New York Habitat Blog

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.

The East Village has always been the place to scope out New York City and its ever-changing hip scene as the destination for all creatively tormented souls. Home to the city’s most unique hotspots, there are numerous of cafes, nightclubs and bars within the neighborhood. Not just a nocturnal hangout for the young and energetic, the East Village has plenty to offer during the daylight hours with its art galleries, thrift stores and specialty shops.

New York Accommodation: Studio apartment in the East Village (NY-4062)

The East Village starts at 14th street and stretches down to Houston Street while encompasses everything in between Bowery and Third Avenue to Avenue D. As the home to many artists, painters, poets, writers and musicians, the East Village has a distinctly unique and eclectic atmosphere. With New York University and the New School campuses located nearby, many college students and young adults inhabit the area.

With its convenient location at 6th Street in between First and Second Avenues, this studio apartment in the East Village (NY-4062) is a spacious and comfortable retreat. It has enough room to house four guests comfortably. The studio apartment has a queen-sized bed and an additional double fold-out futon. The kitchen is fully equipped with modern appliances and completely stocked with all necessary cookware. A big and bright bathroom features a bathtub-shower combo stall with textured glass panes.

New York Accommodation: Studio apartment in the East Village (NY-4062)

The apartment is on the second floor of the three story walk-up townhouse that dates back to the mid-1800s. In addition, it is near by several subway train stations that run all over Manhattan and the adjacent boroughs. At Second and Houston Streets, the F and V trains stop and the 6 train offers service at Astor Place and Fourth Avenue.

What makes this apartment a Hidden Gem?

Having been recently renovated, the entire studio apartment is decorated with stylish and modern accents. Maple hardwood floors run throughout the apartment and are accentuated by the cedar mantle piece and exposed wooden cabinets in the kitchen. Adding an eastern flare, ceramic cobalt blue tiles adorn the kitchen sink and the fireplace. In addition, the kitchen table top is a colorful and unique tile mosaic. The artistic touch is also extended to the bathroom with a large marble countertop for the sink. A comfortable and cozy retreat, this apartment is a hidden gem within the bustling, busy city.

Ever stayed in the East Village? Know great restaurants and chic boutiques? We want to hear about it so please leave suggestions in the comment section below!

New York Accommodation: Studio in East Village - Lower East Side (NY11967)

As the epicenter for America’s greatest and most prevalent social movements, Manhattan’s East Village remains a vibrant hub that serves as an inspiration for and facilitator of cultural outpourings. Possibly one of the most famed neighborhoods in New York City, the East Village is bound by 14th Street to the north, Avenue D to the east, Houston Street to the south and Third Avenue to the west.

Staying in an East Village apartment puts Manhattan’s best shopping spots right outside the door! Enhancing the already rich atmosphere , the East Village is home to some of the most unique and diverse clothing boutiques, thrift stores and antique shops in the city. Ethnically diverse restaurants are prominent in the area, plus there are plenty of nightclubs and hotspots. The East Village is considered one of the biggest contributors to American arts and with plenty of theaters, rock clubs and cafes, it is easy to find undiscovered talents. For relaxing and unwinding, Washington Square Park and Tompkins Square Park are pleasant retreats to escape the bustling city.

A studio apartment rental in the heart of the East Village:

This studio apartment rental in the East Village (NY-11967) is situated within a pre-war brownstone located on 6th Street between First and Second Avenues. Able to comfortably fit up to three guests, the place features a twin bed and a double pullout futon. The apartment is fully furnished and complete with a flat screen TV plugged into an entertainment system, including a DVD player, VCR, stereo and cable. The kitchen provides all modern appliances and includes a complete set of cookware and utensils. If traveling with a larger group, NY Habitat also features this studio apartment rental in the East Village (NY-4062) and this studio apartment rental in the East Village (NY-11966) located within the same building.

New York Accommodation: Studio in the East Village (NY-4062)

Why is this studio apartment rental in the East Village a Hidden Gem?

With tons of natural light streaming in from numerous windows and a skylight, this studio apartment rental in the East Village (NY-11967) is a hidden gem because of its open and bright space that perfectly complements the aura of the East Village. Set in a quiet neighborhood within a posh, pre-war historical townhouse, the apartment is the perfect accommodation in New York during a stay. With so many restaurants and stores, there is hardly a need to venture out of the neighborhood. But if in the mood to explore, the apartment is conveniently located close to several subway stops that offer service on the V, F, R, W, and 6 trains.

Ever stayed or lived in the East Village? Know of exceptional restaurants, stores or nightclubs? Please leave all thoughts and suggestions in the comment space below!