You ever wanted to know what life is like in the borough known as the birth place of hip-hop, rap music, breakdancing & graffiti beyond just the South Bronx? You may have not known that not only is the Bronx New York City’s oldest borough but it also features a melting pot of culture, urban fashion, an established arts scene, ample green space and easy access to Manhattan. Here is everything you need to know about living in The Bronx!

New York City's Most Affordable Place to Live

The Bronx is known as the “most affordable NYC borough” thanks to average home prices that are almost $200,000 below New York City‘s average. There are plenty of safe and affordable neighborhoods in the Bronx, including great neighborhoods for retirees like Country Club, the student and single-populated Morris Park, and family-friendly Riverdale. If you’re interested in affordable, cooperative living, Bronx has the largest housing cooperative in the world, Co-op City. Plus, the overall cost of living in the Bronx is 15% lower than NYC’s average, with savings on expenses like groceries. There are also plenty of great jobs in The Bronx and its surrounding areas, with its biggest industries including food service, retail, and healthcare. Residents can seek employment with NYC Fortune 500 companies like Verizon, large retail giants like Target, industry leaders in health services like Cardinal Health and New York Life Insurance, and a variety of small, local businesses!

Great Public Transportation to Travel the City

While New York City is one of the most walkable cities in America, public transportation is an iconic staple of the city. Now, Bronx residents have more ways to get around New York than ever. Grab the B or D train to easily access Manhattan, or take one of the many MTA subway lines (2, 4, 5, or 6) to commute to the rest of the city. Ride the NYC Ferry on the Soundview route to reach Lower Manhattan. For residents who want to travel within the borough, buses and bike routes are available, and sustainable transportation like Citi Bike‘s bike shares can be found throughout the Bronx. And with movable bridges like the Hutchinson River Parkway Bridge and Pelham Bridge, Bronxites with vehicles still have plenty of mobility to New York City.

An Ironically Great Place for Higher Learning

The Bronx has plenty of opportunities for higher education. Start an affordable education or finish your degree at Bronx Community College. Take religious studies classes with Fordham University at the Rose Hill campus. Enjoy smaller class sizes and a liberal arts education at College of Mount Saint Vincent. Get your MBA with the O’Malley School of Business at Manhattan College. Select from over 50 fields to earn your degree from Lehman College. Pursue the MD program at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Or learn about the world of marine travel and engineering at SUNY Maritime College.

Bronx Residents Have A Lot to Be Proud About Their Borough

If you’re looking to live in a diverse community that celebrates its culture, The Bronx is perfect for you. Head to Fordham Plaza on Saturday nights for great food from ever-changing vendors. Try authentic Jamaican Jerk Chicken from Treat YourSelf Jerk, Tostones from Rellenos, and Caramel Drizzle Fried Ice Cream from Sam’s Fried Ice Cream at the monthly Bronx Night Market. Attend Morris Park’s Columbus Day Parade—a Bronx staple for over 40 years! Challenge yourself to a 25 or 40-mile cycling course during the Tour de Bronx. Support Bronx’s LGBTQ community with celebrations like the 1 Bronx Pride Festival or Da Bronx Pride Festival. And get to know members of your borough through activities like Bronx Exploration Rides, Healthy Cooking Demonstrations, or Scavenger Hunts during the annual Boogie on the Boulevard.

Home of “The New York Stock Exchange For Sea Food”

Originally established near the Brooklyn Bridge in 1822, the Fulton Fish Market has been operating at Hunt’s Point in The Bronx since 2005. The largest market of its kind in the nation and the second-largest in the world, “The New York Stock Exchange of Seafood” covers 400,000 square feet, houses 37 seafood wholesalers, and produces an annual revenue exceeding $1 billion. More than one-third of New York’s seafood demand is brought and sold here. The Fulton Fish Market is open Monday-Friday throughout the year, and also ships fresh seafood directly to consumers’ doors through online orders. While these online operations continue to grow, the Fulton Fish Market continues to hold its place as a top employer in The Bronx.

The Bronx Has Beaches?

When you think of The Concrete Jungle, you probably aren’t expecting a sandy paradise, but in The Bronx, one beach provides the perfect escape! Orchard Beach, sometimes known as Bronx Riviera, is the borough’s only public beach. Relax in the sun while laying out on the beach or while enjoying a picnic. Swim or play games with the family in the water. Shop for snacks and souvenirs at the sidewalk carts. Roller skate, jog, or bike the hexagonal promenade. Or grab some friends and play a fun game of volleyball, basketball, or handball at any of the 26 provided courts.

The Green Spaces of the Bronx

Living in a big city like New York is exciting, but sometimes you might want to spend a few hours among beautiful trees in the open air. Fortunately for residents of Bronx, this is the best borough in NYC for green spaces, boasting three of the largest parks in New York City. Make a wish when you visit Rockefeller Fountain at Bronx Park. Run the cross country course or have a barbecue at Van Cortlandt Park. Play a tennis match or let the Urban Park Rangers teach you how to build a fire at Crotona Park. Or take a hike or go horseback riding at Pelham Bay Park, which is the largest park in NYC at three times the size of Manhattan’s famous Central Park!

Yes, the Bronx Zoo is One of the Best in the World

It will come as no surprise to those familiar with the Bronx Zoo that it’s considered one of the best zoos in the world! Stretching a whopping 265 acres, Bronx Zoo is home to over 6,000 animals from over 700 species. Plus, with expert architecture and a treetop adventure ropes course, Bronx Zoo offers plenty to see and do for the whole family. Immerse yourself in a world of delicate beauty in the Butterfly Garden. Check out the lions, zebras, and wild dogs at the African Plains exhibit. Watch the aquatic mammals play and get fed in the Sea Lion Pool. Listen to a symphony of birdsong when you visit the World of Birds. Or get a behind-the-scenes look at how the zoo cares for the animals by booking a Wild Encounter.

Beautiful Botanical Gardens of the Bronx

The New York Botanical Garden in The Bronx offers 50 specialty gardens, each showing distinct groups of plant life. The Garden is a major education resource in New York, as teachers often pick this as a destination for field trips, but it’s also a great destination for anyone wanting to escape into nature. Attend year-round events and rotating displays, from orchid shows and herbarium expeditions, to luncheons and greenhouse tours. Sign your kids up for one of the out-of-school programs or gardening camps. Enroll in adult classes that teach landscape design, botanical art, gardening, and botany. Or watch model trains weave through the beautiful landscapes of more than 175 famous landmarks in The Big Apple during the Holiday Train Show.

The Bronx Art Scene is More Than Just Hip-Hop & Graffiti

Considering it’s the birthplace of hip hop, it’s no surprise that The Bronx has a great art scene with plenty of opportunities for community members to get involved! Purchase tickets to unique shows like the Polish Wieniawski Philharmonic Orchestra, Ballet Folklorico de Mexico, and Drum Tao at the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts. Browse works from local and emerging artists at the non-profit gallery, BronxArtSpace, or visit year-round Bronx Pop Up events. Attend concerts, laugh at comedy shows, or join the film club at the Emelin Theatre. Sign your kids up for theater classes with Dream Makers Performing Arts. Watch the Bronx Dance Coalition perform at year-round festivals. Or enroll your child in the Arthur Aviles Typical Theatre Academy to learn contemporary dance at The Bronx Academy of Arts & Dance.

Yankee Stadium Home of the Bronx Bombers

The Bronx has been home to the New York Yankees (MLB) since 1923. The original Yankee Stadium served the team and its fans for many decades, but the new stadium was constructed in 2009 for $2.3 billion to carry on the legacy. Alongside the New York Mets (MLB), the Yankees represent New York on baseball’s highest level, and they’ve taken the World Series title a staggering 27 times! Of course, baseball isn’t the only sport for fans living in The Bronx to support. Bronx residents can catch the occasional New York City FC (MLS) game at Yankee Stadium. The borough is also home to the New York Emperors Stickball League, which began with children using wooden sticks and rubber balls as a makeshift form of baseball. The nine-team league, which plays April through August, has since become a cherished Bronx tradition.

The Real Little Italy Resides in the Bronx

Do you love Italian cuisine and traditions? Hold on to your passport! You don’t need to fly across the Atlantic to immerse yourself in authentic Italian culture. If you’re living in The Bronx, Italian dishes are as close as Arthur Avenue. Almost nowhere else in New York will you find such a high concentration of Italian restaurants and heritage than in The Bronx’s Little Italy. Choose from a selection of signature cocktails like The Mario Test or Arthur Avenue Wise Guy from Ann & Tony’s. Feast on pasta, seafood, poultry, and homemade cheesecake when dining at Pasquale’s Rigoletto. Get your fill of New York pizza and order Sicilian slices or Buffalo and Capricciosa specialty pies at Full Moon Pizza. After dinner, grab a Pignoli, Raspberry Star, or Sliced Amaretti Cookie from Delillo Pastry Shop.

The Bronx Brewery Great Place to Grab a Drink

Nightlife in the Bronx is anything but boring. Besides the common community events, the Bronx is full of establishments that are perfect for meeting friends and enjoying a few drinks. Choose from a wide selection of brews—from lagers and Hefeweizens to IPAs and Stouts—at the Bronx Alehouse. Stop into The Bronx Beer Hall for craft beer or wine. Enjoy pub grub with classic cocktails like an Old Fashioned or Manhattan, or signature creations like the Islands in the Stream or Tune-in Tokyo at Bar 47. Round up a group of friends and enjoy over 30 craft beers on tap at Bronx Drafthouse. Or have your next large dinner party or gathering at The Pine, which can accommodate groups as small as ten and as large as 200!