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Greenwich Village

These days, Greenwich Village is the hottest ticket in town. Who would have thought it would end up that way back in the 1700s when it was part of the largest tobacco plantation in the colony? Its journey toward hipness began in the mid-20th century, when people like Allen Ginsberg, Andy Warhol, and Gloria Steinem lived here and helped make it a center of social change. Over time, the area split into two distinct neighborhoods, which together offer something for everyone—or at least for those who can afford the ultra-high cost of living in these popular enclaves:

East Village
West Village

View healthcare facilities in Greenwich Village

East Village

As famously portrayed in the musical RENT, the East Village is the home of bohemian cachet. If you’re looking for a tattoo or to have a body part pierced, this is the place to do it. It’s also a great place to be if you’re an artist or musician, or just like being around people who are. But all this counterculture chic is expensive, which means prices are very high for the area’s apartments, lofts, and brownstones.

Although the wealthy Astor and Vanderbuilt families originally inhabited the East Village, the area became more accessible to common folk as immigrants from all over settled here. Later, artists and students arrived, helping to shape the area’s hip consciousness. Now NYU students, artists, and various hipsters live alongside the Italians, Latinos, Poles, and Ukrainians who have called this neighborhood home for generations.

A certain amount of sacrifice seems to go hand-in-hand with a bohemian lifestyle and this neighborhood is no exception. With subway stations rare, you can count on walking as long as 15 minutes before you reach one. But as you’re walking, you won’t be at a loss for refreshment, as the area has plenty of watering holes. You’ll also see distinct neighborhoods within the East Village, each with their own reputations. Alphabet City (Avenues A through D) is the seamier section of the East Village, but that is starting to change as all of Manhattan gentrifies. Tompkins Square Park, once home to violent protests in the ’60s, is now more civilized. And helping to keep the area grounded in its international roots, Little India and Little Ukraine each offer rich ethnic culture and cuisine.

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West Village

Depending on whom you ask, the West Village and Greenwich Village are thought to be synonymous. Even more upscale than the East Village, the West Village more closely resembles Paris than any other neighborhood in Manhattan. In keeping with the Parisian feel, the nightlife options include at least 100 different clubs and bars, offering every type of entertainment imaginable.

Although the area still lays claim to some of the artsiness you find in the East Village, there’s also a family feel. Tiny gardens, parks, and secret courtyards are sprinkled among 19th-century low-rise townhouses, condominium lofts (some complete with doormen), duplexes, and hard-to-find rent-regulated apartments, most featuring classic architecture. These picture-perfect dwellings are situated on serpentine cobblestone streets and charming alleys, all within close proximity to the ubiquitous European-style cafés and restaurants in the neighborhood. There also are excellent schools, including independent educational co-ops. No wonder it can cost up to 10 times as much to live here as it does in most parts of Manhattan. People don’t seem to mind that the units are smaller than in the rest of the city; the neighborhood ambience more than makes up for the lack of space.

Healthcare facilities in Greenwich Village:

NY Eye & Ear Infirmary
St. Vincent's Hospital Manhattan