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I've been living of of Orchard St between Canal and Hester for about a year now. It varies wildly from N Orchard between Delancey and Houston. It really rowdy up there, lots of fun if you like to go out and don't mind a hip party crowd Thurs-Sat.

Down towards my ends it's really quiet. I was amazed actually that in the middle of downtown there is this peaceful block just a short walk from Soho/Chinatown/ Little Italy/ LES/ and the East Village. There's Chinese food everywhere, but you've got to be picky. Wing Shun and Congee Village are winners, but be ware of empty ones. There's also good french, midrange Swedish, and the farther up Orchard you go the fancier and pricier food gets. Don't miss Brown! they're awesome for brunch. Pathmark and Fine Fare are nearby but I prefer going to the Essex Market which has an awesome Butcher, Jeffery, or the new Whole Foods which will open on Houston & Allen tomorrow.

There are 3 Chinese karaoke bars on my block. It might be intimidating but after a few Tsingtao's you'll be raring to go. Make sure to cheer for them and they'll cheer for you. Sweet Paradise and Clandestino are decent neighborhood bars. There are plenty of well trafficked bars in LES so no worries. $21.50 for a case of Tsingtao at the dollar store.

My only complaint of the area is that the apts are small ex-tenements. Which should be expected, it's the LES after all. Also, towards the south end it definitely doesn't feel like my neighborhood. I'm just a brown kid in a chinese hood.