If you are adventuresome, though, and enjoy being able to buy authentic Polish Kielbasa, listen to a poetry reading and have excellent sushi while sitting next to a drag queen, the East Village may be for you. The beautiful cast iron structures that characterize the area were New York s original skyscrapers. Originally the City s tenderloin in the early 1800 s, as New York grew industry moved in, followed in the 60 s by artists looking for large spaces for cheap rents. Soho is still the fashionable place to live, and more and more restaurants are opening every year. Soho is close to downtown, and especially convenient to World Financial Center.
Rents are high for often unlivable spaces.
Gentrification has been a huge influence on this area with lovely boutiques, restaurants like Bistro Margot and Jardin Bistro, and bar lounges like Pravda. The neighborhood has evolved from an inexpensive area where shopkeeper s and artisans, who could not afford the higher rents along the East River, built their wooden houses in the 18 th century. After the Civil War, the area became home to the city s produce sellers and remained the central produce district until the 1960 s. Artists began moving into the area in the 70 s, followed by celebrities and restaurateurs like Drew Nierporent who owns Tribeca Grill, Nobu and TriBakery. Battery Park City Battery Park City has grown into its own over the last few years.