Looking to Move to the East Village? What Renters and Buyers Should Know

Any East Village aficionado will tell you that this neighborhood is quirky, eclectic, and full of picturesque little streets. Think funky vintage shops and exceptional places to eat and drink. “The neighborhood has an inclusive, bohemian-inspired energy,” says Ted Karagannis, a broker at Warburg Realty, who lived in the neighborhood for several years. In so many words, there is something for everyone in the East Village.

If you want to move to this area steeped in music history (it’s the birthplace of punk and home to the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival), you’ll see a median asking rent of $3,595 as of November 2021. Looking to buy? The median sales asking price is $1.1M as of November 2021. But here’s a pro tip. You’ll also find a sizable selection of apartments for less on StreetEasy.

For newbie Beth Grossman Ma, who moved to the neighborhood in 2020, the community is a breath of fresh air. “We love the energy, the diversity, and the history of the area,” Ma says.

Where Is the East Village?

The East Village starts at 14th Street (to the north) and spans southward to Houston Street. Its western boundary is the Bowery and Third Avenue, and its eastern boundary is the Alphabet Avenues (A, B, C, and D). 

What Types of Homes Are in the East Village?

The housing stock in the East Village varies. You can expect to find brownstones, pre-war apartments, and six-floor walkups.

New construction is also common. On the 14th Street corridor, which features a Trader Joe’s and a Target, you’ll find EVBG, a complex of rental buildings. (Not to be confused with CBGB, the former East Village punk venue.) Two blocks away on 12th Street is Steiner East Village. It features over 16,000 square feet of amenities including a 24-hour lobby concierge, parking, and rooftop gardens.

When it comes to century-old buildings, The Christodora House on Avenue B tells an intriguing story. Built in the 1920s, it’s the tallest building on the street, standing at 16 stories. It’s considered by many to be The Dakota of the East Village. “It was originally a women’s correctional facility,” Karagannis says. “In 1979, it was converted to condos. Now it is the most expensive building per square foot in the neighborhood.”

Tompkins Square Park Is the Local Green Space

Locals flock to Tompkins Square Park to relax, do yoga, listen to an impromptu jazz quartet, or people watch. Every Sunday, locals peruse the farmer’s market on Avenue A and East 7th Street for fresh produce and baked goods.

“My favorite thing about this park is that there’s always something happening,” says Holly Sose, a real estate broker at Corcoran, who lives in the neighborhood. One great example of the park’s events: The annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade. “I love how everyone is sitting on the lawn, reading, or playing with their kids. To me, this feels so authentically New York. The neighborhood has that imperfectly perfect vibe.”

Psst, thinking of moving to Brooklyn? Here are the most affordable areas!

How to Get to the East Village

You’ve got options to get to the East Village. Take the 6 to Astor Place, the R to 8th Street, the L to Third Avenue or First Avenue, the B/D/F/M to Broadway-Lafayette Street, or the F to Second Avenue. All subways can get you to Midtown within 20 minutes.

Restaurants and Other Must-See Places

You’ll find every type of cuisine in the area. “Our neighborhood is super alive,” says Sose. “It’s teeming with restaurants, bars, and indie boutiques. The neighborhood is also a true melting pot of different cultures and perspectives that harmoniously works together.” Here are some notable spots.

• Boris & Horton: 195 Avenue A. Locals say: Only in this neighborhood would you expect to find a cafe that welcomes both dogs and their human owners (and the pastries are fab, too)!
• Café Mogador: 101 St. Marks Place. Locals say: Brunch is a delight, and picks such as the Middle Eastern breakfast or a stack of banana pancakes are definite winners.
• Veniero’s: 342 East 11th Street. Locals say: Since 1894, this has been the place to stop in for gelato, cakes, and biscotti.
• Veselka: 144 Second Avenue. Locals say: You can’t go wrong with the borscht and blintzes made from scratch at this Ukrainian diner, serving locals since 1954.

Additional attractions include The Russian & Turkish Baths, Theatre for the New City, and Nuyorican Poets Café. Check their websites for current procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic (and check out a virtual open mic night while you’re at it).