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Alphabet City, NY Homes for Sale

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518 East 11 Street, Manhattan, New York

$350,000

Studio
Co-op
518 east 11 street, #1B, east village, NY 10009
Pets allowed
Listing courtesy of Douglas Elliman Real Estate
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Alphabet City, Manhattan, NY

About Alphabet City, Manhattan

Alphabet City is a residential and commercial neighborhood in the southeastern part of Manhattan. It’s part of the famous East Village and gets its name from the alphabetically designated avenues that run through the neighborhood. Alphabet City is bound by E. Houston Street to the south, E. 14th Street to the north, Avenue A to the West and Avenue D or the East River to the East. Avenue A through D are the only avenues East of 1st Ave and can only be found in Alphabet City.

Alphabet City is famous for being an artist community with a vibrant local culture. In its early days it was an ethnic enclave for German, Hispanic, Jewish and Eastern European immigrants. It's gone through some gentrification in the past 20 years, it’s still a multicultural community known for famous landmarks like Tompkins Square Park. Alphabet City is slightly more affordable than other parts of the East Village and attracts many artists and young professionals who like it’s gritty ambiance.

History of Alphabet City

The area that is now Alphabet City was once the territory of the Lenape Native Americans. There was a major boom in immigration that led to a doubling of the population between 1840 and 1850 in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, which included Alphabet City. Tenements were quickly constructed to accommodate this spike in population and the neighborhood became a densely populated slum for factory workers. Initially most of the immigrants were German and the whole Lower East Side was referred to as Little Germany. The Germans were subsequently joined by Jewish, Italian and Eastern European communities who set up their own ethnic enclaves within the neighborhood. In the 1960’s the area attracted beatniks, artists and writers including famous names like Allen Ginsberg and Norman Mailer. Today, it’s a hip neighborhood of creative professionals who love the neighborhood's vibe.

Demographics of Alphabet City

Alphabet City is a subsection of the East Village and is often grouped together with the larger area when compiling demographic information. There are about 74,000 people living in the East Village. The majority of residents are white with 49% of residents identifying as such. However, there is also a significant Hispanic and Asian population as well. The area around Avenue C is sometimes referred to as Loisaida (a Spanish pronunciation of Lower East Side) and contains a large Hispanic community. Twenty four percent of residents identify as Hispanic and 14% of residents identify as Asian. It tends to lean toward young professionals, with 27% of the population being between the ages of 25 and 34. Plus, It’s a middle class to upper middle-class neighborhood and the median household income is approximately $77,000.

Transportation in Alphabet City

There are several transportation options available to the residents of Alphabet City. The L train makes a stop at 1st Avenue and gives residents access to the West Side or Williamsburg across the river. The F, N, Q, R, W and 6 trains also make stops within walking distance of Alphabet City in neighborhoods like NoHo and the broader East Village. Several New York City buses also make stops in Alphabet City, such as the M14D, the M15, M23, M34A-SBS and M8. FDR Drive also runs alongside Alphabet City, giving drivers a way to get out of the city.

Housing in Alphabet City

Alphabet City is a funky mixture of gorgeous prewar rowhouses, stern brick tenement style buildings and stern brick apartment complexes. New development has sprouted up along Avenues A and B over the past few years and offers luxury apartments. There are several examples of Romanesque and Renaissance revival style row houses in the neighborhood that feature intricate trellises and detailing. In general, housing gets cheaper the farther east the building is. Obviously, it depends on the building and its amenities, but pricier, more modern developments can typically be found along Avenue A and cheaper more barebones units can be found along Avenues C and D.

Neighborhood Life in Alphabet City

The East Village, including Alphabet City, is a hot bed for hip restaurants and entertainment options. It’s a trendy neighborhood with great boutiques, bars and museums. Tompkins Square Park is in Alphabet city and residents are known to congregate there on a warm summer afternoon or fall day. It’s a bustling neighborhood full of artists, professionals and students that has something for everyone. The Nuyorican Poets Café on East 3rd Street is a staple of the neighborhood that features performances from local poets, rappers, comedians and actors. Alphabet City is an ultra-cool neighborhood that has  a lot going on and it offers comparatively affordable rents compared to other popular neighborhoods like SoHo or Greenwich Village.

Similar Neighborhoods to Alphabet City

Real Estate Trends in Alphabet City

Alphabet City is a great neighborhood for those who like the hustle and bustle of New York City but don’t want to pay the exorbitant prices of the West Village or SoHo. The median listing price of a property in Alphabet City is around \$875,000 and the median sale price is around \$720,000. It’s slightly more isolated than other popular neighborhoods in the area and the Eastern portion of the neighborhood is still a bit industrial. Apartments aren’t exactly spacious, but you’ll definitely get more for your dollar than in areas like NoHo or Nolita.

The Truth About Alphabet City, Manhattan

Is Alphabet City Safe?

Yes, today Alphabet City is safe. In the 1980’s and 90’s it was a hotbed for crime and nefarious activity, but today it’s much safer. The area is patrolled by the 9th precinct of the NYPD, who has reported a major decrease in crime since the 1990’s. There are several housing projects along Avenue D that can get rougher after dark. Homelessness is also a problem in the Lower East Side and East Village in general. But, these issues don’t seriously impact the overall crime rate and most residents report feeling safe in the neighborhood overall. That being said, one should always be careful and maintain an awareness of their surroundings.

Are the Schools Good in Alphabet City?

Yes, the schools in Alphabet City are good. The Earth School on East 6th Street and the East Village Community School are two highly rated elementary schools that cater to grades K-5. The East Village Community School offers grades 6 through 12 and Tompkins Square Middle School offers 6 through 8. PS 34 Franklin D Roosevelt is another public school in the neighborhood that offers K-8. The East Village Community School is the only high school close to Alphabet City, but residents may apply for any other school in the NYC public school system.

Popular Eateries in Alphabet City

Empellon Al Pastor

Mexican

132 St. Marks Place New York, NY 10009

Kafana

Serbian

116 Ave C New York, NY 10009

Avenue C

American

102 Avenue C New, NY 10009

Secchu Yokota

Japanese

199 E 3rd St New York, NY 10009

Fiaschetteria Pistoia

Italian

647 East 11th Street New York, NY 10009

Casa Adela

Latin American

66 Ave C New York, NY 10009

Things to Do in Alphabet City

  • Hang out in Tompkins Square Park, the area is great for lounge on the grass or just people watch

  • Check out the Nuyorican Poets Café, the famous club hosts performances from local poets, musicians and visual artists.

  • Have a drink at Death & Co, the world-famous cocktail bar has an innovative menu of delicious drinks

  • Stop by the botanical garden on East 6th Street, the green space is a great place to relax on a nice day.

  • Check out the Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space, a museum dedicated to the environmental activism in the Lower East Side

Is Alphabet City Dog-Friendly?

Yes and no. Many apartments do allow pets and Tompkins Square Park provides a place to bring canine companions for a walk. However, many units tend to be small and may not be the best for larger animals. Plus, it’s a busy urban neighborhood with a lot going on, which may prove challenging for skittish animals. Those with pets accustomed to New York City living will be fine, but those moving from out of state may want to evaluate their options.

Is Alphabet City Good for Cycling?

Yes, Alphabet City is a good cycling neighborhood for those experienced in city biking.  The neighborhood is somewhat isolated from transportation, which makes it appealing to cyclists. Bike lanes are present on major streets and the traffic is more manageable than more central parts of Manhattan. That being said it’s still a dense neighborhood with plenty of hazards and anyone planning on biking through the neighborhood should be aware of the level of skill it takes to navigate Manhattan streets.

3 Things to Know before Moving to Alphabet City

  1. Alphabet City is great for those looking for comparatively affordable living in a popular area. Those looking for luxury condos and high-end shops may be disappointed.

  2. Williamsburg and other Brooklyn neighborhoods are easily accessible through he L train, for those looking for more entertainment options

  3. Alphabet City was a neighborhood that contributed to the development of punk rock and there are still many punk clubs in the neighborhood

Nearby Neighborhoods
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