rickyrade

A great location to get a feel for what I think is ‘younger Manhattan’ full of students and 20-30 somethings looking for a bargain and the markets on the weekend at Union Square or popping into the Coffee Shop for lunch. There’s also Virgin Megastore and diesel next to the square and a great discount liquor store selling genuinely good wines down the road, Trader Joe’s.

A student haven full of cheap restaurants and decent student bars. Avoid ‘Off the Wagon’ like the plague.. There’s a great feel here most nights of the week as NYU is just around the corner. Decent comedy nights downstairs from Olive Garden (can’t rememember the place, I think it’s Comedy Village). A favourite of mine is ‘Hummus’ for either a decent and healthy take away meal or a tight sit down restaurant. Across the road is also a killer Ethiopian restaurant that serves up mountains of food.

Full of boutique shops and a vast array of decent restaurants, this street is a great Saturday afternoon or evening stroll. Critics think that this street can be a bit dead in the evening but when you’re stuck amongst some of the best shops and one of the best sushi restaurants in Manhattan, there shouldn’t be any complaints. My friends often comes back from here on a Saturday afternoon carrying 4-5 shopping bags so they obviously won’t complain either…

Great spot to visit, BUT NOT TO LIVE…. There are a few well known bars here, namely inside the Hotel Regis, King Cole bar which is overpriced and full of sleazy middle aged men looking for a polish or russian working girl…. But aside from this they make a mean Manhattan and a great bloody Mary… It’s a good tourist area because there are shops galore and St Pat’s Cathedral is around the corner. A lovely cathedral, though for me overrated with other cathedrals around the world. It is perfectly positioned for a Trump conversion though – a converted church loft apartment anyone?

Sheridan Square is the pulse of what village life is today! The area around Sheridan Square has been pre-eminent among jazz clubs for the past 75 years. The Square is also a very prominent spot to live, whether gay or straight, the place rocks. We’ve lived in this area for a long time and it’s a vibrant spot – you’re always guaranteed to see unusual activities taking place. Take a camera.

Stonewall place is part of Christopher street which is mostly well known as the place where the gay liberation movement started in the sixties – I can still picture the parades that would have taken place 40 yrs ago…. You can visit the Stonewall bar on Christopher street which has many photos on the wall of the events that occurred in the sixties. Also, Christopher park, across from the bar, has sculptures of various gay couples.

This review actually refers to Gay St: This short curving street is a perfect introduction to the strange street pattern in the west village, which refused, for some reason, to adopt the same street grid layout that was put in place in the city from 14th street upwards. I put this on the English pushing the Dutch back to Holland but perhaps not…Gay street is one of the streets in the village where everyone would like to own one of the beautiful brown brickstone houses.

All potential renters or buyers, beware – do not buy or rent in this area… It’s grubby, dirty, noisy and lacks any real charm prevalent in other parts of Manhattan.. It’s also full of awful food chains and discount outlet stores.. The sort of place where if you look hard enough you’ll find a used mattress for $15.. You have been warned..

A typical styled street of the west village, this is often the set of many NY based tv shows.. It’s also the location of arguably the best coffee house in Manhattan, Joe’s. Famous for knocking out one great coffee after another, this is a great spot to chill and read the paper or occasionally do a bit of celebrity spotting.. There’s also a couple of good restaurants towards 7th avenue and you’re sitting on top of the metro so a perfect location.. Close to Washington square park too which is a saviour come summer time..

A long standing rivalry exists between Lombardi’s pizza house (Manhattan) and Grimaldi’s in Brooklyn. Personally I think Lombardi’s edges in front because there is usually a shorter line! Both are great and live up to their reputation but this area is also famous for one of the best views of Manhattan. Walk down 50 yards from Grimaldi’s and you get the sort of panoramic views that cameramen always seem to find but you can’t.. Looking back across the Hudson to Manhattan you get a great look at downtown, the Brooklyn bridge and the established grand old lady of the town, the Empire State Building.. It’s also a great spot to take your first date.. Sure to impress.

One of my favourite bars in Manhattan. It’s a reliable local that always has a decent crowd.. There’s plenty of activity on the weekends and a relaxed drinking culture during the week. Throw in barmaids who belt out a few musical numbers throughout the night and you’re onto a winner here.. The piano is also a major attraction and occasionally a local might just jump on the piano and surprise all the other patrons… It’s also a moderately priced and a decent area… Worst case you don’t like this bar, go find 50 others in the area and take your pick…

This place is really only a good area to live for those who work downtown and don’t want to head uptown all that often. I find it lacks a bit of soul but others say it’s a great spot to head to tribeca etc.. For me, if you’re going to live in Manhattan, you’re missing the point with this area… Ugly food chains, a massive clothing department store (Century 21) and a bunch of skyscrapers… Plus a bunch of bankers walking around spending their bonuses at one of the few terrible bars in the area… But that’s just my opinion, take it or leave it..

An aussie spot for those from Australia wanting to feel at home. There are 2 places opposite each other that serve up good aussie grub – one is “Eight Mile Creek” which is a pub serving authentic Aussie beer and meat pies… They also show all of the international sports that matter, ie aussie rules football, rugby and cricket… Across the street is Ruby’s a great Aussie café serving up delights such as the Bondi burger (highly rated) and brilliant illy coffee…

Rumour has it that this is where they filmed Carrie Bradshaw’s famous front steps of her brownstone apartment block. True or false, it doesn’t really matter to me – it’s a beautiful street, one of the quietest and quaintest streets in all of Manhattan. It is situated between West 4th and Bleeker St so you’ve got practically everything you need right there; restaurants, cafes, boutique shopping and of course the famous Magnolia Bakery (overrated).. If you can afford it and love a quiet street in this concrete jungle, move here, soon.

A nice spot if you love living near the park. This is definitely the biggest benefit of living here. It’s also a pretty pricey area – most 2 bedroom apartments here can go for $4000 a month, and a heck of a lot more if you want a view of the park… The B and D lines are right there so you can be downtown in 10 mins if you like. A good spot for those looking to move out of downtown or midtown..

One of literally hundreds of parks in Manhattan, this is an absolute beauty to chill out during rush hour.. There’s a great bar to pick up a cold drink in summer and although I find it absurd that they close off the grass (no standing area) for the majority of the day, when the grass area is open it’s a great spot to unwind.. They often have concerts and fashion shows here too.

I worked here for 10 mths and it’s a great location but possibly the busiest area in the entire city… It’s full of tourists and workers and although it’s a central location, it’s a terrible place to work each day simply because it’s so busy!! It’s also got a pretty poor selection of foods on offer. Try Circle 75 for some fresh food (at a price) or walk down to 48th St and try Lenny’s sandwich’s.. I guess one of the attractions of working in this area is the beautiful ice rink which is open for a few months each year. It’s at the foot of the Rockefeller statue and although small, it’s a fun spot. The lighting of the Christmas tree lights is also a major highlight of the year.

Aside from Central Park, you’re bound to see more activity here than anywhere else in the city… Great jazz on the weekends and a variety of buskers all earning a buck knocking out one tune after the other. There are big plans to develop this area and move the fountain in line with the beautiful arch – it’s a controversial development but I do think the park is in need of a refurb. It’s currently closed and fenced off. It’s looking pretty run down in areas and the toilets are very sub-par.. But don’t let that detract from this wonderful square. Come down on a Saturday morning and do some people watching for awhile and give a few dollars to the buskers.

This is a good little street nestled in amongst West 4th and 6th avenue. We often come down here to pick up some decent wine or have brunch at the Cornelia Street Café.. It’s a great place with a fantastic brunch deal. You’re also close to possibly the most romantic restaurant in all the town - One if by Land, two if by Sea… take someone special here and bring your $$$. Cornelia st also backs onto Bleecker St. This area has some of the best fresh meats in town and Amy’s bakery churns out some quality croissants.. You can also walk 2 mins up the street and have lunch at John’s pizza house – up there with the best in the city!

Another classic in the West Village, this street (around the area of Barrow st) offers up some of the best architecture in Manhattan.. Beautiful apartment blocks, leafy and green and restaurants tucked away on most corners.. Close to 7th Avenue and the metro too. Living here comes at a hefty price though, you pay through the nose for a decent studio here but it’s worth it – Bedford st offers you a semi private sanctuary in this manic city..

This street is a pretty happening place in the late evening.. Schiller’s liquor bar churns out great meals (sister restaurant of Baltazar) and offers some great cocktails.. There are also plenty of other decent bars in the street and down the road. It’s not the cleanest area, nor the safest, but it does have a nice vibe to it. Not sure what the rents are like but this could be a place I’ll be moving to next…

This manufactured area is popular with the tourists, and that’s a shame. Touristy locations encourage bad food and overpriced drinks.. On the other hand, it’s a safe clean area which is beautiful in summer. I’ve spent a few afternoons sipping away on a drink and baking in the hot sun… They often have decent exhibitions here, recently the human body was on exhibit which was a big hit with the locals and tourists alike.

A brilliant street positioned in a wonderful location, this tree lined street is for me, one of the premier areas to live in Manhattan. Close to the Metro (14th St) and with restaurants and shops lining 5th and 6th avenue, this is a great spot. It’s also close to Union Square and Washington Square Park.

I lived here for about a month and my friend lives here now. It's a nice spot, pretty straight-forward, ie what you see is what you get. There is a Gristedes next door and a decent supermarket around the corner. It's pretty safe, you see a few shady characters but that's not unusual anywhere in Manhattan.. The subway is 1-2 avenues away and there is a bus on the corner which takes you across town.

My friend lives in the apartment buildings on 27th and 2nd, they are safe, clean and reasonably priced. He's got a good studio for around $2200 I think.

All up, it's a decent spot, lacking that neighbourly spirit and charm, and sort of tucked away from the action but anywhere below 30th is decent I think, and this area has the added advantage of being only $5 downtown east village.

I've done this walk 5 times now (usually with visitors from overseas)... You get the metro to Brooklyn, have lunch at Grimaldi's (rivalling Lombardi's as the best pizza joint in NYC) and then walk over Brooklyn Bridge.. The views are priceless and you'll also get some pretty impressive photos..

It's an amazing bridge opened back in the 1800's (which makes it even more impressive) and the volume of traffic it carries is astounding.

I particularly like the view of the concrete jungle that is Midtown, which then slinks off downtown to low level apartment blocks and then roars back to Lower Manhattan where the stockbrokers count their pennies...

If you've got someone in town who wants to get a feel for just how immense this city is, take them here. And the best bit is you burn off the pizza on the walk back over the bridge...!

Some friends of mine live on 11th and 1st Avenue. It's a great spot right in the middle of the East Village. It's packed full of restaurants and bars. Basically anything you need you'll find. There's a basketball court just down the road which is handy for a Sat morning wake-up and the metro is only a couple of avenues across. I live in the West Village now which is a bit more upmarket and has that cleaner feel, but if you're looking for activity every night of the week, this area beats the West Village hands down... I'd say this is quintessential Manhattan. Definitely a cool spot for singles or couples alike...

I've got friends who live in an apartment here. It's a nice spot, helped by the fact that they've got a top floor apartment with views of Empire State! Convenient for transport (the metro is around the corner) and also plenty of nice restaurants around the area. Plus you've got the added benefit of being 5 mins from the Meatpacking district.

Overall, great spot if you can afford it!

I lived on 58th and Third avenue for 1 mth earlier this year. It's a spot I wouldn't recommend to anyone. Basically, you're stuck in Midtown where skyscrapers and food chains dominate. It really detracts from the neigbourly feel other areas in Manhattan experience.. On top of this, the noise and traffic is dreadful. I was woken by roadworks outside the apartment at 11pm one night, go figure..

The only good thing about living in this area is the proximity to work (if you're working in Midtown) as it's all walkable. Also, Central Park is only 5 mins away and this truely is one of the greatest parks in the world.

In summary, you're better off living upper east side or below 29th St, this area is for those happy to spend their waking hours in the office or listening to road works..

Right, so if you've been lazing in the sun at Washington Square Park and you're keen for a drink, but don't wanna hang out with the Uni kids at MacDougall St?? Come down Thompson St. It's a great street with cool bars, great food and plenty of funky places to pick up a Manhattan bargain (do they exist?)... You're also close to the park, Soho, and a 10 min walk to the East Village - all in all, your in a pretty good position to walk and explore most of downtown Manhattan... Take a look, you won't fall in love with this street to begin with, but it will grow on you.. trust me!

We live just around the corner from West 4th, but we spend many lazy afternoons walking down there for coffee or brunch. It's probably one of the most beautiful streets in Manhattan. It's also surprisingly quiet considering how close you are to 7th Avenue. But that's why it's the village, because it genuinely feels like your in a village surrounded by some of the best restaurants in Manhattan.. Many people don't even know this type of area exists in NYC, so come down take a look - but don't stay - we like it just the way it is... BTW, if you need extra encouragement to come down, Gisele Bundchen (Brazilian supermodel) eats at our favourite Brunch restaurant most weekends, 'Extra Virgin'.... go for the French toast...

I tell you what, if you are looking for the perfect street to live in Manhattan, this is it..

The actual street is positioned right amongst some of the hottest bars, restaurants and shops in Manhattan. And the best thing is this street is tucked away so that it's not that noisy. Plus it's 1 min walk to the subway.

I wouldn't want to live anywhere else in Manhattan.

Drawbacks? It's pretty pricey.

Enjoy Manhattan here, you will love it.