6.3 out of 10

Financial District

Ranked 30th best neighborhood in Manhattan
40.7061731612123 -74.0081908364141
Great for
  • Public Transport
  • Internet Access
  • Safe & Sound
  • Parks & Recreation
  • Medical Facilities
Not great for
  • Parking
  • Nightlife
  • Lack of Traffic
  • Peace & Quiet
  • Cost of Living
Who lives here?
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists

Reviews

3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Safe & Sound 2/5
  • Clean & Green 2/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 2/5
  • Eating Out 5/5
  • Nightlife 5/5
  • Parks & Recreation 3/5
  • Shopping Options 5/5
  • Gym & Fitness 5/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 1/5
  • Parking 2/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 3/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"Financial District/Flatiron – Chic, Hip, and Fun"

The Flatiron district, a really nifty area of Manhattan that gets better every year, gets its name from the Flatiron Building, an iconic piece of real estate where 23rd Street meets the crisscrossing paths of Fifth Avenue and Broadway.

‘Officially,’ in terms of real estate anyway, the relatively small neighborhood area known as the Flatiron District runs from the tip of Union Square (at 20th Street) north to just 25th Street, with Sixth Avenue (aka Avenue of the Americas) and Lexington Avenue providing the west and east boundaries, respectively. Despite its size, the Flatiron District packs more to enjoy in a few short blocks than most small cities!

The price of homes in the Flatiron has fluctuated dramatically since 2,000. From a low of just under $1 million in 2008, the average sale price rebounded to $2.64 million in the first quarter of 2010 before plummeting again to $1.5 million just a few months later. Fee and no-fee rental apartments are available through condo and coop owners as well as residential building owners. The prices are average for ‘good’ areas in New York...about $3,500 for a one-bedroom.

23rd Street is the heart of the Flatiron and you can spend warm weather enjoying Madison Square Park at 23rd Street and Madison Avenue. During the day office workers and nannies with the charges fill the park and enjoy burgers, fries, and ‘concretes’ (milkshakes) at Shake Shack in the center of the park.

Residents can find everything they need to make their apartments homey nearby. There’s a Home Depot on 23rd Street for do-it-yourself-ers. Eataly – the enormous shrine to all things from the Italian kitchen – sits across from Madison Square Park and can provide you with pantry items as well as prepared foods.

Sixth Avenue is a major shopping hub, and that means it’s crowded with tourists pretty much 24/7. The stores are mostly off-price retailers like TJ Maxx and Burlington Coat Factory. For upscale fashion, head over to Fifth Avenue.

The Flatiron District is a favorite with models, art directors, ‘Mad Men’ of advertising, and media moguls. The atmosphere is unself-consciously hip and self-involved. If you’re a young professional on the move, this is the place to move to.
Pros
  • A lot of historical sights
  • Beautiful
  • Well served by good bus and subway connections to the rest of the city
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
  • LGBT+
  • Hipsters
  • Students
  • Trendy & Stylish
3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 2/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 2/5
  • Pest Free 2/5
  • Peace & Quiet 2/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 2/5
  • Shopping Options 3/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 1/5
  • Parking 3/5
  • Cost of Living 1/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 2/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"Financial District: The Hub of Financial Activity but Very Pricey"

The Financial District offers tourists a lot of excitement. There is the New York Stock Exchange as well as lots of other landmarks to see, like the Federal Reserve Bank and the new World Trade Center Memorial. Great shopping is a must at Century 21 which is directly across the old World Trade Center site. The area itself is compact. There are a lot of little streets, some of which are very narrow and others that no longer allow cars down them. You can get a sense of the old New York by looking at these streets. Eateries abound and so do lunch specials considering the hoards of people that have to eat here everyday. But on the weekends, this place becomes very quiet. It's great for tourists who may want to roam around when there is less foot traffic. Everything is easy to get to because you're at the bottom of Manhattan and it's narrower. All the streets are named which makes it confusing. You can get disoriented and not know whether you are going east or west. Great venues nearby are the South Street Seaport which has a mall and a bunch of shops as well as ships that can be visited/boarded.

Area is very secure since attacks so you needn't worry about that. Lots of security and police abound.
Pros
  • A lot of historical sights
  • Beautiful
Cons
  • dead at night
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Tourists
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 2/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 3/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 2/5
  • Parking 2/5
  • Cost of Living 1/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 5/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 3/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"Busy in the Day, Calm at Night"

The Financial District has two distinct personalities: it is bustling during the day with the Wall Street crowd and tourists but is calm and actually quite boring at night. For this reason, it would not be such a bad place to live.

For tourists this is a very interesting neighborhood to visit. To be walking through the money capital of the world is quite exciting. There is a mix of old and new buildings with the old showcasing some beautiful architectural details. The Trinity Church Cemetery and Mausoleum overlooks the Hudson River from Riverside Drive and is a special oasis of peace and tranquility in one of the most beautiful natural settings in all of New York City. Trinity Church is home to St. Paul's Chapel located directly across form the former World trade Center site. The church was home to an eight month volunteer effort in the wake of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

The neighborhood is a great area to explore for tourists to explore with its short streets, many of which are still made of the original cobblestone. Indeed Pearl Street go its name because the street is lined with crushed pearls from the time that oyster catchers patrolled the waters of the Hudson River. The financial district is filled with such history while also boasting many modern touches such as the new residential developments that have cropped up over the past ten years.

The area offers panoramic view of the Manhattan skyline and is home to the Police Museum, the Museum of American Finance, and the home of the future World Trade Center Memorial.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Tourists
  • Students
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 3/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 2/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Parking 2/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 4/5
2yrs+

"Prototypical NYC Neighborhood - Tourists and Bankers"

New York's Financial District is pretty much what you expect when you come to New York: skyscrapers filled with offices, tourists, and plenty of locals.

This is a pretty good place to live if you work nearby. The area is clean, the buildings are beautiful, and there are plenty of shopping and food options. At the same time, the area sees a lot of foot and car traffic during the day and the trains and buses are packed. At night everyone leaves for the day and the area is very nice and right next to Battery Park, South Street Seaport, and Brooklyn Bridge.

For tourists, this is Wall Street. This is what you see in those panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline. The area is also home to the Police Museum, the Museum of American Finance, and the Federal Hall National Memorial. This is also the former location of the World Trade Center and the home of the future World Trade Center Memorial.

The area has seen a lot more residents of late. It really is one of the better places to live in New York but the prices are high by all non-NYC standards. Of course, it seems like all of New York is square in your neighborhood every morning.
Pros
  • A lot of historical sights
  • Well served by good bus and subway connections to the rest of the city
  • quiet
Cons
  • Very Crowded During The Day
  • dead at night
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Tourists
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Safe & Sound 3/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 3/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 3/5
  • Shopping Options 3/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 2/5
  • Parking 2/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
2yrs+

"Busy during the day, quiet at night"

The Financial District of Manhattan is an exciting neighborhood. Of course, it's where the World Trade Center existed prior to the attacks on 9/11, but there's much more to the area than that. It's where Wall Street is located, the New York Stock Exchange, and the famous bull sculpture. What a lot of people don't know is that this is where the Dutch first settled New York. It's so rich with history that it deserves a lot of attention from both tourists and locals. I ignored this history for years, and when I discovered it, I became totally fascinated.

Check out the Fraunces Tavern and Museum. Washington spent time there, and the museum has some of his artifacts. My favorite street in the Financial District is Stone Street off Coenties Ally – the first paved street in New York City. Today, it's lined with restaurants and is an old world pedestrian block. Delmonico's on Beaver Street is purportedly the first restaurant in America. George Washington was inaugurated as our first president where today's Federal Hall National Monument stands at 26 Wall Street. And that's just the beginning. Don't miss Trinity Church and St. Paul's Chapel either.

This area is a must-see for tourists and history buffs, and it isn't bad for living either, although it isn't the most affordable neighborhood in Manhattan. More people are moving into the area, and there are more grocery stores in what used to be an almost exclusively commercial 'hood.
Pros
  • Affordable rents
  • Many streets are undiscovered by tourists, still charming and quiet
  • Some relatively unknown good restaurants and pubs
Cons
  • Boring
  • Mostly commercial/business
  • No nightlife
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
  • Hipsters
  • Students
  • Trendy & Stylish
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Safe & Sound 3/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 3/5
  • Shopping Options 3/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Parking 2/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 3/5
2yrs+

"The 9-to-5 Neighborhood"

The majority of the Financial District’s traffic is made up of people who work there – and people who leave the area come 5PM, 6PM – or whatever time their workday is done. For that reason, the neighborhood has never been one known for great nightlife, or even for great shopping or restaurants. But this reputation has allowed the region to foster an incredibly cool, yet laid-back, small-town atmosphere.

While industry-laden streets like Wall Street and Water Street go from bustling with suits to deserted come nighttime, charming streets like Stone Street, John Street and Broad Street feature old New York atmosphere with stone-paved streets, outdoor taverns and cafés, and the occasional cozy park. Of the more desolate streets, you can find shopping megastore Century 21 – loaded with tourists, but also loaded with discount designer wares. And when in need of something to do for the weekend, you can head down to the Financial District for a ride on the Staten Island Ferry or to wander through Trinity Church – established in 1697, it’s New York’s oldest parish. And when you want to hole up in a neighborhood joint with good food and good drinks, try Stone Street Tavern – or indulge your foodie side at Brasserie Les Halles Downtown. For now, the neighborhood’s genius lies in the fact that no one seems to know how charming the area can be, and that there’s more to do there than work. So take advantage of the quiet now while you still can.
Pros
  • Many streets are undiscovered by tourists, still charming and quiet
  • Some relatively unknown good restaurants and pubs
  • Affordable rents
Cons
  • Mostly commercial/business
  • No nightlife
  • Boring
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • LGBT+
  • Students
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 3/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 3/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 4/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 5/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 2/5
  • Parking 2/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 4/5
2yrs+

"Good Place to Live!"

The Financial District is actually a pretty good place to live. The streets and trains are crowded during business hours, but the night is very calm. Instead of you commuting away from the city at night, the people of the city commute away from you, allowing you to enjoy some much needed calm.

Apartment deals are pretty good and most of the housing options are newer luxury buildings. There's a lot of empty apartments since 2008, so some people are getting awesome deals--clean, spacious apartments with fantastic city views.

The South Street Seaport is the main attraction, aside from Wall Street itself, and there's nothing quite like it. This attracts tons of tourists on the weekends, but only certain hours of the day. The Seaport can be very relaxing at night, allowing you to walk far out on the pier and enjoy some of the decent restaurants in the area.

The Brooklyn Bridge is in your backyard and almost every subway line crosses through the Financial District, making it easy to travel anywhere in the city.

In general this is a convient location where you can get a great deal, but the flow of business professionals and tourists can be overwhelming for some. Still, it's not as crowded as you might think and there are some great hidden gems where you can wait the tourists out. Try Fresh Salt Bar, just beyond Water Street.
Pros
  • affordable rents
  • Beautiful
  • Well served by good bus and subway connections to the rest of the city
Cons
  • South Street Seaport in a huge tourist attraction
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Trendy & Stylish
3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 2/5
  • Eating Out 2/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 3/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 2/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
2yrs+

"Crazy during the day and quiet at night"

From a resident's standpoint, the thing that sets the Financial District apart from almost every other neighborhood in the city is the huge difference in the streets between different times of the day. If I were a cheekier, punnier person, I would probably say something along the lines of “it is, quite literally, like night and day.” But I will spare you my wit and just tell you the facts.

During the day the Financial District is crawling with tourists like pigeons on bread crumbs. They are absolutely everywhere, squinting into the sunlight to see the shiny buildings, creeping in hushed tones through the amazingly anachronistic tilted tombstones of Trinity Church’s cemetery. For a tourist, this neighborhood is great to explore. It’s unexpected, it’s twisty, and it’s full of both history and modernity.

For a resident it’s a pain to get around during the day and offers no sort of life at night. Even if you exclude the tourists entirely, there is a tremendous population swell of office workers during the day and a mass exodus at night. I once went to the grocery store at 11:30pm and got smacked in the leg with a tumbleweed. But if you like a quiet neighborhood for sleeping, the Financial District is amazing. It also has a decent selection of restaurants , every amenity you might want, and fantastic public transportation. I, personally, loved living there and cherished the very un-New York quiet.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Retirees
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 3/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 4/5
  • Parking 2/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
2yrs+

"Perhaps the cleanest neighborhood in the city?"

Normally I'm not a big crowd person, and normally I avoid places that are as full of tourists as the Financial District tends to be. But there is something really appealing about this neighborhood - every time I'm there I think to myself, "man, this must be the cleanest place in all of New York City." Because, comparatively, the streets are amazingly clean - which is impressive for a place that is bustling during business hours.

The neighborhood is full of tourists who've come to check out Wall Street and whatnot, but the neighborhood really caters to the suits who run the city - with endless delis and eateries and a few upscale club-type of restaurants.

This is not a neighborhood I would ever consider living in - the action dies out pretty early around these parts, after the tourists have moved on and the business men have gone home or out in a more happening part of the city. But I'm sure people do live down there - they must. And it's clean and probably pretty quiet at night, as no one else is likely to venture down there unless they happen to live there...
Pros
  • A lot of historical sights
  • affordable rents
  • The Century 21 designer discount store is a huge draw in the financial district
  • The harbor nearby
Cons
  • deli-heavy for the business lunch crowd
  • dead at night
  • The WTC continues to be heavily tourist trafficked
3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 2/5
  • Safe & Sound 3/5
  • Clean & Green 2/5
  • Pest Free 2/5
  • Peace & Quiet 2/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 2/5
  • Shopping Options 5/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 1/5
  • Cost of Living 2/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
  • Schools 2/5
  • Childcare 2/5
2yrs+

"Strange place"

After September 11, the rents in the Financial District plummeted for several years, which encouraged a new set of residents to move into the area. Traditionally known as a place where office workers and finance businessmen converge for work, the area has seen several commercial buildings converted to residential buildings in recent years. The area surrounding the World Trade Center is strange and will continue to be strange for years to come, as a result of the constant stream of tourists and memorials related to the site. A serious effort to rebuild after the attacks means that there are new developments and a feeling of revitalization in the area, with South Street Seaport as the newest target of investment capital and planned redevelopment and expansion. Among the tourist attractions are the Museum of the American Indian, the Wall Street Wall and Wall Street Bull, Trinity Church, the Statue of George Washington, and a tiny museum called New York Unearthed which has artifacts from New York City on display. I don't know if this still happens, but there used to be a time around late July in the summers when there was a drumming jam session in Wagner Park. On Fridays, park employees would bring drums to the lawn, and invite people to join the drumming circle as the sun set over the Hudson.
3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 2/5
  • Safe & Sound 2/5
  • Clean & Green 2/5
  • Peace & Quiet 1/5
  • Eating Out 2/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 1/5
  • Gym & Fitness 1/5
  • Lack of Traffic 2/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
2yrs+

"Way too many tourists"

Fidi has a few must - see spots in it; but, apparently, everyone in the world would tend to agree. The streets are packed any given day of the week. And, it's not just NY packed, it's slow - walker / gawker packed. It's almost impossible for the poor Wall Street hotshots to get passed all of the tourists. And, aside from a few stragglers, that's really all Fidi is: tourists and finance guys.
There is some great history to the neighborhood: Wall Street used to really be a wall to protect colonials from the Indians. The Trinity Church is one of the oldest churches in America. It was built in 1697. And, it's connecting cemetery has beautiful and ornate mausoleums and holds graves for famous New Yorkers such as John Jacob Astor.
Ground Zero is clearly the biggest tourist attraction these days, sadly. It's hard to get a look in because of the construction fences, but for anyone who hadn't been to New York prior to September 11th, it's a pretty crazy thing to see. Just how much space these buildings took up; the destruction is haunting.
There isn't really anywhere to eat in the neighborhood and there's definitely nothing in the way of nightlife. It's good for a sight - seeing trip during the day when you have plenty of patience. But, that's about it.
Pros
  • A lot of historical sights
  • affordable rents
  • quiet
  • great bar scene
  • Beautiful
Cons
  • Not a ton to do after sightseeing
  • boring
  • dead at night
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Tourists
  • LGBT+
  • Students
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Safe & Sound 3/5
  • Clean & Green 2/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 3/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 3/5
  • Lack of Traffic 2/5
  • Parking 3/5
  • Cost of Living 2/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 3/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"The epicenter"

I'm somewhat in love with the Financial Center, though it is an unlikely love. What seems so striking about the area is its crazy drama: the sheer contrast of skyscrapers next to the solitary figure on the sidewalk, the wild play of light and shadows cut at vicious angles, the presence of glimmering glass facades of the modernist buildings right next to the extraordinary Gothic brickwork of Trinity Church. Home to Wall Street and the insane world of highs and lows that it conjures, scene of the shocking collapse of the World Trade Center and its perennial stream of tourist-mourners, I think of this place as the epicenter. For the rest of New York and also for the world. As such, I am never entirely at ease here, as if the area is haunted by its past. I looked at several apartments in this area a few years ago, and almost ended up moving here, and it's surprising to think how quickly the tourists and Wall Street types vanished in my mind's eye once I looked at the area as a potential residence. However, neither group, tourists nor suits, are all that easy to ignore, and if I lived here I would certainly consider their presence a drawback. The apartments I saw all had high ceilings and generous windows, and I really love the idea of being able to jog by the water every morning. Alas, so far this hasn't happened.
Pros
  • The harbor nearby
  • A lot of historical sights
  • Well served by good bus and subway connections to the rest of the city
Cons
  • dead at night
  • Not a ton to do after sightseeing
  • The WTC continues to be heavily tourist trafficked
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Tourists
  • Students
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 3/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 2/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
  • Parks & Recreation 3/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 2/5
  • Cost of Living 2/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 3/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"For businessmen and tourists!"

Financial District is a great place to work in but a very expensive one to live in. It is located in downtown Manhattan. It has a lot of restaurants, shops, retail stores, lots of expensive, affordable to not everyone brands. It is filled by tourists and business people. New York Stock Exchange and Federal Reserve bank is one of the major sites to visit there.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Safe & Sound 3/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 3/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
  • Parks & Recreation 3/5
  • Shopping Options 3/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Lack of Traffic 2/5
  • Parking 2/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
2yrs+

"Crowded sidewalks and narrow streets"

I have mixed feelings about the financial district. First of all, it is always packed with both business men and tourists - an unlikely mix, but there they are all the same. The streets tend to be narrow and the sidewalks crowded, all of which is off putting for someone who feels disinclined toward crowds.

Then again, Century 21 - the greatest discount retail store ever created - is located in this neighborhood, and so I can't help but brave this atmosphere once in a while. When I do venture down there, I am always amazed at how clean (for New York City) the streets always are. This neighborhood is certainly a sight to behold and anyone visiting the city for a short while probably has no choice but to behold it - the same goes for Times Square - it's an area one should visit at least once in their lifetime.
Pros
  • A lot of historical sights
  • Beautiful
  • The Century 21 designer discount store is a huge draw in the financial district
Cons
  • dead at night
  • boring
Recommended for
  • Tourists
Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish And the area around the WTC gets a lot of gapers and gawkers--
2yrs+
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2/5
2yrs+

"A place to work in, not to live"

Who would want to live in the financial district? It's known for Wall Street and other hallmarks of business, not pleasure - and the crowd is decidedly white-collar office, with a nightlife and restaurant scene catering to business lunches and after-work drinks. And yet there's much to be said about wandering through, or even living in or near, the Financial District. Below Houston Street, the Financial District ignores NYC's traditional grid pattern and meanders through charmingly haphazard streets with names, not numbers. Furthermore, the district's location at the southernmost tip of Manhattan Island renders its water views superb, and the historic buildings, many nineteenth century, are charming.

That said, there's not much to do here for the average resident. While the South Street Seaport - with the historic Fulton Fish Market - is a charming nightlife getaway, and some sights like Trinity Church are well worth seeing, the neighborhood lacks a real neighborhood, family-friendly vibe. That said, the Fraunces Tavern, where George Washington bid his famous farewell to the Revolutionary Army, is a notable tourist site that also is a wonderful place to sit and eat or drink.
Recommended for
  • Singles
3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Pest Free 2/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Parking 2/5
  • Cost of Living 2/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 4/5
2yrs+

"Raging bulls and growling bears"

Located at the southernmost tip of Manhattan, is the Financial District which is almost synonymous with New York City for it has within its folds its very own ‘boulevard of dreams’ - Wall Street which is home to the New York and American Stock Exchanges.

Actually the Financial District is much more than the abode of wheeler dealers and power brokers, the area which extends from the West Side Highway to the East River and from the tip of Manhattan to Brooklyn Bridge and Park Place is also known as the birth place of New York City as it was the first area that was settled by the Dutch settlers who established a New Amsterdam in lower Manhattan in 1624. History continues to live on in the Financial District’s many quaint cobble stone streets and museums (Museum of American Finance, Museum of Jewish Heritage) and the area is also home to the magnificent Federal Hall National Monument, where George Washington took the oath of Presidency in 1789. The Financial District was especially devastated by the terrorist attacks of 9/11 which flattened its iconic World Trade Center buildings so much so that the site on which the towers stood is today one of most visited tourist attractions in New York City. In fact the area hosts several other attractions like the South Street Seaport which boasts of a network of shops, restaurants, bars and antique ships and the Century 21 discount designer department store located on Fulton Street which is especially popular with European tourists.

The Financial District which is currently being revitalized and rebuilt and is today home to several luxurious condominium buildings like The Setai, 99 John, 3, Hanover Square, and 20,Pine the collection as well as several upscale restaurants like Sho Shaun Hergatt, Delmonico’s Steak house, Harry’s Steak , Trinity Place and Les Halles which ensure that the area continues to be busy and buzzing long after the traders and office folk have gone home.
Pros
  • The Century 21 designer discount store is a huge draw in the financial district
  • Well served by good bus and subway connections to the rest of the city
  • A lot of historical sights
  • affordable rents
  • Beautiful
  • great bar scene
  • quiet
Cons
  • The WTC continues to be heavily tourist trafficked
  • Fast food restaurants abound though the district now has the highly ranked SHO Shaun Hergat restaurant as well
  • boring
  • dead at night
  • Not a ton to do after sightseeing
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
ws3 ws3
3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 5/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 1/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 5/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 5/5
  • Cost of Living 1/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 2/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
  • Schools 3/5
  • Childcare 4/5
2yrs+

"Peace & Quiet but lots of Tourists"

We’ve been living in the financial district for roughly about four years. It’s very peaceful and quiet, especially on the weekends if you don’t mind the tourists walking around. The neighborhood is very safe as I live on Wall Street, however at nights, there are sometimes rowdy college students or skateboarders walking the streets – drunk. But the 24 hour doormen, constant patrolmen, and armed guards on Wall Street make you feel safer.

The area is within walking distance of several great locations – Native American museum, financial museum, Jewish museum, New York Stock Exchange, Battery Park City, Tribeca, Chinatown, and a 24 hour grocery store.

Thinking towards the future, the financial district has its ups and downs, even though most people I know think that the neighborhood is too quiet and boring for someone my age, I like it and don’t think I’d want to live anywhere else.

If you like peace, quiet, and the ability to walk around to several places without crowds in your path, then the financial district is the best place to be.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
3/5
2yrs+

"Great place for tourists."

The New York City Financial District oozes in history and remains to be the financial hub of the United States. In the heart of the district is Federal Hall – the place that George Washington was inaugurated as the 1st president of the United States in 1789. Also, in this district are the New York Stock Exchange, World Financial Center, and the Federal Reserve Bank.

The biggest attraction in the area is the former World Trade Center site. Construction continues even today. I was here with friends and family two years ago and was amazed at the amount of construction and bulldozing left to do. The area is blocked off, but you can walk the perimeter. It is a very heartfelt experience and one that should not be taken lightly. Even as we approached the entrance, I felt my heart pounding with mixed emotion.

Just up the street on Broadway and Cedar marks a rare dining and bar experience at Trinity Place. Mahogany everywhere amidst 35 tonne bank vault doors dating back to 1904 make sipping a glass of wine an entirely new adventure.

As a tourist, this is a great area for pictures and memories. As a local, you may wish to avoid due to the mad rush of tourists after that perfect picture.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
3/5
2yrs+

"Clean, streets feature interesting architecture, shopping/eating not the greatest"

If you are a tourist, you will probably find yourself here – for some reason whenever I wandered through the Financial District, the streets were always filled with tourists (during the daylight hours, at least) who were snapping pictures all around. This area is a deadzone during the evenings, at least compared with the rest of the city. Though there are many people who live down here, the area still seems to cater mostly to the financial businesses and their employees.

For a tourist there is obviously much to see here, the New York Stock Exchange and the American Stock Exchange being the main attractions. The streets of this neighborhood are surprisingly clean (for this city, anyway), and though the tourists and business people flock here and clog up the sidewalks during the 9 to 5 hours, you’d be pretty hard pressed to find a crowd here later in the evening.
4/5
2yrs+

"The Financial District is one of the oldest and most esteemed neighborhoods in New York City."

Located at the southern most tip of the isle of Manhattan, the Financial District is home to some of the oldest and most established financial institutions in America and in the world. Today, the neighborhood is reemerging as an up and coming home of culture.

The Financial District is best described by its many landmarks beginning with the world-famous Wall Street, home to some of the most prestigious financial institutions as well as the New York Stock Exchange, the premier institution of stock trading in the free world. The steps of the exchange are a perfect location to grab a hot dog on a fall day and watch the busy buyers and sellers scurry in and out for a quick break from their high octane job. This picturesque yet short street is the beginning of a wonderful neighborhood, filled with quiet delights and an almost serene atmosphere.

This neighborhood is filled with museums, perhaps most appropriately the Museum of American Finance. Also in this neighborhood is the Federal Hall National Memorial Museum, where America’s first president was inaugurated.

Across the street from this esteemed pillar of American History is one of great sorrow. Ground Zero, the memorial site formed following the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center, is a pivotal sight when visiting this neighborhood. Currently bound by fences denoting the tragedy, Ground Zero will eventually be home to the newly designed Freedom Towers, a symbol of American viability and resilience, not to mention unity.

History is a major aspect of the Financial District’s offerings. Battery Park and the South Street Seaport are as old as New York, and offer the best views of the Statue of Liberty from Manhattan. Both are wonderful places to visit and are major haunts for tourists from around the world.

Today, the neighborhood is being revitalized in terms of real estate, with many large office buildings being converted into residential dwellings. Dining, nightlife, shopping, and entertainment are improving throughout this neighborhood, and more and more people are viewing this old neighborhood as the new place to live.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
3/5
2yrs+

"Can we blame the money men?"

Given the financial markets crash of late, you may not want to be spending too much time in Wall Street in fear of seeing some desperate people but for the architecture and imposing buildings alone, this is a great stop off. The fact that the street name is synonymous with financial transaction and economic impact tells you the level of importance the street holds and the businesses and organizations it contains. Grasping the power that this one area has over the rest of the world is fascinating and you can always go and vent some anger at how the recession is kicking in!
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees

Best Streets in Financial District

1

Bowling Grn

4/5
"Lovely street -- especially for a big one"
40.7046055010188 -74.0137725003579
2

State St

4/5
"The Park, the Ferry and the Skyscrapers of the City"
40.7019053044933 -74.0133288070034
3

Broad St

4/5
"WELCOME TO WALL STREET, USA"
40.7044630916448 -74.011561937531
4

Stone St

4/5
"At home on Stone "
40.7041736226163 -74.0106329061953
5

Fulton St

3.5/5
"Neve forgotten memory"
40.7089470271804 -74.0053015942501
6

John St

3.5/5
"Have You Ever Been to the Insurance District"
40.7081233636873 -74.0063687078929
7

Wall St

3.5/5
"Just for big buildings for working..."
40.7060731107012 -74.0089297906315
8

Water St

3.5/5
"Financial and business oriented"
40.7056638701296 -74.0067069042141
9

Old Slip

3.5/5
"Very Interesting Place to Visit"
40.7036659437312 -74.0085051576032
10

Seaport Plz

3.5/5
"The beautiful resilient one"
40.7088980823198 -74.0006677570129

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