Buying a home in New York City has rarely been described as "relaxed," but 2026 is quietly shaping up to be one of the most buyer-friendly years in recent memory-at least in the right neighborhoods. According to a new analysis from StreetEasy using listing data from December 2025 , rising inventory and falling asking prices are finally giving buyers something they haven't had in years: options. The real estate platform's annual list of the 10 best NYC neighborhoods for buyers highlights areas where the balance of power is shifting from sellers to people ready to move.
Rowynn Dumont, a curator, painter, photographer and writer, lived in about 25 places around the world before settling in New York in 2017. It's where my community and the art world infrastructure already were, said Dumont. Exhibits in Union Square, the Flatiron District, Long Island City and the Lower East Side featured her work. She also co-founded a popular monthly new wave dance party, Black Rainbow, on the Lower East Side that would go until 10am.