East Village

LOCATION

The East Village, in its modern definition, means everything east of Astor Place, south of 14th street and north of Houston Street. People used to make a distinction between the East Village and the Alphabet City (avenues A,B,C and D), but that practice is almost extinct now (thanks to the booming real estate market).

CHARACTER AND FEEL

Formerly the seedy punk rock mecca, the East Village has significantly gentrified as recently as the last few years. The punk hang out street, St. Marks, has slowly become a new Japantown. Legendary venue Coney Island High closed its doors, "cheap eats" bohemian hang out DoJo was also recently closed by the health inspector. The "landmarks" have been replaced by noodle houses, sushi bars, delis, and even a Chipotle and a SUPERCUTS! Punk rock standard store Trash and Vaudeville is still there, with countless vendors of studded belts, anarchy t-shirts and wigs, but it just isn’t the same seedy place of the 1980s and 90s. That being said, as a result the neighborhood is much safer, the apartments and building façades are getting upgrades, and outdoor cafes are sprouting up all over. The area still captures an artsy feel and is being inhabited by a newer school of artists.

APARTMENTS & REAL ESTATE

The East Village is famed for cheap apartments - that are sixth and seventh floor walk-ups and the like. If you have the endurance, it is highly worth the rent break (apartments in walk-up buildings that are higher up tend to be cheaper).

Many of the apartments in the neighborhood are old and in need of renovations, but that is changing slowly.

Selected Rental Buildings:

• 110 East 7th street (110 East 7th street, East Village) - Walk-up building
• 112 East 7th street (112 East 7th street, East Village)
• 147 Avenue A (147 Avenue A, East Village) - Pre-war, walk-up building.
• 218 East 6th street (218 East 6th street, East Village) - Walk-up building
• 218 First Avenue (218 First Avenue, East Village) - Walk-up building.

See all East Village Rental Apartment Buildings

Selected No-Fee Rental Listings:

• new! $2,895 2-Bedroom at 394 East 8th street (available May 13, 2008) posted 05/13/08.
• new! $3,395 2-Bedroom at 410 East 13th street (available October 1, 2008) posted 05/13/08.
• new! $3,595 2-Bedroom at 432 East 13th street posted 05/13/08.
• new! $3,395 2-Bedroom at 410 East 13th street posted 05/13/08.
• new! $2,595 1-Bedroom at 416 East 13th street posted 05/13/08.

See all East Village No Fee Rental Apartments (90 total)

Condo Buildings:

• One Avenue B (1 Avenue B, East Village)

See all East Village Condo Apartment Buildings

Co-op Buildings:

See some of the area's East Village Co-op Apartment Buildings

POPULATION AND DEMOGRAPHICS

Population about 50,000. Young artsy types who can't afford the Lower East Side, although luxury apartments are popping up here and there. The older home owners are mostly left over from the punk/artsy era of the 70s and 80s, which creates an amazing creative vibe spanning both generations. The eastern frontiers of the neighborhood (Ave D, basically) prominently feature housing projects inhabited by low-income families.

SAFETY

The East Village is sort of chaotic, but generally safe. The area is abuzz with tourists and locals at all hours which will make you feel safe at any time of day (or night). The only possible exception is Avenue D which does have some drug traffic and a little bit of a gang problem, although even there the progress is evident.

TRANSPORTATION AND ACCESSIBILITY

The more east you go, the less accessible, except for buses. Subway: 6 to Astor Place; L to 14th and 1st; N to 8th and B’way; F or V to B’way-Lafayette, 2nd ave.

NAME

LINKS AND RESOURCES

• Paths of Resistance in the East Village (NY Times)
• East-Village.com - a web site with community news, a bulletin board, a business directory and more photos.

LATEST HEADLINES, NEWS & REVIEWS

• 28/Feb/2006: Cooper Square Affordable Housing Lottery
• 05/Dec/2005: New Avalon Buildings On The Way