Murray Hill - New York, NY

During the early 19th century, it was the temporarily rich and upper-middle class New York residents who called Murray Hill’s brownstone row houses home. By the mid-1800s, when J.P. Morgan built his mansion, most wealthy families were building Upper East Side homes, and Murray Hill became a fashionable but slightly old-fashioned neighborhood. It remained a quiet home to long-time residents throughout most of the 20th century. In the late 1990s, college graduates with work-hard, play-hard attitudes flocked to Murray Hill because of Third Avenue’s active nightlife. The neighborhood remained a post-graduate playground until families started to move back into the area around 2010.

Third and Madison Avenues house several art galleries that sell everything from original paintings to large-scale photos. There are not any annual events held in the neighborhood, but residents have a slew of museum options, including The Morgan Library & Museum and the Museum of Tolerance.

Residents have multiple dining options, as restaurants that serve Italian, Mexican, Indian and American fare dot the neighborhood. Garlic New York Pizza Bar, located on Second Avenue between 34th Street and 35th Street, serves the best pizza and garlic knots in Murray Hill. It’s also the only pizza joint in the neighborhood with outdoor seating, making it a great summertime lunch option.

Grab a juicy burger and few drinks after work at the Park Avenue Tavern. Regulars love The Park, which comes topped with American cheese, caramelized onions, pickles and the tavern’s special sauce.

Considered the entertainment area of Murray Hill, Third Avenue overflows with restaurants, shops and bars. Ted’s Corner Tavern and La Biblioteca both offer happy-hour prices, and they attract young singles who work in the area. Many Murray Hill residents consider Middle Branch the best cocktail bar in Manhattan. Featuring a hole-in-the-wall meets speakeasy atmosphere, the bar offers a variety of standard cocktail drinks along with their own creations. Be prepared to try different drinks when you visit Middle Branch because their cocktail menu changes daily. There are not any dance clubs in Murray Hill, but The Cutting Room features live bands, good food, and drinks.

Murray Hill's Midtown location provides residents with several transportation options. Though travelers enjoy easy access to the 495 from Third Avenue, most locals avoid driving whenever possible. Not only is Midtown traffic a nightmare, but parking costs between $30 and $50 per day. Fortunately, several bus and subway lines service the area. Subway stations are located throughout the neighborhood. Plus, trains departing from Grand Central Station take people all over Manhattan and even to Westchester County. The infamous yellow taxi cabs that cluster in Midtown provide another transportation option, or you can use the Uber phone app for door-side service when needed. Walking and biking are both popular area options, and the area's main streets have dedicated bike lanes.

Murray Hill houses several free public parks, but none of them hold annual events or festivals. Take full advantage of days with nice weather by taking the kids to St. Vartan Park, located at Second Avenue and 36th Street. The park has a playground area with swings, climbing equipment and sprinklers. Connected to the park, a huge concrete area and field provides plenty of room for roller skating or baseball, respectively. To play basketball or handball, head across the street to the courts. East River Greenway runs along the East River, providing joggers and cyclists with beautiful views, and the Robert Moses Dog Run, located on 42nd Street, has ample exercise space for dogs.

The cost of living in Murray Hill remains in line with the rest of the city and slightly lower than most Manhattan neighborhoods. Median rent for a one-bedroom apartment sits around $3,500 per month, gas costs about 12 percent more than the national average, and a beer goes for between $5 and $7. Its proximity to the center of Midtown makes commuting unnecessary, but riding the bus or train to other Manhattan locations costs $2.50.

The commercial nature of Midtown East extends to its numerous shopping options. Park Avenue and 5th Avenue both play host to some of the top-tier retailers in the nation, such as Saks 5th Avenue and Cartier. Visit 47th street, located between 5th and 6th avenues, for a wide range of wholesale and retail jewelry stores. Apple's flagship store can also be found on 5th Avenue for shoppers seeking the latest electronics. The store stays open 24 hours a day.

Choose from several grocery stores in Midtown East, from specialty shops to typical supermarket fare. The Morten Williams Supermarket on 2nd Avenue offers a wide variety that caters to most needs, while the smaller Katagiri on East 59th Street stocks authentic Japanese groceries and fresh fish. A Whole Foods Market caters to shoppers seeking natural and organic foods on East 57th Street, while the local farmers market, Dag Hammarskjold Plaza Greenmarket, sits on 47th Street and 1st Avenue.