East Village Neighborhood Review - Manhattan Moving Guide
Grungy dive bars, old-school record stores, amazing restaurants, and a lively nightlife make the East Village the perfect mixture of laid-back, fun and stylish.
In this East Village neighborhood review, we'll look into public transportation, restaurants, average apartment rent, and home sale prices.
Located north of Houston St, south of 14th St, and east of the Bowery and Third Avenue, The East Village, was formally considered a part of the Lower East Side.
It is the historical home to the many counterculture artistic movements including punk rock and the beatnik movement.
Although the artist and musician culture are not as concentrated in the area, the artistic vibes and character are evident.
Bordering the Lower East Side, the East Village has its fair share of live music venues and has a vibrant nightlife.
It's flavor is decidedly different from its neighbors Greenwich Village (West Village) and Gramercy Park.
"Alphabet City" is the neighborhood's eastern edge and includes Avenues A, B, C, and D.
The majority of the population is an ethnically diverse range of college-aged or young professionals, thanks to New York University and Cooper Union located in the neighborhood.
The neighborhood is also long been home to the Ukrainian Village, a historical Ukrainian enclave in NYC, noticeable with the few number of Ukrainian businesses and church.
The East Village is home to St. Marks Church-in-the-Bowery, which serves as a functioning church, as a home base to a theater company, and as an event space.
Tompkins Square Park, the Upright Citizens Brigade, Nuyorican Poets Cafe, Webster Hall, the long-running live Stomp, and a handful of movie theaters round out the culture, arts, and recreation in the area.
Fun Fact: Once the home to CBGB punk-rock nightclub (closed in 2006), The Bowery was known for its homeless shelters, rehabilitation centers, and bars and is now a magnet for high-rise luxury condos.
What Celebrities Live in East Village
The East Village is home to multiple singers, actors, and other artists. Just a few include:
| Celebrity | Notes |
|---|---|
| David Schwimmer | Actor, Producer, Director |
| Amanda Seyfried | Actress, Singer, Model |
| Britney Spears | Singer, Songwriter, Dancer |
| Cher | Singer, Actress |
| Chloey Sevigny | Actress, Model, Filmmaker, Fashion Designer |
| Alan Cumming | Actor |
| Russell Simmons | Entrepreneur, Record Executive, Writer |
Transportation in East Village
There are a million and a half options when it comes to getting to the East Village via public transportation.
The best option for getting to the heart of the village; however, is by taking the 6 train to Astor Place which will take you one block from St. Marks Place or Bleeker Street located in the southern end.
The F train will take you the 2nd Ave, the L train to First or Third Avenue, or you can take the N or R train to 8th Street.
| Local Buses | M8, M9, M21, B39, M15, M103 |
|---|---|
| Express/Select Buses | M 14A, M 14D, M 15 |
Subway lines in neighborhood
- F
IND Sixth Avenue Line
- L
BMT Canarsie Line
Real Estate in East Village
The East Village is a vibrant New York City neighborhood with a wide range of activities, attractions, and living options available.
The East Village also has an impressive selection of apartments for rent and sale.
This area of Manhattan offers a variety of high-rise buildings with modern amenities and vintage walk-ups with plenty of charm.
Residents who live in the East Village benefit from its close proximity to many different forms of public transportation, making it easy to get around town.
The East Village is known for its lively nightlife scene and eclectic mix of restaurants, bars, and music venues.
It's also the birthplace of punk music, so it's no surprise that this neighborhood attracts artists, musicians, actors, entrepreneurs, and young professionals alike.
In addition to cultural hotspots like Tompkins Square Park and Washington Square Park, the East Village also features several notable landmarks such as St Marks Place and McSorley’s Old Ale House, which locals have frequented since the early 20th century.
Apartments in the East Village vary in size from studios to two bedrooms or more, depending on your specific needs.
Suppose you're looking for an apartment building with modern amenities such as a doorman service or a fitness center. In that case, you may want to consider one of the newer high-rise developments popping up throughout the area.
Alternatively, if you'd prefer something more affordable with old-school charm, then plenty of vintage walk-up buildings are also located throughout this neighborhood.
No matter what type of living situation you're searching for, chances are good that you'll find it in the East Village.
This culturally diverse neighborhood is packed with fun activities and events that make it ideal for those looking to experience city life at its fullest while maintaining close proximity to all that Manhattan has to offer.
Average Rental Prices in East Village | |
|---|---|
| Studio | $2,750 |
| 1 Bed | $3,200 |
| 2 Beds | $4,000 |
| 3 Beds | $5,600 |
| 4 Beds | $6,450 |
Average Rent Price History by Neighborhood
Apartments Available for Rent & Sale in East Village
Buying Homes in the East Village
Buying a condo or co-op in the East Village can be pricey, although much more affordable than in the most expensive neighborhoods. The prices in this neighborhood are typically slightly above the median average sales price in Manhattan.
Most listings available in the East Village will be condos or co-op apartments. While there are some large complexes in the East Village, the vast majority of buildings are small apartment buildings.
Public & Charter Schools
The neighborhood comprises many different public and charter schools, offering a range of educational experiences to students from all backgrounds.
Public schools in the East Village include P.S. 64, New Explorations into Science, Technology and Math (NEST+M), The Earth School, and East Side Community School.
Public schools in East Village offer a wide range of course offerings for elementary to high school students.
At P.S. 64, students can take classes ranging from physical education to English language arts to the visual arts.
NEST+M is designed to provide an innovative learning environment for students through collaboration between parents and teachers so that each student may reach their highest potential in science and math-related fields.
The Earth School was founded on the idea of fostering environmental awareness through an interdisciplinary curriculum focused on sustainability issues.
East Side Community High School offers college prep courses and technical courses such as photography or computer programming, where those skills may be applied directly in the workplace after graduation.
The East Village neighborhood offers numerous options when it comes to education available both through public and charter institutions alike - all within walking distance of many residences.
| School | Info | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Girls Prep Lower East Side | Charter - 5-8 - 631 students | All girls school with opportunities beyond school, over the summer and after graduation |
| East Side Community School | Public - 6-12 - 699 students | Strong leadership, strong college advisory and small classrooms |
| The Children's Workshop School | Public - PK-5- 295 students | Warm and welcoming school with mall classrooms and strong arts program. Racial, ethnic and economic diversity |
| Earth School | Public - PK-5 - 331 students | Involved parents, rooftop garden, strong arts and sciences |
Restaurants
East Village restaurants are sure not to disappoint. All the great coffee shops, restaurants, and bars are too numerous to mention here.
The Asian restaurant scene is a force to be reckoned with. Some of the most famous destinations include David Chang's two-Michelin-starred Momofuku Ko.
Chang's three other restaurants are almost always boiling over with lines out the door.
Take a slice out of history from the neighborhood's oldest running pizza slice joint at Stromboli Pizza.
Need to sober up at 2 AM with some NYC comfort food? Mosey on into Veselka, a 24-hour cozy Ukrainian diner located in the heart of the East Village, and grab one of the best burgers in town or one of their freshly made pierogis.
To satisfy your sweet tooth, be sure to check out Baonanas, a buzzy new banana-pudding focused dessert shop!
How Safe is the East Village Neighborhood?
In recent years, crime rates in the East Village have been dropping steadily.
Crime decreases are primarily due to increased police presence in the area and better enforcement of existing laws.
The police also regularly patrol the streets and respond quickly to any trouble spots or suspicious activity reported by residents or visitors.
The East Village neighborhood is considered one of the safest neighborhoods in NYC.
In fact, it's been named one of the top 10 safest neighborhoods in Manhattan by Niche.
It boasts low levels of violent crime compared to other parts of New York City and a relatively low occurrence rate for property crimes such as burglary and car theft.
Crime statistics
Still, as with any neighborhood within a big city like New York City, certain precautions should be taken when visiting or living in the East Village.
Overall though, it is an incredibly safe place to live or visit with minimal risk of criminal activity taking place.
Residents take pride in their vibrant community and take steps to keep it safe through regular street cleaning programs, community watch initiatives, and encouraging neighborly relations between residents.
Although there are occasional reports of vandalism or other minor crimes in certain areas or on certain days/times, most people generally feel comfortable walking around day or night without worrying about safety.
Overall, those who visit or live in the East Village Neighborhood can rest assured knowing they are safe from harm during their stay.
With its continual efforts to enhance security measures within its borders as well as maintaining its friendly atmosphere between neighbors, one can enjoy all that this vibrant part of New York City has to offer without feeling unsafe at any time.