West Village, Manhattan, NY
About West Village, Manhattan
Located along the Hudson River, West Village is a beautifully quaint neighborhood with tree-lined streets set against the hustle and bustle of Lower Manhattan. It’s charming homes are made up mostly of turn-of-the-century townhouses and brownstones along winding cobblestone roads that predate Manhattan’s grid system. Shorter building heights found here make West Village stand out when juxtaposed with the towers that surround the area, a trait of the neighborhood protected by its official historic district designations.
Once a cultural ground zero for a variety of social and political movements, West Village today embraces its past while showcasing a slew of new popular businesses and attractions. The neighborhood is well known for its nightlife, small theaters, and Instagrammable restaurant scene.
The History of West Village
In the early 20th century West Village was the center of the world’s bohemian culture and attracted avant-garde creatives who led alternative art galleries and experimental theaters. Soon it also became home to some of the greatest writers of the time like Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac. By the 1960’s it was a focal point for LGBTQ+ community and was site of the 1969 riots at the Stonewall Inn bar that launched the US gay liberation movement. Spearheaded by even more grassroots activism, West Villagers started to organize building preservation efforts in the 1980’s to prevent the demolition of the beautiful architecture that’s seen throughout the neighborhood today.
West Village Demographics
West Village has a population of about 33,000 and most residents are between the ages of 25-44. Residents here are relatively wealthy compared to the rest of NYC and they’re also highly educated, with most having a bachelor’s degree or higher. The majority of the population in West Village is white, but there is a small number of asian and hispanic residents as well. Most households are singles or couples and the area is not particularly popular for families.
Transportation in West Village
West Village has plenty of transit options via subway or bus with about a 20 minute ride to popular destinations like the Financial District or 15 minutes to Midtown Manhattan. The 1 and 2 trains run along 7th Avenue and can be accessed via stations on 14th Street, Christopher Street, and Houston Street. The east side of the neighborhood has the West 4th Street-Washington Square stop that’ll connect to the A, B, C, D, E, F, and M trains. PATH trains also run along Christopher Street with stops at Greenwich Street and 6th Avenue. The M8, M11, M12, M14, M20, M21, and M55 buses also serve the neighborhood.
Housing in West Village
West Village features many classic Federal-style townhouses along with many 3-5 story walk-up apartments. There’s also a fair amount of condos and co-ops. Housing is densely packed with most buildings containing over 20 units. Most housing was constructed prior to 1939, but there have been several new developments mainly concentrated in the south section of the neighborhood and near the Hudson River.
Neighborhood Life in West Village
West Village’s leafy streets provide a calmness that’s especially rare in Lower Manhattan. The neighborhood’s charm also fosters a sense of tight-knit community. Some of NYC’s most iconic bars and restaurants are here as well, along with plenty of trendy boutiques. Quaint living comes at a premium however; West Village is one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the city as evidenced by some of the world’s most famous celebrities that live here.
Similar Neighborhoods to West Village
West Village Real Estate Trends
You can count on finding some of NYC’s most expensive homes in West Village. The neighborhood’s been a mainstay for the city’s most wealthy for many years. Historic preservation efforts from years past also protect many of the classic architecture from demolition, so there are very few newly constructed housing units.
West Village Median Sale Price (USD):
Studio 700,000
1bd 1,400,000
2bd 2,800,000
3bd 6,000,000
West Village Median Rent Price (USD):
Studio 2,800
1bd 3,900
2bd 5,500
3bd 10,000
The Truth You Should Know About West Village, Manhattan
How Safe is West Village, Manhattan?
Crime rates in West Village are slightly below the NYC average. Most streets are well-lit and feel safe, although some crime tends to occur near train stops on Christopher Street and 14th Street.
Are the Schools in West Village Good?
West Village is served by District 2 and the nearby schools are highly rated. The zoned elementary schools in the neighborhood are PS 41 and PS 003 while the zoned middle school is MS 297.
Popular Eateries in West Village, Manhattan?
You’ll find no shortage of great restaurants in the West Village including iconic pizza joints, sushi spots, Italian cuisines, and modern American menus. @grid
John's of Bleecker St.
Classic Pizzeria
278 Bleecker St New York NY 10014Magnolia Bakery
Bakery
401 Bleecker St New York NY 10014Sushi Nakazawa
Sushi
23 Commerce St New York NY 10014L’Artusi
Italian
228 W 10th St New York NY 10014Employees Only
American
510 Hudson St New York NY 10014Via Carota
Italian
51 Grove St New York NY 10014Joseph Leonard
American
170 Waverly Pl New York NY 10014
What to Do in West Village, Manhattan?
Visit the site of the 1969 Stonewall riots which paved the way for gay liberation movement in the US at the Stonewall Inn bar.
Get lost in literature at the long running local bookstore Three Lives & Company or the architecturally stunning Jefferson Market Public Library.
Go for a jog along the Hudson River or get a workout in at the sports complex located at Pier 40.
Cath a movie at one of New York’s most popular indie film theaters, The IFC Center
Get your shopping fix along the boutique-filled Bleecker Street.
See some amazing theater productions at New York’s oldest off-broadway venue, Cherry Lane Theatre.
Take in the beautiful winding streets and classic architecture in the neighborhood’s many historic districts.
Pause for a photo opportunity in front of places you’ve seen in movie or TV like Friends Apartment on Bedford Street.
Is West Village, Manhattan Dog Friendly?
For Lower Manhattan, yes. The peaceful character of West Village can be alluring for many pet-owners, especially certain dogs who may be skittish. You’re also a short walk from Hudson River Park where you can find the public Leroy Street Dog Park or the membership-based West Village D.O.G Run.
Is West Village, Manhattan Good for Cycling?
Yes. Once again the car-free Hudson River Park makes cycling easy for West Villagers, where a bike path runs from the southern tip of Manhattan all the way to W 59th Street. Bike paths also run along 8th Avenue and Hudson Street making cycling through the busier streets easy as well.
3 Things to Know Before Moving to West Village, Manhattan
There are three historic districts in West Village that, while offering beautiful architecture, also impose higher maintenance costs on homeowners.
The west section of the neighborhood is in a high-risk flood zone, so you’ll be required to buy flood insurance to obtain a mortgage in these areas.
Over the past decade many long standing retail businesses on Bleecker Street closed leaving a string of vacancies, but recently new niche stores have started moving into the former empty storefronts bringing more activity back to the famous shopping block.