Nolita - New York, NY

Known as a part of Little Italy until a 1996 New York Times article introduced the moniker NoLita, this neighborhood derives much of its character from a history of Italian immigration to New York City in the second half of the 19th century. In the 1990s, an influx of young professionals and boutique shops helped transform this neighborhood into a hot spot. The Basilica of Saint Patrick's Old Cathedral stands as the ideal cultural center of the neighborhood, and it provides a beautiful view into early 19th-century architecture that rivals the famous St. Patrick's Cathedral near Rockefeller. The annual Feast of San Gennaro takes place every September for 11 days and attracts more than a million people from all over the globe. In addition to two massive parades and the Blessing of the Stands, the highlight of this festival remains the cannoli eating competition.

Italian-style diners and traditional eateries abound in NoLita, and with established and emerging restaurants and bars lining every street in this neighborhood, the easily-bored foodie always has several options for a monthly favorite or an afternoon go-to spot. The central culinary gems of this neighborhood, from acclaimed Italian diners to Parisian cafes, rest along Mulberry Street, but be careful as you may end up developing a habit for the late-morning cannoli and early evening eclairs. Reflecting the Sicilian and Neapolitan immigration that defined this neighborhood in the late 19th century, Angelo's of Mulberry St. supplies authentic, Southern Italian delights. Angelo's has remained a NoLita staple since 1902, and instead of conforming to contemporary culinary trends, this quaint restaurant still features many of the same dishes that gave newly arrived Italian immigrants a taste of home. The selection of homemade pastas remain the stars of this restaurant, where you can find authentic linguine in a fresh clam sauce or the popular manicotti al forno. Make sure to check out the daily specials from Tuesday to Sunday. When filled up on pasta and wine, the acclaimed Cafe Gitane serves up a fare of unusual delights that ensure continuous culinary exploration. Framed by traditional Moroccan and French dishes ideal for an unconventional lunch or dinner, this Parisian-style cafe and restaurant also welcomes lingerers looking to waste a few hours sitting outside with a cappuccino. Come during breakfast for an almond croissant with a shot of espresso, or meet up with friends over organic chicken satay in a peanut sauce. First-timers to Cafe Gitane must try the avocado toast, which remains the speciality dish that attracts both tourists and locals every day. NoLita locals also have the luxurious privilege of living near Eileen's Special Cheesecake, one of the top bakeries in the city where devotees claim the very best New York-style cheesecake. This praise not only comes from hundreds of daily visitors, but also from celebrity chefs and the Food Network. Located on the corner of Cleveland Place and Kenmare Street, this restaurant/bakery features over 30 different types of cheesecake from grasshopper cheesecake to the raspberry variety. Grab a party tray with a 10-inch cheesecake and 16 assorted tarts, or sit down with friends and enjoy a slice of apple pie with some tea. As far as nightlife goes, NoLita residents can take advantage of world-class public transportation to enjoy the hottest spots in Manhattan or stay close to home for a low-key, luxury cocktail. During the week, many of the bars along Mulberry Street can be quiet and intimate, while weekends tend to get crowded and quite wild. Known locally as the "Shark Bar" for its prominently displayed stuffed sharks, the Spring Lounge serves as the central watering-hole for NoLita residents and tourists alike. Visit Spring Lounge at 5 p.m. Monday through Friday for happy hour, and when you need the ideal hangover cure, the Sunday Bagel Brunch features a bloody mary and a bagel with all the fixings you would like.

NoLita is one of the most walkable neighborhoods in New York City. Residents can take care of all their basic errands by foot, thanks to an eccentric array of shops and restaurants along spacious sidewalks. Don't feel like walking? Riding a bicycle is also a popular way to get around. Dedicated biking lanes and courteous drivers make travel by bike even quicker than by car throughout the neighborhood and surrounding areas. Even if you don't have a bike, sharing services such as Citi Bike provide easy bicycle pick-up and drop-off in numerous locations. Locked in by surrounding neighborhoods, getting out of NoLita by car can be quite time consuming, and residents should expect a minimum of 30 minutes when leaving Manhattan via the Holland Tunnel to the west and Williamsburg Bridge to the east. Permanent parking in the area remains fairly costly, and residents often face difficulties finding a temporary spot along the streets. Like most areas of Manhattan, you don't have to worry about getting around without a car as successfully hailing a yellow taxi from the curb often requires less than five minutes. You can find most taxis along East Houston Street and Bowery. Ride sharing from Uber or Lyft instantly connects you to both Manhattan and the outlying suburbs. MTA services the entire NoLita neighborhood through two bus and subway lines. The famous New York subway ensures quick and convenient access to any part of Manhattan. Travel to Times Square in less than 15 minutes by catching the yellow line on the corner of Prince Street and Broadway, or reach Wall Street in about 15 minutes by taking the brown line from the corner of Bowery and Delancey Street. You can also catch the M103 bus along Bowery and the M21 bus on East Houston Avenue.

Two area parks cater to visitors of all ages, and areespecially well-suited for younger children. DeSalvio Playground is a popular park for neighborhood kids, where younger ones can enjoy modular playground equipment and a basketball half-court. For a little more green space than at DeSalvio, head on over to the Elizabeth Street Garden. Known as the hidden gem of NoLita, this park features gorgeous marble and limestone statues and lines of Renaissance-style benches. Make sure to grab a yoga mat and visit this garden on Saturday mornings during the summer to take advantage of free vinyasa yoga sessions. To the east of NoLita and along Chrystie Street, the Sara D. Roosevelt Park provides a bucolic refuge from the city hustle-bustle. Featuring chess tables lining the park borders and the Golden Age Center for senior citizens, this park has plenty to offer area residents looking to to socialize or exercise. In addition to playgrounds and soccer fields for youth and the Golden Age Center for senior citizens, this park also allows dog lovers in the area to let their lovable pets run around.

Life in NoLita carries a fairly high cost of living, where rental rates for apartments typically run around 5 percent higher than the New York City average. The median price for leasing a one- or two-bedroom apartment hovers around $3,000 a month throughout the entire neighborhood. Reaching the city center via subway or local bus costs $2.50, while gas prices typically sit about 18 percent higher than national averages. You should expect to pay around $7 for a pint at the local pubs.

Beginning in the 1990s, trendy boutiques and chic designers moved into the area, and NoLita has since acquired a reputation as a prime retail destination. The main shopping activity clusters along Mulberry and Elizabeth Street.

Try on a pair of retro shoes at Cydwoq New York, take home a French designer skirt from Lilith, and finish your grocery shopping at Met Food, all while strolling down Mulberry Street. If new and upcoming styles happen to be your scene, Creatures of Comfort on Mulberry Street stands as the bohemian-fashion oasis. Small and growing fashion lines from around the world abound in this spacious boutique, such as the avant-garde statement pieces from MM6 and Cosmic Wonder. Complete your wardrobe with both men's and women's clothing and accessories, and always stay ahead of the fashion scene by checking out the selection of exclusive style books and periodicals.

Furnish your apartment and home while shopping for trendy jewelry at Love Adorned. Nestled on Elizabeth Street, this treasure trove of baubles and trinkets from acclaimed artisans allows you to set your own fashion trends. Spruce up your dinner table with one of the eye-catching, billowing cloaks that hang from the shop walls, or plant a little rustic character in your apartment with vintage-styled porcelain milk bottles.

Finding fresh and organic food in NoLita is quite easy, and you can expect handmade cheeses and cured meats from any of the Italian-style food vendors in the area. The closest farmers market, Union Square Greenmarket, is located a mile north of NoLita.