Home Is Where Health Begins: A New Yorker’s Take

By Jeff Goodman
Licensed Real Estate Agent, Brown Harris Stevens

I sell homes. I also walk every block I can. I talk to neighbors, business owners, superintendents, and the morning dog walkers. Over time, a simple truth set in. Health is not only about gyms and green juice. It lives in the walls, the windows, the stairwells, the food around the corner, and the way your street feels at 10 p.m. I have spent my career helping people buy in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and parts of Queens and the Bronx. What I’ve seen is this: when a home supports your wellness, everything else gets easier.

Health Starts At Home

Every search begins with price, size, and location. Fair. But I start asking different questions. How does the apartment breathe? Where does the light land at 8 a.m. Can you sleep through a summer night with the windows open? Is there space for a mat, a bike trainer, or a quiet chair? The answers shape daily life. If your living room gets light when you need it, you wake up better. If your bedroom is shielded from street noise, you recover. Small details, big outcomes.

Light, Air, and Sound

Natural light is medicine for the mood. In New York, orientation matters. South and west bring warmth, north brings consistency, and east brings a gentle start. Tall windows help. So do lighter finishes that kick light deeper into the room. Air is next. Old buildings can have character and stale ducts. I look for operable windows on more than one wall or a well-maintained central ventilation system. I also ask about filters and service logs. Sound is the hidden stressor. I listen for elevator hum, bar exhaust, and garbage pickup routes. Silence is wellness you feel.

Movement By Design

Let’s be honest. Most of us spend more hours at home now. Movement needs a nudge. I love buildings that make stairs visible and safe. A welcoming stairwell turns quick trips into steps logged without thinking. I also look for storage that respects active lives. A place for a stroller, a cargo bike, a yoga mat, or a pair of skis. When equipment is easy to reach, you use it. Some buildings offer small fitness rooms. I value them, but I also value parks within a ten-minute walk. The city is a gym if your block invites you out.

Kitchens That Support Real Food

Wellness follows what you cook and how you eat. Even a compact New York kitchen can help. Gas or induction is a lifestyle call, but good ventilation is non-negotiable. I look for a hood that actually vents out, not back into the room. Counter depth you can work on matters. So does a layout that lets two people prep without bumping elbows. Storage for pantry staples encourages home meals. A window near the sink is a gift. You linger, you breathe, you slow down.

Sleep, Stress, And The Quiet Corner

I ask buyers to pick a spot for calm before we sign a contract. It might be a corner with a chair and a plant. It might be a small desk with a view that looks long. Turn off the overheads, add a warm lamp, and you’ve got a reset space. Bedrooms need darkness. Blackout shades pay for themselves. Solid core doors help more than most people expect. Wiring for bedside dimmers is a bonus. Sleep quality is the tide that lifts the rest of your health.

Clean Materials, Clean Routines

Old New York buildings have soul. They can also have surprises. Inside the home, low VOC paints, sealed wood floors, and simple fabric window treatments make a difference. I ask about leaks because moisture is the enemy of air quality. I ask about housekeeping routines in common areas because dust from corridors finds its way in. Wellness grows where the building team takes pride in cleanliness.

The Neighborhood Is Your Wellness Network

I host a podcast, Rediscovering New York, and I lead walking tours. Those experiences changed how I advise clients. A great neighborhood feeds your day. A local grocer that stocks fresh produce. A pharmacy that answers questions. A park bench that catches the late sun. A cafe where the barista knows you. These are not extras; they are a health infrastructure with a human face. In Manhattan, I might steer you toward a cross street with trees and less through traffic. In Brooklyn, I might trade a flashy avenue for a quieter block near a playground. In Queens or the Bronx, I look for community centers, dance studios, and senior programs. Wellness thrives where people belong.

Mental Health And The Third Place

New Yorkers are tough and tender. We need third places. The bar that hosts trivia. The ceramics studio. The library reading room. I watch for walkable options that match your interests. A short stroll for a dose of community can ease stress more than a fancy amenity. If you work from home part-time, I also consider lobby lounges and roof decks. Changing scenes keeps the mind fresh. A roof with shade and Wi Fi can break up your day without breaking your focus.

Buying With Wellness In Mind

When I guide clients, we set a wellness brief before tours. We name needs and non-negotiables. Light before noon. A primary bedroom away from the street. Space for a Peloton. A kitchen that will actually get used. We test these in person. We stand still and listen. We open windows. We take the stairs. We walk the block, then the next one over. We find the nearest greenspace and the quickest healthy lunch. This is not romantic. It is practical. The right fit shows up in your body first.

Boards, Landlords, And The Culture Of Care

Wellness is also policy. Co-op boards that fund roof repairs on time protect air quality and water tightness. Condo associations that keep hallways bright and clean support safety and calm. Landlords who maintain HVAC, pest control, and trash rooms lower stress. A building with a culture of care makes healthier homes, plain and simple.

Aging Well And Accessibility

Health changes over time. I help clients think ahead. Elevators, level thresholds, and accessible baths are worth weighing at any age. So are neighborhoods with reliable transit and medical access. A place you can live in longer is a place you can love longer. That stability is its own form of wellness.

2025 Reality Check

City life keeps shifting. More hybrid work. More micro gyms. More rooftop gardens. The through line remains steady. People want homes that help them feel good and function well. Technology can help with air sensors and smart shades. Yet the basics still rule. Light, air, quiet, safety, walkability, and community. Nail those, and the gadgets are gravy.

My Path And Promise

I have been called the Quintessential New Yorker, and I work with a top team at Brown Harris Stevens. The title is flattering, but what matters more is the responsibility that comes with it. My clients’ missions are my vision. I guide, educate, and advocate for them. I showcase neighborhoods on my podcast and on walking tours because I want people to feel the city under their feet. RISMedia has named me a Newsmaker six years in a row. But the real reward is a text from a client who slept better their first week or discovered the perfect park bench at sunset.

An Invitation To Walk

If you are thinking about a move, begin with your health. Write three things your body needs. Write three things your mind needs. Then come walk with me. We will see how an apartment and a neighborhood can meet those needs. We will test light, air, and sound. We will find where you will buy your greens and where you will catch your breath. When you choose with wellness in mind, the home you buy keeps giving back. That is the New York I love helping people find.

About Jeff Goodman

Jeff Goodman is well known as the “Quintessential New Yorker®”, and he and his team are at leading NYC broker Brown Harris Stevens.  Having an extensive career in the field of real estate Jeff has a deep understanding of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and parts of Queens and the Bronx. Jeff’s clients’ missions are his vision: he guides, educates and advocates for them. This philosophy has made him a trusted advisor to those he works with and for.  Jeff is passionate about New York’s amazing neighborhoods and showcases them through his “Rediscovering New York” podcast and walking tours. This programming has earned him recognition from RIS Media as a “Newsmaker” for six consecutive years.