Inwood

Manhattan’s northernmost neighborhood is surrounded on three sides by the Hudson and Harlem Rivers, and building heights are limited, resulting in a laid-back, affordable enclave where one can live on a cul-de-sac. The area has a long-thriving Dominican population, meaning there’s no shortage of excellent Latin American fare, and in the warmer months, waterfront restaurants offer shuffleboard along with expansive views. Mom-and-pop stores still line the avenues, and locals are regularly spotted jogging the infamous 215th Street staircase, lined with Art Deco lampposts. Inwood has the city’s only forest, at Inwood Hill Park, which also has miles of hiking trails, kayak launch sites, a marina, and even a resident bald eagle.