West Village

This legendary area has long been known as a bohemian/artistic center with a small-town feel. The streets are still laid out along the original 18th century farm lanes and property lines before city planners superimposed the grid patterns on the rest of Manhattan. The crooked, quirky streets and mostly landmarked brownstones make you feel that the neighborhood stopped in time well over a century ago. Greenwich Village is now home to many celebrities, including actresses/actors Julianne Moore, Liv Tyler, Uma Thurman, Jon Stewart and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

The Village also has a bustling performing arts scene. It is home to many Off-Broadway theaters.. The Village Vanguard hosts some of the biggest names in jazz on a regular basis. Other music clubs include The Bitter End, and Lion's Den.

What's also attractive about The Village are all the nooks and crannies, cobblestone streets and many generational mom-and-pop stores that still dominate the area. Cozy cafes, antique shops, upscale boutiques, shops and parks complete the picture. And because there is very little zoning for high rises, there's more sky to look at and many fewer dwellers and pedestrians on the streets.