West Village

Why people live here

The most photographed neighborhood in NYC for a reason. Narrow streets at human scale, low-rise townhouses, restaurants that have been there for decades. Comes with the price tag and the tourists, but lived-in West Village is genuinely magical.

Who thrives here

Cosmopolitans who want a postcard street and don't flinch at the cost.

A user who fits

Late-30s, professional, partner, no kids in the immediate plan. Two-bedroom prewar walk-up, exposed brick, original moldings. Wants the village texture (cobblestones, jazz, the right cafés) and walks to a different world-class restaurant on Friday nights. Pays for it.

The tradeoffs

• · Tourist load is real on weekends
• · Apartments are small for the price
• · Quieter than the East Village. Some find it too settled.

Anchors

Transit

1 train · A/C/E · L · PATH (14th)

Parks

Hudson River Park · Washington Square

Groceries

Citarella · Mr. Bing's · Whole Foods (14th)