IgorDerysh

Times Square is simply too much of a tourist trap for New Yorkers to actually ever go there. There are no apartments so all you really have are theme restaurants and other cutesy attractions.

The big movies theaters are here, so are the big Broadway theaters and a few major shopping venues (though nothing you can't find elsewhere) are the only things that may draw some New Yorkers to the area. When you are here, prepare to move at the speed of paint drying as the foot traffic, street vendors selling tours, nuts, pretzels, and sodas, and tourists stopping to take photos impede your every move.

For tourists, I'm sure this is a great experience. The area is filled with things to do at tourist prices. There are a lot of studios and tapings going on, there are stageplay and film theaters, restaurants like Olive Garden, The Hard Rock Cafe, Planet Hollywood, and countless other theme restaurants. There are big flashing lights everywhere, tall historic buildings (which look cool from the outside but are filled with very miserable people on the inside), shopping as far as the eye can see, and even a few nifty museums (the Wax Museum, Ripley's Believe It or Not, etc.). It is all very touristy. Every major city has one of these neighborhoods but it's New York and it's Time Square so take any tourist trap and multiply it by a thousand and that is what you get. It is like Vegas without all the fun parts.

SoHo is a bit on the pretentious side but that does not take away from the fact that SoHo is a new, trendy New York neighborhood done right. SoHo is, in my opinion, the best place to shop in Manhattan, and offers great food, good bars, and is close to everything else.

Living here gets very expensive. Most of the people in the area are the cool, young crowd that has managed to make enough cash to live in one of the most sought after neighborhoods in the city. Personally, I would not live here because of the never ending crowds EVERYWHERE but I would definitely live nearby. The area is easy to get to via public transportation, has both upscale and affordable shopping boutiques, nice looking buildings, and an artsy-fartsy feel to it.

For tourists, this is a great place to come shop and grab a meal but not much else. Everything in Lower Manhattan is pretty close, however, whether it is the Village, Chinatown, the Bowery, Tribeca, or Chelsea. Things here get pretty expensive though.

Dean and DeLuca is a pretty neat place to eat or buy food. Their coffee is great and I have to get a cup every time I'm there. The area has just about every boutique you can think off, I prefer the Topman and some of the chain-y stores like H&M and American Apparel.

The funny thing about New York City is that you will often be paying for access rather than an apartment. Many places in the city will offer you a closet sized studio with a shared bathroom for the same price as a nice loft somewhere else. In the case of Yorkville, you can find a nice affordable place so long as you are willing to give up access. Access to public transportation, access to nearby locations, and access to the rest of Manhattan.

Living here isn't bad. It's a nice area with a generally young professional crowd that has to commute on the train to work daily. Only the 4 and the 6 go anywhere up here and they are often packed (but run fairly often). The rents are good but there are also a lot of new much more expensive apartments. The schools are good, the area is quiet, and hopefully you aren't right next to the highway. What you gain in money in your pocket and peace and quiet you lose in proximity to everything that is going on in Manhattan and a lot of public transportation options. There is not a whole lot to do except some food joints and some bars.

Not much to do here for tourists, just your run-of-the-mill residential neighborhood but it is quite lovely.

Turtle Bay is the area where the United Nations and the Chrysler Building is situated making it a frequent destination of tourists, groups, and the people that work here. Aside from the UN, many countries also have their diplomatic missions in the area and the neighborhood is always filled with the people who work there and the people who are waiting in line outside to get in.

Living here is quite expensive. There are some high rises with doormen, the works. You live right near the United Nations so the people walking around the neighborhood are usually well dressed and well-to-do. It's pretty safe but very crowded. And when the full United Nations assembly comes to town, forget it. The streets are jam packed, there is tight security everywhere, and parking is a dream.

It's a nice little area for tourists to check out. Parts of the United Nations territory are open to everyone and there are frequent tours of the inside. Very highly recommended. The Chrysler Building is a gem as are many of the nearby buildings.

All this being said, there is not much else here except a few restaurants. Not really a problem since you're right next door to Midtown Manhattan (and the fun crowds that has). Really, it's not a recommended location to live as it is always packed and the rents and prices are skyhigh. Nice place to visit and take a tour of the United Nations though.

Sutton Place is a small residential neighborhood right by the Queensboro Bridge. The area is best known as one of the most upscale in the city and its residents include actors, actresses, architects, designers, former Governors, and just the generally well-to-do folks of the city.

If you are considering moving here, way to go. Congrats on your six-year deal with the Knicks, platinum album, or what-have-you. Real estate in this area, mostly townhouses with a few mansions, go for quite a bit of cash, as you can imagine. If you do get to live here, you are in luck. Not just because you can already afford a place here but because it is undoubtedly gorgeous inside and out with spectacular views of the East River and the bridge, you are within a few blocks of Central Park, Midtown Manhattan, and a short ride away from everything else. The area is clean, secure, and beautiful.

Visitors can go for a stroll through the neighborhood and pick out their future home but there is not much going on around the neighborhood. Which is just as well since EVERYTHING is going on just a few minutes away in Midtown. Nice places if you can get 'em, still good to look at and mutter under your breath when you can't.

Every city has a Stuy Town. It's that urban residential area that isn't in proximity to anything important and is nothing but generic apartment complexes jammed under a freeway.

The best part about Stuy Town is leaving Stuy Town, in that it is fairly close to the more exciting parts of lower Manhattan. The apartments are affordable and decent on the inside and you have access to all the basics. It's a quiet area without much happening so if that's you thing, and you're not high on aesthetics (or at least it is not as high on your list as a decent rent) it's a decent place to live.

There are no tourist attractions which is fine because it isn't that easy to get to by train. There is certainly nothing to see here.

At the end of the day, Stuyvesant Town offers nothing more than a place to hang your hat at night and the ability to live in the city within proximity to the better aspects of Lower Manhattan. The rents are okay, the area is mostly quiet. At the same time, there aren't many places to grab some food or a drink and not much entertainment or nightlife to be found anywhere. You're right by East Village though which means not having to go very far to get those things.

Roosevelt Island is one of the city's best kept secrets. Most New Yorkers never really remember it's there and the ones that do don't think twice about it.

Actually, Roosevelt Island is a great place to live if you want to be closer to the city but don't want to deal with living in the city. At the same time, you have to cross the East River to get into the city which makes it more of a small outer borough.

Still, the prices are very reasonable and the area is simply lovely. It's very quiet, good schools, nice apartments, and it is easy to commute into the city. There is no traffic like in Manhattan and it is never crowded.

At the same time, there is nothing to do there. There are few places to shop or get food and certainly nothing to do at night.

For visitors, both locals and tourists would have a great time on a short trip to the island. It is very easy to get to and has some beautiful parks, views, and architecture. It is a good place to get away from everything going on in the city. It is also one of the safest parts of New York and the area is almost exclusively middle class and there is only about 10,000 people living here.

From a historic standpoint, the Meatpacking District was an area that contained hundreds of slaughterhouses and meat distributors that serviced all of New York and much of the northeast. Today, it is a small area where hipsters from nearby Chelsea, Village, or other areas can congregate to buy the top of the line fashion and then celebrate with some $15 Cosmos at one of the many trendy bars in the area.

Residence here may not be the most expensive in the area but may only be worth it to someone who works in the area or really needs a place to live. The rents are far too high for the level of area this is, the people are rude and at night they form massive lines everywhere. You are right by Chelsea and West Village but that is the only benefit of living here.

For tourists, you will soon realize that the Meatpacking District does not hold on to its historic past and there is little outside of overpriced fashion boutiques and overpriced bars and clubs to check out.

Really, the highlight of the area, and the only reason someone living in Lower Manhattan might actually go here, is the Apple Store. If you want history or better living options, go elsewhere. If you need a new iPod and you're in the area, this is the place.

Manhattan Valley is one of those small New York neighborhoods that can hardly be considered a full neighborhood.

For residents, Manhattan Valley might be a pretty nice place to snag an affordable apartment in a pretty nice area. The neighborhood lies along Central Park West and is right near Columbia University. It is pretty far up north but not as far as Harlem or Inwood. There are pretty good restaurants that have pretty cheap meals, especially in the student frequented areas. There is decent shopping, supermarkets (even a Whole Foods), and the area is right next to Central Park and all that it has to offer.

Tourists are unlikely to see anything of interest here, save for one of the top rated universities in the country and the northwestern side of Central Park. The area is close to Morningside Heights, probably an area you do not want to be in, and Harlem which has a rich history and excellent food.

Overall, this is a good place to find an apartment with a modest enough place in an area that is not as far away from all of the action as the affordable apartments in areas farther north. It may be a bit on the rough side but a bargain and has a lot to offer if you are just willing to dig.

Madison Square Park is not really a neighborhood nor a place to live. It is the home of three things that many tourists and some locals will either frequent or hate. Otherwise it is a tiny commercial area you'll be passing through as you make your way up to Midtown.

Madison Square Garden is the big attraction, hosting Knicks and Rangers games as well as many concerts and shows that can afford the MSG price tag. The tickets are pricy but then again, isn't everything?

Madison Square Park is a fairly small park that most New Yorkers never really notice. It may be a nice place to sit and enjoy a burger as you pass through but really the area does not have much to offer. Some statues around the park include David Farragut, William Seward (Lincoln's Secretary of State), President Chester Arthur, and former Republican leader Roscoe Conkling.

The place that attracts the most attention is the fairly new Shake Shack that has the whole city buzzing. It's one of those weird word-of-mouth phenomenons that catches on with the younger generation. The burgers are really good, far from the best in the city. If you really want the best burger in the city, try the Corner Bistro or Blue 9 Burger. Just sayin'.

The Lower East Side was once one of the great immigrant neighborhoods of New York City, in fact in a few ways it still retains a few of the old country charms and some of the old school synagogues. At the same time, it is one of those typical "in-between" neighborhoods that is still developing into the yuppie residential area (similar to the Village) that it wants to be and the still-very-much-in-development neighborhood that it is. As a New Yorker, I can't remember the last time I actually stopped to do something here as I'm usually just passing through to get to another area.

If you are thinking of moving here, this might not be such a bad area to live as long as you live in one of the nicer parts. The neighborhood is great for local foods, drinks, shopping, and hangouts. The rents differ from part to part but it is one of those areas where you can still snag a pretty good deal. The area is not so easily accessible by train but is fairly close to pretty nice areas like the Village.

As a tourist, there is not a whole lot of sightseeing. There is the Tenement Museum and some glimpses of the area's history but is largely a residential and general commercial area that has good and bad parts. Good for a good bite to eat, a drink, or maybe even some music but not a whole lot else.

Want to move up to the Upper East Side? Lenox Hill is about as good as it gets if you can afford it...and if you can find a vacancy. A great view of the park, upscale shopping boutiques and art galleries, and fancy eating, yep, sounds like the good life.

For residents, the only thing keeping most people out of this area is the price of every available apartment, if any are even available. You're right next to Central Park and square in the middle of the Upper East Side, one of the city's best area's to live. All sorts of shopping, food places, bars, and supermarkets are around ranging from the affordable to the highly upscale.

For tourists, the area is right next to Central Park and features some of the nicest looking buildings in the city. Not a whole lot of sightseeing or things to do except take a stroll in the park or enjoying lunch at one of the more affordable places in the area. The only attractions around are very nice art galleries and the Frick Collection, which is about $18 to get in and $5 for students, and The Whitney Museum of Art which boasts an impressive collection of more than 18,000 pieces. The two are just a short walk away from one another.

If you are taking the train north and get out at Inwood you might think you've left the city. Located north of just about everything, Inwood is a great residential community but is far from everything.

There is a joke among New Yorkers that the higher up in Manhattan you go the worse it gets. Well Inwood is so far north that it is perfectly safe and the rents are great. At the same time, its a bit of a ride from Midtown and definitely from Downtown or other boroughs. The shopping and food options do not quite stack up to the rest of the city but the area is a quaint hidden gem that many residents overlook.

Tourists may not have much to do but it is an interesting look at a part of Manhattan that few locals, much less tourists, venture up to. Unlike the rest of the city, it is very quiet at night, there are a few very nice parks, and the streets are seldom ever crowded. At the same time, this means less traffic, less crowds, and more money in your pocket after you have paid the rent.

Overall, this is a great neighborhood to find a great deal on an apartment in the city but it is so far from everything you might be better off finding a place in Brooklyn or Queens.

There are two reasons that Hamilton Heights has gone from a place you don't want to be caught in at night to an improving neighborhood that has become a big destination for people who want to live in Manhattan for non-Manhattan prices.

First, since about 1990, crime in the city has greatly declined and is around the best that it has been in the past three decades. This is true of every part of Manhattan. Second, as rents continue to get out of control in areas like the Village, the younger crowd finds other places to relocate to that allow them to live in the city. Many students now choose to live in the area, and where better than right around City College and near Columbia University.

Crime remains more of a problem than in other parts of the city, however. Learn the area and which parts are safer than others. Don't go into unlit and deserted areas at night, like parks and alleys. These are just rules for getting by in the city however. The same applies for Central Park and many parts of lower Manhattan. This is a safer city than most, and has come an incredibly long way since the crime rates of the 1980s.

Greenwich Village is a great place to live in the city, probably why rents and real estate prices have steadily climbed for decades and the area is now out of the price range of many of the people that helped make the Village great to begin with. Still, the area is similar to Park Slope in Brooklyn, great residential areas with excellent food, bars, and shopping. It is also located to everything lower Manhattan has to offer, including Union Square, East Village, and SoHo.

For people living here, the rents and prices are high but well worth it if you can afford it. The area is beautiful, has great schools and neighbors, and access to everything you need. Entertainment is abound both in the Village and in the surrounding areas.

For tourists, this is a great place to check out, especially on Halloween when the annual parade rolls through. There are many historic sites, off-Broadway theaters, and excellent food and good shopping.

NYU is in the Village as well. There are a lot of students always around and many places that cater specifically to students. This also means that many places around the area will have lower prices on food and drinks (though some will only offer a student discount) and a lot of younger aged bars and hangouts.

The Garment District, better known to New Yorkers as the Fashion District or simply the Herald Square area, is located right in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Midtown.

The area is always packed because it is the central location for shopping and located near Times Square and the epicenter of the world's foot traffic. The stores in the area vary from largely affordable boutiques and chains to many much more upscale locations as well. The area is known as the capital of the fashion world and just about every major designer owns space in the neighborhood. There are also a lot of fashion wholesalers selling cheaper options as well as supplies.

This is largely a commercial area without much residential space. The space that is available is costly and may only be worth it to someone who works in the area. Though the area is very accessible by most trains, this is because everyone is coming here. The streets are almost always packed, maybe even worse on the weekends. The traffic is at a standstill, both car and foot traffic, and there is someone trying to sell you something everywhere as vendors and kiosks are lined up along the same streets as the stores and boutiques.

Ultimately, this is a place to come and spend some money and take part in the tourist trap aspect of it and then move on to the rest of your day.

New York's Financial District is pretty much what you expect when you come to New York: skyscrapers filled with offices, tourists, and plenty of locals.

This is a pretty good place to live if you work nearby. The area is clean, the buildings are beautiful, and there are plenty of shopping and food options. At the same time, the area sees a lot of foot and car traffic during the day and the trains and buses are packed. At night everyone leaves for the day and the area is very nice and right next to Battery Park, South Street Seaport, and Brooklyn Bridge.

For tourists, this is Wall Street. This is what you see in those panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline. The area is also home to the Police Museum, the Museum of American Finance, and the Federal Hall National Memorial. This is also the former location of the World Trade Center and the home of the future World Trade Center Memorial.

The area has seen a lot more residents of late. It really is one of the better places to live in New York but the prices are high by all non-NYC standards. Of course, it seems like all of New York is square in your neighborhood every morning.

The Civic Center area encompasses City Hall, The South Street Seaport, and the court buildings.

For Manhattanites, this is where the mayor works, the courts and the Manhattan Municipal building are (as well as One Police Plaza), and New York branches of federal services like Department of Homeland Security and Federal Bureau of Investigation are located.

For tourists, this is a glimpse at the "official" part of New York where the most powerful people in New York and the federal government pass through daily. Nearby is the South Street Seaport, a full seaport featuring a mall, food court, and nearby exhibits and shows.

Pace University is also located in the Civic Center neighborhood and often holds conferences, meetings, forums, and speeches. The area is also right next to the Brooklyn Bridge which allows people to walk across into Brooklyn.

There is not a whole lot else Civic Center has to offer, certainly not many residential opportunities. Most New Yorkers likely dread heading here to pay off tickets, appear in court or jury duty, or other government related activity. For tourists, a chance to glance at the inner workings of the big city and enjoy some of the best Bourbon Chicken New York has to offer in the South Street Seaport food court.

Central Park is by far the biggest park in the city yet no matter what part you try to find real estate it all seems like too much. Central Park is pretty much where they put all of the trees that once used to be in the city but it is truly a great place to live, if you can afford it.

The park is great, whether you live by yourself, with a partner, or with kids. There are hundreds of acres of running tracks, sports fields, ponds, and just a place to relax in the shade or on the grass. The park also features a full zoo, a carousel, horse carriage rides, boat rentals, two ice skating rinks, and also hosts many musical and theatrical productions throughout the year. The free concerts in the park are actually one of the best kept secrets among New Yorkers as stars like Bon Jovi, Elton John, and Diana Ross have performed in the free, open-air theater.

For tourists, the area is pretty cut and dry. The park is great but there is not a whole lot to do otherwise. The area is a bit difficult to get around, especially if you want to go from one side of the park to the other. It is a very expensive neighborhood in terms of just about everything. On the bright side, this is also the area many stars choose to call home so you never know when you will see Woody Allen or Scarlett Johansson at a table next to yours.

Also, while the park might be great during the day, it is best to stay clear of it at night.

Battery Park City lies on the southernmost portion of Manhattan. Battery Park is the big draw in Battery Park City as tourists and locals alike flock to the park to catch the Staten Island Ferry, the Circle Line Tours around the city, or ferries to visit Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, and Roosevelt Island. Because it is the access point to many of the city's historical sites and has many famous statues as well as a piece of the World Trade Center, the area is largely frequented by tourists.

Outside of the park is the heart of New York City's financial district, not far from the Ground Zero site itself. The Dow Jones, American Express, and Merrill Lynch are all headquartered here. This is within walking distance from the New York Stock Exchange and the rest of the city's financial district.

Unfortunately, outside of the tourism and financial centers, there is not a whole lot going on. Many of the residential high rises and local storefronts are vacant and have been for several years. There is a lot of development always going on during the day but it is one of the city's quietest areas at night.

Battery Park City is still undergoing a transformation, largely financed by Goldman Sachs. The area expects to see some more shopping and food options. Until then, BPC is largely an area for tourists and the folks that work at the nearby financial establishments.