Nolita Neighborhood Review - Manhattan Moving Guide

Learn about local Nolita Neighborhood culture, businesses, schools, homes, and parks. Find out why Nolita is one of Manhattan's hottest neighborhoods. Discover the awesome restaurants and points of interests residents of the area are enjoying.
Nolita
Editors Rating (3 stars out of 5)
5.8 Overall
Average Rent Prices 5
Public transportation 4
Schools 7
Lifestyle 9
Crime 4

This tiny, chic neighborhood is filled with cozy cafes and some of the best food gems in the city. In relation to its placement between neighborhoods, Nolita stands for North (No..) of Little Italy (..Lita).

Nolita’s relation east of Soho and west of the Lower East Side is not mentioned in the name.

This Nolita neighborhood review will look into public transportation, restaurants, average apartment rent, and home sale prices.

Once home to the late David Bowie, Nolita has situated itself as a unique mix of trendy Soho and the charm of Little Italy.

Street art changes weekly, making the historic area a destination for millennials searching for the next best hipster selfie.

Fun Fact: Apartments can be hard to find in a neighborhood that's only a few blocks wide. Turnover rates are low because many residents know that leaving Nolita might be difficult to come back.

Real Estate in Nolita Neighborhood

Nolita offers a wide variety of real estate options to suit any lifestyle. Nolita has a lot of historical charm jam-packed into a small area.

Buildings range from luxury high-rises with breathtaking views to quaint townhouses nested in quiet streets.

For those looking to buy property in Nolita, there are plenty of options to choose from that provide an excellent return on investment.

The area is also popular with renters who appreciate its close proximity to downtown Manhattan and its many dining, shopping, and entertainment options.

When it comes to renting in Nolita, apartments tend to be more expensive than in other parts of the city due to their prime location and desirable amenities.

However, plenty of great deals are available if you know where to look.

Those looking for something more upscale can find beautiful condos or even loft spaces with terraces or rooftop gardens for rent in Nolita as well.

If you're looking to move into this neighborhood, here are the average rental prices:

Average Rental Prices in Nolita

Studio$3,695
1 Bed$2,795
2 Beds$3,350
3 Beds$4,850
PropertyNest Real Estate Data As of June 2023

Average Sales Prices in Nolita

Studio$2,098,888
2 Beds$2,750,000
PropertyNest Real Estate Data As of June 2023

Public Transportation in Nolita

Though transit options are not very convenient in this area, Nolita is the nexus of three popular neighborhoods with excellent transit options - Noho, Soho, and the Lower East Side.

The 6 train will bring you straight to Spring Street and Lafayette Street.

The RN and Q trains run along Broadway, while the DFB and M trains run along Broadway/Lafayette Street.

The subways link to downtown and midtown with connections at Union Square.

Public & Charter Schools in Nolita

Nolita is located in District #2, which is home to one primary school. Nolita students do have access to unzoned schools in this district.

While De Salvia Playground on Mulberry Street is the only playground in the neighborhood, a playground is also available at one of the highest rated schools in the city which is PS 130 Hernando De Soto.

Because most of its students come from homes where families do not speak English, the school's above-average reading and math scores are something to be proud of.

The attendance rate is also one of the highest in the city and there is a strong emphasis on the performing arts.

Local Schools in Nolita
SchoolNotes
PS 130 Hernando De Soto – PublicPK-5
Life Sciences Secondary School – Public6-12
Lower Manhattan Community Middle School – Public6-8
Ms 131 – Public6-8
Ms 260 Clinton School Writers and Artists – Public6-8
YC Lab Ms for Collaborative Studies – Public6-8
Life Sciences Secondary School – Public6-12
NYC Lab High School for Collaborative Studies – Public9-12

Restaurants & Dining in Nolita

Over the years, an influx of small shops began attracting a much younger, hipper demographic to the neighborhood, and this includes restaurants.

Cocoron (Japanese noodles) and Estela's (new American) are prime examples of the vibe Nolita offers today.

Drawing a heavy influence from its neighbor Little Italy, the tiny area also offers many Italian hot spots.

One such old-school joint is Emilio's Ballato, which still attracts A-list celebrities to its premises like Rihanna and the Obamas.

Contemporary, traditional Italian renditions can be found in newer spots like Pasquale Jones and Rubirosa.

Some local favorites include Prince Street Pizza, La Esquina, and Epistrophy.

How Safe is the Nolita Neighborhood?

When it comes to safety and security, Nolita is generally considered one of the safest neighborhoods in New York City.

Crime has been on the decline since the ‘90s, with many factors attributed to this – including increased police presence and proactive community initiatives.

Furthermore, multiple dedicated 24-hour surveillance cameras placed at crucial points around the area act as a deterrent to would-be criminals.

The majority of Nolita residents feel safe while walking alone late at night, even in its more isolated areas like Prince Street or Prince Place.

However, two precautions should always be taken – firstly, being aware of your surroundings and secondly, staying away from dark alleys or secluded spots.

It’s also best to take care when carrying valuable items such as jewelry or electronics; leaving them in secure locations such as lockers will prevent any potential theft.

Crime statistics

Crime rate: 6 out of 10
Approximately 20.0422 crimes (felony) per 1000 residents
Low Medium High

In addition to basic safety measures that apply everywhere else in NYC (such as not accepting rides from strangers), Nolita has its own unique set of considerations, particularly regarding parking access for visitors.

Although most residential buildings have their own parking lots or garages available for use by guests or tenants, you can also find commercial garages and street parking nearby too – however, these may require permits from 5 pm - 7 am every day except Sundays.

In conclusion, Nolita is a vibrant neighborhood with an incredibly low crime rate thanks to both police forces and proactive community initiatives combined with effective surveillance cameras in strategic locations around the area, making it one of the safest places in NYC – but still requires visitors to take certain precautions when exploring its streets late at night such as avoiding dark alleys or secluded spots and taking care when carrying valuable items such as jewelry or electronics.

Rachel McCray
About the author

Originally from Florida, Rachel McCray, a writer and content producer, is now based in New York. Rachel offers expertise in New York City neighborhoods relating to real estate and history. Rachel McCray graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a bachelor's degree in Communication and Media Studies.