Upper East Side

The Upper East Side is a predominately residential, high income, high density area in Manhattan. Most homes are 6-8 story apartment blocks, and there were less businesses than in most of Manhattan. The businesses that were here were mostly fancy clothing stores and indie coffee shops. Due to its proximity to the Met and Central Park, a large number of tourists pass through the neighborhood. The neighborhood also sports a few hospitals, and most people who live here are upper class. The Lexington Avenue Line of the NYCTA Subway passes through the neighborhood.

Crown Heights

The Crown Heights neighborhood is a pretty cool neighborhood now, and has immense  potential to be something more. The neighborhood is host to a significant number of Hasidic Jews, Afro-Caribbeans, and African Americans. Currently, it is predominately lower middle class, though its proximity to Park Slope means that some signs of gentrification can already be seen. A way to create a mixed income community is if the NYCHA could begin to create designated low rent buildings to keep some of the current residents, and gentrification could bring in new residents and businesses. The neighborhood currently exhibits a variety of businesses, from Bengali grocery stores to African hair braiding shops.

Park Slope

A very hip neighborhood in Brooklyn, Park Slope is an "up and coming" neighborhood. Mixed use apartments and the typical Brooklyn brownstone are the main housing styles of the neighborhood. Upscale restaurants and other fancy stores are the main types of businesses in Park Slope. The neighborhood is also very transit friendly, with many NYCTA Subway lines stopping in or near the neighborhood. However, the area is not mixed income.

Midtown

Midtown is an extremely high density neighborhood, with a variety of businesses present. Although dominated by tall skyscrapers, Midtown is home to many other building types as well, like three to five story mixed use apartment blocks on some streets. Because Midtown is mixed use area, the variety of businesses present reflect Midtown's many uses. Small corner mini marts cater to the residents of the neighborhood, while upscale department stores cater to tourists and shoppers visiting the neighborhood. One major downside is the neighborhood is NOT mixed income. A 576 sqft. studio goes for $3,220/mo! The area is also very transit friendly. 

Jersey City

One of the most diverse and transit friendly cities in the country, all I can say about Jersey City is...AWESOME!!! A variety of housing styles exist in the city, from fancy art deco high rises to wooden frame houses to new glass and steel condos. A variety of ethnic groups live in the area, with Latinos, Middle Easterners/North Africans, and South Asians dominating the city's demographics. Many people do not own cars here, so transit ridership is quite high. There is also a variety of businesses, from nice restaurants, to checks cashed stores, to movie theaters, to ethnic groceries. Add in a short commute to Midtown or Lower Manhattan via PATH or NJT, and you have an amazing city.