CreditHannah Beier for The New York Times

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City Island: A ‘Little Magical Wonderland’ in the Bronx
This 1.5-mile-long island, with “a beach on almost every block,” may feel like small-town New England, but it’s part of the city.
By Aileen Jacobson
Oceanport, N.J.: A Small Community With ‘Water Access Everywhere’
Once known as a military town, this Monmouth County borough is reinventing itself with a slew of new development. (Just ask Netflix.)
By Jill P. Capuzzo
Germantown, N.Y.: An Upstate Haven That Beckons Creatives
Home prices are way up in this Columbia County town, which is luring artists and writers from the city with its bucolic views and chic Main Street.
By Karen Angel
Saratoga Springs, N.Y.: An Urban Oasis at the Foot of the Adirondacks
The Saratoga Race Course has long been a big draw, but it’s not the only one in this small, walkable city with a ‘phenomenal quality of life.’
By Jill P. Capuzzo
Astoria, Queens: ‘A Mix of Traditional and Trendy’
With relatively affordable prices and an easy commute to Manhattan, the area is attracting new residents, but it still has a strong sense of community.
By Kathleen Lynn
Manasquan, N.J.: A Beach Town Where Kids ‘Have a Little More Freedom’
This shoreline borough is becoming more polished, but residents still cherish its old-fashioned vibe: “That’s the cool part about growing up here.”
By Jill P. Capuzzo
Old Saybrook, Conn.: A Quiet Shoreline Town With Relatively Low Taxes
This Middlesex County community was once a place “where middle-class people built cottages.” Now cash buyers are winning bidding wars.
By Lisa Prevost
Esopus, N.Y.: ‘Pristine Natural Surroundings’ and Stealth Wealth
This Ulster County town is known for its nature preserves, waterfront homes and quietly affluent residents: ‘They’re not in-your-face flashy.’
By Karen Angel
Hanover Township, N.J.: ‘A Nice, Family-Oriented Place’
With good schools and relatively low property taxes, this Morris County community is popular with buyers. No surprise, then, that the market is tight.
By Jill P. Capuzzo
Glastonbury, Conn.: A Friendly Community With Grand Historic Homes
The Hartford suburb draws residents with its bustling downtown, plentiful activities and long history (including a ferry established in 1655).
By Lisa Prevost