Lower East Side Living: What You Should Know

The Lower East Side has a vivid, colorful identity that’s somehow managed to survive gentrification, rising rents, and rapidly changing demographics. This article offers tips and advice for people considering renting an apartment in the area.

The Lower East Side has a vivid, colorful identity that’s somehow managed to survive gentrification, rising rents, and rapidly changing demographics. Tattoo parlors abut high-end boutiques, and middle-income housing developments are a stone’s throw from luxury rentals. If you crave this mixed identity, this area would be a great place for you to call home. Here are some things to keep in mind when thinking of renting here.

Look for Value

There’s a lot of brand-new development on the Lower East Side, but there are still deals to be had here. Your best bet is to work with a broker who’ll be able to scope out the best bargains for you. Many of the best deals aren’t even advertised, and in those cases, a broker can be your best friend. Figure out which amenities are most important to you — and which you can live without. A doorman may not be a requirement for you, but a building lacking an in-house washer and dryer may be a deal breaker. Knowing what’s on your must-have list will guide your apartment search.

Weigh Your Transit Options

The Lower East Side is serviced by the J, M, and Z subway line that goes to Essex Street, as well as the F line that stops at Delancey, Second Avenue, and East Broadway. These are east side trains, but you can connect to transit lines to other parts of the city at major stops like Broadway–Lafayette Street, 14th Street, 34th Street, 42nd Street, and Rockefeller Center. In other words, you can get to where you need to go, but you’ll need to connect to other subways at major transit hubs in order to get to other parts of the city.

Explore New Restaurants

The Lower East Side is brimming with restaurant options, from classic spots like Katz’s Delicatessen to awesome Chinese fare from places like Congee Village. There are plenty of new restaurants opening all the time, and many of them deliver, so don’t be afraid to broaden your horizons and try something new.

Be Prepared for Commotion

If you’re planning on renting an apartment on the Lower East Side, you have to be fully aware of the fact that the area is filled with bars and clubs. Music venues like the Mercury Lounge host shows every night. Bars are piled on top of each other, often sandwiched into the smallest of spaces. This means that if you’re looking for a place that offers peace and relaxation in the evenings and on the weekends, this may not be the right place for you — unless you can get an apartment that soars high above the madding crowd. Otherwise, opening a window will let in all that nightlife noise, especially if your apartment overlooks one of the more active streets. Many people love the frenetic energy of the Lower East Side, so the din may not be an issue for them, but potential renters should take note.

Image Source: Flickr/Andrea Schwartz

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