Lower East Side, Manhattan, NY
About the Lower East Side, Manhattan
Tucked below Houston St. along the East River, The Lower East Side is where classic NYC tenement buildings and iconic food establishments meet new luxury developments, trendy bars, nightclubs, and art galleries. The latter makes this neighborhood popular with the late-night crowd.
For commuters, the west side of LES has good subway access to Midtown and Brooklyn, while the east is more remote. The area has retained a lot of its Puerto Rican and Dominican heritage but there’s been a lot of construction on the East River waterfront in the past few years which could change the area.
The History of the Lower East Side
The Lower East Side was hilly, Lenape farmland until Dutch and British colonization in the 1600s. The neighborhood remained relatively quiet until it became the epicenter of European immigration in the late 1800s, at which point it was the most densely populated place on earth. The neighborhood has welcomed many waves of immigrants over the years, first from Eastern Europe and later from Italy, Puerto Rico, China, and the Dominican Republic. The area has seen significant change since the early 2000s - new development has cropped up along the waterfront and the area has morphed into one of the city’s premiere nightlife destinations. Despite these changes more than a third of Lower East Side residents are foreign born, and the neighborhood is dotted with museums, churches, and synagogues devoted to preserving its immigrant heritage.
Lower East Side Demographics
In 2018, there were about 74,000 people living in the Lower East Side. There are fewer families with young children here than in other NYC neighborhoods, and the median age of 44 is significantly higher than the citywide average of 36. The area is very diverse with large Chinese, Dominican, and Puerto Rican communities. The median household income is about half the NYC average.
Transportation in the Lower East Side
The Lower East Side is well served by the J,M, F, and lines, which can get you to midtown Manhattan, Downtown Brooklyn, and Williamsburg in under 15 minutes. Areas along the waterfront are a bit more removed from the subway however the Ferry terminal at Corlears Hook can shuttle you to Wall St and Downtown Brooklyn in 10-15 minutes.
Housing in the Lower East Side
Housing in the Lower East Side is exemplified by the iconic tenement homes, and most buildings here have over 20 units and were built before 1950. More than 85 percent of households here rent their homes. There hasn’t been much too construction since 2000, however new buildings have sprung up along the waterfront and hundreds of new units are currently planned for the empty lots along Delancey St.
Neighborhood Life in the Lower East Side
The Lower East Side is known for its vibrant nightlife and is a renowned arts and culture destination with over 100 art galleries and music venues. While the area has started welcoming new glossy high rises along its larger thoroughfares, most of the streets have retained their turn of the century charm and still are lined with quirky, mom-and-pop boutiques. Expect to hear a wide variety of languages spoken by your neighbors as they relax on their front stoops and fire escapes.
Similar Neighborhoods to the Lower East Side
Lower East Side Real Estate Trends
Home values have fluctuated in the Lower East Side in the last ten years, but overall the area’s real estate market has seen a meteoric rise as new condos get built and the neighborhood continues to be highly desirable.
LES Median Sale Price (USD):
Studio 500,000
1bd 850,000
2bd 1,800,000
3bd 3,400,000
LES Median Rent Price (USD):
Studio 2,700
1bd 3,200
2bd 4,000
The Truth You Should Know About the Lower East Side, Manhattan
How Safe is the Lower East Side?
Crime is about average here. Areas near the waterfront tend to not be well lit at night, so pedestrians may want to exercise caution.
Are the Schools in the Lower East Side Good?
The quality of schools varies significantly, however the area is home to some top-ranked schools such as PS 184 Shang Yuen, a bilingual English-Chinese PK-8 school. Unlike most school districts in New York, District 1 is not divided into school zones and most crowded schools admit students via lottery.
Popular Eateries in the Lower East Side?
The Lower East Side boasts an eclectic collection of restaurants that reflects both its trendy modern present as well as its rich immigrant past @grid
Jewish Deli
127 Orchard St. New York NY 10002Dominican
113 Rivington St. New York NY 10002American Vegetarian
96 Allen St. New York NYMalaysian
151 E Broadway New York NY 10002Jewish Deli
205 E Houston St New York NY 10003Mexican/Cocktail Lounge
253 Broome St New York 10002
What to do in the Lower East Side?
Visit the newly renovated East River Esplanade, which includes an Eco Park and a 2-lane bikeway.
Take the family to the Tenement Museum to learn about the neighborhood’s eclectic history.
Take the kids to the playground at Sara D. Roosevelt Park.
Catch up-and-coming acts at Piano’s, Arlene’s Grocery, or the Bowery Ballroom.
Is the Lower East Side Dog Friendly?
The Lower East Side is generally dog-friendly. It is home to numerous charming pet stores as well as 8 dog parks. A new dog run at Corlears Hook Park will open by 2021.
Is the Lower East Side Good for Cycling?
Somewhat. While it’s home to excellent protected bikeways such as the Allen St. bike path, East River Bikeway, and Williamsburg Bridge BIkeway, the narrow streets with throngs of pedestrians can be challenging to navigate for cyclists. There are nonetheless 17 bikeshare stations in the neighborhood as well as several bike shops.
5 Things to Know Before Moving to the Lower East Side
Living next to so many famous bars and clubs can have its downsides - expect noise and crowds here on weekends.
The neighborhood has the fourth-highest rate of rat sightings in the city, however the City kicked off a rat abatement program in 2018.
The iconic tenement buildings rarely have elevators - be prepared to walk up to 5 flights each day!
Essex Crossing is a large residential development on Delancey St which is expected to bring thousands of new residents to the Lower East Side by 2024.
Some 2,800 new apartments (including 700 affordable units) are expected to dramatically transform the 3-block stretch between the Manhattan Bridge and Montgomery St. in the next 10 years.