Where the Best Real Estate Value Lives Today

By Jeff Goodman
Licensed Real Estate Agent, Brown Harris Stevens

If there’s one thing I’ve learned over decades walking these blocks and helping people find their place in New York, it’s this: value isn’t just a number on a listing. It’s a feeling, a rhythm, a potential. And in 2025, the city still offers it, just not always where most buyers start looking.

Let’s get something out of the way. “Affordable” in New York is always relative. But what I’m seeing across Manhattan, Brooklyn and parts of Queens and The Bronx tells a compelling story for people who know what to look for and are ready to act when the right door opens.

Brooklyn’s Outer Neighborhoods: Character, Space, and Momentum

Brooklyn’s still the borough where change feels the most alive. Lately, I’m seeing real potential in some of the neighborhoods a bit further out—not just in price, but in how livable they are and what they might become over time.

Take Crown Heights. It’s been on the rise for a while now, but there are still pre-war buildings flying under the radar—places with great light, thoughtful layouts, and a charm you’d expect in Park Slope a decade or two ago. I’ve shown buyers limestone townhouses that need some updates, sure, but the bones are solid and the opportunity is real. Plus, you’re right by the Brooklyn Museum, Prospect Park, and a food scene that just keeps getting better.

And then there’s Bushwick. For a long time, people brushed it off—too far out, too rough around the edges. But the ones who saw past that and bought in five years ago? They’re seeing real returns now. There’s still opportunity here, especially in walk-ups and small multi-families around Jefferson or DeKalb. The creative energy hasn’t faded either. The art, the street life, the mix of cultures—it gives the neighborhood something you don’t find just anywhere.

Go a bit further out and places like East Flatbush and Canarsie start to stand out, too. You’ll actually find single-family homes with yards—yes, real backyards, right here in the city. The tradeoff is the commute, but in return you get space, a quieter pace, and communities that feel rooted. In a city known for tight quarters, that kind of breathing room means something.

Queens: Underrated, Diverse, and Growing Fast

Queens doesn’t get the same buzz as Brooklyn, but what I’ve found again and again is that serious buyers looking for the most space for their dollar are flocking here. Astoria still draws attention—great food, good schools, and proximity to the city. But the more interesting story right now is what’s happening just beyond Astoria’s familiar streets.

Take Jackson Heights. It has some of the most beautiful, well-maintained pre-war co-op buildings in the city, often with courtyards and larger floor plans than you’ll find in equivalent buildings in Manhattan. Diversity here isn’t just demographic—it’s architectural, cultural, and culinary. For families looking for stability, this is a place where neighbors know each other and pride of ownership is strong.

Then there’s Woodside and Elmhurst. For years, these were commuter neighborhoods for people who worked in Midtown. Now, they’re catching the attention of first-time buyers and investors who want a foothold before pricing escalates further. We’re seeing new mid-rise developments going up, especially around Queens Blvd. Add in the new transit infrastructure (including ferry expansion plans), and these neighborhoods are going to feel closer to the city than ever.

And for those thinking longer term? Flushing is becoming its own city within the city. Commercial development, new luxury condo towers, and one of the strongest dining scenes anywhere in the five boroughs. Pricing has gone up, yes—but in terms of raw potential, Flushing is on a fast track to becoming a real estate case study.

The Bronx: Quietly Having Its Moment

Here’s the thing about the Bronx: if this borough were anywhere else, the kind of value it offers would be on every investor’s radar. It’s not 1995 anymore. This is a borough with growing infrastructure, a vibrant arts community, and real waterfront potential.

Mott Haven is leading the way. Developers have planted serious flags along the Harlem River, and we’re seeing modern mid-rises, curated retail, and even some tech-driven co-living spaces. People like to compare it to Williamsburg 20 years ago—I think that’s lazy shorthand, but the analogy holds in terms of potential.

Further north, neighborhoods like Kingsbridge and Bedford Park still fly under the radar. (I bought an investment property here, in Kingsbridge Heights). They offer substantial housing stock—multi-family homes, co-ops, and rentals—often at prices you won’t believe until you see them. You’ll find people who’ve lived there for generations, along with new arrivals creating their own paths. I’ve walked clients through co-ops up here that need cosmetic updates but have great bones, strong financials, and space that you couldn’t touch in most of Brooklyn for the same budget.

There’s also a genuine sense of investment happening—civic investment. Parks are being renovated, small businesses are returning post-pandemic, and the borough’s waterfront continues to be reimagined for both public and residential use.

Manhattan: There’s Still Value If You Know Where to Look

Yes, Manhattan is expensive. It always has been. But it’s not monolithic. And if you’re willing to consider areas that are less talked-about, there are still solid plays here.

Inwood and Washington Heights remain great examples. These neighborhoods have pre-war elevator buildings with apartments that feel like proper homes. You’ll find hardwood floors, high ceilings, and eat-in kitchens. You also get community—block associations, farmers’ markets, and local restaurants that reflect the fabric of the neighborhood. You’re close to parks—Fort Tryon, Highbridge, and the Cloisters—and you’re on the 1 and A trains. It’s far uptown, yes, but you can get downtown faster from here than from parts of Brooklyn.

And if you’re a buyer who values location over size, Midtown East continues to offer co-ops that haven’t caught the same post-pandemic bounce-back as other areas. There are bargains on the margins—studios or small one-beds that are perfect for pied-à-terre buyers or first-timers who want to build equity. These buildings are often older, with stricter co-op boards, but that’s part of why pricing remains relatively approachable.

What Makes a Neighborhood a “Value” in 2025?

What’s really shaping value these days comes down to three things: infrastructure, where a neighborhood is headed, and how buyers think.

Infrastructure is the easiest to spot. Add a new subway stop, a ferry line, or a zoning tweak, and suddenly an area’s whole future shifts. Gowanus is the perfect example—once it was all warehouses and factories, and now it’s high-end rentals and landscaped parks. We’re starting to see the same pattern play out in parts of East New York and the South Bronx.

Trajectory is about momentum. Are new businesses opening? Are longtime renters starting to buy? Are developers sniffing around with real interest? These are the soft signals I look for when guiding clients—not just comps and charts, but boots-on-the-ground patterns.

And then there’s the psychological factor. The “I wish I bought here five years ago” effect. That only happens when people start to believe in a neighborhood’s potential. And once they do, prices follow quickly. That’s why being early matters—and why hesitation often costs more than acting too soon.

Final Thoughts: Follow the Story, Not Just the Price

If there’s one piece of advice I’d offer buyers today, it’s this: follow the story of a neighborhood, not just the sticker price. Where is it headed? Who’s moving in? What’s happening at the street level, not just on the real estate apps?

Walk the neighborhood. Talk to people. See which businesses are opening and which buildings have scaffolding (it sometimes signals renovations or planned sales). Listen to how the community speaks about itself. These are all signs of what’s coming next.

The New York market in 2025 is still full of possibilities. The deals are out there. They’re just not sitting in plain sight. But for buyers willing to dig, observe, and move with intention, the opportunity to create both a home and long-term value has never been stronger.

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.