The diminutive Sutton Place neighborhood is a peaceful pocket of affluence and gracious living close to—and yet a world away—from the frenetic pace of the rest of Manhattan. Nearly entirely residential, it is one of the safest and most walkable parts of New York City. Sutton Place is short on shopping, dining, and culture, but with Midtown and the Upper East Side within easy reach, residents can experience the best of both worlds.

Along the two-block street for which the neighborhood is named, grand townhouses overlook the East River; while Sutton Place’s apartment buildings are much in demand for their pre-war charm. All this elegance is expensive though, so expect to pay a premium to live in the neighborhood that seduced Marilyn Monroe, Joan Crawford, Michael Jackson, and other notable residents who could afford its secluded sophistication.