Living in New York City can be a challenge. It’s a big departure from more urban towns and can be a rather large adjustment. Add bringing a family with children into the city, and you have an entirely new set of problems. When most people think of New York City, they think of busy streets with nonstop traffic and no space for children to play and enjoy life. While some parts of the city can be like that, there are plenty of other great places to raise your children in New York. Here are some of the best neighborhoods in New York City to raise a family.

Harlem

If you journey to the northern end of Manhattan you’ll find Harlem, one of the best places to raise a family in the city. Harlem is known for having a strong community presence and is a cultural hotspot in the city, meaning your kids will grow up in a place that’s safe and full of people from all different walks of life, giving them new perspectives they might never have discovered otherwise. Harlem is known for having lower rents that give families more wiggle room, and there are plenty of activities for kids to take part in due to the various parks in the area.

Riverdale

Located in The Bronx and all the way at the northern end of the subway lines, Riverdale features a much more suburban feel than other New York City neighborhoods. Living here will give you much more space both indoors and outdoors for a better price than you’d pay in most neighborhoods. Aside from that, there are plenty of great activities you and your family can take part in, with several great parks such as the Van Cortlandt Park and of course the ever famous Bronx Zoo.

Astoria

This Queens neighborhood is loved by parents and like the others, features plenty of awesome activities that your family can enjoy. The neighborhood is rather close to both Manhattan and Brooklyn, but more importantly, it features a great public school system so your kids can receive the education they deserve. Speaking of education, the Queens Library has several branches and can be a great place to bring your kids to explore the unending possibilities of reading a good book. Like the other neighborhoods on this list, prices are more family-friendly than many other parts of the city.