8.8 out of 10

Gramercy Park

Ranked 3rd best neighborhood in Manhattan
40.7367617486426 -73.9862869649174
Great for
  • Internet Access
  • Medical Facilities
  • Parks & Recreation
  • Safe & Sound
  • Resale or Rental Value
Not great for
  • Cost of Living
  • Parking
  •  
  •  
  •  
Who lives here?
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Singles
  • Retirees
  • Tourists

Reviews

5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 2/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 2/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 3/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Parking 3/5
  • Cost of Living 1/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 1/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 4/5
2yrs+
Editors Choice

"A Beautiful Neighborhood"

Gramercy Park is one of the most beautiful areas of Manhattan. It is located in a quiet corner and attracts fewer tourists than the nearby East Village and Soho. The neighborhood is bordered on the south by Union Square, to the west by the Flatiron District, and north by 23rd Street. While ot all areas are as quaint as that immediately surrounding the park, it is still a nice place to live and quieter than other parts of Manhattan.

The tree-lined streets are filled with quaint brownstones and town homes. Gramercy Park is a privately owned enclave built in the 1800s. It is off-limits unless you are a resident of the area and pay a $350 "key fee." While you can't get into the park itself, you can take a lovely walk around the park taking in all the beautiful buildings which surround it. Spring and fall are especially nice times of the year for such a stroll. Whenever I walk around the neighborhood, I imagine myself as part of a Henry James novel since most of the buildings retain much of their architectural history. The Gramercy area was named a historic district in the 1960s.

The area is highly expensive and the residents not very friendly viewing those who visit as trespassers on their perceived private sanctuary. The iron gates that surround the park are a very real reminder that strangers are not welcome. The area does not boast many amenities, although most residents probably have maids who venture along Third Avenue, a block east, for any need items.

Pete's Tavern, New York's oldest continuously operating bar opened in 1864 and continues to serve some of the best Italian cuisine. The restaurant has been featured in many television shows such as Seinfeld, Law and Order, Sex and the city, and the Food Network. It is also the home of such famous journalists as Jimmy Breslin and Pete Hamill.
Pros
  • Beautiful
  • Tons of history
  • exclusive neighborhood
  • Garmercy Park
  • gorgeous apartments
  • Gorgeous browntones
  • quiet
Cons
  • expensive
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Country Lovers
5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 5/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Cost of Living 1/5
2yrs+

"Only the Best"

Ive lived in New York for a total of 8 years. 4 Years at NYU, two years in Brooklyn Heights, and 2 years and counting in Gramercy. Gramercy has a private park, you need to be a resident OR stay at the Gramercy Park Hotel to get in. This reminds me of my hometown, Lockport IL, except theres a lot more people than 24,000. The people here are friendly, and if you love nightlife, the East Village is very close.
Pros
  • Safe and Sound
  • close to East Village for nightlife
  • Beautiful
  • Tons of history
  • Garmercy Park
  • excellent restaurants
Cons
  • expensive
Recommended for
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Tourists
  • Trendy & Stylish
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 4/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 2/5
  • Parking 2/5
  • Cost of Living 2/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 4/5
2yrs+

"Gramercy Park – Stately and Gorgeous"

Gramercy Park is typical of many of the neighborhoods on the east side of Manhattan.
The upscale neighborhood starts at 23rd Street to the north and continues down to 14th Street, with Park Avenue South and Third Avenue defining its west and east boundaries. The avenues are urban and bustling, filled with stores and restaurants, but the side streets and unquestionably residential with some of the most beautiful architecture in the city.

Over the past 10 years or so, rental prices in Gramercy Park have remained surprisingly stable, perhaps because there are other younger, hipper neighborhoods to the south (Flatiron District, Union Square area). Monthly rents range from $2800+ for studios, to $3800+ for one-bedrooms, and $6,500+ for two-bedrooms. The buildings here are luxurious and well-maintained, inside and out. Many have doormen, so there is a feeling of safety and security. There are high rises on the avenues, and historic brownstones and mansions on the streets, which draw tourists on the weekend to ooh and aah.

Residents tend to be formal and aloof, except, perhaps when walking their pedigree pooches. And although there are distinctions of wealth, politics, ethnicity or age in this diverse area, everyone agrees that pristine Gramercy Park itself is the jewel in the neighborhood’s crown. Don’t plan on sunning yourself, there, however. The park is private and keys are available only to residents in the 39 buildings facing the park who pay as much as $350 to rent a key for the year, with a $1,000 replacement fee. But keep your eyes and ears open, one day each year (usually the first Sunday in May), the park’s gates are flung open so that anyone can enter and imagine what it’s like to be rich and living in Gramercy Park.
Pros
  • Beautiful
  • exclusive neighborhood
  • Tons of history
  • Garmercy Park
  • excellent restaurants
Cons
  • expensive
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
  • LGBT+
  • Students
  • Trendy & Stylish
5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 5/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 3/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 2/5
  • Parking 3/5
  • Cost of Living 1/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 5/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 4/5
2yrs+

"Gramercy Park, Lovely But Privileged Area"

Gramercy Park is a small tiny area that runs from about 14th Street to 23rd Street on the East Side. Housing is lovely, expensive and hard to come by. Lots of families live here, families with high incomes as I never could seem to afford to live there. There is a small park that is fenced and only those with a key can get in I am told. Lots of people can be seen strolling their little dogs in this neighborhood. Most people would die to live here if they could, it's just out of the means of most. The area is clean, well tended to and the schools are top notch. Lots of professionals live here especially those who work in NY or who have their own businesses. There are a number of apartment complexes here that are quite attractive and seem like private enclaves. Stores tend to be pricey though.

It's a lovely place to visit and stroll through. There are some really nice boutiques and eateries. Transportation abounds so you can shoot up and downtown from here. Not much to do otherwise though. In the summer, street festivals are frequent so I would keep an eye out for those along the avenues.
Pros
  • Beautiful
  • exclusive neighborhood
Cons
  • expensive
Recommended for
  • Professionals
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 2/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 3/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Parking 3/5
  • Cost of Living 1/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 5/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
  • Medical Facilities 5/5
  • Schools 5/5
  • Childcare 4/5
2yrs+

"Upscale Residential Hood Next To Everything"

The Gramercy Park area, named for Gramercy Park which is a park you can't visit unless you pay a $350 fee for a key, is an upscale residential neighborhood with beautiful homes, streets, and history that is entirely unique and located next to everything the city has to offer.

It is very difficult and very expensive to move to Gramercy. Many of the residents, past and present, include some of the most influential authors, playwrights, and business people in the country. If you do get a place here, enjoy. The area has great food, schools, hospitals, and is a beautiful, quiet, historic part of the city. The area also has great restaurants, cafes, and shopping. Really, it's exactly the area you would want to live if you were a member of the exclusive club.

For tourists, the area is nice for a visit but not much else. It's largely a residential area with some commercial space along the streets. The neighborhood is great for checking out prime NYC architecture, the nicer and snobbier part of the city, and a great park (that you can't get into). It is square in the middle of everything, however, surrounded by the Village, Union Square, Kips Bay, and is just a walk away from midtown.
Pros
  • Beautiful
  • Tons of history
  • central location
  • quiet
Cons
  • expensive
  • boring
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 5/5
  • Nightlife 4/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 5/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Parking 2/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
2yrs+

"Lovely neighborhood in a thriving part of Manhattan"

Gramercy Park is a very popular area of Manhattan, so popular in fact that few people ever give up their apartments in the neighborhood. It's just too pretty, especially if they live near Gramercy Park itself, which is a small but lovely, quiet, and gated oasis in Manhattan. Whenever I walk in the area surrounding the park, I feel like I've left Manhattan entirely. There are so many trees, and the architecture is beautiful. The park is privately owned and was built in the 1800s, and the Gramercy neighborhood was named a historic district in the 1960s.

The neighborhood is on the east side and borders Union Square in the south. It goes up to 23rd Street in the north. So, while not all parts of the neighborhood are as quaint as the area right around the park, it's still a nice 'hood and quieter in most areas than many others in Manhattan.

Union Square is one of my favorite areas for shopping, eating out, and meeting people. Park Avenue South has loads of restaurants and shopping as well, including a few excellent grocery stores and some great thrift shops. Unlike some parts of Manhattan, this area manages to be both commercial and residential.
Pros
  • excellent restaurants
  • exclusive neighborhood
  • Beautiful
  • Gorgeous browntones
  • Tons of history
  • The park
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
  • LGBT+
  • Trendy & Stylish
5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 3/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 3/5
  • Lack of Traffic 4/5
  • Parking 4/5
  • Cost of Living 2/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Schools 3/5
2yrs+

"New York’s “Secret Garden”"

If you’re craving a European getaway, but don’t have the funds or the time, take a walk over to Gramercy Park. The brownstones and white stone buildings with embellished and carved staircases behold the splendor of old-world European aristocracy. At night, lanterns flicker around the locked park – an oasis that can only be entered by residents with a key, but even to us plebeians offers the breathtaking site of lush leafy greens growing inside wrought iron gates. Not only will Gramercy Park take you overseas, it will take you back in time. As you stroll the strictly residential streets and gaze into some of New York’s only buildings with courtyards in front, you feel like a Dickensian character daydreaming about high society on your way home through London streets.

For shopping and eating, just head a block or two away from the park area in any direction. You’ll find vintage stores, sushi spots and cozy cafes. The Gramercy Park Hotel is both rich in history and a hotspot for drinks – especially celebrity favorite, Rose Bar. And when the peace and quiet of the area gets to be a bit dull, the area does feature Irving Place, which offers up a decent amount of nightlife and even a theater that is always housing a new, exciting play – not to mention the newly named Fillmore, formerly Irving Plaza, a venue that mostly supports both emerging and established rock acts. After a dose of noise, you can always retreat back to the magical streets surrounding the park.
Pros
  • Quiet
  • Beautiful, Scenic
  • Prestigious
Cons
  • Boring
  • Expensive
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
  • LGBT+
  • Trendy & Stylish
5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 2/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 5/5
  • Nightlife 4/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 5/5
  • Gym & Fitness 5/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 2/5
  • Parking 4/5
  • Cost of Living 1/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 5/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
  • Medical Facilities 5/5
  • Schools 5/5
  • Childcare 5/5
2yrs+

"So Nice it Hurts"

Make no mistake, if I could afford to live here I probably would. But because I can't, and likely never will, I'm inclined to not like this area.

It's wonderful. Too wonderful. Too clean, too elegant, too perfect, with tree-lined streets of pre-war brownstones and post-war luxury buildings. There are great restaurants, but I can't eat there. No only due to the tab, but the reservations at most don't open for months--call Gramercy Tavern. Try to get a table. They'll laugh at you.

Likewise, as others have mentioned, there are a lot of gated communities, so I can only assume the best parts of Gramercy go unnoticed by the common man.

Basically, it's the perfect neighborhood, so anything negative people have to say about it is mostly out of bitter jealousy. You're close to everything and if you live there you can probably afford everything.

My advice: take a stroll through Gramercy some weekend, pack a lunch and have a picnic on somebody's front steps. You'll enjoy the beauty of the area without paying a cent. Then go home to your neighborhood, where you know your neighbors and your local deli guy and realize that you're part of an actual community.

Gramercy is not a place to make friends. It's a community of gargoyles...not people.
Pros
  • Beautiful
  • excellent restaurants
  • exclusive neighborhood
  • Garmercy Park
  • gorgeous apartments
  • Gorgeous browntones
Cons
  • expensive
Recommended for
  • Families with kids
  • Trendy & Stylish
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 3/5
  • Gym & Fitness 5/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Cost of Living 1/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
  • Schools 5/5
2yrs+

"Great place to visit even if you could never afford it"

So I'm a pretty normal New Yorker. I’m not a celebrity, my parents aren’t rock stars, I’m neither old money nor nouveau riche. Therefore, I cannot hope to afford a place to live in Gramercy.

That said, it is absolutely one of the most beautiful places to visit in Manhattan. There are fewer tourists than nearby Greenwich Village and Soho, which is a blessing. There are tons of trees and little triangles of green space tucked between convening streets. Gramercy Park itself is off limits if you aren’t a resident, but there are plenty of gorgeous places to stroll. There are few high buildings and few new buildings. Which means there are shorter brick and stone buildings, private residences the size of apartment buildings, and decorative doorways lined with ivy. Spring and autumn are wondrous times to be in Gramercy, when the leaves are either very young or very old. Because I’m prone to whimsy, I can almost imagine myself in an Edith Wharton novel when I’m strolling in Gramercy. Although I obstinately leave off the obligatory ending of Wharton novels, where everyone is sad and alone.

My only real problem with the neighborhood is that it’s extremely expensive and the residents seem to be annoyed at those who would intrude on their privacy. The iron-gated houses could have little signs that say STAY OUT. If I lived there I would be annoyed at the absence of nearby conveniences like drug stores and all-night grocery stores. But then, if I was lucky enough to live there I could probably have my maid fetch my prescriptions and rocky road for me.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Pest Free 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 3/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 4/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 3/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 2/5
  • Parking 3/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 3/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"A most Desirable Area in Manhattan"

if you love parks and you love flowers and a gorgeous environment, you will love Gramercy Park. It has been called a gem by many and no wonder. The buildings look really nice. There are a lot of brownstone mansions in the area. What a site to see. The best part is when the flowers and buds bloom from the trees. What a site to see. You have to be there to see it, especially in the spring and summer months.
Pros
  • Beautiful
  • Garmercy Park
  • Tons of history
  • The park
  • quiet
Cons
  • Too many kids around during summer
  • expensive
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
  • LGBT+
  • Hipsters
  • Students
  • Trendy & Stylish
5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 5/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 5/5
  • Nightlife 4/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 5/5
  • Gym & Fitness 5/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 4/5
  • Cost of Living 1/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 5/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
  • Medical Facilities 5/5
  • Schools 5/5
  • Childcare 5/5
2yrs+

"Arguably the best neighborhood"

Gramercy Park is a little oasis of old-money aristocracy smack in the middle half of Manhattan. The other big center of aristocratic living is of course the Upper East Side, but Gramercy, because of its stunning turn of the century brownstones is so much more romantic. The anchor of the neighborhood is the exclusive Gramercy Historical Park, a tiny fenced-in jewel. You only get a key to this park if you live in the real estate immediately overlooking the park itself, which already smacks of the exclusivity that is so much a feature of the area. When I was younger, I once managed to crash a party at a mansion on Gramercy Park South, and spent the evening moving from room to room, staring at the enormous oval ballroom (that's right, a ballroom) and chandeliers throughout the place. I was a student then and was keenly aware of having entered a completely different stratosphere of wealth. The Gramercy Park Hotel is full of lore, including the story that the owner's son jumped to his death from the top of the hotel, but I don't know how true that is. I have see Julia Roberts pop in to a cafe on Irving Place for what appeared to be her morning coffee. The brownstone mansions are just so beautifully preserved in this neighborhood that it's not hard to understand why it's one of the most sought-after pieces of real estate around.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 5/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 5/5
  • Nightlife 4/5
  • Shopping Options 5/5
  • Gym & Fitness 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Cost of Living 2/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 5/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
2yrs+

"Its title of Best Neighborhood is well-deserved!"

Gramercy Park is the perfect place to be in these first days of spring. This neighborhood is absolutely stunningly gorgeous - and right now the trees are blooming with white flowers and delis have set out buckets and buckets of fresh cut flowers in every imaginable color. If I were going to take someone who'd never been to the city on a random stroll through its streets, I would head to Gramercy Park before all else.

I was strolling down 3rd Avenue in the area just yesterday, and I noticed that a lot of shops are having drastic sales. I'm not sure if this is because it's the season for such things, or if it's because the recession is forcing many boutique businesses right out of business. In any case, there is much to do here for anyone that enjoys a little bit of exploring.
Pros
  • unexpectedly cool shops, such as the Shoe Box
  • excellent restaurants
  • exclusive neighborhood
  • Garmercy Park
  • gorgeous apartments
  • central location
  • Tons of history
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 5/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 4/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 5/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 3/5
  • Lack of Traffic 4/5
  • Parking 4/5
  • Cost of Living 1/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 5/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 3/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"Gem of a neighborhood"

I just love Gramercy Park and I don't think I'm alone in thinking it's one of the most desirable neighborhoods in New York city in which to live. Every building seems like a little gem, with brownstone mansions not an uncommon sight. The National Arts Club, and august literary institution more than 100 years old, is home to the Poetry Society of America, and it is well worth visiting whenever they have public events. Their taste in the visual arts is rather stodgy, but they are quite a center for important American writers. Otherwise, I don't hang around the area with the park since I don't have a key, but head over to Irving Place. This little street features a fantastic pastry/ coffee shop, called 71 Irving (guess where it's located?) and a couple of excellent sushi places (Yama and Choshi). I have spend many happy hours in the cafe, people-watching and pastry-eating. Another odd quirk of this neighborhood, not immediately obvious unless you're looking for it, is that it has quite a number of little thrift and second hand shops. The merchandise isn't even always cheap, but sometimes interesting vintage goods and discounted designer clothes can be found if you have the patience to look.
Pros
  • gorgeous apartments
  • Garmercy Park
  • exclusive neighborhood
Cons
  • expensive
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Cost of Living 1/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
2yrs+

"Great neighborhood . . and, of course, there's the park."

Gramercy park is one of the most desirable neighborhoods in NY . . and, it's for an obvious reason: New York's only private park. Only inhabitants of the neighborhood are allowed a key into the park -- and, they get really snippy if an outsider tries to crash the party.
Outside of the park, the neighborhood is quite lovely. It's an even mix of massive, new developments and quaint brownstones.
And, gramercy hosts a number of the city's most talked about restaurants. Gramercy Tavern (although it just, sadly, filed for bankruptcy) is considered to be the best restaurant in the city by a number of foodies. Beppe and the ever - famous Shake Shack have to be mentioned in connection to this neighborhood as well. Gramercy is similar to Flatiron in many ways as far as the urban feel to most of it and the commercial aspects; but, the dining, mix of quaint streets and the park really set it apart.
Pros
  • Tons of history
  • Gorgeous browntones
  • The park
  • quiet
  • excellent restaurants
  • Beautiful
  • central location
Cons
  • expensive
  • boring
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
  • LGBT+
  • Trendy & Stylish
5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 2/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 4/5
  • Parking 3/5
  • Cost of Living 2/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 5/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 4/5
2yrs+

"Old World New York"

The Gramercy Park neighborhood in Manhattan is a verdant, leafy enclave which has within its boundaries a private park –the Gramercy Park which is not usually accessible to the general public. This small slice of heaven can only be accessed by the residents of the many largely co-op apartment buildings and gorgeous historic townhouses that dot this quiet, safe neighborhood. Each of the residents of these buildings have their own key which gives them access to this exclusive park though keys are also given to guests who chose to stay at the area’s tony recently Ian Schrager refurbished Gramercy Park Hotel. The boundaries of the Gramercy Park neighborhood can be loosely defined as extending from 17th Street until 23rd street to the north and from Park Avenue South in the west to First Avenue.

The neighborhood has within it several historic buildings like Theodore Roosevelt’s Birth Place which is located at 28 East 20th Street, between Park Avenue South and Broadway and which has been declared a National Historic Site which is open to the public, the National Arts Club which is housed in the historic Tilden House at 15 Gramercy Park and is known for nurturing young artistic talent and The Players Club which was once strictly a men’s club for artists, writers, journalists and men of commerce but which now admits women as well. The Players Club is housed in a townhouse at 16 Gramercy Park. Also located within this lovely neighborhood is yet another historic edifice, the Inn at Irving Place which encompasses two townhouses and offers accommodation options for those New York City visitors who wish to experience a bit of old world New York
Pros
  • the lovely Inn at Irving Place one of NYC's most romantic hotels
  • Beautiful
  • central location
  • excellent restaurants
  • exclusive neighborhood
  • Garmercy Park
  • gorgeous apartments
  • Gorgeous browntones
  • quiet
  • The park
  • Tons of history
Cons
  • expensive
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
  • Trendy & Stylish
5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 5/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
2yrs+

"The best of uptown meets the best of downtown"

Want the fashionable milieu of uptown with the artsy demeanor of downtown? Then, more than any other gentrified downtown neighborhood, Gramercy Park is for you. A quite and safe district centered around the charming 21st park (which is, alas, private; only fee-paying residents of the square's buildings have the key), Gramercy Park is close enough to the East Village and Union Square to be exciting, but is nevertheless a highly family-friendly district, as well as a socially elite one: residents include Rufus Wainwright, Kate Hudson, and Julia Roberts. The district also has a distinctively historic feel; reminiscent of the 1920's and '30s, when the neighborhood was arguably at its heyday.

The neighborhood's best nightlife is centered around Irving Place. The famous Pete's Tavern, watering hole of O. Henry and notorious speakeasy of the Prohibition days, still hosts alternative and indie bands, is still standing, as are many other bars and restaurants worth trying. Be sure to get a drink, if you can, at the historic Gramercy Park Hotel, one of the city's most charming luxury hotels, or stay for dinner at the hotel's resident Italian restaurant, Maialino.
5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 5/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
  • Shopping Options 2/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
2yrs+

"Excellent Place for food...oh, and I like living there too! :)"

I bought my co-op in 2007 after living in many, many neighborhoods in this city. The nicest thing about Gramercy is it’s proximity to Union Square and the subways. Also, it is relatively quiet, especially compared to the East Village where I lived for a while. The bars are also nice, you rarely hear the noises late at night, though they are always a fun to hang out in. I recommend Big Daddy’s for fun dinning (same sort of food as Lyric Dinner, but better portions and a more camptastic atmosphere) and Wildwood BBQ for some really interesting brunch options (they have a Southside Eggs Benedict which uses pulled pork instead of Canadian bacon and cornbread instead of an English muffin…sooooo good)

The only downside is the addition of the NYU dorm up at 23rd and 3rd…..but luckily the youngins seem to flea the area after dark for the more exciting late night neighborhoods.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 5/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 5/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 5/5
  • Nightlife 5/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 5/5
  • Gym & Fitness 5/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 5/5
  • Cost of Living 5/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 5/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
  • Medical Facilities 5/5
  • Schools 5/5
  • Childcare 5/5
2yrs+

"The best neighborhood in NYC"

I give 5 stars to this neighborhood which I believe is the best one in New York City. It is the neighborhood with its center at the Gramercy Park, which is such a beautiful park but only open its door to the residents from some apartments around it. But still there are the famous Union Square and the Stuyvesant Square, both of which are accessible for all the people. Also, there is the Irving Plaza at the corner of 14th and Irving, where you can always find great live shows if you are a big fan of music. There are a lot of really nice Italian restaurants along the Irving Pl as well. Another thing I like about this neighborhood is that there are a couple of halls owned by NYU, so you can always see a lot of young faces here. For the living convenience, there got the Whole Food Market which is my favorite. This is a really fantastic place to live. Trust me!
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
4/5
2yrs+

"No Key, No Entry!"

Bring your keys to Gramercy Park, and if you don’t have one, don’t plan on getting in. Gramercy Park is a smaller, fenced-in private park in the Gramercy neighborhood of Manhattan. The park is only accessible to the residents of particular townhouses in the area. Some nearby residents can purchase privileges to the park, but for the most part it is for local town home residents.

I once had a friend stay at the Gramercy Park Hotel, and due to her residency, we gained access to the park. I felt uber chic when we strolled in with our bagels and coffee to sit on one of the benches and read the newspaper. I savored the time, because I didn’t know if and when I would ever be allowed back in.

The neighborhood is isolated from the subway which makes the rent a bit more affordable. Since there is quite a presence of college students in the area, lower rent prices are helpful. The Fordham Graduate School Housing buildings are located along the West side and 81st Street. Some of the locals call the area between 1st Avenue and East End Avenue the “Dorm District.” Since there is low rent in this safe neighborhood, students from nearby Hunter College, New York Film Academy, and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts also migrate this way.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
4/5
2yrs+

"Beautiful, Quiet - not much for nightlife, but good strolling envirornment"

I once worked with a spoiled (and arrogant) young guy who moved into this neighborhood because his dad was an architect and he wanted to sit around and admire the local neighborhood buildings. Oh, did I mention his dad was also paying his rent? If you have a similar trust fund and a lack of ambition, this is a good neighborhood to sit around and admire, as there is much to admire. Much like the Upper East Side, these streets offer the kind of old New York charm that is mostly supplied from movies. The part of the neighborhood around the actual park (that is, around Gramercy Park) is very quiet around the clock. This is certainly a rare quality in any neighborhood in this city, and should not be taken lightly.
5/5
2yrs+

"Gramercy Park - Arguably Manhattan's most beautiful neighborhood"

Gramercy Park is one of New York’s most esteemed and beautiful neighborhoods, home one of the most beautiful private parks in the nation. This neighborhood, known for its uptown class and sophistication yet downtown flare and modern vibe, is one of the city’s most fabulous neighborhoods.

Historically, Gramercy was the prized possession of many of the city’s most wealthy and prominent residents, passing from ownership from such people as Peter Stuyvesant to James Duane to Samuel Ruggles by the mid-nineteenth century. Real Estate in Gramercy Park is remarkable, as it is home to some of the most well-maintained and coveted prewar apartment buildings, townhomes, and brownstones, and its residents get sole access to the beautiful park at the center of the neighborhood. Ruggles decided upon the exclusivity of the neighborhood via the park, providing residents of the neighborhood a private retreat outside of their lavish homes. Still today, there is a strict code of conduct required for the “key-holders” including a ban on jogging. The attention to detail and the unique opulence throughout the neighborhood provides a stark change from the architecture of Gramercy Park’s neighbors of SoHo and the East Village, which buildings’ lack the decadence of this esteemed neighborhood. Living in this neighborhood, as residence in one of these beautiful buildings is not only exclusive but expensive, can be somewhat of a challenge for those moving with a budget.

Gramercy is known for its wonderful entertainment options, ranging from dining, to shopping, to nightlife and bars. This neighborhood maintains its air of poshness while still managing to be hip and trendy, appealing both to Wall Street tycoons to post-graduate professionals to college students to retirees.

Gramercy Park is also renown for its fine upkeep and wonderful community, as the exclusivity brings with it a more neighborly comradery, which is somewhat unfathomable in the larger neighborhoods throughout the city.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees

Best Streets in Gramercy Park

1

East 19th St

4.5/5
"Pay a lot, but you get a lot"
40.7369122720568 -73.9862100516308
2

East 23 St

4.5/5
"The Beating Heart of New York"
40.7397931698346 -73.9854305819972
3

Rutherford Pl

4.5/5
"near beautiful Stuyvesant Square"
40.7339940021223 -73.9847873458799
"Wow - What a Place for Shopping"
40.7354861309056 -73.989818264966
"Charming Neighborhood - to walk through or live if you can afford it"
40.737629500177 -73.9851840009037
6

East 21st St

4/5
"Suburban convenience with an urban edge"
40.7382163447944 -73.9856698418698
7

East 20th St

4/5
"Gramercy Park beautiful!"
40.7375610513036 -73.9859345589847
8

East 18 St

3.5/5
"Eclectic and well maintained "
40.7362396254725 -73.9864292104398
9

East 16 St

3.5/5
"Just about everything you need "
40.7349679321046 -73.9870469239505
10

East 17 St

3/5
"Full of things to do and see!"
40.7354118808389 -73.9862805462569

Best Neighborhoods to Live In

Best Cities to Live In

Tell everyone what you love about your neighborhood!

Leave a Review

Have a question?

How are schools? Is the area safe? What about public transit options?" Why not ask our community of locals!

Ask Now

Selling or Renting Your Home?

Maximize the selling price of your home by sharing what you love about your suburb to increase its appeal...

Leave a Review

Corporate Relocation Manager?

Enable your employees to share local knowledge in a private, trusted environment with those relocating... while building community.

Learn More