First time buyers: Learn about Manhattan's neighborhoods - Part Three - New York Real Estate

Soho
What was on the verge of being destroyed in the 1960's is now one of the most fashionable and desirable places to live in New York City. Soho (South of Houston Street) used to be an industrial district with many cast iron buildings, and in the 1960's an influx of artists came and saved the area. By impeccably restoring the old warehouses into spacious and attractive lofts, Soho became a trendy place to live and the area flourished.

Soho is one of the best shopping neighborhoods and most fun to browse. Prime action is on Broadway and its intersecting cobblestone streets. The area, with its fashionable boutiques, clothing stores, see and be seen restaurants, and high-end street peddlers, is bustling with people from every walk of life - and also includes 250 or so art galleries, four museums, performance centers, swanky lounges, bars, nightclubs and spas. Similar to Noho, Soho revels in its unique architecture. Many beautiful buildings abound in different styles such as Victorian Gothic, Neo-Greco, and Italianate. Several new hotels have also opened in the area making Soho a desirable place for international tourists.

Spanish Harlem
Spanish Harlem, also known as El Barrio, is located on the East Side of Manhattan between the East River and Central park from 100th street to 125th street. This lively and developing neighborhood has a rich history, and two celebrated cultural institutions, El Museo Del Barrio and the Museum of the City of New York. With many beautiful townhouses, Spanish Harlem boasts some excellent ethnic cuisine as well easy access to Central Park and the East River walk.

Sugar Hill
"Sweet life on a hill" is the original meaning of this historic Harlem neighborhood. Sugar Hill is located between St. Nicholas and Edgecombe Avenues and extends from 145th Street to 155th Street in upper Manhattan. Sugar Hill has many well preserved townhouses and brownstones as well as many meticulously designed apartment buildings. This close knit neighborhood used to be considered the soul of class and elegance is now on its way to regaining that reputation. Sugar Hill is also home to the City University of New York's main campus which adds to the livelihood of this location.

Sutton Place
Sutton is considered one of Manhattans most desirable and prestigious residential addresses. Named after Effington B. Sutton who was a shipping magnate that bought land on the along the East River, Sutton Place is located between East 53rd and East 59th Streets along the East River. With its luxurious co-ops and stunning townhouses, Sutton rivals Fifth Avenue and Central Park West for top prices and extravagance.There are two public parks and jogging along the East River as well as a dog run, it is also well served by city bus and the express bus to Wall Street.

Theater District
The Theater District is located on the West Side of Manhattan extends 42nd and 54th Streets and between 6th and 8th Avenues. In the heart of this neighborhood lies Times Square. This popular tourist destination is world famous for its entertainment, tall office buildings and marquees filled with bright lights. Approximately 36 theaters put on well-known Broadway performances daily. Most of the older landmark theaters have been restored and back in working order. There are also many famous restaurants that line Restaurant Row, any type of cuisine that one desires can be found within just a few blocks.

Tribeca
Tribeca, the TRIangle BElow CAnal Street, lies on the lower West Side of Manhattan. Close to Soho, it is bordered by Broadway and West Street. Once the industrial heart of the City, Tribeca's factories and unique cast iron fronted warehouses have been converted to spacious lofts, apartments and condos. The neighborhood became a haven for artists who found the loft spaces in these old buildings perfectly suited for studios. Now the neighborhood boasts many famous residents, as well as many upscale restaurants and art galleries. In addition to its culture and happening feel, Tribeca is conveniently located close to the financial district and many unique neighborhoods. With its trendy art scene, hot restaurants and boutiques, and some of the city's top real estate, Tribeca is a prime place to live.

Turtle Bay
Turtle Bay is located in Midtown East, and extends from 43rd Street to 53rd Street. It is bordered by Lexington Avenue to the West and to the East by the East River. This neighborhood is also home the United Nations which is located on First Avenue. Due to the amount of security needed for the United Nations, police presence is prevalent and boasts many townhouses, co-op buildings and many luxury high rise condominiums. Perhaps the most noticeable residential building is the Trump World Tower which is located across from the UN on 48th Street and First Avenue and is said to be the largest residential building in the world. Turtle Bay is also home to many fine restaurants and a very popular nightlife as well as beautiful parks such as the Dag Hammarskjld Plaza Park and many others which do contain dog runs.

Upper Eastside
Known to many as the most affluent and prestigious milieu in Manhattan, the Upper East Side is awash in elegance and culture. Extending from 59th to 96th Street and bordered by Fifth Avenue and the East River, the Upper East Side is home to such charming neighborhoods as Carnegie Hill, Lennox Hill, East End Avenue and Yorkville. With many verdant, tree-lined streets and avenues, the neighborhood is a delightful place to live. Cultural attractions here are multitudinous. Famous Museum Mile along Fifth Avenue is lined with some of the world's most prominent art institutions: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim Museum, Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Frick Art Collection located in the Frick Mansion, among others. Given its many famous museums and art, the Upper East Side of Manhattan is one of the most celebrated areas in the country.

With many exclusive luxury apartments in co-ops and condos along Fifth Avenue and Park Avenue, there are also many beautiful townhouses that line the narrower streets. More reasonably priced apartments and homes can be found closer to the river. Madison Avenue is host to some of the city's toniest shopping including glamorous designer clothing stores such as Armani, Ralph Lauren and Gianni Versace. And throughout the area, there is no shortage of places to eat. Chic, sleek trendsetting restaurants alternate with warm ethnic nooks. Before or after an expedition along Madison Avenue or Museum Mile, you can easily satisfy any craving from among the myriad cuisines, yummy delights and noshing possibilities throughout the Upper East Side. Other attributes of this locale include its proximity to Central Park and its numerous elite schools.

Upper Westside
Ever since Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim's depiction of the Upper Westside came to life in the legendary Broadway musical "West Side Story," the area has flourished into a neighborhood rich with the cultural opportunities and diverse experiences that define living in Manhattan. Bursting with entertainment, fashionable stores and gorgeous architecture, the neighborhood attracts a wide variety of residents, visitors and garden-variety wanderers. Charming townhouses, well-appointed co-ops and desirable condos with park and river views tend to be some of the most sought-after residences in the city. You'll also find distinguished prewar brownstones lining the blocks west of Broadway and stunning landmarks that cast shadows along the western edge of Central Park. Two of the most architecturally distinguished buildings on the west side, the impressive Dakota and the Italian Baroque San Remo, with its looming twin towers, are both located on Central Park West. The area offers residential opportunities that cater to any type of individual and has therefore drawn a diverse set of residents.

The Upper Westside canvasses 59th to 110th Street and is sandwiched between two of the most magnificent parks in Manhattan, Central Park to the east and Riverside Park to the west.

The neighborhood boasts its own culture. It is home to the Museum of Natural History with its mammoth dinosaurs, the truly awe-inspiring glass enclosed Hayden Planetarium and the renowned Lincoln Center, the quintessential venue for artistic performance and education. The Time Warner Center and Shops at Columbus Circle are modern structures where you can satisfy all of your shopping needs. These artistic and cultural surroundings have fused a casual and intellectual mindset into the neighborhood which affords residents an enriched and stimulating living experience. Popular nightlife spots and bars are commonplace in this vibrant locale. The neighborhood has also seen a recent boom in exceptional, press-worthy restaurants and has become a premier dining destination.

The Upper Westside is truly the quintessential New York City neighborhood. It is diverse, casual, intellectual and desirable, with a culture all of its own. The neighbors are welcoming and friendly. The area provides easy access to transportation, parks, entertainment venues, cultural institutions, schools, restaurants, shopping and anything else that Manhattan has to offer.

Washington Heights
Rich in history, culture and beauty, Washington Heights is located in northern Manhattan. Along with its neighbor, Inwood, it is experiencing gentrification with a more relaxed suburban feel. Many of the buildings were built in the once prevalent Art Deco style, thereby creating a certain stylistic uniformity, which harmonizes the area. Washington Heights has many beautiful houses and co-ops on quiet tree-lined blocks with lovely architecture. Along with its oases of trees, parks and Hudson River views, you'll find many nooks and crannies in this area, still largely undiscovered by the folks who think Manhattan ends at 96th Street. On the other hand, when you want big-city life, this lovely, safe neighborhood is only 15 minutes from Midtown on the A train.

In the heart of Washington Heights, there is a bustling commercial district as well as Yeshiva University and Columbia's Presbyterian Medical Center. The neighborhood's Fort Tyron Park is home to the magnificent Cloisters, a medieval museum, with a tremendous collection of art, built in the style of medieval cloisters, chapels and halls. With its many positives, it's no wonder this neighborhood is becoming increasingly popular. If there is any area of the city that is destined to be the next "it" neighborhood, Upper Manhattan is the one to watch.

West Village
The West Village is as charming and colorful as any neighborhood in New York City. With a rich history and culture, the West Village still has its quaint melange of narrow streets from its early days as a small country village. Because of its Old World charm, many people have been drawn to this area. With its quiet streets, low-rise townhouses, and profusion of cafes, shops, small theaters, boutiques, bodegas and music clubs, the Village is reminiscent of European cities, such as Paris and Budapest. And, along the Hudson River, new luxury residential buildings offer splendid views of the river as well as the city. Given all this history, color and cool, it's easy to see why the West Village is one of the city's most popular neighborhoods in which to live. Situated between Seventh Avenue and the Hudson River, the West Village stretches from 14th Street to Canal Street.

Yorkville
Situated in the Upper East Side, Yorkville is among the most affordable places to live in Manhattan. What began as a village centered around 86th Street and Third Avenue, Yorkville now extends to 96th Street to the north, the east river to the east, south to 72nd street and west to Third Avenue. It is home to major hospitals such as Cornell Medical Center and the world famous Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Yorkville is also a very popular family destination. Located on the East River, Carl Schurz Park, home to Gracie Mansion, features a dog run and a beautiful east river walk.

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