Yes, People Actually Live in Times Square: A Neighborhood Guide
Even newly-minted New Yorkers know that Times Square is like a listless slice of day-old pizza: best to be avoided in a city where far more dazzling alternatives exist. And yet even for those of us who prefer to avoid the district at all costs unless Aunt Linda is visiting, the chaotic crossroads of the world has some unexpected delights, if you know where to find them. Dig deeper between the blazing billboards and constant crush of gape-mouthed out-of-towners, and you'll find an area with hidden charms: speakeasies tucked into subway stations, Michelin-starred lunches without the sky-high bill, and secret parks where the only thing flashing is a waterfall.
"People love to live in the area just because it's very walkable - even though it's busy," admits Federico Pina, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson with R New York and a StreetEasy Expert. "You can walk to the theaters, you can walk to work if you work in Midtown. Some people really love that."
So if you've only experienced Times Square in a sensory-overload kind of way, it might be time to take another look. From hidden pizza joints to seafood power lunches, here's everything to know about living in the beating heart of Manhattan. Just leave your selfie sticks at home.
Where is Times Square?
Times Square sits at the crossroads of Broadway and Seventh Avenue, roughly spanning from 42nd Street to 47th Street. Its epicenter - known by some as "The Bowtie" - forms where Broadway slices diagonally across the Manhattan grid. Technically part of the Theater District and Midtown West, Times Square is bordered by Hell's Kitchen to the west, Bryant Park and the Garment District to the south, and Central Park South a brisk 12-minute walk away.
A Brief History of Times Square
Originally known as Long Acre (or Longacre) Square after one in London, the area was renamed in 1904 after The New York Times shifted its headquarters to the now-famous One Times Square (yes, the same one that drops the ball on New Year's Eve). Over the decades, Times Square has seen some thiiiings: jazz-age elegance, post war glamour, a gritty '70s epoch (read: crime, peep shows), and an epic transformation into today's neon-lit, arguably family-friendly zone.
Though it's best known for its theater marquees and mega-screens, Times Square has always been a place of reinvention. These days, it's not just a tourist trap - it's also home to finance professionals, creatives, and in-the-know locals who like their commute short.
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So Why is Times Square Such a Great Place to Live?
"If you don’t want to take the subway and you live in Midtown, you have the option to do that," Pina says. "It's also easy to bike if you use Citi Bike."
He's right. Times Square may feel like a constant photo op, but for residents, the everyday perks are surprisingly practical. The area is ultra-connected, with access to more than a dozen subway lines at stations like 42nd Street–Port Authority and 49th Street. You'll find walkability in spades, plus a late-night grocery run or midnight slice is never more than a few blocks away.
Architectural Highlights
Okay, so you won't find any immaculately kept brownstones in Times Square, unless they're part of a theater set. But you will find glittering towers and postwar co-ops that speak to the city's vertical evolution. Theaters like the New Amsterdam (built in 1903 in an Art Nouveau style that still holds up) are architectural jewels - especially once you step inside. Meanwhile, newer buildings like the Bank of America Tower and the sleek rentals around 42nd Street offer floor-to-ceiling windows and amenities galore.
Buying in Times Square
Yes, you can actually own property in Times Square. The neighborhood features a mix of full-service co-ops, modern condos, and new developments tucked slightly off the main drags. Think Hudson Yards proximity without the Hudson Yards pricing. Because of the area's commercial density, residential inventory is limited - but when units hit the market, they tend to be well-appointed and surprisingly spacious. Many buyers are drawn to the convenience and the Only in New York views: imagine a skyline sunset framed by Broadway billboards. Not to mention the appeal of watching the New Year's Eve festivities without donning an adult diaper and braving the crowd below.
Thinking about buying in NYC? Chat with our complimentary, licensed Concierge to learn about the buying process.
Renting in Times Square
Prefer to rent while you test out the lights and lifestyle? You’re in luck. If you want to live in Times Square, the area offers a range of rental options, from classic prewar apartments with charm to glossy new towers with pools and doormen. Renters can expect to pay a premium for the convenience, but savvy seekers can still find deals, especially in slightly older buildings or units just a few blocks outside the core.
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Parks and Green Spaces
Times Square may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think "peaceful oasis," but it has a few leafy tricks up its sleeve. Beyond nearby Bryant Park, Pina recommends Paley Park, on 53rd and 5th. "It has a nice waterfall," Pina says. "It's very calming, very relaxing. People usually don't know about it, but if you work in the area, it's a great place where you can go for lunch."
And don't forget the plazas themselves: while they're often teeming with tourists, the city has added seating, art installations, and pedestrian-only zones that make them potentially pleasant at off-hours. If nothing else, you can don headphones, grab a coffee and settle in for some world-class people-watching. Beautifully landscaped Bryant Park is also just a short walk from the heart of Times Square.
What to Eat & Drink
Skip the street meat. Times Square insiders head underground - literally. "There's a [thin crust] pizza place, See No Evil, at the 50th Street and Broadway subway station," Pina says. "Next to it, there's a speakeasy called Nothing Really Matters. The cocktails are great." On the menu: an agave drink called It Ain’t Hard to Tell, made with Catedral De Mi Padre mezcal, yellow chartreuse, sriracha honey, lime, pimento d’espelette chili peppers, and smoked olive oil.
Above ground, there's Avra Rockefeller Center on 51st and Sixth Avenue, which Pina recommends for meeting clients or colleagues. "They have a really nice pre-fixe lunch menu, which is fairly affordable for the quality of food that you get there. The actual restaurant is actually gigantic, with a nice vibe."And for serious culinary clout, Pina is all-in on Le Bernardin, the world-renowned French seafood restaurant by Chef Eric Ripert on 51st. "I wouldn’t say it’s a 'hidden gem' because I think it was selected as the best restaurant in the world last year, but it’s very hard to get a reservation - so what I like to do is just to go there during lunchtime, sit at the bar, and you can get pretty much the same food that you’re getting in the main area dining area."
What to Do in Times Square (That Doesn't Involve a Naked Cowboy)
Believe it or not, some Times Square attractions are more "Best Day Ever" than thronged tourist trap. For one thing, if you live in Times Square, seeing Broadway shows on a budget is totally doable; you can skip the scalpers and head to the red TKTS by TDF booth under the big steps in Father Duffy Square, where you can snag same-day tickets to major shows for up to 50% off - provided you don't mind a little spontaneity (and standing in line with fellow theater nerds).
If you're curious about theater's rise to fame in this town, it's well worth stopping in at the Museum of Broadway, where you can learn more about the first production in New York City - which took place in 1732 - and how today's most dazzling shows are made, including set design and special effects. Originally opened in 1917, The Drama Book Shop is also a winner, with an interior designed by none other than "Hamilton" scenic designer David Korins, and even a coffee shop where Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote "In the Heights" (he is now a co-owner of the store).
Got little ones, or a yearning to live like The Dude from The Big Lebowski? Hit Lucky Strike Times Square, a neon-lit bowling alley where red Chinese paper lanterns dangle over 50 lanes, the pins glow in the dark, and they often offer unlimited bowling after 7 or 9 pm (striiiike!). Times Square may be the definition of extra, but sometimes, extra is fun.
Final Curtain Call
Times Square may always be New York's most visible stage - but for those in the know, it's also a surprisingly convenient neighborhood with unexpected treasure. It's also iconic, having been the site of everything from all New Year's Eve ball drops since 1907 to that infamous kiss on V-J Day.
"I love New York, and I think this area - Times Square - it really surprises people once they know what's here," Pina says. Call it high-wattage living. How New York.
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