Tribeca - New York, NY

Before undergoing a name change to Tribeca, the area stretching from the borders of SoHo to the edge of the Financial District, and from Broadway to the Hudson River, was more commonly referred to as Washington Market. Gritty and seedy, it served as New York City's primary source of food from the middle of the nineteenth century, once the city's piers had moved to the Hudson River. Tribeca found its roots as a commercial center, packed tight with warehouses and loft buildings, as well as some of the world's first cast-iron structures. Tribeca began its transformation at the beginning of the twentieth century, when subway construction extended into the area and brought with it better access for vehicles and travelers. By the 1960s, thanks to the influx of artists and more affluent residents, Tribeca industrial roots had begun to disappear. The area now relies on its cultural heritage to set it apart from the rest of the city, offering walking tours through artist studios and founding artist-run non-profits to support Tribeca working artists. Its museums, such as the Children's Museum of the Arts and the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art, also tend to focus on the artistic side of the community, while the world-famous Tribeca Film Festival is joined by other entertainment-based festivals, such as Tribeca New Music. Regarded as one of the most fashionable and desirable neighborhoods in the city, Tribeca has plenty of celebrity residents, such as Jay-Z, Meryl Streep, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Winslet.

Expect to pay premium prices for entertainment and dining in Tribeca, one of the more expensive neighborhoods in the city. But while expensive eateries can be found throughout the small area, dining on a budget remains possible for residents with a canny eye. Owned in part by Hollywood legend Robert De Niro, Locanda Verde on Greenwich Street features family-style Italian designed for sharing. The prices at Locanda Verde run reasonable for the area, and the urban yet traditional menu stands as a must-try for foodies. Choose from four meal menus filled with fare such as pasta, antipasti, soups and the renowned Trufflepalooza, three dishes incorporating white truffles from Alba. Claiming two Michelin stars, the Korean eatery Jungsik focuses on seafood. Its contemporary menu includes snapper, Arctic char, octopus and sea urchin along with refined dishes, including foie gras risotto and duck ragu. With residents who never seem to sleep, Tribeca caters to the nightlife lover with no shortage of thriving locales. Tribeca Comedy Lounge, considered the best comedy room in the city, is a terrific place to catch the latest comics and have dinner, which is provided by acclaimed New York chef Kenneth Johnson. These Italian dishes include East Coast Sanddabs, Chicken Parmigiana, and Forest Mushroom Pizza.

In a condensed neighborhood like Tribeca, one of the simplest and most cost effective methods of transportation is to travel on foot. At around 0.33 square miles, few of Tribeca attractions are inaccessible to pedestrian visitors. Alternatively, Tribeca enjoys one of the best public transportation systems in New York City, with numerous subway stations and bus stops. Uber operates in the area alongside the ubiquitous NYC yellow cabs. Tribeca, like every neighborhood in New York City, is densely populated and always buzzing with action. Biking from place to place is a reasonable means of transit in Tribeca, preferred by many locals because parking is available only in limited quantities. Parking opportunities within the district include a small number of paid parking garages that range in price per booking. The only access to a major highway or freeway is the Holland Tunnel.

The area incorporates just one city park: Tribeca Park, a triangular plot of land that once formed part of the Lispenard Swamp. Located on Walker Street, between St. John's Lane and the Avenue of the Americas, the land was originally acquired by Anthony Rutgers in 1735 in return for a pledge to drain the swampy terrain. Today, the park has become a center of relaxation for locals, who enjoy al fresco dining in its cleanly environment and make use of the space for walking or jogging. Residents often head to this tiny park during their breaks, to enjoy some fresh air in the middle of the working day.

Modern Tribeca ranks as one of the most expensive areas of New York City. While amenities are sometimes available on a budget, a high percentage of food and entertainment prices sit considerably higher than the average. The average rental cost for a one-bedroom apartment in Tribeca is $1,674, almost 50 percent higher than New York City in general. The median housing cost is $981,059, almost double the average cost of the rest of the city.

Tribeca supports a dynamic spread of shops and boutiques in its relatively small area. In one of the most affluent neighborhoods in the city, where bumping into a celebrity on the streets is an everyday occurrence, most of the stores cater to a high-end clientele. The Mysterious Bookshop offers light reads selected by editor and owner Otto Penzier, known for giving book recommendations on Amazon.com. Specialty and high-end clothing shops abound in this neighborhood, such as the stand-alone shop for knitwear designer Christina Lehr. When you need to restock your pantry, several grocery options are available, such as the Whole Food Market on Greenwich Street.