Manhattan

Lower East Side

lower east sideThe phrase “the city that never sleeps” applies particularly well to the Lower East Side. The youthful, creative energy of this neighborhood spills out of bars, restaurants, music venues, and clubs every night ’til dawn. It’s a lively neighborhood with an emphasis on fun that draws revelers from all over the city much like its neighbor to the north, the East Village.

Grab Some Bites of Food and Culture

During the day, many small shops display cutting-edge clothing and design as well as vintage wares. Discount textile wonderland Zarin Fabrics offers three floors of fabric possibilities. Economy Candy is stocked to the rafters with every brand of nostalgic candy. The New Museum and many art galleries promote new talent. At The Tenement Museum, the immigrant experience, so much a part of the history of this neighborhood, is beautifully conveyed.

Come sundown, beer, wine, and cocktail bars of every stripe, and countless casual chic restaurants begin to fill up. A popular holdover from the old days, Katz’s Deli serves the best pastrami in town. Then the live music scene kicks in. Bluegrass or some other fabulous and fun genre will be on the 3 stages of Rockwood Music Hall, something head banging will be happening at Arlene’s Grocery, and whoever is playing at Bowery Ballroom, one of the best venues in the city for live music, is probably worth checking out.

Eclectic and Fun

The Lower East Side is a mix of long time residents, urban pioneers who moved in before it became popular, young creatives, and professionals of every bent who want to be where the party is. It can be noisy at night north of Grand St. Most of the housing consists of slightly more affordable pre-war walk-ups, but many new luxury buildings have been going up to take advantage of the neighborhood’s popularity.

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Midtown

MidtownThe commercial heart of the city, bustling Midtown is, for most people, a place to go home from at the end of the day. For those who choose to live there, good value and easy access to anywhere in the city are big draws. There is so much packed into this area that it breaks into distinctly different districts.

The Theater District
The Theater District, centered on Broadway at Times Square, is the definition of “Bright Lights, Big City” with hundreds of large animated billboards, Broadway theatersjazz clubs, comedy clubs, and more. Tourists, performers, and anyone else passing through are caught up in the swirl of activity day and night. Restaurant Row, on 46th St between Broadway and 9th Ave., packs almost 20 restaurants into 2 blocks. High-rise buildings offer even more competitive pricing in this district than in neighboring Hell’s Kitchen.

The Fashion District
Just south of the theater district, the Fashion (or Garment) District is home to legendary fashion design houses and the Fashion Institute of Technology. Nearly every storefront is geared toward the fashion industry, supporting a tight-knit community feel. Professionals in this industry can find live/work friendly options here as well as an increasing number of newly constructed condos with posh amenities and a lower price tag than elsewhere in the city. At night it’s quiet here, but hopping Chelsea is just next door.

The Ultimate
Just south of Central Park lies some of the most expensive real estate in the city. Luxury high-rises with iconic park views hold court alongside The Plaza Hotel, Bergdorf Goodman, and Tiffany’s. Well-heeled residents dine at the many white table-clothed restaurants in the area and frequent Columbus Circle’s Time Warner Center for an indoor mecca of glass-enclosed, high-end shopping and dining. The world-class boutiques of Madison Ave. on the Upper East Side are just a block away.

The area around Grand Central Station has been rezoned to allow redevelopment of some of the tired high-rises and to incentivize more businesses to move in. Already, plans are in the works for a new development and public plaza adjacent to Grand Central.

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The neighborhood is also home to Grand Central Station, Penn Station, and the PATH terminal.

Midtown East

Midtown EastMidtown East is made up of many mini neighborhoods, each with its own vibe, that share the convenience of a quick walk to work. Towards Midtown, the buildings and the population density soar. This area is being rezoned to induce developers to replace aging office buildings with new skyscrapers. Towards the East River, the tumult decreases along with the scale of the buildings.

North
The northern section of Midtown East is more bustling but similar to its neighbor, the Upper East Side. World famous fashion houses, department stores and white table-clothed restaurants attract the well-heeled, mid-career professionals and empty nesters who live in its sleek new towers. Farther to the east, Sutton Place offers a peaceful enclave of elegant co-ops with beautiful river views, ivy-covered townhomes and three beautiful parks. A new esplanade built on pilings over the water from 53rd St. to 61st St. is expected to be completed by 2022.

Turtle Bay
Turtle Bay is a bit livelier at night and attracts younger professionals. It’s also home to The United Nations. Grand Central Terminal is not only a transportation hub, but also a destination in its own right for its truly grand architecture and its many shops and restaurants. Along the avenues are modern high-rises, and on the side streets are pristine brownstones and walk-ups. By the river, the neo-gothic architecture of the large apartment complex Tudor City is uncommonly beautiful.

South
At the southern section of Midtown East, the more affordable pricing in the mix of charming brownstones and post war high-rises of Murray Hill makes it a popular choice for recent college graduates. The nightlife here is flourishing in the cocktail bars along 2nd and 3rd Avenues. A plethora of Indian restaurants in the east 20s has earned that area the nickname Curry Hill.

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It can be a bit of a walk to a subway station from the areas closer to the river. Eventually, the under construction 2nd Ave subway line will resolve this inconvenience.

Soho

SohoThe 250 cast iron buildings of Soho form a stunning backdrop for the high-end fashion and home design houses, photography studios, and galleries that call this cherished neighborhood home. The cobblestone side streets and their eclectic boutiques and charming eateries offer a respite from the crowds swarming the flagship retailers and gourmet food trucks of Broadway.

Shopping, Sipping and Eating
A shopper’s heaven, Soho has everything from the trendy Topshop and Nike Lab to ultra chic Alexander Wang, Prada, and Opening Ceremony. Kiosk sells highly curated objects from around the world. Natural history collectibles and artifacts such as dinosaur fossils, animal skulls, and framed butterflies are sold at Evolution. Gourmet food market Dean and Deluca presents gorgeous displays of its wares and is a favorite spot for a quick delicious bite.

When the shops close, the neighborhood settles into a calmer mode and the action shifts to trendy restaurants and bars. City Winery, a unique venue for intimate concerts, is also a fully functioning winery that offers food and wine classes. At S.O.B.’s, live afro-latin performances always draw a dancing crowd.

On the eastern edge of Soho, Nolita’s narrower streets are lively at night with many hip bars and restaurants.

Soho Real Estate
Vacancies are rare in Soho and consist of either phenomenal lofts in cast iron co-ops or walk-ups in well-maintained pre-war buildings. Expect to pay a premium for this popular neighborhood.

Centrally located in downtown Manhattan, it’s an easy walk from Soho to other downtown neighborhoods. Walking isn’t necessary, however, as almost every subway line passes through Soho.

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Tribeca

TribecaThe cast-iron buildings and cobblestone streets of Tribeca hearken back to this neighborhood’s industrial past. They also provide the perfect home for galleries, performance spaces, and funky shops. While there is plenty going on here, the mood is more relaxed and the atmosphere is almost quaint.

Culture and the Arts
The famous Tribeca Film Festival, one of the cultural highlights of the year, is close to home for many celebrities who find a peaceful haven in this corner of the city. The three performance spaces at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center offer a rotating selection of dance, music, comedy, children’s theater, and more, as well as many workshops. Some of New York’s finest artists open their workspaces to the public during the annual Tribeca Open Artist Studio Tour.

Shopping, Dining and Imbibing
Home design, fashion, and quirky shops of all kinds dot the neighborhood. The Greenmarket, on Greenwich Street between Chambers and Duane Streets, is a popular gathering place every Saturday and Wednesday year round. Along Tribeca’s magical streets are some of the top restaurants in the city. While not as wild as some other neighborhoods, late-night partygoers can always be found in the popular bars of this small enclave.

Recreation
Hudson River Park affords fabulous views of New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty, and through the Verrazano Narrows Bridge out to the Atlantic. Besides plenty of green space, its facilities include tennis, skating, basketball, beach volleyball, field sports, miniature golf, and a playground with seasonal water features. A mooring field, sailing school, and community dock expand the park out into the water. Smaller parks are sprinkled throughout the neighborhood.

Living Spaces
Within the meticulously restored warehouses and commercial spaces that line the landmarked blocks of Tribeca, unique light-filled loft spaces abound. The only neighborhood that rivals Tribeca for this type of housing stock is Soho. There are also towering high rises full of amenities. The neighborhood appeals to families, artists, and professionals who want to live near work in the Financial District.

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Upper East Side

Upper East SideOn the Upper East Side, there is plenty of room for both Old World elegance and the new and the fresh. Between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue from 59th Street to 79th Street, the impeccably maintained mansions and highly selective, beautiful pre-war co-ops, the world-class boutiques, and the white table-clothed restaurants, all trumpet the area’s opulence. Further afield to the north and east, the vibe is more casual and easy-going.

To Do and To Dally
All along Lexington, 3rd, and 2nd Avenues are shops, restaurants and bars that appeal to the many families and young professionals that have found good value in the mostly post-war buildings and brick walk-ups of the eastern section of the neighborhood. Trendy retailer Warby Parker, as well as craft beer bars The Jeffrey and The Pony Bar are among the businesses heralding the arrival of cool to the Upper East Side.

Bookended by phenomenal Central Park on the west and equally beautiful Charles Schurz Park overlooking the East River, the Upper East Side offers many opportunities for outdoor activities including horseback riding, ice skating, boating, swimming, biking, handball, incredible playgrounds, and more. Outdoor concerts, films, and theater enliven the parks all summer long.

A Cultural Cornucopia
The Upper East Side is also home to Museum Mile, the stretch of 5th Avenue from 82nd Street to 105th Street. Among its nine museums are some of the most renowned in the world including The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim. As one of the city’s most important cultural centers, the 92nd St. Y hosts performances, lectures, and workshops by such leaders in their fields as Mikhail Gorbachev, Yo-Yo Ma, and Steve Martin. Many of the city’s elite private schools can also be found here.

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The 4, 5, 6 line runs along Lexington Ave. and the Q line runs along 2nd Ave. to 96th St. The F, N, W, and R subway lines run through the southern end of the neighborhood.

Upper Manhattan

Upper ManhattanUpper Manhattan is a great place to invest in New York City. The buildings have great bones and the prices are relatively low. The pace can feel more in tune with the suburbs, and midtown is about 30 minutes away by subway. Here, residents enjoy more green space and killer views of the Hudson River.

This area is divided into two distinct neighborhoods.

Washington Heights
Washington Heights is known for its hilly terrain and historic buildings. The Cloisters museum and gardens, located in Fort Tyrone Park, is made up of a collection of 12th-15th century religious and secular buildings that were reassembled on the site. It is one of the true gems of Manhattan. Washington Heights’ large Dominican population brings authentic Dominican food and culture to the shops and restaurants along Broadway. More and more professionals and students searching for affordable rents have also been moving in to the area.

Inwood
At the northernmost tip of Manhattan, Inwood is the suburbs in the city. Thirty-five minutes from midtown via subway, this quiet neighborhood is tucked up against Inwood Hill Park, with its prehistoric caves, ridges, and valleys, as well as athletic fields, barbeque area, dog run, and the occasional bald eagle. Beautifully detailed Art Deco buildings and gathering places like Indian Road Café, which hosts live music, make Inwood an affordable and congenial neighborhood.

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Upper West Side

Upper West SideWith magnificent prewar buildings, block after block of fabulous brownstones, and Central Park as its backyard, the Upper West Side is one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Manhattan. Just far enough from the chaos of midtown, it’s a wonderful place to come home to and still feel the heartbeat of the city.

Iconic New York Residences
Some of the most famous residential buildings in New York line Central Park West. More beautiful prewar residential gems can be found along Riverside Drive and West End Avenue. Interspersed are large swaths of landmarked brownstones. If Central Park isn’t enough of a draw, Riverside Park, along the Hudson River, offers gardens, lawns, bike paths, tennis courts, and even a boat dock. Shops, restaurants and bars are clustered along Broadway, Amsterdam Avenue, and Columbus Avenue. This quintessential New York neighborhood attracts families, couples, and professionals as well as academics and anyone wanting to live near a big beautiful green space.

A Cultural Mecca
Culture of all sorts is thriving on the Upper West Side. Lincoln Center, home of the New York City Ballet, the Metropolitan Opera, and the Julliard School, as well as its offshoot, Jazz at Lincoln Center, host some of the most spectacular performing arts in the world. Farther uptown, the Beacon Theater and Symphony Space round out a terrific selection of venues for the arts. Both the American Museum Of Natural History and the Museum of Arts and Design are also found in this culture-infused section of the city.

At the northern tip of the Upper West Side is the beautiful campus of Columbia University. Its vibrant energy infuses the neighborhood surrounding it.

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West Village

West VillageIn the West Village, hidden cobblestone blocks lined with 19th century townhouses and colonial brownstones create the sensation of stepping back in time. The streets of the West Village were laid out before a grid system was put it place for the city, and this maze-like layout encourages wandering and discovering. Around one corner is an intimate residential block reminiscent of a European neighborhood. Around another corner is an old speakeasy still discreetly inviting in passers-by.

Eat, Drink, and Clothe Mary
While the shorter streets are sprinkled with browse-worthy shops and low-key restaurants and bars, most of the neighborhood’s commerce is found on the longer streets that cut through the neighborhood. Chic boutiques line Bleecker Street. On Hudson St., an inviting array of sidewalk cafes and restaurants beckon. Christopher St. has a little bit of everything. First-rate ice cream tempts at Grom, and cheese at Murray’s. There are tequila bars, wine bars, cocktail bars, and one of the best craft beer bars in the city, Blind Tiger.

What a View!
The Hudson River Park offers a popular fountain, an esplanade, grassy piers, and an incredible view out to New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty as it passes through the West Village. Its bike path extends from the southern tip of Manhattan all the way up to the George Washington Bridge. Just north of the West Village, the Highline Park delivers an elevated view as it winds it’s way through Chelsea.

And the Living is Easy . . . and Pricey
The West Village is one of the most coveted neighborhoods in New York. For that reason, the brownstones, mid-rise co-ops, and walk-ups demand some of the highest prices in the city. Along the waterfront are sexy new buildings designed by top architects that command top dollar. Wealthy but laid back professionals and families populate this neighborhood.

It’s easy to get anywhere in the city from the West Village as most subway lines pass through.

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