The northernmost borough of New York City, the Bronx is separated from Manhattan by the Harlem River and is bordered by Westchester County, the Hudson River, the East River, and Long Island Sound. The Bronx is the only mainland borough of New York City. The borough became an official part of the city only in 1898 and was previously considered a territory of Westchester County. The Bronx is a recognized birthplace of hip-hop, graffiti, and New York Yankees.
New York is the city of contrasts, and it’s the Bronx that proves the claim. The public here is motley, ethnically diverse, the patchwork of real-world residents. Lost in public disturbances several times during its history, the Bronx today has changed beyond recognition. Both newcomers and long-standing residents prefer this borough of New York City for its humble appearances that hide true gems underneath, from the Yankee Stadium to the variety of bars and dining spots of different scale.
Moreover, the significant sweetener of the Bronx is its open spaces: the quarter of the territory belongs to several parks, the local botanical garden, zoo, and cemetery. Predominantly mainland, the Bronx is all hills on the west and flatland on the east, resulting in less regular street planning you see in the rest of NYC. This means you can finally get a taste of a diverse landscape with the views of Hudson, Upper Manhattan, and Queens.
As the rest of New York City, the Bronx is a diverse mix of races and ethnicities. White and black residents are roughly equal in percentage, but the Hispanic population overwhelms the borough. Don’t look for the majority of young ambitious white-collars here; it’s the territory of hard-working people and full-grown families. Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees are uncommon. The gentrification didn’t fully accede to the Bronx, letting the borough preserve its unique identity. Average incomes are lower than the rest of New York City, but there’s a number of affluent neighborhoods in the Bronx including Riverdale, Pelham Bay, Country Club, and Morris Park.
The Bronx is known for several of its landmarks: start with the New York Yankees and their home stadium, add the Bronx Zoo and the New York Botanical Garden, and don’t forget about the Bronx Museum of the Arts. There’s also a distinctive feel to the Bronx, New York not every big city district can brag. Latin music and hip hop combine into the unique musical mix of the borough. The inimitable taste comes from the Little Italy of Belmont and its restaurants along Arthur Avenue. Head over to art deco gems in Grand Concourse in the southern end of the Bronx, or visit the quaint community of City Island that reminds us of the small quiet towns of New England.
Motorists would be glad to know there are several highways that traverse the borough. Moreover, Third and Park Avenues, and Broadway connect the Bronx to Manhattan. Tunnels and bridges that lead from the Bronx to the other NYC boroughs are multiple, and they serve for both car owners and mass transit from the six subway lines to local and express bus routes. The Harlem, the Hudson, and the New Haven Lines of Metro-North Railroad serve as joints between the Bronx and NY suburbs. Walkers should consider not only major arteries that can take you in and out any place in the Bronx, but also the bridle paths, the quiet charming trails that connect the parks of the borough and make for one picturesque walk.
Affordable apartments for rent are not hard to find in this NYC borough, and the diversity of local residents, entertainment, and proximity to Queens and Manhattan make the Bronx, New York very popular among the city newcomers.
You can choose among apartments for rent in the Bronx closer to your work – or closer to one of the main arteries if you plan to work in Queens or Manhattan. Choose the Concourse to be close to the marvelous architecture. Belmont and Fordham have the best of cultural attractions and food. Maritime City Island has an old-fashioned sluggish lifestyle, unlike any other New York City neighborhood. You could also opt for the houses for rent in the Bronx, New York, which have a distinctive upscale vibe to them. Pelham Gardens and Riverdale are among the most affluent in the borough, and the local residents can easily contend with the rank and fashion of Upper East Side in Manhattan.