New York Habitat Blog

New York has a great literary tradition that often mingles with one of the city’s other proud pastimes, drinking. Sure enough, the same city that brought about the likes of Norman Mailer and harnessed the genius of Allen Ginsberg is also renowned for the creativity of its cocktails and the authenticity of its Irish pubs. Many New York writers, past and present, have found inspiration in the city’s drinking establishments and at the bottom of their sudsy pints and swirling martini glasses. Indeed, dozens of pubs in New York City claim to have hosted a literary great or two in their bar stools and the majority of them have valid claims. Greenwich Village in the southern section of Manhattan island, is the one place that has mixed a tradition of writing and drinking more than any other. Bibliophiles, historians and drinkers alike can appreciate a bar stool that Hemingway once sat in or imagine Bob Dylan jotting away song lyrics in a corner booth. New York Habitat has a long history in the Village and will continue to accommodate visitors amongst the neighborhood’s literary past and present.

Photo of the inside of The White Horse Tavern in New York

A tour of the Village’s literary pubs is a trip through some of the greatest names in American writing. The traces of Eugene O’Neil, Henry James, Edgar Allen Poe and Jack Kerouac are found throughout several different watering holes in the neighborhood. Pubs like the White Horse Tavern, where the poet Dylan Thomas drank himself to death, retain an air of a bohemian and artistic past. Other West Village pubs that deserve a visit are the Minetta Tavern, a favorite of Ernest Hemingway, McSorley’s, one of the city’s oldest pubs that was frequented by E.E. Cummings, and Kettle of Fish a favorite of Bob Dylan and the Beat Writers of his generation, including Kerouac and Ginsberg. Unfortunately, two of the Village’s best literary pubs, Chumley’s and the Cedar Tavern, stomping grounds for the Lost Generation and the Beats were closed in the last few years with their re-opening in question. Still, despite the closing of these venerable old watering holes, the current wave of young Village writers can be found in any of the neighborhood’s countless bars, sitting alone at that corner table, milling over a sentence with a half-empty drink perched beside their notebooks.

New York Habitat has dozens of Greenwich Village and West Village apartments available for rent. Below are a few to get your search started:

- This 1-bedroom vacation rental apartment in West Village, Greenwich Village-Soho, New York  (NY-8429) features exposed brick, tasteful furnishings and sliding doors leading to a private rooftop terrace.

- This quirky 1-bedroom furnished rental accommodation in West Village, Greenwich Village-Soho, New York  (NY-7565) features hardwood floors, quasi-Western styling, a decorative brick fireplace, all located in an historic 1832 brownstone.

- This only-in-New York 2-bedroom rental apartment in West Village, Greenwich Village-Soho, New York  (NY-7647) is one of our most unique accommodations. Full of details, the flat features hand-carved woodwork, a 14 ft antique beam ceiling and various original paintings, prints and photographs.

Whats your favorite watering hole in the Village?

This week we share with you a video of another New York neighborhood, the East Village, which brims with history and intrigue. To understand this neighborhood, you must first look west to Greenwich Village.  Greenwich Village was once the epicenter of artists, musicians, poets, beatniks and hippies.  In the 60s and 70s, many of its residents started migrating directly east and the East Village was born.

The East Village roughly runs south from East 14th Street to East Houston Street. Avenue D forms its eastern boundary and Fourth Avenue forms its western boundary.

Get the Flash Player to see this player. Click above to watch this video: East Village Video Tour (6:42)

Within these boundaries, you’ll find a bevy of bars, clubs, cafes, shops, and restaurants.  The best way to experience this lively neighborhood is to live in it.  So instead of staying in a boring hotel room, rent a fully furnished apartment right here in the East Village from New York Habitat.  Vacation rentals are the perfect way to live like a true East Villager.

A great choice is this East Village, New York  one bedroom apartment (NY-4572).  This townhouse dates from the mid-1800’s, originally built as the Parish House for the church next door.

There’s also this great New York studio apartment in East Village (NY-11967).  It comes equipped with a flat screen TV, cable, a stereo and WI-FI Internet.

If you are looking for a bigger apartment consider this New York 2-bedroom East Village apartment (NY-12606) which has its own private garden.

Tompkins Square Park:
Every neighborhood needs a park. The East Village is no exception with its major park being Tompkins Square Park.

Over the years, Tompkins Square Park has served as a place to voice dissent. There were demonstrations in 1857 and 1875 about the lack of jobs as well as protests about gentrification in the 1980s and 1990s.

Today, the park has been reconstructed and it now includes a state-of-the-art dog run, new playgrounds and several monuments. Tompkins Square Park continues to serve a diverse community, providing a peaceful, meditative environment within the bustle of city life.

New York Apartment: East Village 1-bedroom NY-4572 photo

The Hare Krishna Tree:
While you’re in Tompkins Square Park, make sure you check out the Hare Krishna Tree.  It was beneath this tree, on October 9, 1966, that the first recorded outdoor chanting session of the Hare Krishna mantra was held outside of South Asia.

The First Christmas Tree lights - 269 E.10th Street
The first home to have a Christmas tree with electric lights was in the East Village at 269 E.10th Street in 1883. It was owned by Edward Johnson, an associate of the famed inventor Thomas Edison.

Punk Rock, Iggy Pop at Christodora House - 145 Avenue B.
If the West Village is known for folk music, the East Village is the home of the punk movement in the United States.  Artists such as the Ramones and the godfather of punk, Iggy Pop.

Speaking of Iggy Pop, on Avenue B you’ll find the Christodora House.  Built in the 1920s as a settlement house to help the poor, the conversion of the Christodora into upscale condominiums in 1986 sparked anti-gentrification demonstrations. One celebrity resident: punk music pioneer James Osterberg - a.k.a. Iggy Pop, wrote the album “Avenue B” here in 1999.

Trash and Vaudville - 4 St Mark’s Place
If you are a true punk rocker or are just looking to dress the part while you’re in the East Village, there’s one place to go – Trash and Vaudville on St. Mark’s Place.  You’ll find vinyl, rubber, leather, lace and old school punk plaid.  And if you’re lucky you’ll get to meet long-time store manager, Jimmy.  If you see him, tell him New York Habitat sent you.

The Charlie Parker Residence - 151 Avenue B
Punk wasn’t the only musical style found in the East Village.  At 151 Avenue B you’ll find a brownstone built in 1849.  This brownstone was once home to Charlie Parker, the co-founder of the modern jazz style, bebop.  In fact, the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival is held every year just across the street in Tompkins Square Park.

Thompkins Square Park photo

The Village Voice - 36 Cooper Square
The first and arguably best known of the arts-oriented tabloids here in New York is the Village Voice.  Originally headquartered in Greenwich Village, it is now located at Cooper Square and Bowery.  The Village Voice is freely distributed all over Manhattan and is a great way to find out what’s going on in the city.

Cooper Union – Cooper Square and Bowery
One of the most prestigious design and engineering schools in America is The Cooper Union.  The school is rich with history.  Many historical American figures have spoken here – from Abraham Lincoln to Barack Obama.

Well, I hope you’ve enjoyed our brief tour of the East Village.  And of course, there’s a lot more to see and do here. Remember, New York Habitat is your connection to some of the best furnished apartments and vacation rentals in the East Village and all around New York. If you’ve got some must-see places in the East Village, be sure to share them in the comments below.

New York Habitat has been covering the best music venues in New York and Joe’s Pub certainly ranks among them. The intimate music club offers the rare, but extremely enjoyable, combination of live entertainment and table service. Guests can take in a performance over wine and Italian cuisine or cocktails and french fries.

Joe's Pub in New York Photo of the stage

Located just below Astor Place at 425 Lafayette Street, you can’t miss the large banner announcing Joe’s Pub. The club is an offshoot of The Public Theater and takes its name from the theater’s founder, Joseph Papp. Since 1998 the venue has hosted boldface names, as well as emerging artists, comedians and musicians from all genres.

Inside you’ll find a small, intimate space and swank interior. Guests can reserve one of the candlelit tables that fan out from the stage or one of the plush velvet banquettes that line the walls. The glowing black-and-white-striped bar on the upper level offers free seating with the price of admission. With good sightlines and theater-quality lighting and sound, there’s not a bad seat in the house – although most performances rouse the audience out of them anyway.

The club has a rocking retro feel, with large chandeliers, dark wood paneling and framed black-and-white photographs of Papp and his famous colleagues. The lone accordion mounted on the wall was the inspiration piece for the entire décor.

Joe’s Pub is open seven days a week and regularly features three performances a night. One important note: a dinner reservation or concert ticket for the first show will not grant you access to the later one(s). Ushers clear house after each show. Additionally, there is a $12 food minimum per person at tables. Visit joespub.com
for the calendar of events and ticketing information.

Joe's Pub Bar picture

Can’t wait to spend an evening at this unique venue? New York Habitat has hundreds of conveniently located apartment rentals near Joe’s Pub and New York’s thriving downtown music scene, including:

- This bohemian 1-Bedroom Loft in the East Village - Lower East Side - New York (NY-12317), located in the heart of downtown. The apartment is the live-in workspace of a hairstylist and is full of character and old world charm.

- This 1-Bedroom Vacation Rental in East Village - Lower East Side - New York (NY-4573), located on the ground floor of a four-story townhouse dating back to the mid-1800s. This is a newly remodeled, bright and spacious apartment. You’ll love the back garden and relaxation pond.

Have you ever been to Joe’s Pub? Do you have a favorite New York music venue? Please share your comments with us!

In  today’s New York Habitat Apartment Rental Tips Video  we will be looking at reasons why you should skip the hotel and book a vacation rental for your next trip to New York.

With over 9.5 million international visitors per year, New York is a city filled with tourists and finding an accommodation can be a challenge.  Hotels rooms are expensive and traveling as a family or a group can be challenging if you’d all like to sleep under the same roof. With 100’s of vacation rental apartments in New York, New York Habitat is a perfect solution to all of these problems.

Get the Flash Player to see this player. Click above to watch this video: Why book a vacation rental in New York from New York Habitat (5:30)

Vacation Rentals, are furnished apartments that are rented from 2 days to under 1 month.   We’ve even got some vacation rentals that can be rented for one-night stays.  You’ll find a full calendar of availabilities for each of our vacation rentals on our website.

New York Habitat has also longer-term furnished apartments and rooms in shared homes, but today we will speak about vacation rentals.

So “Why book a vacation rental in New York from New York Habitat?”  Here are some great reasons:

• Vacation Rentals are Economical!   You get more for your money and pay less than a hotel. Vacation Rentals have more space.  - Forget the cramped hotel room.  Most Apartments have a living and sleeping space plus a kitchen.

• Apartments have an equipped kitchen - Eating out three meals per day can get expensive. With a kitchen, you can cook at home, eat healthy and save money!

3-bedroom vacation rental in Brooklyn, New York (NY-14388) photo

• Vacation Rentals are big enough for the whole family and/or friends to stay together.   Why stay in separate hotel rooms when you can all stay together under the same roof?

• Feel like a local - Don’t walk out of the hotel lobby, walk out of your front door, onto the streets of New York.  You’re a local now!

• Keep your keys like at home - Make a vacation rental your home away from home.

• No hidden fees - Unlike hotels, you won’t be hit with phone bills, or an invoice for drinking that bottled water from the fridge.  With Vacation Rentals, all utility charges are included and you decide what to stock in your fridge… at local market prices.

So those are a few really good reasons to book a vacation rental over a Hotel room in New York.  And if you’re coming to New York, there are some other great options or “extras” you can get.

• Houses - Houses in Manhattan? Yes!  Townhouses, historical homes and classic brownstones will provide comfort and space.  Especially if you’re travelling in a group.

• Laundry - As airlines continue to reduce the permitted size of suitcases and charge more for extra luggage, we are all packing less for our vacations.  Book a vacation rental with laundry facilities and you’ll be able to make do with a smaller wardrobe.

If you require any of the extras mentioned, make sure you let your New York Habitat Agent know.  We’ll find you the perfect vacation rental for your trip! New York Habitat has been renting furnished apartments and vacation rentals in New York since 1989 and has a lot of experience with furnished rentals and international clients.

You have a few options to contact us.  You can visit our website where you can fill out a request form and an agent will respond to you within 24 hours but often sooner. You can also e-mail inquiries to info@nyhabitat.com or call us directly at 212.255.8018 and be transferred to an agent who can help you directly.

If you know of any other advantages to booking a vacation rental over a hotel room, share your thoughts in the comments section below.

So with all of these advantages and extras shown in this video,  why not  book a vacation rental in New York.

2009 bought changes to the New York Furnished Apartment market and the Furnished Apartment Market Report brings all the details in focus. Recently New York Habitat released the latest installment of the report to provide information about vacation rentals, furnished apartments and rooms for rent in New York.

This report looks at details about the 2nd half and full year of 2009 and has comparison data from 2007 and 2008. Some of the key trends that the report focuses on include:

2009 2nd half and full year Furnished Apartment Market Report for New York
• Demand reduction for apartments in New York
• Price declines for all types of rentals, which in turn have helped to spur new demand
• Improving conditions in the 2nd half of 2009 as prices fell causing the number of rentals to increase

The New York Furnished Apartment Market Report webpage has links to this report as well as previous reports. Check back around August 2010 for 2010 1st half market report to see the latest on the vacation rental, furnished apartment and apartment share markets in New York.

To see all apartment listings throughout New York City visit : The New York Vacation Rental search, The New York Furnished Rentals Search and The New York roommate share search.

We have designed this report for anyone interested in Vacation Rentals, Furnished Apartments and rooms for rent in New York. We encourage you to use this to help make decision related to these markets. Furthermore, if you have any questions or need more information about the New York Furnished Rental Market, feel free to post a comment below or to e-mail the team at marketreport@nyhabitat.com

Previous market report blog articles:

• New York Furnished Apartment Market Report: 2007 1st half
• New York Furnished Apartment Market Report: 2007 2nd half and full year
• New York Furnished Apartment Market Report 2008 1st half
• New York Furnished Apartment Market Report 2008 2nd half and full year
• New York Furnished Apartment Market Report 2009 1st half

Hi, I am David Hill with New York Habitat.  This video will show you some fun things to do in the winter in New York.

Most tourists choose to or can only visit New York in the warmer months of the year or during major holidays, which can make for an expensive vacation.  While the average tourist avoids New York City during the winter months between January and March, you may be surprised to know that there are many great events and fun things to do during the winter .  Because it’s a slow time for tourism, many discounts are offered throughout the city and of course through New York Habitat on our vacation rentals.

Get the Flash Player to see this player. Click above to watch this video: Fun Things to do in Winter in New York! (5:47)

Restaurant Week:

One great yearly event takes place for two full weeks at the end of January and beginning of February. It’s called Restaurant Week. The trendiest and best restaurants in New York serve their most delicious 3-course meals for one flat price, usually around $25 for lunch and $35 for dinner.Come and taste New York City’s trendy-urban and most innovative food!  Participating restaurants include Bond 45, The Blue Fin, AJ Maxwell’s, Chez Josephine and many more.

Visit the Restaurant Week website information which restaurants are included and to make reservations, visit

Studio Apartment in New York Midtown East NY-14391

Ice Skating Rinks:

The ice skating rink at Rockefeller Center attracts many people each year.  The rink is located in the center of the Rockefeller Center complex of buildings between 47th and 50th Streets and between 5th and 7th Avenues.  It can accommodate up to 150 skaters and is open from October to April. 

Skating at Wollman Rink in Central Park on a magical winter night can give you a picturesque view of the city.  Wollman Rink offers ice skating classes, recreational skating and spectator space for the those who prefer to sit back and watch.  You can find information on hours and admission fees on the Rink’s Website or by calling 212-439-6900

The Pond at Bryant Park is a state of the art skating rink where you can see a breathtaking view of NYC, while skating. 

New York Fashion Week:

Besides the ice skating rink, Briant Park also hosts the fall 2010  New York Fashion Week; held in mid-February.  Journalists, editors and celebrities gather here to view top fashion designers present their fall collections and dress up the night!  You might run into a celebrity, you never know!

For more information about the schedule of events, check out the fashion week website. 

Chinese New Year:

Chinese New Year begins anytime between late January and mid-February depending on the lunar calendar and Chinatown is the epicenter of the celebrations for this fun and happy holiday.  Each year is represented by a different symbol or animal and giant colorful figures of tigers, dragons, monkeys, pigs and snakes are paraded down the streets of Chinatown.  People exchange monetary gifts in red envelopes and eat traditional food and pastry.  You won’t want to miss this fun event!

And at the MoCa, Chinese American Museum of Art, there are many classes and events during this period, like Lion dancing, how to make dumplings, how to speak Mandarin, and more. 

Black History Month:

February has been declared “Black History Month” in the U.S.  During this month, many cultural and educational events and concerts are held at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem. 

Madison Square Garden:

Few cities have a arena right in the middle of town, but in New York you’ll find Madison Square Garden between 7th and 8th Ave at 32nd Street in Midtown Manhattan.  Check out their online calendar.  They’ve got fantastic events going on all winter long - Barnum & Bailey Circus, the Cirque de Soleil, the annual Westminster Dog Show and of course, the New York Knicks and the New York Rangers for all those basketball and hockey fans out there.

New York Wine Expo:

At the end of February the Jacob K. Javits Center presents the New York Wine Expo, a 3-day exposition of over 600 wines from over 170 top wine makers around the world.  Don’t miss this great opportunity to taste some of the best wines all at once and even ask questions to the wine experts. 

St. Patrick’s Day Parade:

One fun and meaninful event in New York City is the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which occurs every year on March 17 to honor Saint Patrick and to celebrate Irish Heritage and Culture. 

Irish immigration has shaped New York from its early days and each year Irish descendants, along with the Mayor of New York, parade down Fifth Avenue to the sound of bagpipes played by Irishmen in kilts.

These fun winter events keep NYC warm and alive.  And if you come to NY during this time, you’ll find great savings on New York Habitat apartments between early January  and late March of each year.   

Not only will you save money on vacation rentals, but you and your family and friends can stay together in the same home with a fully equipped kitchen where you can cook and save even more.

New York Habitat has vacation rentals, furnished apartments and rooms in shared apartments, all over New York City in very convenient locations.

Take a look at this studio apartment with balcony in Murray Hill (NY-14391), just steps away from the famous Park Avenue in Manhattan.

There’s also this alcove studio apartment in a luxury building with a 24-hour doorman and elevator in the Financial District (NY-14417).

There are many other events in January, February and March in New York City.  If you know of any good events, please let me know by adding a comment in the comment section below.

New Yorkers are not famous for their home cooking. They order take-out lunch from the Chinese place closest to their work, argue incessantly about the city’s best burger, and many of them spend more time eating out than in their own kitchens. Eating out in New York is simply too easy and satisfying to slave over the fire at home. Though securing a sit-down meal in a Manhattan restaurant is far from a challenge, doing so in one of the city’s more notable eateries at a reasonable price takes a lot of luck and probably a connection or two. Although little known to out-of-towners, New Yorkers have been taking advantage of the city’s seasonal Restaurant Weeks for years. For many Manhattanites, the deals associated with Restaurant Week are almost as irresistible as the food. Although New York Habitat apartments offer the option for guests to cook at home, many travellers find the New York culinary scene to tempting to pass up.

New York Apartment 1-bedroom Tribeca (NY-12061)

The city of New York first revealed the popular Restaurant Week way back in 1992 when it was developed to entice the hordes of in town for that year’s Democratic National Convention into the city’s culinary hotspots. Though originally created with convention attendees in mind, it was the savvy locals that took notice of the three-course meals being served at a fraction of their normal price. In 18 years the event has grown exponentially, with this winter’s offering including 260 participating eateries, including The Russian Tea Room in Midtown West, the Central Park Boathouse, Ruth’s Chris Steak House and the Asia-fusion restaurant Indochine located in Noho. During the two weeks of Restaurant Week all the participating establishments will offer 3 course prix-fixe lunch and dinner meals for $24.07 and $35 respectively. This winter’s Restaurant Week runs from January 25th to February7th. Guests looking for a reduced price on their foie gras should reserve a table now. In true New York fashion, a new addition to this year’s event is the Restaurant Week Truck which will be tooling around Manhattan serving lunchtime fare.

New York Habitat still has dozens of accommodations available in Manhattan for the culinary event, below are a few to get your search started:

- This studio vacation rental apartment in Battery Park (NY-9990) features stunning views of New York Harbor, including the Statue of Liberty.

- This 2-bedroom vacation rental accommodation in Murray Hill, Midtown East (NY-4147) features exposed brick and a private rooftop terrace.

- This 1-bedroom vacation penthouse loft apartment in Tribeca (NY-12061) features hardwood floors, a decorative fireplace, rooftop terrace and exposed wood beams.   

Which eatery, normally outside of your budget, are you dying to try during NYC Restaurant Week?