Our neighborhood is lovely, intimate, and well located. (Our building is the third oldest existing commercial building in lower Manhattan.) What we love is feeling the historic character of old New York, yet being within easy walking distance of all the downtown neighborhoods and amenities we use most. (tribeca, the lower east side, soho and noho) Often, especially in good weather, we don't have to use the subway at all. When we do, both the east and west side subways juncture at our subway stop, which is unusual for New York. And because we are just one block from the waterfront, one never feels overwhelmed by the size or density of the city. One can amble over to the piers at any time of day or night, and take in the Brooklyn and Manhattan skylines and on a clear day, even the Veranzzano narrows in the distance. (or take one of the ferry boats plying back and forth across the East river to Brooklyn.) For us, a huge plus is that our block is quiet late at night, so great for sleeping, but also filled with wonderful little restaurants and cafes. And there is a view of the Brooklyn bridge from our windows!