NoHo - New York, NY

NoHo started as a botanical garden, New York's first, at Lafayette and Astor Place. As early as the turn of the 19th century, the garden site blossomed into a social hub, a destination for people to dine and see live music, plays and fireworks. Noho remains a center for arts and culture.

The neighborhood is comprised of two historic districts, the NoHo Historic District and the NoHo East Historic District, which highlight the area's ornate commercial structures and its 19th century houses-turned-lofts.

Head to Astor Place at the north end of NoHo to see neighborhood staples Cooper Union and the famous Alamo, a giant outdoor cube sculpture. Catch a show at Public Theater or the Astor Place Theatre, where the Blue Man Group got its start. Take in some haunted history at the Merchant's House Museum, a 19th century home still furbished with the original owner's belongings.

Dives, pubs and secret restaurants hidden behind the butcher shop make up NoHo's casual, intimate dining and nightlife scene. Walk up Bowery from Houston Street to find a diverse collection of restaurants. Locals have access to many international options, such as Mediterranean and French cuisine, as well as American fare.

Siggy's Good Food, near Bowery and Houston, serves up delicious Mediterranean food made from all organic ingredients. Regulars love the fresh salmon burger, served with avocado and vegan mayo. Order the gluten-free bun, or try it over greens if you're watching your carbs. Vegans rave about the eggplant and tofu lasagna.

If you're on the go and need a quick lunch fix, swing by Bite. This tiny corner walk-up sells soup, salad and sandwiches for less than $10. Try the Middle Eastern Vegan sandwich on toasted pita, or the turkey pesto panini.

Home to CBGB, the famous punk rock and new wave music venue that hosted acts such as Blondie and The Ramones, NoHo, in the second half of the 20th century, acted as a hub for counterculture. After CBGB’s closure in 2006, live music and night life live on with SubCulture.

SubCulture features talented musicians and flawless acoustics in an urban chic atmosphere. When the bands pack up and move on, comedians such as Aziz Ansari and Chelsea Perretti bring the laughs. A few blocks north, Swift provides the perfect solution for locals looking for a neighborhood dive. With an extensive beer selection and a kitchen that serves food until 4 a.m., Swift provides a quiet spot to round out the night.

Traffic is a pain, and parking is even worse, so avoid driving in NoHo if possible. If you must drive, prepare to pay at least $30 to park in one of the neighborhood's few lots. Because of NoHo's central Manhattan location, freeway and bridge access requires driving through several other neighborhoods. Expect a 25 minute drive to either Brooklyn or Upper Manhattan.

Reduce stress and avoid wasting time searching for parking by taking a cab or using mass transit. You can easily hail a taxi from the curb, and if you prefer rideshare, Uber and Lyft serve the area. Public transportation abounds, with 11 bus lines and two subway stations within easy walking distance.

NoHo, the third most-walkable NYC neighborhood, boasts a walkability score of 100. You do not need a car at all. Wherever you are in the neighborhood, you stand within a five-minute walk of over 100 restaurants, coffee shops and bars. Bike lanes and flat terrain mean you can also cycle, but be wary of all the traffic.

No parks reside within the NoHo neighborhood boundaries, but you can easily walk to Greenwich Village's Washington Square Park. This local favorite caters to diverse patrons, from musicians and artists to families with kids. For a free Saturday afternoon activity, visit the fountain and arch, then take your pooch for a run in the dog area. Kids can expend some energy at the playground. Residents gather each year to sing carols and watch the lighting of the park Christmas tree.

Being centrally located with convenient access to culture and entertainment, NoHo's cost of living is higher than most of New York City. Rental prices for the neighborhood's exclusive lofts run about $5,100 per month for one-bedrooms. At the neighborhood bar, expect to pay about $7 for a pint. Since gas costs about 16 percent more than the national average, you might become well acquainted with the subway system. Frequent transit riders pay about $2.30 for a ride to the city center.

Travel down Lafayette, with a detour down Bond, to find NoHo's best shopping. Designer boutiques and vintage consignment shops line the streets, as do specialty stores geared toward music lovers and artists.

If you're a photography aficionado, or if you're just looking for a great new coffee table book, drop by Dashwood Books in southeast NoHo. This small bookshop sells new and used photography titles. Keep an eye out for international selections and signed copies of photography classics.

NoHo houses too many bars and lofts to fit a grocery store, but residents can cross Bowery and find the 4th Street Food Co-Op less than a block into East Village. Stocked with locally grown produce and fair trade foods, the Co-Op prides itself on putting sustainability first. Bring your own containers and stock up on spices, pasta and other bulk items.