Soho Neighborhood Review - Manhattan Moving Guide

Soho is an artistic community in lower Manhattan known for its upscale boutiques, art galleries, chic hotels, and trendy restaurants.
This Soho neighborhood review will look into public transportation, restaurants, average apartment rent, and home sale prices.
Well-known as one of New York City’s prime shopping districts, Soho refers to the area as “South of Houston Street.”
Its character and vibe is distinct from its neighboring areas of Tribeca, Chinatown, and Little Italy.
Those craving high-end clothing and accessories may have found their heaven on earth in Soho, with the streets lined with the world’s most notable stores like Burberry, Versace, and Prada.
For historical architecture buffs, an astonishing array of cast-iron buildings make the community a top destination for exploring.
And there’s plenty of art to savor in the various art galleries for all art enthusiasts, especially along West Broadway.
The uniqueness of Soho is that it's had a long history of an ever-changing and ever-evolving character and has returned to its original designation-a shopping and residential district.
Fun Fact: Broome Street is unusually wide (and full of traffic) because it is an essential crosstown artery connecting the Williamsburg Bridge and the Holland Tunnel. Robert Moses intended to build an elevated concrete expressway over the street, but his plan was thwarted by fierce public opposition.
Real Estate in SoHo
Soho has positioned itself as one of the most expensive neighborhoods in New York City, and that won’t be changing anytime soon.
The cobblestone streets that make up Soho, also referred to as The Cast Iron District because it houses the most extensive collection of historic cast-iron architecture, are permeated with buildings featuring giant windows, tall ceilings, and vast living spaces.
While it may not precisely radiate a residential feel among area dwellers, Soho offers some of the city's premier luxury rentals and loft spaces.
Although many top-dollar condominiums have replaced warehouse and factory lofts once used by designers and artists alike, the typical Soho resident will most likely experience the classic Soho loft experience.
For renters, there are plenty of options.
Studio apartments, one-bedroom units, and two-bedroom condos are readily available for rent in SoHo.
Landlords generally look for an income 40 times the monthly rent amount, so ensure you can provide proof of income when signing a lease agreement.
You can expect amenities such as doormen service, gyms, and rooftop access on many buildings throughout the area.
Renting doesn’t have to break your bank account, either: cost-conscious tenants will find plenty of choices under $4,000 per month if they’re willing to search through listings carefully.
With their central location close to shops, restaurants, and other attractions like Washington Square Park or Little Italy Neighborhoods, these properties offer great value for money when compared with American cities outside New York City limits where rental prices may be lower but offer much less convenient than living in SoHo.
If you're looking to move, here are the average rent prices in the Soho neighborhood:
Average Rental Prices in SoHo | |
---|---|
Studio | $2,700 |
1 Bed | $6,500 |
2 Beds | $12,000 |
3 Beds | $18,000 |
4 Beds | $22,500 |
Average Sales Prices in SoHo | |
---|---|
Studio | $950,000 |
1 Bed | $1,235,000 |
2 Beds | $2,750,000 |
3 Beds | $4,000,000 |
4 Beds | $6,995,000 |
Public Transportation in Soho
The Broadway/Lafayette subway station is the largest subway hub in the Soho neighborhood.
Prince and Spring street are conveniently located just two blocks from this station, allowing for easy access to the most lively areas.
Soho makes it extremely easy to commute to the area, thanks to the multitude of subway line choices.
Subway lines in neighborhood
- 1 2
IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line
- 4 6 6
IRT Lexington Avenue Line
- A C E
IND Eighth Avenue Line
- N Q R W
BMT Broadway Line
Bus | M1, M21, M55 |
---|
Restaurants & Dining in Soho
Most grub spots in Soho are tastefully situated between exclusive boutique hotels on Prince Street, which visitors may miss without a careful watch.
Little Italy, Noho, Nolita and Tribeca, and Chinatown surround Soho, making it a convenient area for diverse ethnic restaurants.
The options are endless for finding good cuisine for breakfast, lunch, or dinner in this area.
International visitors and residents make up a large part of the population, so a higher-than-average standard of authenticity is applied to food across borders.
Boqueria Spanish Tapas, Lure Fishbar, Shuka, and Sadelle’s are some local favorites that are sure not to disappoint.
Public & Charter Schools in Soho
There are currently no New York City public elementary schools located in Soho, although school-age residents have access to PS 130 Hernandez De Soto as well as other unzoned schools, G&T programs in the districts and dual language programs at other public schools.
School | Notes |
---|---|
The Montessori School – Private | Ages 2-5 |
NYC ischool – Public | 9-12 |
Chelsea Career and Technical Education High School - Public | 9-12 |
Unity Center for Urban Technologies – Public | 9-12 |
Cooke Center for Learning and Development – Private | 9-12 |
How Safe is the Soho Neighborhood?
The Soho neighborhood of New York City is one of the city's most vibrant and exciting neighborhoods. It is known for its unique boutiques, upscale restaurants, and art galleries. But how safe is the Soho neighborhood?
The crime rate in Soho is relatively low compared to other parts of the city and much safer than many other areas of New York City.
Additionally, several security measures have been implemented within the neighborhood, such as more police patrol cars and surveillance cameras throughout the area.
Crime statistics
In addition to being generally safe and secure, several programs are available to residents of Soho, providing support services to prevent crime and increase public safety.
The NYPD operates a Neighborhood Coordination Officers (NCOs) program, which assigns cops to individual neighborhoods where they interact with community members regularly and get to know them better; this helps create an environment where people feel like their concerns are heard and taken seriously by law enforcement.
Other initiatives, such as free self-defense classes for women or organizing community events such as "Safer Streets" events, help ensure everyone feels comfortable living in the area.
Overall, it’s safe to say that Soho is one of the safest neighborhoods in New York City, with a relatively low crime rate and numerous public safety initiatives designed to increase security levels for all residents.
Combining these factors makes it easier for people living or visiting Soho to enjoy everything this iconic NYC neighborhood offers without worrying about security threats or anything else related to feeling unsafe while exploring its streets.
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