NYC Neighborhood Guide

Neighborhood Guide

Chelsea

Clinton

Neighborhood Overview;
Clinton, which stretches from 42nd to 59th Street between Eighth Avenue and the Hudson River, has come a long way since it was known as Hell’s Kitchen. Once known for seediness and gang violence (as depicted in West Side Story), the neighborhood began gentrifying in the 80s, and now is home to a lively mix of actors, young professionals and families. Despite its newfound gentility, though, Clinton still retains a lot of its old school charm; in other words, if you’re looking for Pottery Barns and Starbucks stores, you may want to move elsewhere.

Housing;
With lots of 4-6 story walk-ups, as well as some luxury doormen buildings and brownstones, Clinton has a diverse mix of housing. The walk-ups are small and cheap, still one of the best bargains for those on a budget.

Restaurants;
Ninth Avenue is lined with restaurants, and not just the kind whose steaming, stinking entrances earned this area its former moniker. Once Hell’s Kitchen became Clinton, chic places like Mario Batali’s Esca and Daniel Boulud’s DB Bistro Moderne came flocking.

Arts/Entertainment;
Nestled between the theaters of Broadway to the east and Lincoln Center to the north, you’re never more than a few minutes away from plays, symphonies and Andrew Lloyd Webber extravaganzas. For nightlife, the bars of Clinton are a dive connoisseur’s dream. But those who prefer sleek dance clubs with long lines and $12 drinks won’t be disappointed here, either.

Subways;
A, C, E, 1, 2, 3, 7, 9, N, Q, R, S

Great Outdoors;
Aside from being a cool place just to walk around in, Clinton is bordered on its western edge by Hudson River Park, a narrow greenway that attracts joggers, walkers and work-dodgers year-round. And if you live in the northern reaches of Clinton, you’re steps from Central Park.

The Future;
Increased commercial activity (including a proposed sports stadium on the west side) should increase property values and further gentrify the character of the neighborhood.

East Village

Neighborhood Overview;
The East Village extends from Houston Street north to 14th Street, and Lafayette Street east to the East River. Once dominated by squatters, punks, hippies and bikers, the East Village used to be a somewhat sketchy neighborhood. But the influences of New York University (NYU) and general surge in Manhattan incomes have transformed this neighborhood into a welcome home for professionals, artists and students. In the last decade, the East Village has seen the opening of hundreds of one of a kind boutiques, art galleries, bars and restaurants. Still, the area retains much of its original seedy charm, with rock n roll landmarks like CBGB’s (3rd & Bowery) and St. Mark’s Place still going strong.

Housing;
Most of the available apartments are in pre-war walk-up buildings, many of which are now refurbished. But there several new residential buildings, including the first to be pre-wired for high speed Internet access (the Info Building at 3rd Street and Avenue A). What some of the older places lack in size is more than made up for in charm.

Restaurants;
The East Village is home to a huge variety of restaurants, in terms of both ethnicity and price. About a dozen Indian restaurants are packed into the Little India, the block of East 6th Street between 1st and 2nd Avenues. Veselka, a large, all-night diner on tktk, is one of the most visible reminders of the East Village’s century-old Ukrainian population. And hip, highly-rated places like Frank, a new Italian on 2nd Avenue, seem to open almost every week.

Arts/Entertainment;
You could spend years exploring the East Village’s watering holes. From dive bars to chic clubs, it’s a weekend destination for residents of other Manhattan neighborhoods. It’s also home to dozens of small theaters, especially in the area of Bowery. And beyond the usual multiplexes, the neighborhood has recently seen the opening of the Sunshine, a Houston Street movie house with unusual films and very comfy chairs.

Subways;
4, 5, 6, F, V, L, N, R

Great Outdoors;
Tompkins Square Park used to be considered the center of all that was wrong with the East Village. But after 1991, when the homeless shantytown was razed, the park was transformed. It now boasts two dog runs, tree-lined paths, a weekend farmer’s market and outdoor theater in the summer.

The Future;
Up until a few years ago, only the brave ventured east of Tompkins Square Park, into Alphabet City. As the reclamation of this neighborhood continues, though, more and more residents are moving to Avenues A, B, C and even D. And, of course, new businesses are following, too.

Financial District

Neighborhood Overview;
The Financial District includes everything below Chinatown and Tribeca to the southern tip of the Manhattan. The home of Wall Street, this neighborhood used to turn into a ghost after the closing bell rang at the stock market. But a steady increase in residential space has turned the Financial District into a bonafied neighborhood, complete with bustling with shops and restaurants that cater to the growing fulltime population. Investment bankers and stock brokers alike love being able to walk to work, and for those with jobs further north, the subway access can’t be beat. Many residents choose to live in the enclave of Battery Park City, sort of a city within the city, with its own shops, restaurants, even a marina.

Housing;
Many of the Financial District’s residential buildings are converted office spaces. A large percentage of these are doorman buildings boasting hotel-like luxuries, including private gyms, parking garages and best of all, incredible views of the Hudson and East Rivers.

Restaurants;
Catering to its finance world clientele, the neighborhood has a good collection of established, high-end restaurants like the venerable Giovanni’s Atrium (Washington Street). The Fulton Street fish market is in the Financial District, so look for fresh seafood wherever you go. And with all that waterfront, there are plenty of places that make the most of the view, like American Park (in Battery Park).

Arts/Entertainment;
The Financial District is home to the South Street Seaport, with spectacular views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the harbor, as well as waterfront shops and restaurants. Open-air concerts are also held here.

Subways;
1, 2, 3, 9, A, C, E, J, M, Z, N, R, Q, W

Great Outdoors;
The Financial District includes Battery Park, at the southern tip of Manhattan, with unbeatable views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

The Future;
With post-9/11 rent subsidies, look for this neighborhood to continue growing into a more residential area. And with the massive reconstruction of the World Trade Center area, this part of Manhattan can only get better.

Gramercy Park

Neighborhood Overview;
Although the park itself is just one square block, its unique beauty and seclusion set the tone for the entire neighborhood (extending from 17th-22nd Street, and Park Avenue to the River). The brownstones and doorman buildings surrounding the park are hard to come by – the park is locked to all but the lucky few who inhabit them. The rest of us have to be content with standing outside its wrought iron gates, looking in. Still, the blocks nearby have much of the same quiet, suburban feel. Be prepared to pay well for the luxury of peace and tranquility…

Housing;
The closer you are to the park, the nicer the building. Luxury brownstones and prewars line the park and the streets around it, giving way to slightly more affordable tenements and new constructions. Larger apartments are in short supply in Gramercy, so if it’s a lot of space you need, expect to pay.

Restaurants;
While it’s not exactly the thriving foodie haven of the East Village, Gramercy does boast some outstanding restaurants. The Gramercy Tavern on 20th Street is consistently voted one of the best places in the city, and hip new establishments like Fleur de Sel are springing up all over the neighborhood.

Arts/Entertainment;
Gramercy still has a reputation as a no-man’s-land of nightlife, but the fact is, things have changed considerably in the last 10 years. Along 3rd Avenue, a genuine scene of chic bars has emerged, and hipsters and regulars alike flock to the seedy, welcoming arms of The Bar on Gramercy Park. Pete’s Tavern, a favorite of O. Henry’s, is the oldest surviving bar in New York City, dating back to the Civil War!

Subways;
6

Great Outdoors;
The Lower East Side has an abundance of open air. East River Park, stretch of greenery along the river, feature bike paths, playgrounds, soccer and baseball fields, even an amphitheater with a band shell! A jaunt across the newly-renovated Williamsburg Bridge footpath makes for a pleasant weekend walk, and there are numerous playgrounds and tree-lined squares throughout the neighborhood.

The Future;
Veteran New Yorkers will tell you that the Lower East Side is today what the East Village was 20 years ago. The influx of young blood will continue and accelerate, transforming the neighborhood further into the hip place to be in Manhattan.

Lower East Side

Neighborhood Overview;
The Lower East Side (LES) extends from East Houston Street, down to Canal Street, from the Bowery to the East River. The neighborhood began as a magnet for immigrants, and the influence of these groups is still a major presence here. The LES includes the largest Chinatown in the country, and a thriving Latino and orthodox Jewish population. In the last decade, it has attracted a younger crowd, brought in by the cheap rents. These newbies have transformed the neighborhood into an interesting blend of hip shops and bars with 50-year-old pickle shops. This is a vibrant community of different cultures, with waves of young people moving in every month.

Housing;
The apartments in the area consist of walk-up tenement buildings and co-ops located close to the East River. With lots of new conversions and turnover of old rent-controlled spaces, the Lower East Side has some of the best bargains in Manhattan.

Restaurants;
Despite the rush of new competition, old world favorites like Gertel's Bake Shop on Second Avenue, Guss's Pickles on Essex, and Kossar's Bialy's on Grand are all thriving. Schiller’s and WD50 represent the vanguard of hip new eateries flooding the area. And any time you want dim sum, Chinatown is just outside your door.

Arts/Entertainment;
The younger crowd spends its nights at rec room-themed bars like Welcome to the Johnsons. There’s an abundance of theater space in this sprawling neighborhood, making it an ideal host for the annual Fringe Festival, a showcase of u-and-coming stage talent. The Garment District on Orchard Street is still the place to go for cheap clothes, or you can browse Ludlow Street’s boutiques if your taste in duds is more adventurous. As you would expect from its mixed population, the Lower East Side has a little something for everyone.

Subways;
B, D, F, V, J, M, Z, 6

Great Outdoors;
The Lower East Side has an abundance of open air. East River Park, stretch of greenery along the river, feature bike paths, playgrounds, soccer and baseball fields, even an amphitheater with a band shell! A jaunt across the newly-renovated Williamsburg Bridge footpath makes for a pleasant weekend walk, and there are numerous playgrounds and tree-lined squares throughout the neighborhood.

The Future;
Veteran New Yorkers will tell you that the Lower East Side is today what the East Village was 20 years ago. The influx of young blood will continue and accelerate, transforming the neighborhood further into the hip place to be in Manhattan.

Midtown

Neighborhood Overview;
Midtown, extending from Eight Avenue to Lexington Avenue between 42nd and 59th Streets, is not for the faint of heart. Between the Broadway theater district and the nine to five bustle of financial companies and ad agencies, it’s a frenzy of activity. And while it used to be the case that much of the area simply shut down after work hours, all that has changed in the last ten years. No longer a place people visited but didn’t live, a whole new crop of professionals now call Midtown home.

Housing;
High-rises and luxury doorman buildings rule here, so expect to pay a premium for that two-minute walk to work.

Restaurants;
With so many overstuffed wallets here, it stands to reason that Midtown offers some of the best eating in the city. From venerable institutions like the Four Seasons and 21 to elegant upstarts like Ola.

Arts/Entertainment;
Broadway. Rockefeller Center. MOMA. There are plenty of upscale hotel bars to get soused in, but if you’re looking for a real weekend club scene, look elsewhere.

Subways;
4, 5, 6, E, F, A, C, E, 1, 2, 3, 7, 9, N, Q, R, S

Great Outdoors;
Okay, so walking around in Midtown on a weekday can be stressful to say the least, but look at it this way: it’s so peaceful on the weekends, and you’ve got Central Park on your northern frontier. For a midweek lunch, go to Bryant Park.

The Future;
As long as Midtown is the business powerhouse of Manhattan, this is going to be a popular place to live.

Murray Hill

Neighborhood Overview;
Extending from 5th Avenue to the East River between 26th and 40th Streets, Murray Hill is a quiet neighborhood full of residential buildings and restaurants. Its charming, tree-lined streets have long attracted those who want to live in Manhattan, without all the noise and bustle. If you work in Midtown, Murray Hill, just minutes away, is an ideal place to live. It doesn’t have the glamorous reputation of Soho or Tribeca, but people who move to Murray Hill tend to like it enough to stay there.

Housing;
The neighborhood is a mix of prewar buildings, townhouses and high-rises. The rents are about average for Manhattan.

Restaurants;
Murray Hill’s reputation as a restaurant desert has outlived the reality of the situation. In recent years, the opening of several hotspots, like Asia de Cuba and Blue Smoke, has created a situation once thought impossible: people traveling to Murray Hill for an evening’s entertainment.

Arts/Entertainment;
Shopping in Murray Hill is not the best on the island, but you aren’t more than a ten minute walk to better prospects. For necessities, 3rd Avenue and Kips Bay plaza, with its supermarket, Movie Theater and gym, can’t be beat. And while the area isn’t known for its artistic contribution to Manhattan, it does have one of the better small museums around: the Pierpont Morgan Library. At night, the Rodeo Bar, with live music and an always boisterous crowd, is Murray Hill’s biggest attraction.

Subways;
6

Great Outdoors;
Aside from being a nice neighborhood for a Sunday stroll, Murray Hill is not an outdoorsy kind of neighborhood. The East River walkway is a pleasant stretch for a jog, and the architectural and historical attractions of the area can make for an interesting walking tour.

The Future;
As a younger and younger crowd moves in, expect Murray Hill to develop its commercial and entertainment muscle.

Soho

Neighborhood Overview;
SoHo (which stands for South-of- Houston) extends from West Houston to Canal Streets, from Bowery to the Hudson River. Once a drab manufacturing area, artists began moving here in the early 1970's. Attracted by cheap, gigantic lofts, they turned them into homes and galleries. SoHo has since developed into a beautiful and trendy neighborhood. Though it remained a hidden bargain for many years, Soho has arrived as an upscale residential and retail neighborhood. Surrounded by 19th century cast iron architecture, the entire neighborhood is the city's only landmark district and is famous for its shops, galleries and some of the city’s best restaurants. A walk along Broadway takes you past the downtown branches of just about every Madison Avenue boutique, and rubbing elbows with the countless fashion models who have taken up residence here.

Housing;
Though famed for its chic lofts in prewar, cast-iron buildings, SoHo has a good mix of different housing stock, including more affordable digs for the rest of us.

Restaurants;
SoHo offers a surprising variety of dining options, from cozy little hideaways, like Kin Khao (a Thai place on Spring Street) to bustling eateries like Blue Ribbon Sushi on Sullivan Street. Spring Street and its immediate environs host a sizable collection of French bistros, including standouts Balthazar, Bistro Les Amis, and Raoul’s.

Arts/Entertainment;
In addition to its art galleries, this neighborhood hosts the Guggenheim Museum Soho, the New Museum of Contemporary Art and the Museum of African Art. Theaters, from small spaces like the Here café, to more established off-Broadway venues On weekend days, the streets of Soho are thronged with shoppers, but at night, things quiet down, and the bar scene is generally laid back and casual.

Subways;
1, 2, 3, 9, A, C, E, N, R, Q, W

The Future;
Between its shopping, arts scene and Little Italy, SoHo is established as a destination neighborhood in New York.

Tribeca

Neighborhood Overview;
Tribeca (which stands for Triangle-Below-Canal) extends south of Canal Street, down to Barclay Street, between Broadway and the Hudson River. Populated mostly by professionals working in the Financial District, Tribeca is home to an impressive number of high-end restaurants and chic clubs. Robert DeNiro, perhaps its most famous resident, runs his Tribeca Productions film company from the heart of the neighborhood. Like its northern neighbor Soho, Tribeca is no stranger to art galleries and upscale clothing boutiques. A beautiful, wealthy neighborhood, with fewer crowds than some of the surrounding areas.

Housing;
Tribeca is known for its spacious loft apartments, housed in buildings once used for light manufacturing and warehousing. Over the last twenty years, most of these industrial buildings have been renovated and transformed into luxury rentals and condos.

Restaurants;
Some of the best-known restaurants in New York are in Tribeca. Nobu, Montrachet, and Chanterelle: the neighborhood eateries draw crowds from all over the world. But lest you think that every joint in the area is a wallet-buster, fear not – there are plenty of casual dining options as well.

Arts/Entertainment;
Like its restaurants and stores, Tribeca’s bars draw a chic, upscale crowd. This is where the city’s movers and shakers come to relax. If it’s more refined entertainment you want, the area has a respectable number of off-Broadway playhouses, the Tribeca Performing Arts Center, and the ever more popular annual Tribeca Film Festival. Or, head to the Knitting Factory on any given night to check out

Subways;
1, 2, 3, 9, A, C, E

Great Outdoors;
While it may not have a major park, Tribeca boasts a good stretch of waterfront, including an exercise path that attracts runners, bikers and dog walkers in equal measure.

The Future;
Many of the residential buildings in Tribeca qualify for post-9/11 rent relief, so expect this neighborhood to continue growing.

Union Square

Neighborhood Overview;
Close to Flatiron, Gramercy and Greenwich Village, Union Square is of the main hubs in Manhattan. It extends from Broadway on the west side to Madison Avenue on the east, 14th Street on the south side to 17th Street on the north. It’s next to everything that makes living in Manhattan such a unique experience: amazing restaurants, beautiful parks and a huge variety of shops.

Housing;
Like Gramercy right above it, Union Square is filled with prewar spaces, many of them large, sun drenched lofts. The spaces are in high demand, so don’t expect the deal of a lifetime here.

Restaurants;
Great eating can be found all over Union Square, from the luxury of Union Square Café (consistently rated readers’ favorite by the Zagat guide) to down-home comfort food at Chat ‘n Chew. And if you get tired of what’s in the square, you’re not far from places in nearby neighborhoods like Gramercy and the Village.

Arts/Entertainment;
Irving Plaza, a block east of Union Square, is one of the most popular music venues in the city, and De La Guarda, with its high-flying aerobatics, has a long-term home on Union Square East and 15th Street. With its close proximity to the East Village, you’re never far from other small theater and music attractions, not to mention the endless supply of funky boutiques.

Subways;
N, R, 4, 5, 6, and L

Great Outdoors;
Union Square is one of the coolest places to hang out and people watch. In the evening, nine-to-fivers the city over congregate here to watch the musicians, political kooks and skateboarders do their thing. And four days out of the week, a farmer’s market sets up shop on the western side of the square. A little farther north, Madison Park is considered by many to be the most beautiful small park in the city.

The Future;
There’s not a lot of room for new residential construction, so expect demand to stay high for places in this highly sought after location.

Upper East Side

Neighborhood Overview;
Despite its monolithic reputation, the Upper East Side, a huge area extending from 59th to 96th Street between 5th Avenue and the East River, is home to a lot of different types. The quintessential Upper East Sider is the wealthy heiress who owns an entire townhouse on 5th Avenue overlooking Central Park. But the huge amount of available housing also attracts fresh-out-of-college types and professionals who just want a good value. The neighborhood is a mass of contradictions, staid and stifling in some parts, a boozy party in other. It’s okay though; it’s big enough to be all things to everyone.

Housing;
Prewars, townhouses, high-rises, luxury doorman: you name it, they got it. East of Lexington, you’ll find bargains in abundance. The farther east you go, the cheaper the rents, except of course for places right on the river.

Restaurants;
When it comes to classy eats, the Upper East Side isn't kidding. Atlantic Grill, Café Boulud, RM: the list goes on and on. Less moneyed residents needn’t fear, however: there are enough good, cheap restaurants on Second and Third Avenue to keep you happy year round.

Arts/Entertainment;
The UES’ biggest cultural attraction is Museum Mile, a stretch of Fifth Avenue that boasts the Metropolitan, the Guggenheim, the Whitney and the Frick, among others. Or, for the culture fix on a budget, check out the 92nd Street Y, with its impressive lineup of free lectures and events. For nightlife, Third Avenue is a regular meat market mile, with young pros and graduates boozing it up till the break of dawn. If your taste in clothes runs to the slightly more conservative, you’ll be right at home here, shopping at Barney’s and Hermes, among countless other fashion elder statesmen.

Subways;
4, 5, 6

Great Outdoors;
Central Park, with its meadows, zoo and concerts is a strong argument for living on the UES. And there’s no better place for a jog or bike ride than its roadways and paths.

The Future;
The UES will continue to attract the extremes: young professionals looking for value and the super wealthy. Prices should stay relatively stable.

Upper West Side

Neighborhood Overview;
The Upper East Side’s looser cousin, the Upper West Side is home to lively mix of young professionals, families and college kids. Compared to its stuffy eastern relative, the UWS follows the Manhattan model of mixing commercial with residential spaces in a more organic (some might say slapdash) way. A good percentage of UWS residents live above a restaurant or deli. Running from 59th to 110th Street between Central Park and the Hudson River, it’s like the UES with a little of bit of funk mixed in.

Housing;
The housing reflects the mix of residents: everything from luxury high-rises to tiny tenements. Generally, the farther north you go, the better the deal.

Restaurants;
Sometimes it seems that there’s nothing to do on the Upper West Side but eat. You can do the historical eat, at institutions like Barney Greengrass; the wallet-sapping eat at Jean Georges; the bargain gourmet thing at Gennaro. It’s all there. Enjoy!

Arts/Entertainment;
Columbus and Amsterdam come alive at night with a diverse range of bars and clubs. Trashy, trendy and everything in between. For more refined pleasures, Lincoln Center is on the southern border, with concerts and plays all year long.

Subways;
1, 2, 3, 9, B, C

Great Outdoors;
Central Park, with its meadows, zoo and concerts is a strong argument for living on the UWS. And there’s no better place for a jog or bike ride than its roadways and paths. On the opposite side of the neighborhood, there’s Riverside Park, a gorgeous strip of real estate that doesn’t attract the crowds of its more famous sister.

The Future;
Expect this neighborhood to only become more popular as time goes by, enduring even the softer markets.

West Village

Neighborhood Overview;
Greenwich Village is bordered by Houston Street to the south and 14th Street to the North. It extends east-west from 6th Avenue to Broadway. With Washington Square Park at its heart, the Village is a neighborhood that attracts a mix of NYU faculty and students, families, and young professionals. Many of its streets are narrow and densely treed, making the Village feel more like Europe than a neighborhood in New York. The Washington Mews, just north of the park, looks like it was transplanted directly from Paris.

Housing;
Like the people who live here, Greenwich Village apartments are a mixed bag. From prewar, doorman luxury to bright loft spaces to more affordable new construction buildings, there’s a little bit of everything here.

Restaurants;
The streets along Bleecker, south of the park, are lined with cozy Italian eateries and cafes. Il Mulino, on West 3rd Street, is one city’s most revered old Italians. Just a short walk away, at Babbo, on Waverly, Mario Batali cooks up new Italian delicacies.

Arts/Entertainment;
The Village is home to a wide variety of landmark music venues, from rock at the Bitter End to jazz at the Blue Note. For bars, Villagers pile into the venerable Madame X for grungy appeal, Black and White for low-key class. If you’re feeling kitschy, Bowlmor Lanes is a popular place to knock back a few beers and some pins. With NYU pumping in new youth each semester, the Village will always have a vital nightlife.

Subways;
1, 9, A, B, C, D, E, F, V, N, R

Great Outdoors;
Did we mention Washington Square Park? This New York gem features a gorgeous stone arch, large fountain, street performers of all kinds and a dog run. It’s the perfect place to while away a Sunday afternoon. From there, stroll along the streets on its western edge for some old world charm.

The Future;
Nowhere but up for Greenwich Village. NYU is constantly building and refurbishing, and landlords are following suit. Close access to the funky East Village and the beautiful West gives this neighborhood a little bit of everything.

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