For the last decade or so, Washington Heights has remained a well-kept secret. A narrow stretch of Upper Manhattan crowned by the picturesque Hudson Heights neighborhood, it is home to many transplanted down-towners, among others. The area, which runs from 155th Street to Fort Tryon Park, has been undergoing a renaissance of sorts, and its reputation is on the upswing.

"The cat’s out of the bag," says Gus Perry, owner of Stein-Perry Real Estate, who deals mainly with Washington Heights properties. "We’ve been discovered. People come to the neighborhood and realize it’s a diamond in the rough."

Hudson Heights in particular is considered a gem. Occupying the northwestern-most quadrant of Washington Heights, it is Manhattan’s highest point, offering splendid river views, tree-lined streets, and gracious avenues.

Lured by more affordable housing prices, many actors and musicians have recently moved into Washington Heights, as well as young tech-industry professionals. Families looking for more space than can be found in Manhattan’s cramped downtown grid are turning to the area as well. "It’s a bargain for people who want to look into Manhattan proper," Perry says. Caroline Brown, a broker with William B. May agrees. "You can buy something just as big as you could further downtown, with better views and more light."