Chinatown

LOCATION

Chinatown is located in Downtown Manhattan. Unlike neighboring Little Italy, Chinatown is continually expanding. The border between the two has all but disappeared and Chinatown now stretches from City Hall to Grand Street (by some accounts even further, to Delancey St). Bowery is probably still the technical western border of Chinatown above Canal Street, but most Little Italy blocks east of Mulberry feature signs in Chinese.

POPULATION AND DEMOGRAPHICS

Just like in most other large North American cities, Chinatown is named as such due to most of its residents' ethnicity. Today, both first- and second-generation Chinese Americans call it home, along with thousands of hipsters priced out of just about every other neighborhood.

SAFETY

Chinatown had its share of crime problems in the 80's and 90's - mostly the gang-related variety, but things have definitely improved. It is considered a relatively safe neighborhood, but even the police have to cooperate with the locals - it's just the way things are run here. Parts of Chinatown look rundown and sketchy, but they are not necessarily dangerous.

SYNOPSIS

Chinatown is cheaper than almost every other area of Downtown Manhattan and is, despite its somewhat inconvenient transport links, a great place to live. You just have to be comfortable with its street culture and smells.