Manhattan Valley Apartments & Rentals

Rentals in Manhattan Valley may be among the last bargains in the big city. While the neighborhood wasn't so safe thirty years ago, this chunk of the Upper East Side has been busy gentrifying. Located just south of Morningside Heights, Manhattan Valley runs from West 110th Street to 96th Street, from Central Park West to Broadway. While some blocks here still require caution, you're just as likely to end up living near academics these days.

Manhattan Valley sits in a natural, stream-created depression. It was originally known as the Bloomingdale District, named after one of the institutions for the ill and elderly built here in the 1870s and 80s. Immigrant communities turned the neighborhood residential when subway lines reached the area. At that time, Irish and German children played stickball in the streets. In the 1960s, the Puerto Rican community grew in prominence. Housing projects that spanned blocks were built and, along with a lot of the city, the area fell on hard times. In the 1980s, people renamed this area Manhattan Valley. Now, the neighborhood is a bit removed from most of New York life, but primarily peaceful.

Manhattan Valley is a neighborhood that meets its community's needs well, but which doesn't draw tourists. There are plenty of restaurants here, along with supermarkets, bodegas, and pharmacies. Kornet's Pizza is known for its generous slices. Thai Market also gets high marks. For nightlife, Amsterdam Avenue is well stocked with bars, or you can head to Columbus Ave and get rocked at the Ding Dong Lounge. For your retail needs, Broadway is your best bet. There's a newer Whole Foods here as well, surely a sign that the neighborhood is dusting itself off. Manhattan Valley runs alongside Central Park and there's a playground at Amsterdam Ave and West 100th Street, too.

There are a few residential developments in Manhattan Valley that break up the regular city grid. These "superblocks" span between avenues, taking up three or four blocks worth of real estate each. The neighborhood also has 5-story townhouses, luxury high-rises, and historic buildings on offer. While students and teachers from nearby colleges frequently choose Manhattan Valley as a cheaper alternative to Morningside Heights, the neighborhood remains up to 30% less expensive than other Upper West Side areas. Prices are highest east of Columbus Avenue. Median rents here are $40 per square foot, equaling around $2,500 a month per apartment.

Close to Central Park and three separate subway lines, Manhattan Valley can be a good option for bargain hunters. The area remains diverse ethnically, by age, and by socioeconomic status. Not all blocks are beautiful or safe, so get to know your prospective neighbors before you sign a lease.

Manhattan Valley has little in the way of attractions, but the Cathedral of St. John the Divine is only a few blocks north on 113^th Street. This is one of the largest churches in the world and a sight to behold. Both Columbia University and Barnard College are also just blocks away. The New York Public Library has a branch in Manhattan Valley and there's a US Post Office here as well. The neighborhood is within Manhattan Community District No 7.

The zip code for Manhattan Valley is 10025.