Which New York City Neighborhoods Suit Runners?

New York is a great city for runners. People who’ve never visited the city or spent much time here might see it as nothing but a concrete jungle of sidewalks and skyscrapers, but the reality is very different. The city offers runners all kinds of terrain, including a variety of bridges, boardwalks, parks, and promenades – and, yes, there are quiet areas where you can avoid the crowds!

If you’re a runner and you’re tempted by apartments in Brooklyn or other boroughs, a nice running route could be a key differentiator. We’ll share our opinion on which NY neighborhoods suit runners in hopes that it informs this important decision. 

Manhattan For Runners

Manhattan arguably is the best New York City borough for runners. Looking for Manhattan apartments for rent in a neighborhood close to Central Park could see you live nearby one of the city’s most famous green spaces. 

Central Park is bordered by the neighborhoods of the Upper East Side, East Harlem, Central Harlem, Manhattan Valley, the Upper West Side, Lincoln Square, and Central Park South. If you live in one of those areas, or in another Manhattan neighborhood and you don’t mind traveling to run, you can make use of a few incredible routes in the park. They include the 1.5-mile loop around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, the two Bridle Path loops, and the 6.1-mile loop around the park.

If you want to run to the northern part of the borough, start at Riverside Park in West 72 Street, head through the park and Washington Heights, and continue past various sights and sounds until you end at the Met Cloisters. The route is approximately 7 miles long.

Living in a Manhattan apartment for rent in the West Side or lower part of the borough gives you a host of other great options where you can go for a morning, afternoon, or evening run. The 5-mile West Side – Lower Manhattan route includes the High Line, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Hudson River Park, the old piers, Battery Park, and the Staten Island Ferry.

Other fine running spots relatively close to apartments for rent in Manhattan include the 1.5-mile route through the High Line linear park, and the Battery Park City esplanade (which you can extend into a 12.3-mile route by running all the way to the George Washington Bridge). For a change of scenery, take the subway or the tram from Manhattan to Roosevelt Island and enjoy a 3.5-mile scenic run along the island’s perimeter.

Running In Brooklyn

Amazing running routes are one of many reasons to invest in Brooklyn real estate. One of the best routes might not be long, but the views are incredible.

If you live Downtown, you can make your way from your apartment in Brooklyn to Pier 1 for a run that’s short but spectacular. Starting at the pier, head along Old Fulton and Prospect streets, make your way up the stairs in the underpass and run along the promenade to cross the bridge, ending at City Hill Park next to the subway station.

You can also choose from several different running trails in Prospect Park, which is located between the neighborhoods of Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Flatbush, and Windsor Terrace. The shortest trail is 1.5 miles long, while the longest is 3.5 miles.

The Bay Ridge Shoreline and Brooklyn Heights Promenade are good reasons to consider Brooklyn apartments for rent. You’ll find a multi-use path that takes you 4.5 miles along the water from Owl’s Head Park to Bensonhurst Park. The promenade at the top of the hill offers breathtaking views of the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, and the Manhattan skyline.

Need more advice on apartments in Brooklyn, Manhattan, or other areas? Contact the Platinum Properties team today.