Forsyth St, Lower East Side

Forsyth is in the southern part of the Lower East Side so it's not as clean as other streets in the neighborhood (and, the other streets aren't exactly clean to begin with), and there isn't quite as much going on as streets like Orchard. But, the good thing about that is that the rent is a bit cheaper down here.
The west block of Forsyth from the top of the LES down the end of Forsyth is Sara D Roosevelt Park. There's nothing really noteworthy about the park aside from it being really quite big for this part of town and the fact that the southern part of it, where the playground now is, used to be an African burial ground. The cemetery was there from 1794-1853 when the bodies were "moved." As we all know, the bodies are never actually moved in this city, so there's essentially a playground on top of what is still a burial ground. That's the creepiest thing ever to me seeing as kids voices are always the first sign of impending danger in horror films. The east side of the block is anything but creepy. It's a standard Lower East Side conglomeration of apartment buildings and restaurants. There's also a major recording studio just before Delancey that has housed the likes of Sting, Eric Clapton and Beyonce.
I don't think there are noteworthy bars or restaurants on Forsyth but there are a number of them which makes it a great street to live on if you're into this neighborhood. The only thing I don't like about the street is that it's pretty far south so it's getting into Chinatown and I'm not a fan of that area. But, the rent is cheaper, there are local haunts and transportation isn't incredibly far. I'm not enough of a pioneer to live as far down as Forsyth, but I think it's great for students and the younger, arty set for sure. In a few years, I'm sure it will be overly gentrified and way too expensive for that sect now, so get it while you still can, kids.

Just south of Confucius Plaza, Division Street marks the gradual merging of Chinatown proper with the housing projects and low-income-developments that dot the very eastern section of the Lower East Side. Division Street is just a stone's throw from the lower/middle-income development Knickerbocker Village. It's not exactly ugly, although it's a far cry from the charming historical town houses of Greenwich Village. Yet Division Street, as its name implies, suffers from being the border of two neighborhoods. There's not much to do here, although the Museum at Elridge Street is an insightful look into the history of the Lower East Jewish community. Dining options are plentiful in Chinatown - Fuleen Seafood is right on Division Street itself - or try some non-Asian dining on the eastern end of the street at Bacaro or Les Enfants Terribles. Seward Park is the area's closest patch of greenery, and is of a relatively decent size.

Most tourists know the Forsyth Street that starts at Houston Street and runs down as an outer boundary to the Lower East Side, but the street continues further down to Canal Street, where it shows the influence of Chinatown. On its western side, along the length of the street, you have the Sarah Roosevelt Park, a long strip of playgrounds that run the length of the street. A lot of this slice of park seems to be under construction right now. The Lower East Side incarnation of Forsyth Street is predictable for its Lower East Side vibe, but lower still, as the street meets Hester Street and Pace High School, it cuts off and then re-emerges to curve around the mouth of the Manhattan Bridge. Here is where things get really interesting, because you are in the non-tourist part of Chinatown, an altogether different world. On this street there is a tiny vegetable market, apparently only for the locals, because who else would venture this far into Chinatown for some cheap squash? And it really is cheap, folks. There are no signs and I didn't hear much English spoken among the vendors and the customers. Just a bunch of crates informally stacked together, and customers picking through them. Meanwhile, literally above your head, is the roaring, trembling Manhattan Bridge as the trains pass by.

The city is working on improving this street – as in they are working on the literal street pavement and changing traffic patterns, likely to make it safer for pedestrians (not that it seemed bad to begin with). A lot of families seem to live around here, even if it is close to the trendy Lower East Side (usually the case is that the families were there first).

I wouldn't come here just to have a stroll. Really, the only reason I would come here is to catch the Chinatown bus out of the city. This street is relatively quiet compared to the rest of Chinatown, but its proximity to the Manhattan bridge makes for a lot of car traffic. It is not exactly a hot spot in terms of nightlife or even tourist attractions. I think it is a nice place to live because it is quiet and the neighborhood is relatively clean. It's a bit far from public transportation, but if you don't mind walking then it's okay. The real estate here is probably inexpensive, but you probably also have to share your apartment with a few unwanted critters. Once, I have come across a market here that sold some pretty good vegetables, including some Asian varieties, rarely found in the United States.