What months are best to visit Manhattan for retiree?

[Evolving]

A "specific" neighborhood recommendation depends on your budget, preferences for what you want in a neighborhood and options for a month or more ( but likely less than a year?) residential stay.

One thing. I can say, you are in an enviable place of being able to try out so many different neighborhoods around the world in your 60s and 70s. I also prefer stays that are longer than a week or two to experience what a local place is really like. Have fun!

[txfriend]

We came back from Manhattan about two weeks ago, stayed at a hotel on E 52 St. This was a great safe location and the weather was just right.

[Kefir King]

Spring and Fall when the weather is most temperate.

[BrightRabbit]

If you arrive immediately before or during Labor Day Weekend, you can start with the spectacular West Indian Parade on Labor Day morning through Brooklyn. Arrive early to stake out a viewing spot; it's exciting and crowd-attracting.

Then you'd have the next 30 days of September enjoying all of NYC. You'll have time for Manhattan and its 4 outer boroughs, which have excellent daytime destinations that many tourists miss if they *only* see Manhattan. Arrive at start or middle of Labor Day weekend, so you're less impacted by traffic barreling back into the city from the last great summer weekend away.

September's a nice transition as kids return to school. Weather's usually great; as you recall from 9/11, that famous blue sky and perfect morning temperature were classic September weather here. You might, however, experience a few days' relapse into summer humidity/heat anytime during September.

Another unique September opportunity: participate with annual 9/11 memorials here in NYC, if you wish.

Also, I read that they're going to open more city beaches through end of September, that used to open only Memorial - Labor Day in previous years. This affects places like Coney Island, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach that are a pleasant change-of-pace for a daytrip when you've had enough NYC concrete.

Since you'll want to live like a local for a month, you'll probably come to learn the subway routes and not just depend on taxicabs. Since you asked about weather being controlling, I'd say the only issue with hot/humid is that underground subway stations aren't airconditioned, although trains are. So station wait-time in heat is unpleasant - crowded, hot, smelly/sweat. However, as a retiree, you can significantly reduce this problem by avoiding travel at peak rush hours.

Hot retiree tip: look up the Municipal Arts Society Walking Tours of NYC neighborhoods. Sign up in advance for their 2-hour informative tours of neighborhoods all over NYC. They cover neighborhood history, building architecture, social history and change, all very interesting.

If you'll be driving here and staying a month, you might be wise to park the car in a commercial garage (or perhaps open-air commercial lot) somewhere for a month and just forget about it. Resarch all that ahead, so you find a location with availability, consider suburban locations to save $, and a rate that's not a last-minute rip-off. To use public transportaion for a solid month is liberating, as it takes more than a month to become good at driving and parking within NYC. If garage rates seem high, just balance that against the cost of 2 parking tickets with tow for making a bad error -- and you're probably even.