Where can I get the best deals on apartments in Manhattan?

My strong advice is to avoid searching by neighborhood unless you truly have your heart set on a very specific place.   Instead, get a general idea what's on the market and take it from there.

That said, Upper Manhattan with its rich history yet older buildings is definitely now way to go.  

Lacking the financial glitz of Madison, Park Avenue and Wall Street as well as immediate proximity to Midtown and the financial district, you won't find find $6,000 a month studios here.   Instead you'll find tons of majorly renovated pre (and post) war walk ups at a median rent (at the time of this writing) of around $2600 a month.

Note that when I say that it it's a bit of a lug, you're still talking rarely more than a half hour from most parts of Upper Manhattan to Times Square, although closer to an hour to the Southern tip of Manhattan.  On the other hand, local shopping aside, you've got Yankee Stadium and the Bronx Terminal Market just a short ride away and are just a short distance from Central Park and the cultural hotspots of the Upper West Side.

 
The big pic...

Upper Manhattan is beginning to shine. 

Take Harlem.  Today's Harlem is bright, bustling and home of its fair share of luxury highrises; however as you go even further up the deals get better and better, and there's great shopping too..   Harlem aside, other areas to keep an eye out on include Ft. George, Hamilton Heights, Inwood, Washington Heights and others.

With the 2023 Tonys being held in Washington Heights at the United Palace Theatre (and already with plenty of spotlight from In The Heights, my guess is that the neighborhood that Lin Manuel-Miranda built is going to shine even more, and trust me, it deserves to.

So while the George Washington Bridge may not yet have the popularity and hipness of the Brooklyn Bridge and Northern Manhattan neighborhoods may be older and "grayer" compared to hipper, spunkier Lower Manhattan, I predict that this area will continue to "develop", meaning grab up those deals now while they're still out there and affordable. 

Places to Visit in Northern Manhattan

1. The Apollo Theater - a legendary music venue located in the Harlem neighborhood, known for its association with African American culture and history, and for launching the careers of many famous musicians and performers.
2. The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture - a research library and cultural center that is part of the New York Public Library system, dedicated to preserving and promoting the history, culture and achievements of people of African descent.
3. The Studio Museum in Harlem - a contemporary art museum that focuses on work by artists of African descent, as well as exhibitions and programs that explore the complexity of global African Diaspora.
4. The Cathedral of St. John the Divine - an iconic gothic-style cathedral located in the Morningside Heights neighborhood, known for its large size, intricate architecture, and prominent artworks.
5. The Columbia University - one of the most prestigious universities in the world, located in the Morningside Heights neighborhood, offers visitors the opportunity to explore its historic campus and attend lectures, events and performances.
6. The Riverside Park - a beautiful urban park that runs along the Hudson River from 72nd Street to 158th Street. It offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including bike paths, playgrounds, ball fields, and a large marina.
7. The Grant's Tomb - the final resting place of Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States, and his wife. It is a beautiful building located in the Riverside Park, and it serves as a National Memorial.
8. The Hamilton Grange National Memorial - the former home of Alexander Hamilton, one of the United States' Founding Fathers, located in the Hamilton Heights neighborhood.
9. The Sugar Hill Children's Museum of Art & Storytelling - A cultural and educational institution that is dedicated to children and families, located in the Sugar Hill neighborhood, it is the first children's museum in Harlem
10. The El Museo del Barrio - a museum that is dedicated to Latin American and Caribbean art, located in the East Harlem neighborhood, it features a variety of exhibitions and programs that explore the cultures and history of these regions.
11. Grant's Tomb - The final resting place of President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife Julia.
12. Apollo Theater - A famous music hall in Harlem, New York City, where many famous artists have performed.
13. United Palace - A historic theater and church located in Washington Heights.   Home to the 2023 Tonys.
14. The Cloisters - A museum in Fort Tryon Park, New York City, dedicated to the art and architecture of medieval Europe.
15. Sylvia's Restaurant - A soul food restaurant established in 1962 by Sylvia Woods in Harlem.
16. Hamilton Grange - The country home of founding father Alexander Hamilton.
17. Morris–Jumel Mansion - The oldest house in Manhattan, built in 1765 and was George Washington's headquarters during the Revolutionary War.
18. Minton's Playhouse - A jazz club in Harlem, known for its live music and innovative performances.
19. Sugar Hill - A neighborhood in Harlem known for its historic brownstones and cultural significance in the African American community.
20. Riverside Church - A interdenominational church in Morningside Heights, known for its large size and prominent location.
21. National Jazz Museum in Harlem - A museum dedicated to preserving and promoting the history and legacy of jazz music.
22. Dyckman House - The last remaining Dutch colonial farmhouse in Manhattan, built in 1784.
23. Fort Tryon Park - A public park in Upper Manhattan, known for its landscaped gardens and The Cloisters museum.
24. Riverside Park - A waterfront public park on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
25. Sakura Park - A small park in Morningside Heights known for its cherry blossom trees.

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Some Recommended Northern Manhattan Dining Spots

1. Sylvia's Restaurant 
2. Red Rooster Harlem 
3. Streetbird Rotisserie
4. La Marina 
5. Dinosaur Bar-B-Que 
6. Lolo's Seafood Shack 
7. El Malecon Restaurant 
8. Mofongo Mama 
9. La Chula 
10. Churrascaria Plataforma
11. Osteria Morini 
12. Le Cheval d'Or
13. Bistro Ten 18
14. Bierstrasse 
15. Casa Enrique
16. The Fat Monk 
17. La Trattoria 
18. Bier International
19. La Fonda Boricua 
20. Paellero