Nolita Neighborhood Review - Manhattan Moving Guide 2024

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

The name does not mention Nolita's relationship east of Soho and west of the Lower East Side.

This Nolita neighborhood review will examine 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 only a few blocks wide. Turnover rates are low because many residents know that leaving Nolita might be challenging 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 in quiet streets.

For those looking to buy property in Nolita, plenty of options provide an excellent return on investment.

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

Regarding renting in Nolita, apartments are 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 loft spaces with terraces or rooftop gardens for rent in Nolita.

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

Public Transportation in Nolita

Though transit options are inconvenient in this area, Nolita is the nexus of three popular neighborhoods with excellent transit options - Noho, Soho, and the Lower East Side.

The six 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, 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 garden is also available at one of the city's highest-rated schools, 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 among the city's highest, strongly emphasizing the performing arts.

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.

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.