In New York City the buyer and the seller each hire their own attorney, and a co-op buyer also needs the building board's approval before closing. If you are coming from a state where an escrow company runs the closing, those two facts change the whole calendar.
I have worked in New York real estate since November 2001. This page collects what surprises people arriving from another city most, and sends you to the article that covers each one in full. If you will buy before you move, start with how a remote purchase gets signed.
What is different here
Most apartments are co-ops
In a co-op you buy shares in the corporation that owns the building and receive a proprietary lease, and the building's board must approve you. In a condo you own the unit with a deed and no board approval is required.
Read the articleAttorneys run the closing
The buyer and the seller each hire a licensed real estate attorney, who negotiates the contract, handles due diligence and attends the closing. Title companies play a smaller role than in states that close through escrow.
Read the articleCo-ops take longer to close
A condo closes in 30 to 45 days from signed contract with cash, and 45 to 60 days with a mortgage. A co-op takes 60 to 90 days or more, because the board package and the board decision sit inside that window.
Read the articleYou can sign from anywhere
A New York notary performing a remote online notarization has to be physically in New York State when you sign, under Executive Law 135-c. You do not. The article covers the power of attorney and the board timing for out-of-state buyers.
Read the articleComing from another city
Each guide compares buying in your current city with buying in New York.
From Austin
Moving to NYC from Austin: Real Estate Guide 2026
From Boston
Moving to NYC from Boston: Real Estate Guide 2026
From Chicago
Moving to NYC from Chicago: Real Estate Guide 2026
From Los Angeles
Moving to NYC from Los Angeles: Real Estate Guide 2026
From Miami
Moving to NYC from Miami: Real Estate Guide 2026
From San Francisco
Moving to NYC from San Francisco: Real Estate Guide 2026
If your city is not listed, start with the complete guide to moving to NYC.
Pick a neighborhood by subway line
The subway lines with a station within 0.75 miles of each neighborhood's center, from the MTA's official station list. "Direct to Midtown" means at least one of those lines runs through Midtown Manhattan without a transfer. Commute times are not listed because there is no source to back them. Each name links to its market report.
| Neighborhood | Borough | Lines nearby | Direct to Midtown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea | Manhattan | 1237ABCDEFLMNQRW |
Yes |
| East Village | Manhattan | 456FJLMRWZ |
Yes |
| Financial District | Manhattan | 123456ACEJRWZ |
Yes |
| Upper East Side | Manhattan | 456Q |
Yes |
| Upper West Side | Manhattan | 123BC |
Yes |
| Washington Heights | Manhattan | 1AC |
Yes |
| Bay Ridge | Brooklyn | NR |
Yes |
| Bedford-Stuyvesant | Brooklyn | ACG |
Yes |
| Brooklyn Heights | Brooklyn | 2345ABCFGQR |
Yes |
| Crown Heights | Brooklyn | 2345C |
Yes |
| Greenpoint | Brooklyn | G |
No |
| Park Slope | Brooklyn | 23BFGQR |
Yes |
| Williamsburg | Brooklyn | GJLMZ |
Yes |
| Astoria | Queens | NW |
Yes |
| Flushing | Queens | 7 |
Yes |
| Forest Hills | Queens | EFMR |
Yes |
| Jackson Heights | Queens | 7EFMR |
Yes |
| Long Island City | Queens | 7EFGMNRW |
Yes |
| Ridgewood | Queens | LM |
Yes |
| Concourse | The Bronx | 4BD |
Yes |
| Fordham | The Bronx | 4BD |
Yes |
| Kingsbridge | The Bronx | 14BD |
Yes |
| Mott Haven | The Bronx | 2456 |
Yes |
| Parkchester | The Bronx | 256 |
Yes |
| St. George | Staten Island | SIR |
No |
| Stapleton | Staten Island | SIR |
No |
Where you buy is your decision
This table is transit reference, not a recommendation. Neighborhoods are ordered by borough, then by name. You set the criteria, budget, size, building type and commute, and I show you everything on the market that fits, in any borough.
Tell Me About Your Move
Where you are moving from, when you arrive, budget and property type. I answer with the real steps and timelines, no obligation.