Chelsea, Manhattan, NY
About Chelsea, Manhattan
Chelsea is a residential neighborhood on the west side of Manhattan between 14 St and 34 St.
The area has long been famous for its galleries and artists studios and is a center for LGBT culture in New York City. The High Line, a new park atop a former freight rail line, has accelerated the transformation of the neighborhood into an architecturally-forward and high-end area.
Residents benefit from lots of transit options and easy commutes across Manhattan and from a bevy of popular bars and restaurants. Green space is limited in this once industrial area just outside the Manhattan core, but the nearby Hudson River Greenway and some waterfront parks offer outdoor space with sweeping views.
The History of Chelsea
The Chelsea neighborhood gets its name from a British estate established here in 1750. Clement Clarke Moore, who wrote “Twas the Night Before Christmas” in the 1830s, was born on the estate. After the Hudson River Railroad line opened, warehouses and industrial uses proliferated nearby. These factories drew immigrant workers who settled in tenements and apartments. As shipping and industry declined on the west side, Chelsea became a haven for artists and creative uses. Artists studios, galleries, and live-work loft conversions flourished in the neighborhood. The area also grew as a “gayborhood” and center of gay culter in the city. In the past two decades, Chelsea has become an increasingly popular area for tech, fashion, and creative offices. Google’s New York City offices are in the neighborhood in a converted storage building.
Chelsea Demographics
Chelsea is very popular for younger people, but less popular for families. There is a much higher portion of the population in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, but fewer residents under 18, than the city average. Chelsea is home to a large gay community. As of 2011, the area had the highest proportion of gay singles in the city and in one section nearly one in four couples were same-sex.
Transportation in Chelsea
Chelsea has relatively good transportation access. A/C/E, 1/2/3, F/M, L, and PATH trains all cross beneath the neighborhood and offer lots of options especially for heading up or down the west side. However, there are no subway stops west of 8 Ave. Several bus lines, including SBS express buses on 14, 23, and 34 St, supplement and add crosstown service. The neighborhood is less convenient for drivers, but the West Side Highway and Lincoln Tunnel are close by.
Housing in Chelsea
There is a wide range of housing types in Chelsea. Near 6 and 7 Aves modern residential towers are common and there are also many residential lofts in the former fur and flower warehousing district. West of 8 Ave, the area has a smaller-scale, almost small-town feel with older brick tenements and apartments above small restaurants and shops. West of 9 Ave, new, architecturally-inspired high-rises sit alongside converted industrial buildings and warehouses.
Neighborhood Life in Chelsea
Chelsea is famous for its art studios and galleries and residents benefit from a bevy of local dining options and bars, from neighborhood standbys, to casual take-out joints, to popular destinations for eating and drinking. The neighborhood has increasingly become a high-end shopping destination and is home to outposts for designers Comme des Garçons, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, and Christian Louboutin. The area has long been a hub of New York’s LGBT culture and there are numerous bars and community centers catering especially to these communities. Green space is limited but the popular High Line and nearby Hudson River Greenway offer unique outdoor space.
Neighborhoods Similar to Chelsea, Manhattan
Chelsea Real Estate Trends
Chelsea has become one of the most expensive neighborhoods in New York City. New construction in the neighborhood - concentrated around the increasingly-popular High Line - has delivered high end, luxurious condos and rentals. Several more luxury developments are planned or under construction. The eastern, less-buzzy side of the neighborhood, offers some more relative bargains for buyers or renters.
Chelsea Median Sale Price (USD):
Studio 575,000
1bd 1,100,000
2bd 2,300,000
2bd 4,500,000
Chelsea Median Rent Price (USD):
Studio 2,800
1bd 3,900
2bd 6,500
3bd 12,000
The Truth You Should Know About Chelsea, Manhattan
How Safe Is Chelsea, Manhattan?
Chelsea generally has below-average crime rates. At the northeast edge of the neighborhood - near Madison Square Garden and Penn Station - and the southwest corner, near Chelsea Market, have above average crime rates. Most areas of the neighborhood have a comfortable amount of traffic at all hours, though the far western edge of the neighborhood may feel desolate, particularly at night.
Are Schools Good in Chelsea, Manhattan?
Elementary and middle schools in Chelsea are generally very highly rated. PS 11 William T. Harris Elementary, for example, ranks high on citywide school quality measures, and its teaching and leadership rank very high. One the other hand, some of the many high school options in Chelsea rate poorly.
What Are Popular Restaurants in Chelsea, Manhattan?
What To Do in Chelsea, Manhattan?
Shop and eat at Chelsea Market, one of the most famous indoor food and retail marketplaces in the world.
See cutting edge art in some of the neighborhood’s many galleries.
Watch a dance performance at the Joyce Theater.
Take a stroll along the High Line. Go early and avoid the tourist crowds.
Ride a bike or jog along the Hudson River Greenway.
Go ice skating any time of year or hit golf balls toward New Jersey at Chelsea Piers.
Shop at high-end boutiques or designer stores.
Is Chelsea, Manhattan Dog Friendly?
Chelsea has limited park or green space and just one dog run (at 11 Ave and W 23 St). Dogs are not allowed on the High Line because the pathways are narrow. However, there are many pet-friendly buildings here and plenty of pet stores, grooming services, and dog walkers to accommodate dogs and their busy owners.
Is Chelsea, Manhattan Good for Cycling?
Chelsea can be a good neighborhood for bikers. Bike lanes along 6, 7, 8, and 9 Aves, along with several cross-streets, enable bike commutes to nearby areas of Midtown or to other adjacent neighborhoods. Additional bike lanes planned for the neighborhood will further enhance the cycling network. The Hudson River Greenway is a great route for recreational rides.
4 Things to Know Before Moving to Chelsea, Manhattan
Western Chelsea is at a high risk of flooding.
A neighborhood historic district preserves the architectural character of the neighborhood and may boost property values - but also limits the types of renovations allowed.
Many residents have complained of noise from helicopters taking off and landing at the 30 St Heliport.
Lots more residential construction is planned near the High Line. Expect extra noise and more residents in the area.