These are America’s Next Top Neighborhoods

Despite the turmoil of the last 18 months, new opportunities are emerging as the way we live, work, exercise and interact is changing. That means consumers are giving a fresh look at neighborhoods that may just be the prefect fit their new lives. Using our data and leaning on the expertise of our local sales professionals, below we have handpicked two neighborhoods, one on the east coast and another on the west, that we believe are primed for growth in a post-pandemic world. NoMad, New York City Toured by Elliman’s Tracie Hamersley As the name implies, NoMad – or North of Madison Square Park – is anchored by some 6.2 acres of beautifully landscaped green space. Spanning several blocks in the mid to upper 20s, the area is a mix of pre-war and modern commercial and residential buildings, including the Empire State Building, as well as some of the top-rated restaurants in the city. Tracie Hamersley Why is it primed for growth? There are a number of exciting new condos in the pipeline, from Madison House to The NOMA, plus the first Virgin Hotel location in New York (slated to open in late 2021). Then there’s the small matter of the second site for Amazon, aka Jeff Bezos’s mega-million-dollar penthouse and various other units at 212 Fifth Avenue, one of NoMad’s most prestigious new condo developments. My favorite bits: The Ace Hotel, built in 1904, was the first boutique hotel and bar destination of its kind in the area, while 230 Fifth is a massive duplex penthouse rooftop bar that evokes Miami Beach with tables and benches amid palm trees juxtaposed with a front-row view of the Empire State Building (avoid on weekends!). What will my money buy me? You can get a foothold in NoMad for as little as $345,000 for a studio in a co-op, with one-bedroom apartments ranging from $600,000 to US$2.5 million and two-beds from $1.3 million to $8 million. Higher-end condo penthouses sell for $3,000 per sq ft, ranging anywhere from $14 million to $25 million and up. One thing the locals like to keep secret: I will give you three: Sid Gold’s Piano Bar ; the speakeasy J. Bespoke (hidden behind a coffee shop); and Oscar Wilde, home of New York’s longest bar (118.5 feet). Laguna Beach, California Toured by Elliman’s Pegi DiRienzo Located between Los Angeles and San Diego, Laguna Beach is renowned for its artist culture and small-town feel. A unique topography of coves, beaches, sea caves, rugged cliffs and 20,000 acres of protected wilderness make this paradise an excellent place to spot pelicans, seals and whales, and to call home. Pegi DiRenzo Why is it primed for growth? Laguna Beach has an action plan in place that aims to support business and encourage growth, and places a premium on positive experiences for residents and visitors.   With an artist colony at its core, it is also implementing a cultural arts plan, as can be seen from its range of successful galleries, theaters and festivals. The quaint town also hosts many thriving businesses, including boutique hotels, wineries, bistros and gourmet restaurants. My favorite bits: The Festival of the Arts features the work of more than 500 of Orange County’s finest artists. The crowning jewel is the Pageant of the Masters where real people dress up and pose to mimic a famous piece of art. This unique production – complete with orchestra, narration and intricate sets – is not to be missed! What will my money buy me? Currently, there are condos for sale in the mid-$600,000s and three spectacular waterfront properties available from $31 million to $41.5 million with five or six bedrooms and up to eight bathrooms. One thing the locals like to keep secret: Check the tide times to experience one of the best local secrets, a tunnel-like sea cave leading to a secluded rocky cove. Begin your journey to the cave by accessing the Thousand Steps Beach . Take the steps built into the rugged cliff – fortunately, there are only 233 rather than 1,000 – down to the shoreline, and head south.