West Village

Landmarked as an historic district, the West Village is one of Manhattan’s most desirable places to live. It’s a crazy quilt of streets and avenues that defy the typical grid-style layout of most neighborhoods, and that helps give the Village its quirky neighborhood appeal. And adding to that appeal is some recent waterfront renovation that gives West Village residents a fabulous park from which to enjoy the Hudson River and the ‘High Line’ an urban park that floats above West Village streets.

West Villagers include a mix of singles, couples, and families of differing ethnic backgrounds and financial means. You’ll find both settled, long-time residents, as well as transient residents who treat the West Village as their ‘starter neighborhood’ before moving to more upscale, but less unique neighborhoods on the Upper West and Upper East Sides.

The West Village is a commuter’s dream. Midtown is about a mile’s walk and many West Villagers eschew public transportation in favor of their feet. For those who do need train service, you can catch uptown and down trains at 7th and 8th Avenues. along West 14th Street, the community’s northern boundary. You can also grab the PATH train to New Jersey, and all the major avenues have buses. This makes getting to and from the West Village safe and easy most hours of the day and night.

On the weekends and on summer evenings, the West Village is practically over-run with outsiders and the atmosphere turns from sleepy to surly. There has been a rash of violent crime in the West Village recently most of it caused by non-residents and completely random in its nature. Community organizations are working with the police to address this problem. Another community problem is the closing of St. Vincent’s Hospital, leaving the West Village with no local health center.

Most of the buildings in the West Village are 19th Century townhouses, both multi-unit and one family. A recent wave of development has brought in more high rises, but they tend to be found along the avenues, rather than the side streets. You’ll find more co-ops than condos for sale, at a cost of up to $2,500 per square foot, depending on the size of the unit and the level of renovation it’s undergone.

For renters, there are few bargains to be had in the West Village. One-bedroom rentals typically cost $2,500 to $3,500 a month, but many are priced much higher, and the space and amenities you get for your money are minimal. And remember, this is an ‘old’ neighborhood, so that means you’re paying top dollar to live in walk-up buildings with small rooms, small windows, old-fashioned plumbing and out-of-date electrical wiring.

It you come to the West Village hoping to find the gay enclave it was in the 20th Century, prepare to be as disappointed as someone visiting Haight-Ashbury in San Francisco looking for the hippie movement. Most of the clubs, discos, antique stores, and sex shops are long gone, although a few remain. Today, the West Village is a magnet for all kinds of New Yorkers and tourists, regardless of their sexuality.

The West Village is the westernmost part of Greenwich Village. I have never separated the two in my own mind as they flow right into one another.The West Village extends to the Hudson River and contains many small tree-lined cobblestone streets that zig-zag and are lined with trees and lovely single-family brownstones. The pre-war architecture is beautiful yet understated. The entire effect is one of a quaint out-of-the way suburb right in the midst of Manhattan.

The many bars in the area remain the same as in past times, like the White Horse Tavern a favorite haunt of the poet Dylan Thomas.

Many bars are unchanged since the days of yore, like the White Horse Tavern on Hudson Street where Dylan Thomas drank and wrote. Edge places such as the Bitter End and Cafe Wha? (the place where Bob Dylan started his musical career) provide an interesting contrast to the trendier,hippier Magnolia Bakery and Banana Republic.

Although no longer a bohemian neighborhood, the area still retains a good deal of character with wonderful restaurants (if a bit pricey) lovely boutiques and gourmet and food shops. You will also be sure to catch quite a few celebrity sightings on any given day. The area has something for everyone and is a great place to visit, if a bit expensive to live.

While the rest of the village has moved into a weird mix of yuppies and hipsters with expense accounts, the West Village is an unpretentious slice of the city that welcomes artists, students, families, and suits alike.

For residents, this is a place where you might be able to snag yourself a great deal on an apartment. It's largely a residential area and the small buildings are beautiful. The streets are winding and some are even cobblestone. The food and bars are great. There are many small, off-Broadway theaters and art galleries as well as places where you can still hear some great music. It is still on the pricy side but it offers one of the best residential areas in the big city.

For tourists, the streets are filled with history as even the grid and cobblestone streets still remain from the 1800s. There are some high end boutiques for shopping on one end, great eateries and watering holes on the other. Not a whole lot for tourists to do aside from taking in the history and trying to navigate the streets.

Overall, the West Village is a great but pricy area to live with tons of great food, shopping, and entertainment all around. The schools are good, the crime is better than other areas of the city, and the area is pretty easily accessible via public transportation. It can get crowded though, but that's what you get when you live in Manhattan.

The West Village is New York's most charming neighborhood. Winding cobblestone streets lines with leafy trees, old brownstones, hidden gem pubs, tiny theaters - it's like something you could never imagine fnding in New York. This western end of Bleecker Street is packed with high end designer shopping - especially anything and everything Marc Jacobs. Eighth Avenue turns into Hudson Street and is lined with stores and cafes. Streets like Jane are quaint little ways with tiny stores and hole-in-the-wall restaurants that will surprise with delicious menus, while streets like Barrow offer breathakingly beautiful residential stretches. Christopher Street and West 10th offer more boutiques, restaurants, cafes and bars. West 12th is known for a lovely mix of beautiful residences and restaurants. Seventh Avenue acts as a busy hub for the neighborhood, the smaller streets cutting across it this way and that. Here you'll find bigger restaurants, diners, chain stores and conveniences like drug stores and such - of course, in the true West Village spirit, you'll find a little shop on Perry Street for skin cream instead of going to Duane Reade.

Getting around might be confusing the first few times, thanks to named streets that don't always stick to a grid. But whether it's to shop, eat, go out or just walk around and see the sights, you'll want to come back to the West Village more than enough times to get to know it and its streets.

The West Village of Manhattan is really just the westernmost portion of Greenwich Village. I've never actually thought of it as a separate neighborhood, but I guess it's considered as such these days. I love Greenwich Village, and the western part of "the village" – i.e., the "West Village" – is both beautiful and funky. Many of the streets are narrow and curved, having been built in the 18th century. Of course, this is one of the main reasons I love the area, but it isn't the only reason. It's also rich in history – particularly recent history from the 1960s. The Beat Generation and music counterculture centered and thrived in this neighborhood. There is history in the area prior to the 1960s, too, however. I used to hang out at the White Horse Tavern where Dylan Thomas also hung out back in the day.

Besides all of these great attributes, there are absolutely fantastic restaurants, boutiques, and gourmet food shops in the West Village. It's no longer the Bohemian neighborhood of old, but it still has a great deal of character. You can easily walk to the Hudson River at the westernmost border of the neighborhood and watch the boats sail by. This area really does have the best of everything that Manhattan has to offer.

The West Village is Manhattan's most precious gem. Comfortable and cozy, the West Village provides a small town feel within the heart of the big city. Known for its small, cobblestone streets lined with trees, the homes and gardens (yes, gardens!) make the quaint West Village look like a scene from a Christmas snow globe.

The gorgeous single-family brownstones are stunning, but also inviting. The pre-war architecture is impressive yet casual, and ALL walks of life and lifestyle are welcome amid the zig-zagging, gridless streets.

Many bars are unchanged since the days of yore, like the White Horse Tavern where Dylan Thomas drank and wrote. Places like The Bitter End and Cafe Wha? (birthplace of Bob Dylan's music career) give some raw contrast to the trendier Marc Jacobs shops and Magnolia Bakery (which, even with the hype, is still worth visiting, more so for it's banana pudding than its cupcakes.)

Lots of celebrities live here and walk around with their families pretty freely, and nobody seems to bother them much. Considering this is one of the most famous neighborhoods in New York City, the calm haze left over from the Bohemian 60s continues to ease residents and vistors alike, making everyone feel casual, hip, and satisfied.

A must visit and must live, no matter what sort of apartment you land. One year in the West Village will give you stories for a lifetime.

There's something truly enchanting about the West Village that keeps me coming back, especially when I have no good reason to be there. It's got a contemporary vibe, and there are people of all ages milling about at any given time. There is something in this neighborhood for every type of shopper - whether you are looking for shoes, spices or sex toys, you can find everything you need right here. If you want to take a leisurely stroll, this is a great place to do it. If you are looking for a cafe to hang out in with your laptop, you will find no shortages here. You can get oysters if you want them, or fast food if you prefer - and the backdrop of the neighborhood couldn't be better suited for a particularly romantic meal.

The West Village is a great neighborhood because it's an actual neighborhood which is such a rare find in the city. It has cobbled streets and trees everwhere. There is a perfect mix between families, couples with dogs and the young hip crowd of artists (who are successful). It's a really expensive neighborhood, but you can see why: it's beautiful.
There are so many cozy and lovely restaurants with amazing food. Dell'Anima is one of the best restaurants in the city, in my opinion, where you can sit at a booth overlooking the chef doing his magic. Bobo was converted into a restaurant from an old house and it still has the exact layout right down to the upstairs terrace / yard and massive fireplaces. And the food is excellent: the chef won the James Beard award last year.
There are so many cool indie shops and coffee houses and the bars (like Tavern on Jane) are laid back and bustling.
It's a great place to go day or night - sit at the patio at Extra Virgin and people watch or just walk up and down the streets admiring all of the brownstones and carriage houses. And, it's rich in History -- so many artists lived in the neighborhood: Ezra Pound and Pollack lived on Patchen Place and Edgar Allen Poe lived across the street from the now abandoned Triangle building. Such a cool neighborhood.

The West Village which is located between 14th Street and Houston Street, from Seventh Avenue to the Hudson River is yet another coveted neighborhood in New York City. The West Village which is populated by several quiet tree lined streets is home to several historic townhouses and low-rise coops which count as some of the most expensive residences in the city.

The Village as it is popularly referred to, has always been the domain of writers, actors, intellectuals and students but now its residents also include professionals, Hollywood celebrities, and young families who relish in its quiet charm and decidedly European ambiance. Even though the West Village is essentially residential in character it has within its environs many restaurants, cute cafes, bookstores and various other shopping haunts.

Some of highly ranked restaurants of the West Village include establishments like the immensely popular British themed restaurants, A salt and Battery and the Spotted Pig, the Brazilian Casa, the New American gems Commerce and Perry Street and the Australian themed Kingswood.

Once a bastion of countercultural bohemia, Greenwich Village - also known as The Village or The West Village - has settled in its middle age, becoming a venerable, if still artistic, landmark of the New York City scene. With its gorgeous brownstones and historic buildings, tree-lined streets, and charming bistros, the West Village is the responsible older sister to the still-gritty East Village; after some teenage rebellion, it has cut its hair and gotten a stable job.

That's not to say the West Village is boring - far from it! Off-off-Broadway theatre, bookstores, and a thriving mostly gay nightlife keep it from being as staid as, say, the Upper East Side. But nonetheless, it ain't cheap, and so the artists living here tend to be established professionals rather than up-and-coming installation-art types. It's great for slightly off-beat families with kids, who want to combine the neighborhood's Washington-Square, alternative ethos with a safe, family-friendly environment, or for trendsters who have outgrown Williamsburg and Greenpoint.

The exception to the rule, as hinted before, is the neighborhood's gay scene. Raucous and rowdy (the Pier near Christopher Street is a particularly salacious spot), Greenwich Village's gay scene, though less styled than Chelsea's, is nevertheless a rollicking good time for those in search of one, although neighbors might complain about the noise...

I currently own and travel frequently to my condo which is located here in West Village. Every time I leave I can't wait to go back. I have a couple places all over the United States and this is my favorite. It is a close tie with L.A. The restaurants and nightlife are not to be compared with and the people are very friendly unlike some other neighborhoods in NYC. I am staying for a couple more days for business, and because of how much I love it I don't want to leave. Ultimately, when I decide to have kids I would like them to be raised here. I have heard the school systems are great and the cleanliness of the neighborhood is outstanding. I was referred to the neighborhood by a colleague of mine and I buy his dinner every time we are out, just because of his referral.

I know I will never be wealthy enough to live here as an adult, but I had a nice taste of life in the West Village when I was an undergraduate at NYU. Even if you don't live here, visiting the West Village while in New York is a must. Just walking up and down the winding streets makes you feel like you've escaped the city. There are breathtaking brownstones and beautiful townhouses lining the streets, and you can always duck in to a tucked-away bistro or cafe - there are many that are best found by discovery and not via a guidebook. If you are gay, there is a thriving gay scene here with several dance clubs and bars. There are also many old-fashioned diners in the West Village - my favorite is the Waverly on Waverly and 6th. Open 24 hours of course!

West Village is the western area of Greenwich Village in Manhattan, and considered a neighborhood within a neighborhood. The area is very residential, but does offer some shops, restaurants, and services. I clearly remember getting very lost in this area due to the streets being all chopped up and set at an angle. There is no straight grid plan in this neighborhood.

The area is in high demand for apartments due to the very happening night scene. The neighborhood is close to all the hip bars and clubs. The demographic of West Village is young due to the neighborhood’s location and bohemian lifestyle.

The neighborhood has some spectacular architecture, including Jefferson Market Courthouse. In the early 1900s the courthouse served as a detention center for women. The famous or infamous Mae West spent a little time behind bars here after she was arrested for lewd behavior onstage during one of her sultry shows.

Be sure to stop for burgers and beer at the Historic White Horse Tavern, off of Bleeker Street onto West 11th. This historic pub has served some of the finest scholarly minds of the 19th century. From the White Horse, you can stroll on down to the Hudson River Park and enjoy a long stretch of greenery or join the many sunbathers soaking up a few summer rays.

If you are into architecture you don’t want to miss the narrowest house in New York City. It is a red brick home built in 1873. The home is only 9.5 feet wide!

The West Village located in the lower west side of Manhattan and juxtaposed to the vibrant East Village provides Manhattanites and its many visitors with a calm and trendy atmosphere. Filled with townhomes and multiple family apartment buildings, the West Village offers substantially lower rental and purchase prices than other neighborhoods nearby. The West Village is renown for its artistic vibe and eclectic mix of people, who shape the vibe of this dynamic neighborhood. Throughout its many streets, the West Village is home to several sites of historical interest, as well as many cultural landmarks, museums, and art spaces, including the Village Vanguard, Hudson River Park, Stonewall Inn, and the Westbeth Artists Community. Another great feature of many streets in the neighborhood is their proximity to the Hudson River, providing more privileged residents beautiful views of the water. Dining and Entertainment are bustling in this fabulous neighborhood, with the nearby Meatpacking District becoming a wonderful place for people of all ages seeking unique dining experiences as well as fabulous nights out on the town. The diverse offerings of the West Village keep the neighborhood modern and trendy, while it still maintains feelings of Old New York.

Dining:
Gottino - 52 Greenwich Ave., nr. Perry St.
Café Condesa - 183 W. 10th St., nr. 4th St.
Alfama - 551 Hudson St., at Perry St.
Kingswood - 121 W. 10th St., nr. Greenwich Ave.
P*ONG - 150 W. 10th St., nr. Waverly Pl.
Pio Maya - 40 W. 8th St., nr. MacDougal St.
The Original Sandwich Shoppe - 58A Greenwich Ave., at Perry St.

Shopping:
Kid O - 123 W. 10th St.
Verve Shoes - 338 Bleecker St.
Claudine - 19 Christopher St.
Blatt Billiards - 809 Broadway

Entertainment:
Cru Wine Bar
PD Johnson's
Magnolia Theater & Bar