If you’ve dreamed of living in Manhattan, you’ve probably dreamed of living downtown. Everyone knows about SoHo, the Village, and the Lower East Side, but some smaller neighborhoods, like Nolita, NoHo, Little Italy, and Chinatown, have become big names too. These areas have the same great access to restaurants, green space, and transportation as their larger, higher-profile neighbors. Here, StreetEasy hand-picks 7 of the best downtown NYC apartments for rent right now in these sought-after neighborhoods. Take a look!

Price $2,150
Space 1 bed, 1 bath
Neighborhood Little Italy
Borough Manhattan

This appealing Little Italy 1-bedroom has a separate home office, perfect for today’s work-from-home lifestyle. Even better, the office has two big windows and two walls of exposed brick, so you’ll have the perfect setting for all your Zoom calls. The kitchen has new stainless steel appliances, including a dishwasher. And just in case you don’t feel like cooking, the restaurant fantasyland of Mulberry Street is literally right downstairs. Listed by James Finelli of Compass.

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Price $3,095
Space 2 beds, 2 baths
Neighborhood Little Italy
Borough Manhattan

Grab a roommate, because this Little Italy place is perfect for two. Not only are both bedrooms queen-size, each with two closets, but there are also two full baths. You’ll never have to schedule your shower around your roomie’s again! There’s a spacious shared living area, too, plus an in-unit washer/dryer, so you can cross “find a new laundromat” off your moving to-do list. Listed by Adam Savion of AD Real Estate Investors.

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Price $4,800
Space 3 beds, 2 baths
Neighborhood Nolita
Borough Manhattan

Here’s another sharable spot on Elizabeth Street, a few blocks north in Nolita. This one’s built perfectly for three, with three queen-sized bedrooms and two full bathrooms. Both baths are nicely updated, with radiant-heat floors and rainfall shower heads, and one contains an in-unit washer/dryer. Plus the chef’s kitchen boasts quartz counters and stainless steel Miele appliances. Talk about living large. Listing by Mike Schulte and Scott Waldman of Corcoran.

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Little Italy & Nolita Rentals on StreetEasy Article continues below

Price $2,295
Space 1 bed, 1 bath
Neighborhood Nolita
Borough Manhattan

Stop the presses: This Nolita rental is a duplex with its very own private rooftop terrace! It overlooks Elizabeth Street Garden, so you can sit with your morning coffee — or evening cocktail — and stare out at the sky and greenery. Big windows allow for plenty of sunshine inside, too. To top it off, the location is stellar, with restaurant mainstays like Lombardi’s Pizza, Parm, and Cafe Gitane just steps away. Listed by Meir Benzaquen of the Search D&M.

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Price $3,500
Space Studio, 1 bath
Neighborhood NoHo
Borough Manhattan

Here’s a downtown NYC apartment that’s as old-school as it gets. The industrial-style loft screams NoHo style, from its tin ceilings to its original hardwood floors. In true loft fashion, it’s an open-plan unit with no separate bedroom. But don’t let that scare you away. Smartly used half walls and raised spaces create a sleeping alcove, a spacious walk-in closet, and great overhead storage. The landlord is offering one month free on a 14-month lease, which brings net-effective rent down to $3,250. Listed by Song Shi Cindy Jin of Douglas Elliman.

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Price $3,350
Space 2 beds, 1 bath
Neighborhood Chinatown
Borough Manhattan

Charming in Chinatown! This 2-bedroom Hester Street home is compact but well laid out, with big windows that let in lots of light. The open living area has room for both a dining set and a sitting area. You can even carve out a work-from-home spot if you play your cards right. And while the kitchen is small, it’s mighty, with a dishwasher, built-in microwave, and full-size oven and fridge. Listed by Max Maleh of Conway Capital.

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NoHo & Chinatown Rentals on StreetEasy Article continues below

Price $2,000
Space 2 beds, 1 bath
Neighborhood Chinatown
Borough Manhattan

Our final downtown NYC apartment is another Chinatown 2BR that pulls out all the stops. From the exposed brick to the queen-size bedrooms to the in-unit washer/dryer, you’ll feel right at home here. There are a slew of transit options within walking distance, as well as multiple parks. And with a rent of $2K, you and a roomie could be living the downtown life for just $1K per month each. Listed by Lita Bondlow and Randall Smith of R New York.

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Whether you’re looking to rent or to buy, find your next NYC apartment on StreetEasy.