Whether you’re new or have been here for years, where we live shapes our experience of this fine city we choose to call home. It’s impossible to know every nook and cranny, so we asked some AWNY Committee members to share why they choose to live where they do and what makes their neighborhood so great.
NAME: Sarah McLellan Mee
NEIGHBOURHOOD: Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED HERE: Almost nine years—next February will mark the milestone. I moved here as a newly single 33-year-old, figuring out life post-breakup. Fast forward to now, and Greenpoint has been the backdrop to my biggest life moments: meeting my now-husband, Chaz, dating, moving in together, getting engaged, surviving a pandemic, and welcoming our daughter, Alula. It’s been a journey, to say the least.
PROS: Greenpoint feels like a little village tucked into the city, with its low-rise buildings, tree-lined streets, and a strong sense of community. Historically a Polish immigrant neighborhood, it’s evolved into a foodie’s dream, with some of the best restaurants popping up in recent years. Favorites? Bernie’s for that nostalgic charm, Nura for something special, Taqueria Ramirez for tacos that transport you, El Pingüino for seafood and cocktails, and Chez Ma Tante for brunch perfection.
It’s also a bakery haven—Nick & Sons is hands-down my favorite, but Radio Bakery, Paloma, and Acre are close behind.
As a mom to a 3-year-old, I adore the kid-friendly vibe. Between McCarren and McGolrick Parks, we’ve got endless space to run and explore. And let’s not forget Aussie artist CJ Hendry’s Space Club, which is basically a kid’s paradise of climbing, jumping, and letting loose.
What makes Greenpoint extra special is the people. Over the years, neighbors have watched our family grow, cheered us on, and become part of our story. There’s a real sense of connection here that’s hard to find anywhere else.
CONS: Greenpoint’s charm hasn’t gone unnoticed, and the influx of newcomers has driven rents through the roof. Developers are tearing down old three-family homes to build multi-million-dollar condos, and chain stores are slowly edging out mom-and-pop shops.
I know change is inevitable in NYC, but I really hope Greenpoint can hold onto its scrappy, authentic soul. There’s something magical about this neighborhood, and it would be a shame to see it fade into something too shiny, too polished, and too predictable.
FUN FACT: Maybe not “fun” in the traditional sense, but Greenpoint’s industrial past has left its mark. Parts of the neighborhood—especially in the north—have toxic soil due to oil spills and poor industrial practices. Those fancy new high-rises by the waterfront? Many are built on Superfund sites. It’s an ongoing issue that local officials are working to address, but it’s definitely something to be aware of.
NAME: Zoe Wetherall
NEIGHBOURHOOD: Nolita, Manhattan
HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED HERE? Two years
PROS: Extremely convenient area. I can walk to at least 5 different subway lines. Can also easily walk to SoHo, Little Italy, Chinatown & LES. I love living near Elizabeth Street Garden. Really hope it can be saved from being demolished by the city. There are also lots of great restaurants nearby. Thai Diner is a favorite just around the corner from me.
CONS: It’s a very busy area, and there’s a lot of stuff on the street for my dog, Pixel, to try to eat, often successfully, like weed. Unfortunately, the closest dog park is a 20-minute walk away. I could do with a Trader Joe’s being closer, too.
FUN FACT: Nolita is a contraction of ‘North of Italy.’
NAME: Jenni Glover
NEIGHBOURHOOD: West Village
HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED HERE? Almost four years.
PROS: I love the Village as it reminds me of Notting Hill, London – where I lived for many years before moving to New York City. It’s villagey and an escape from the wonderful big metropolis uptown. The architecture, the beautiful homes, a lot of cobblestoned streets – it’s like you are stepping back in time when you come here. There are so many great restaurants and bars and small independent shops that are not chain stores.
CONS: It is a schlep to get to other great neighborhoods where friends live – like the UES.
FUN FACT: The West Village was a center of American bohemian culture in the early and mid-20th century. It was home to many artists, writers, and musicians, including Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, and Jack Kerouac.
NAME: Tia Metaxas
NEIGHBOURHOOD: Rego Park, Queens
HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED HERE: nine months
PROS: Rego Park is a hidden gem! I love the local food spots, the abundance of fresh produce, the peaceful atmosphere, and the friendly community. It’s a place where you can truly unwind. The variety of authentic cuisines here is incredible, and the Queens Botanical Garden is stunning. I also adore Forest Hills—it feels like stepping onto a movie set with its charming streets and unique shops. Queens Center is another favorite for shopping, especially if you want to explore department stores without the usual crowds.
CONS: At times, it can feel a bit far from Manhattan, especially when subway delays or classic New York traffic come into play. But the charm and community of Queens make it worth it!
FUN FACT: Did you know Queens is the most diverse borough in New York? It’s often called “The World’s Borough,” with 47.2% of its population born outside the U.S. It’s truly a melting pot of cultures!
NAME: Emily Laurence
NEIGHBOURHOOD: Upper West Side
HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED HERE: 2.5 years
PROS: I love living between Central Park and Riverside Park. Whether it’s watching our kids play soccer or basketball or running, walking to work, going for a run ourselves, or seeking out a playground, a splash pad, a hill for sledding, or a picnic spot, we find ourselves in either Central Park or Riverside Park every single day. It’s like having two endless backyards, with something different to offer in every season.
I also love that the UWS is super family-oriented, but also only 3 stops on the express train to Greenwich Village. Within 15 minutes of leaving home, we can find ourselves transported to a completely different part of Manhattan. Plus, a few more stops on the same train, and we’re in Brooklyn Heights, so I love that it’s easy to get about the city from the UWS, especially with kids in tow.
CONS: None!
FUN FACT: There are so many Aussie families on the UWS that, at my kids’ public elementary school, the teachers let the Aussie mums take over classes for a couple of hours on Australia Day. We organize fun Australian-themed crafts and games and offer tastings of Vegemite and fairy bread.
NAME: Amy Potter
NEIGHBOURHOOD: Sunset Park, Brooklyn. I’m married to an American, Abad, and I have three dual-citizen daughters, Sigrid (7), Iona (3), and Beatrix (6 months).
HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED HERE: I’ve been here for 18 months. We are in NYC for good and we were lucky enough to buy a townhouse we are now renovating.
PROS: Sunset Park is such a family-friendly neighborhood. There’s always something happening in the park—on any given day, you’ll see tai chi classes in the mornings, kids playing, or big family gatherings like quinceañeras. It’s a really warm and welcoming, working-class community where it’s easy to meet your neighbors—people are so friendly!
The food scene is incredible, especially if you love Mexican, Chinese, and Vietnamese cuisine. My family loves the tacos and dumplings you can find just a short walk from each other. Industry City is another favorite spot, with its great food options, fun events, and even some shopping.
The park itself is a gem. Not only does it have one of the best playgrounds around, but the view of the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty from the top of the hill is unbeatable.
CONS: While the neighborhood has fantastic food options, it’s not the place to find great Italian food—definitely a gap there! Double parking can get pretty crazy, especially on 5th Ave, which sometimes makes driving a bit of an adventure. But honestly, the sense of community here makes up for it. And it’s an affordable neighborhood in a city like NYC.
FUN FACT: Sunset Park is named after the actual park, which is one of Brooklyn’s highest points and offers amazing views. The neighborhood is also home to one of the largest Chinese communities in Brooklyn, so there’s always something fun and cultural going on, especially during festivals.
NAME: Joanne Pickhaver
NEIGHBOURHOOD: Carnegie Hill, Upper East Side
HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED HERE: I’ve lived here for 18 months along with my husband, John, our three daughters, Alice (13), Lucy (11), and Chloe (9), and Cavoodle, Milla.
PROS: A great neighborhood with kids. There are lots of schools (public and private) on the UES, and Central Park is so close. My morning routine is to drop the girls at their school and then walk the dog in Central Park (which is off-leash before 9am and a social mecca for dogs!). There are plenty of great after-school activities all within walking distance (we currently do ballet at Ballet Academy East, gymnastics/parkour at the 92Y, swimming at Asphalt Green, and tennis at Randall’s Island, plus we’re close to Wollman Rink for winter ice skating). Fast subway transport into Midtown/Downtown for work and amazing restaurants and museums nearby. Plus, you’re a quick Uber home from Times Square/Lincoln Centre after a night out on Broadway. When you’re looking to get out of town, the UES makes for an easy escape to Long Island/Hamptons, Upstate/Hudson Valley, and La Guardia/JFK airports (you’re on the “right side” of town to hop across the East River so avoid the worst of the traffic on a Friday night). Our girls are living their best Gossip Girl lives!
CONS: Navigating after-school life with 3 kids with many extra-curricular activities is a big challenge in New York. You can’t just jump in the car and drive everyone around! The benefit of having everything within walking distance is huge (and even then, walking in sub-zero temperatures all through winter is a challenge!). We have a 10-minute walk to school, and I’m super grateful for that, as it’s a lifesaver during the colder months. It took the first year to sort out the right “activity timetable,” as there are so many amazing extra-curricular options in New York, but not all are feasible (particularly when you’re juggling several kids).
FUN FACT: We love the family-friendly vibe of the UES. Halloween is amazing, and we love how the changing seasons are embraced. Park Avenue and the surrounding streets have the most amazing seasonal decorations, from cherry blossoms in the spring to pumpkins and fall leaves in the fall and Christmas trees in December. It’s magical all year round. We did find it funny how empty the UES is over the summer when families escape New York during July/August for homes Upstate or in the Hamptons. It’s completely different when school is in session. Our girls did the summer camp thing last summer with a 4-week sleepaway camp in New Hampshire. It was such an American experience and one they absolutely loved!
NAME: Melanie O’Brien
NEIGHBOURHOOD: Greenpoint, Brooklyn
HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED HERE: Just over a year
PROS: The balance of bars, bakeries, amazing coffee shops, parks, and good views is just right. It also feels a bit more like a community with a great atmosphere during festive periods with decorations and events. People do seem a bit friendlier as well – for example, one day I was sitting with my friends in the window of a bar and a man walked past and he said he should take a photo on our phones of us because we just looked so happy and had great lighting! Also, a bit of a bonus, with the amount of Australians around, the coffee shops know to open early and, last year, they were open on every day of the holidays!
CONS: It’s a little hard to find a dive-y sports bar that is open for early morning sporting events. Having moved from Flatiron, where there is no shortage, and you’re a quick walk to East Village, finding a pub to watch the premier league or any Aussie sporting event has proven quite difficult, but it’s a good excuse to head to a nearby neighborhood or stream from the comfort of your own living room (something I would refuse to do two years ago!)
FUN FACT: The street names from the top of Greenpoint, Box Street to Greenpoint Avenue follow the alphabet!
NAME: Kate McAuley
NEIGHBOURHOOD: Hoboken, New Jersey
HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED HERE: Two Years
PROS: It’s not New York. Hoboken, also known as the mile square city, has a small-town feel. It’s full of cute shops and superb restaurants. There’s also a great sense of community as well as space. I love walking our dog Roxie on the parks and pathways that line the Hudson River where the spectacular views of the New York skyline are unencumbered. I’m also really happy that I can have all this and still access everything I love about New York. The PATH train gets me to the West Village in under 10 minutes and I can be in my seat at a Broadway theatre in 40.
CONS: It’s not New York. There’s definitely a stigma attached to living in New Jersey, but with a cheaper housing market, a washer/dryer in my apartment – as well as the above pros – I’m more than happy to take a little flack.
FUN FACT: Frank Sinatra was born up the street from where I live, and the first professional baseball game was played in Hoboken.
Did we miss your neighborhood? Tell us your pros/cons in the comments below!
AWNY | Australian Women in New York 