Our most popular March home searches hit a variety of price points.
From luxurious mansions to charming fixer-uppers, there’s some serious variety among our most-searched listings in March. But they all have a couple of things in common: they’re still on the market, and they’re in great neighborhoods. With a little help from What Locals Say, our index of residents’ insights on their own communities, we’ve pulled together an insider’s guide to each of these popular properties.
The Melrose neighborhood in the Bronx is close to New York City staples like Harlem and Yankee Stadium, but it also has plenty of its own rich, cultural traditions. You can hear traditional Puerto Rican music at the small community garden known as Centro Cultural Rincón Criollo. And family-owned Mexican restaurants abound—like Xochimilco, where The Village Voice says “you’re treated as if you’re walking into someone’s home for a meal where everything’s made from scratch.” That same familial spirit applies to the entire neighborhood. One local who grew up in Melrose says there was always a sense of “a village helping to raise the children.”1
This recently updated three-bedroom condo offers a modern living space in the heart of this historic neighborhood. The kitchen features new stainless appliances and unique tiling in a newly renovated bathroom.
Stars ranging from Jennifer Aniston to Jay-Z have called Bel Air home, and one glance around explains why. With numerous classic-Hollywood homes and massive gates marking entrances to the neighborhood, it’s not hard to see the appeal. “If you are seeking old-style luxury and want to rub elbows with the rich and famous, then this is the area!” says one resident2. Attractive amenities abound here, including upscale restaurants featuring a variety of cuisines. And everything else L.A. has to offer is just beyond those iconic gates.
This stunning hilltop mansion is pure daydream material. A seat at the curved pool provides a commanding view of L.A. And with six guest suites and a 20-person movie theater, you can invite plenty of friends to daydream with you.
Perched right on the banks of the Hudson River, Yonkers’ Lamartine Heights neighborhood practically straddles the border between New York and New Jersey. What Locals Say users agree that their neighborhood is a walkable one, with sidewalks in abundance and grocery stores within a manageable distance. The Hudson River Museum and numerous neighborhood parks are also walkable, just beyond the neighborhood’s boundaries. But if you’re willing to hop in your car, it won’t take you long to get to one of the world’s greatest cities. New York City is just 15 miles away.
You might not guess it from the outside, but this stately, century-old brick home contains a whopping six bedrooms. You’ll love the hardwood floors throughout, and the fact that you can see the Hudson from the back windows.
Not to be confused with the famous Virginia home of George Washington, this Mount Vernon is New York City’s neighbor to the north. It directly abuts the Bronx, so you’ll have easy access to the Big Apple via subway, bus, or car. Mount Vernon has plenty of its own to brag about though; its economy boomed in the early aughts, transforming it into what Westchester Magazine calls “a burgeoning center of regional commerce.” Here in the South Side neighborhood, you’ll be close to Willson’s Woods Park and a selection of charming local restaurants with cuisines ranging from Italian to Jamaican.
This roomy colonial makes a great first impression with its wide front porch, and the interior is just as appealing. Gorgeous hardwood floors run through all six bedrooms, and each of the three bathrooms is charmingly decorated in a distinct color scheme.
If you’re looking for a community where you can relax, play, and host a dinner party without touching a car, check out this outer-Orlando neighborhood. You’ll find a clubhouse, pool, playground, and more all right outside your door. When you do venture out, you’re just a 10-minute drive from many beloved, local restaurants, as well as the stunning natural beauty of Wekiwa Springs State Park and Lake Apopka. And of course, no Orlando neighborhood is too far from some of the biggest fun on the planet: you’re less than 30 miles from both Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando.
This stylish and spacious three-bedroom home has modern design touches, like tiled backsplashes in the kitchen and two bathrooms. And you don’t even have to worry about any wear and tear—this place is a brand new construction.
In the heart of Brooklyn, East Flatbush offers some of the borough’s lower housing prices and plenty of the Caribbean culture that defines neighboring Flatbush. But if cuisine from one of the multiple local Caribbean restaurants isn’t floating your boat, check out Longwood Fish Corp. for either some steamed fish (a local favorite) or a fresh catch to cook at home. Neighbors agree that residents here are a close-knit bunch who look out for each other. A former resident said his neighbors were “very friendly and treat each other like family.”3
You’d never guess from the gorgeously renovated interior that this home actually dates back to 1945. The hardwood floors, high ceilings, and LED lighting are all modern-chic, and the finished basement makes for a handsome bonus room.
Philly’s Germantown Westside neighborhood is tiny, but it’s got a lot going for it. “The people are friendly and will generally reciprocate greetings on the street or invite you onto their porch as you pass by,” says one resident4. If you’re in search of a cheesesteak, Park Manor Deli offers a classic Philly experience. And the neighborhood also sports its own locally owned grocery store, J&J Family Grocery. Nature lovers will revel in nearby Blue Bell Park and the adjoining 2,042-acre Wissahickon Valley Park. What’s more, the neighborhood is centrally located for easy access to the rest of Philly.
This 1900 home sports an unforgettably unique brick exterior, and its interior doesn’t lack for appealing touches. We particularly love the hardwood floors and the kitchen breakfast nook. And the long, narrow backyard is just begging to be transformed into a lovely garden.
Wondering what’s available in your favorite neighborhood? See what’s available on Trulia.
1Almira Session, Feb. 2019: “I grew up in this neighborhood, there was always a since of a village helping to raise the children of the neighborhood. Mainly because everyone knew everyone. Things have changed a lot there, it’s not so much of a village anymore but it is still a pretty distant area to live in. There have been new stores build, and movie theater is walking distance.”
2Nadia H, 2012: “This is a gorgeous, quiet, lush green and Very affluent area of bel air. This area is occupied with tons of celebrities and movie stars. It’ private, beautiful and very much Old money. If you are seeking old style luxury and want to rub elbows with the rich and famous, then this is the area! Gorgeous scenic drive with views of the canyons, lakes, mountains and reservoirs!”
3Anthonet r., Nov. 2018: “What makes this neighborhood unique is the people there are very friendly and treat each other like family. Also they look out for one another.”
4Merricat8, Oct. 2018: “The people are friendly and will generally reciprocate greetings on the street or invite you onto their porch as you pass by. Mass transit, coffeehouses, gym, and churches are all readily accessible, with Wissahickon Park a two-minute drive away. The central location (ten minute drive to Bala Cynwyd, twenty to Temple University, fifteen to restaurants, concerts, and theater in Mt. Airy) is a boon.”