Located between 14th Street and Houston Street, North to South, and 6th Avenue to the Hudson River, East to West, the West Village is unique due to its mix of both an active nightlife and quiet, tree-lined streets. As long as you don’t mind spending a pretty penny, you’ll find everything you need here.
Accessibility: You’ll never have trouble getting to and from the West Village. Although the main subway lines that serve the area are the 1/2/3 and A/C/E lines, you also have access to the B/D/F/M lines at West 4th Street stop and the 8th Avenue L stop. If you prefer the bus you can take the M20 North/South and the M8 East/West.
Lifestyle: The West Village is both relaxed and happening at the same time. You will have no trouble finding a trendy bar or jazz club here but you can also take a stroll down a cobblestone street any day of the week. There is hardly any traffic in the area and there are tons of small coffee shops where residents like to spend hours chitchatting over a latte. You’ll also find some great high-end shopping. Alexander McQueen’s flagship store is located here as well as the ultra-lux bath and body shop Aedes de Venustas.
Restaurants and bars: The West Village is a native New Yorker’s restaurant capital. Mario Batali’s Babbo is the cornerstone of cuisine in the area. You really cannot go wrong with the rustic Italian cooking and amazing food found here. If you’re looking for something a little more casual try The Spotted Pig. You’ll wait just as long to get in, if not longer, but it is more of a gastro-pub feel. You will be able to find everything from fine dining to pizzerias to cure your hunger after a night out at authentic pub, The Four Faced Liar.
Cost of living: The West Village is a notoriously expensive area to live in, partly due to the high demand. Once residents move here, they tend to stick around for quite some time, making vacancy very limited. The majority of housing here can be found in brownstones and walk-ups. The neighborhood is picturesque but pricey so be prepared to pay a median price of $3,800/month for a one bedroom.
