WELCOME TO GREENWICH VILLAGE
The heart and soul of lower Manhattan.
“The Village” is a beloved mix of the best that New York has to offer, including the iconic Washington Square Park. A diverse group of residents all contribute to the energy of this lively yet well-behaved slice of Manhattan.
For most of the 20th century, Greenwich Village was the center of downtown culture. In the 60s, the Village was the birthplace of the beatnik generation. Allen Ginsberg was known to pop up at Cafe Reggio, while Bob Dylan was a regular performer at Cafe Wha.
THE NEIGHBORS
A melting pot of students and New Yorkers of all ages.
Today, famous bars and bookstores are landmarks of cultural history, but the people who live here love it for more than just its past. Trendy restaurants, elegant boutiques, and a vibrant bar scene has made the Village a chic place to live. NYU is also a mainstay in the Village, as evidenced by the purple flags flying proudly throughout the neighborhood. The university has dorms and buildings across the city, but much of student life converges centrally in the neighborhood. This neighborhood is considered to be a very active area.
WHAT TO EXPECT
A bustling, centrally located neighborhood.
During the day, the Village moves at a brisk, industrious pace. There’s almost always a consistent level of foot traffic moving throughout the neighborhood. Greenwich Village sits in a great location that allows for easy access to Union Square and Midtown, as well as other neighborhoods downtown like the West Village and Soho. Perhaps the most iconic part of the neighborhood is Washington Square Park, the heart and soul of Greenwich Village. In this community watering hole, almost anything goes. Friendly chess games, performance art, and live music make it a meeting ground for any and all residents. You might also encounter a protest or public demonstration; the park has become synonymous with activism, social justice, and self-expression.
THE LIFESTYLE
Well-balanced. Active days blend into fun, relaxing nights.
Entertainment never ends in the Village. The neighborhood is a popular meet-up spot for get togethers amongst friends. With plenty of popular restaurants, Greenwich Village consistently draws diners from across the city. The summer is an especially great time to enjoy Greenwich Village, with a surplus of outdoor seating perfect for a great meal and quality people-watching. Right below Washington Square is the center of Village nightlife. Here, bars are open late and tourists pour out of pubs on Bleecker Street and MacDougal Street well-into the wee hours of the morning.
WHAT NOT TO EXPECT
A neighborhood that's far removed from typical NYC to-and-from.
Greenwich Village rarely ever gets excessively congested, but streets are almost never completely quiet, either. Farther west towards University Place and Fifth Avenue, things are notably more calm and peaceful.
THE MARKET
Generally expensive, but plenty of options across a diverse blend of walk-ups, brownstones, and doorman buildings.
Some residents might find pre-war walk-ups on side streets, but will often pay for the idyllic location rather than the space. For luxury living, residents can seek out the high-rise full-service buildings on Park Avenue and Fifth Avenue in between Washington Square and Union Square. The Village also has a sprinkling of brownstones that give pockets of the neighborhood a homey, suburban feel.
YOU'LL FALL IN LOVE WITH
The communal culture of this down-to-earth, embracing neighborhood.
Throughout it’s history, Greenwich Village has always been a breeding ground for important, influential New Yorkers. Maybe that’s why it feels like with just the right amount of persistence, almost anyone can make it the Village.
