Nolita Apartments & Rentals

Renting an apartment in Nolita (or NoLIta) will put you in one of Manhattan's newer offshoot neighborhoods. Born in the 1990s, this area was named, like SoHo, for where it is: North of Little Italy. Before then, it was just part of Little Italy. As the Italian residents trickled away and young professionals replaced them, Nolita took on its own character. The name appeared in the New York Times in 1996 and so the neighborhood was christened. It sits between Houston Street, the Bowery, Lafayette Street, and either Broome or Kenmare streets to the south.

In its brief existence, Nolita has seen a boom in boutiques, hip restaurants, and chic bars. It's like stylish SoHo, but quieter. While the new crowd does reign here, this remains the place where Martin Scorsese was born and raised. And it doesn't get any more New York than Marty. Peaceful and cool, ebbing between busy and relaxing, Nolita is great place to eat, shop, and live.

Nolita has more than its share of hotspots, but it has restaurants for all budgets. Lombardi's was the first pizzeria in America. Café Gitane and Caffe Falai are also popular. Coffee, unsurprisingly, is big in the neighborhood, along with brunch. The crowd here likes to take their time and enjoy the good things. One of those good things is rice pudding, found in fantastic flavors at Rice to Riches. Bars abound, including Sweet & Vicious and Milano's.

Shopping here is artsy, antique, and alternative. You're likely to find stores offering vintage style items with a chic twist. Check out Sigerson Morrison for handbags and accessories. If you want to score some sweet vintage, Resurrection is a good bet. When you've shopped to your content, take a break in one of Nolita's two tiny parks, Petroshino Square or DeSalvio Playground.

Nolita residents are a mix of young urbanites and Italian-Americans who continue to call the area home. Residential properties tend to be walk-ups but there are a few mid-rise elevator buildings around. Rents will be on the expensive side, especially for loft-style apartments. If you want a cheaper deal, find a walk-up unit on a higher floor. Average rents in Nolita are about the same as in neighboring SoHo. Expect to pay $2,639 for a one-bedroom or $1,881 for a studio.

Transportation to and from the neighborhood is quick and easy. The J and the 6 trains hit the corners of Nolita. The N and R and the B, D, F, and M lines run just a block or two farther out.

The Feast of San Gennaro, dedicated to Saint Januarius, goes through Nolita each year after Labor Day. This neighborhood also holds what used to be New York City's Roman Catholic cathedral. St. Patrick's opened in 1815 and was rebuilt in 1868 after a fire. Now new St. Patrick's presides from Fifth Avenue in Midtown and this one serves as parish church. The New Museum of Contemporary Art is on Bowery. There's a New York Public Library branch on Mulberry Street. Nolita is in Manhattan Community District No. 2.

Nolita is within the 10012 zip code.