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: 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 The "landmarks" have been replaced by noodle houses, sushi bars, delis, and even a Chipotle and a SUPERCUTS!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.

Demographics: The population stands 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.